Hamburg Tourismus GmbH

Highbrow, energetic or off-beat? Hamburg’s multi-faceted arts and entertainment scene has something for everyone.

Cultural world-class highlights
The recently opened Elbphilharmonie is the new shining landmark of Hamburg. The concert hall in Hamburg’s harbor marks its status as a city of music and culture. The interplay of the archaic Kaispeicher, a quay warehouse, with the bold sweep of the glistening glass construction is the Elbphilharmonie's architectural calling card. The spectacular building comprises three concert halls with a diverse music programme. The PLAZA, the observation desk on the 6th floor of the Elbphilharmonie is open to the public and offers visitors probably the most spectacular 360°-panoramic view in town over Hamburg and the harbour. Hamburg has not one but three major orchestras. The Hamburg Philharmonics is the resident orchestra of the State Opera House and appears regularly at the Laeiszhalle, as does the NDR Symphony Orchestra and the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. The Hamburg State Opera, Germany’s first public opera house, has purveyed culture of the highest calibre since 1678.

From Old Masters to Dadaism and Pop Art
In Hamburg’s Deichtorhallen, two former market halls, art lovers can admire modern works from Andy Warhol to Marc Chagall alongside pictures by famous photographers. But it’s not just the Deichtorhallen that is responsible for Hamburg’s outstanding reputation in the realm of art and culture. The city’s Kunsthalle is one of Germany’s most important art galleries. Its first-class collection ranges from medieval altarpieces to leading exponents of contemporary art. On the subject of art, the Bucerius Kunst Forum must also get a mention. Its four exhibitions per year mean even repeat visits always have something new to offer.

The warehouse district arouses curiosity about history
Since july 5th 2015 the warehouse district "Speicherstadt" and the "Kontorhausviertel" are listedt on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The area consists of the largest historic warehouse complex in the world and presents itself as a lively cultural quarter which combines past and present. Europe's oldest office buildings where built in the bordering "Kontorhausviertel", the famous Chilehaus being one of these beautifully decorated red-brick buildings which are so typical for Northern German architecture. Hamburg’s museums prove beyond doubt that history and learning don’t have to be dull, dry or dusty. At Spicy’s Spice Museum, for example, smelling, tasting and touching are expressly encouraged and a visit to the International Maritime Museum, is even both exciting and educational. The world’s largest private collection of maritime paraphernalia tells of explorers, conquerors, captains and crews.
Not only does Hamburg bring history to life, it also helps people to discover it for themselves. BallinStadt Emigrant World put visitors in the shoes of the many emigrants who once departed from Hamburg’s shores. The Miniatur Wunderland in the historical warehouse district is a sheer pleasure for young and old alike. It is home to the world’s largest model railway, whose lovingly created landscapes and intricate details have to be seen to be believed.

Where the king of lions does the honors
Hamburg has no fewer than four major theatres that stage exhilarating musicals. The city is Germany’s number one destination for shows that combine thrilling choreography, toe-tapping songs and unreserved fun.
All the world’s a stage in Hamburg: theatre from the traditional to the innovative classic plays, traditional German theatre and modern productions – theatregoers are spoilt for choice in Hamburg. Various theatres have the right offer to everybody’s taste.

Hamburg is a welcoming city which welcomes visitors from all over the world with hospitality and helpfulness. We attached useful information and links to plan your stay in Hamburg according to your requirements. Further information can be found here.

Transport – Getting from A to B without a Hitch
The local public transport company HVV provides excellent service for mobility-impaired visitors. Are you planning to arrive in Hamburg by plane? Hamburg Airport offers a special service for flight passengers of restricted mobility. If you are travelling by train on Deutsche Bahn you can also get help with planning your train journey to Hamburg from the MobilitätsServiceZentrale.

Hotels without barriers
Barrier-free rooms and disabled-friendly service are available in many hotels in the hanseatic city. You are welcome to book your accommodation conveniently online and enter “disabled-friendly” as criterion or obtain information by ringing our Hamburg Hotline.

Eating Out: Dreamy Delicacies
Hamburg is a confluence of worlds – so you can enjoy specialties from all over the globe here. With our Restaurant Guide you can browse through Hamburg’s wealth of restaurants and cafés to find those with disabled-friendly service and your favourite cuisine too.

