For many visitors, the Port of Hamburg is the city's top highlight – and it is now being enhanced by a striking new promenade designed by Zaha Hadid. Located directly across from the Elbphilharmonie, between Baumwall and Landungsbrücken, the sweeping steps offer a perfect view of the river. Just next door, you can hop on a harbour tour and discover the city from the water.
Even for long-time Hamburg locals, watching the ships go by remains a beloved leisure activity – whether from a boat, a riverside beach club along the Elbe, or the romantic captain's quarter of Övelgönne. Many ships come from as far away as Asia or the USA – or make their way inland along the Elbe. When you see them arriving in Hamburg, it's easy to feel like you're right by the sea. In reality, the North Sea coast is still about 100 kilometres away.
For 827 years, Hamburg has celebrated its maritime heritage at the annual Hafengeburtstag (harbour birthday), the world's biggest harbour festival. Other major events include the spectacular Hamburg Cruise Days and the atmospheric Elbjazz Festival, held right on a dockside stage.
HafenCity Hamburg – The Future on the Waterfront
HafenCity Hamburg is a bold new urban district that embraces its waterfront location. Built on former port quays near the city centre, the area has been under development for 25 years and is one of Europe's most ambitious inner-city projects. Spanning 157 hectares, it will eventually offer homes for 16.000 people and workspaces for 45.000. Much of it is already complete.
With wide open spaces, riverside promenades and striking modern architecture – including the iconic Elbphilharmonie concert hall – HafenCity has become a magnet for both locals and tourists. Just next door, the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district, with its redbrick architecture, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. It, along with the Kontorhaus district and the landmark Chilehaus, forms a fascinating contrast to the modern waterfront development.
