In this article, we have compiled the best HafenCity sights and activities for you.
Europe’s largest urban development project of modern times is, of course, the place to be for architecture enthusiasts. But history buffs, music lovers, foodies, car freaks and wannabe pirates will also get their money’s worth in Hamburg’s HafenCity.
What is HafenCity anyway?
Shiney and new! HafenCity is the largest inner-city development project in Europe. Since its official foundation in 2008, the virgin area has gradually become a lively district that invites you to live, work, feast and explore and is increasingly standing out as a cultural highlight.
After all, nowhere else do innovative architecture, sustainable urban planning, countless leisure activities and a vibrant cultural life come together like here.
The HafenCity area covers 157 hectares, consists of 10 districts and even has its own subway line, the U4.
Are Speicherstadt and HafenCity the same thing?
The historic Speicherstadt is formally part of HafenCity, even if the eye thinks you are in a different world here. In the Speicherstadt, huge red brick buildings, which were built as warehouses in the 19th century, rise steeply out of the water. This offers a truly unique scenery and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason.
Hamburg’s HafenCity in the true sense of the word, which is what we are talking about here, is located between the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district to the north and the Elbe to the south.
If you want to explore the Speicherstadt in more detail, you can take a look at this blog article: “The 10 best Speicherstadt sights”.
The 10 best sights in HafenCity
1. the Elbphilharmonie
Clearly No. 1 on our list: The Elbphilharmonie concert hall. This architectural highlight, which is located next to the Speicherstadt warehouse district, is not only a must-see, but also a must-hear.
Fortunately, you can still get tickets for most concerts at short notice. You can visit the Elphi Plaza, which offers a 360° view of the harbor, for free. However, you need a ticket to take the “Tube”, the longest escalator in Europe, up to the viewing platform. The guided tours of the concert halls are also definitely worth a visit.
Address: Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, 20457 Hamburg
2. the prototype car museum
From a racing simulator to rare sports cars and vintage cars, anecdotes and background information to an engine sounds audio box – the Prototyp Automuseum has everything to get your horsepower heart racing. The attention to detail ensures that the pit stop at this HafenCity attraction is certainly not a short one.
Address: Shanghaiallee 7, 20457 Hamburg
3. the Marco Polo Terraces
The central meeting point in the middle of HafenCity offers comfortable seating and green spaces as well as a magnificent view of the Grasbrook harbor.
Here you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle on one of the three levels, spot HafenCity sights such as the Marco Polo Tower and puzzle over where Helene Fischer’s apartment is located.
Address: Marco-Polo-Terrassen, 20457 Hamburg
4. the Überseeboulevard
The 300 m long shopping street runs through the charming Überseequartier, which invites you to take a stroll with its broad mix of cafés, boutiques and designer stores.
Together with the adjacent market square, Überseeboulevard is also the starting point for various events, such as flea markets, outdoor sporting events, art festivals, live concerts and the annual Christmas market.
Address: Überseeboulevard, 20457 Hamburg
5th HafenCity Skywalk
In practical terms, it is a 65-meter-long, weather-protected passage between the U4 Elbbrücken underground line and the S-Bahn station of the same name, but in reality it is an insider tip for anyone who enjoys a good view.
At a height of around 9 meters, you can admire the impressive skyline from a bird’s eye view from the glass Skywalk Elbbrücken. Photo enthusiasts and Instagram addicts will love this HafenCity attraction.
Address: U4/S-Bahn station Elbbrücken, Zweibrückenstraße / Norderelbbrücken in HafenCity, 20457 Hamburg
6th Störtebeker Monument
Who is this city dedicating a monument to? To one of its greatest enemies! However, he is depicted naked and bound, shortly before his execution.
The bloodthirsty pirate Klaus Störtebeker taught the merchants of Hamburg the meaning of fear and yet became a legend in the Hanseatic city. The people of Hamburg attacked him with strong naval forces. He was finally captured with his crew during a major naval battle off Heligoland in 1401 and executed on Grasbrook.
So much for the short version. Because there are numerous myths and legends surrounding Hamburg’s most famous pirate.
Tip: If you want to find out more about Störtebeker and explore the HafenCity sights in a fun way, don’t miss our new Störtebeker Outdoor Escape Game. Arrr … let’s go on a pirate adventure!
Address: Störtebeker Ufer, 20457 Hamburg
7th Baakenpark
Speaking of monuments – Germany’s most active sports city has created a thematically fitting monument in the form of Baakenpark.
A soccer pitch, “exercise islands” with all kinds of equipment, street ball baskets and even a 100-meter track have been created on a 1.6-hectare area. You can take a breather on the sunbathing lawn with fruit trees. And on the platform of the 15-metre-high, piled-up “Himmelsberg”, you can – once again – enjoy the wonderful view.
Address: Baakenallee, 20457 Hamburg
8th subway stop “Hafencity Universität”
Yes, okay, a subway station may not be a HafenCity attraction in itself … BUT: If you take the still fairly new subway line 4 to HafenCity University station, you get off at a station like no other in Hamburg.
Twelve “light containers” illuminate the walls and parts of the ceiling in different shades of color. But it’s best to get out here at the weekend or on public holidays. Because then, thanks to the Verdi and Bach classics played, the station becomes a feast for the eyes and ears.
Address: HafenCity University, subway station
9th Lohsepark
The largest park in HafenCity is of course also one of the biggest attractions and a must-see for anyone traveling with children. You can tell that the public was involved in the planning (for example in the form of workshops with children or interviews with young people).
In addition to manicured greenery, the uninterrupted view “from water to water” and a promenade system with a view of Baakenhafen and the Elbe, Lohsepark also offers spectacular play opportunities. From trampolines and slacklines to the so-called “super slide”.
Address: Am Lohsepark, 20457 Hamburg
Tip: Our outdoor escape game for children “Monster in the City” in Lohsepark is perfect for children’s birthday parties.
10th Detour: Infocenter of the Kesselhaus
Hamburg’s HafenCity and its sights are far from finished. If you want to discover the underlying vision before or after the tour, you should take a detour to the Speicherstadt, or more precisely to the Kesselhaus.
In the information center there, you can see the exact development plan for HafenCity. There is also a fascinating model showing what the new district on the Elbe will look like once it is completed.
Address: Am Sandtorkai 30, 20457 Hamburg
HafenCity sights Conclusion
The not-so-affectionately named “largest construction site in Europe” offers architectural highlights as well as sustainability, charm and quality of life. So it’s no wonder that HafenCity has become a real magnet for visitors in such a short space of time.
Our conclusion is therefore: Hamburg’s HafenCity should be visited at least twice! Once as soon as possible and again after its completion at the latest, so that you can also see the HafenCity sights that have been completed by then.