Theatre, Shows and a Whole Lot More
We don’t want 100 stairs to come between you and an enjoyable night at the theatre. With our information, there’s nothing more to stop you enjoying culture. Our event search will help you to find current plays and shows. You can find further information here.

Pure Nature in and around Hamburg. Hamburg is one of the most livable cities on the planet. Being located on the massive River Elbe with the charming Alster Lake in the city center Hamburg has an enormous quality of life to offer for its inhabitants and visitors. Day trips to the Baltic and North Sea are perfect outings to enjoy some beach life, set the sail or surf the wave. In the metropolitan region the historic cities Lübeck and Stade and the charming landscapes of the Lüneburg Heath and the Vierlanden invite for outings with families and friends.

Around the Alster
The big lake in the heart of the green Hanseatic City is a paradise for yachtsmen, oarsmenand paddlers alike. The AlsterLake with a circumference of 7.6 km originating from the 13th Century is a popular meeting place for recreation, joggers and walkers alike. Paddling, rowing or sailing: Hamburg offers many delightful perspectives. You can find boat rental businesses at the Outer Alster, at the Alster itself, at the Alstercanal, in addition, at the Goldbek -, Isebek- and Osterbekcanal. Also a nice walk around the Alster is worthwhile because some of the most sought-after residential areas of Hamburg are located around it and also the well-known Atlantic hotel.

Planten un Blomen
The “Alten Wallanlagen” the old Town Ramparts and the famous “Planten un Blomen”are situated in the middle of the city – a wonderful green leisure area with a botanical garden, tropical green house and the biggest Japanese garden in Europe. If you follow the man-made stream at the entrance to the park at “Millerntor” you will reach the park lake which has at certain times in the evening an illuminated fountain organ, playing in time to a piece of classical music. From May to September water games take place here by day and in the evening there are coloured illuminated fountain concerts.

Stadtpark (City Park)
When the weather is nice there is a lot of action on the fields of the City Park. Here young and old come together to play football, have a picnic, a sunbath or have a trip on the Park Lake in a pedal or a rowing boat. The City Park also has an Open-air concert “hall” with many international artists and bands performing there. It also has one of the oldest Planetariums in the world. Nowadays it is equipped with the most modern projectors. The Planetarium itself shows presentations and simulations, also theatre acts and music shows are regularly performed.

Elbe Beach
On sunny days the shore at Oevelgönnebeneath the Elbchaussee is as crowded as the Copacabana. The place to see and be seen is one of the cafes or beach clubs on the water’s edge. There they all enjoing life by cool drinks, delicious food and a fantastic view to the Port of Hamburg.

StadtRad Hamburg – bike rental
Discover the world’s most beautiful city under your own power: on one of the racy red bikes belonging to Hamburg’s new StadtRAD bike rental system. Some 231 rental points and 3,100 bicycles are located at numerous rapid transport (S-Bahn) and underground (U-Bahn) stations in the extended inner city area as well as in larger residential and business areas and at important leisure and tourist attractions.

Golfing in the city
The region around Hamburg is a real golfer's paradise - with some of the most beautiful courses in Germany, excellent transport links and an exceptional choice of golf hotels. 9 of Germany's best 50 courses are located in the Hamburg golfing region - including the front runner which has reveived nummerous awards in recent years. More information can be found here.

Hamburg has been proving for years that living in a big city is no impediment to having natural beauty on your doorstep. It is therefore no surprise that the “green city by the water” enjoys an excellent reputation around the world. Hamburg is widely recognised as a pioneer in matters relating to climate protection, green policies and sustainability. In addition to high-profile projects, many smaller initiatives are helping to make Hamburg more environmentally friendly. Which is why you’ll see some hydrogen-powered buses gliding noiselessly, but most importantly emission-free, through Hamburg’s streets. The FCS Alsterwasser steamboat also transports its passengers without emissions. The world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger ship has been in operation here since 2008. Also in 2008, Hamburg launched a campaign encouraging people to leave their cars at home and get on their bikes. As a result, more than 3,100 bright-red StadtRäder cycles are available for locals and visitors to hire at more than 231 stations throughout the inner city area. Hiring a bike is very easy: simply register at any hiring station, pick up a bike, and turn it back to a station of your choice.