View into the red-seated auditorium of the Hamburg State Opera with warmly lit balconies — © Mediaserver Hamburg / gem. Nutzungsbedingungen des HMG-Mediaserverslicensed for Hamburg Marketing GmbH

Cultural highlights for international guests

Special services for non-German-speakers

English stage arts & performances

Though the major language for theatre perfromances in Hamburg is German, there still is a fine selection of leading theatres and other institutions that also perform in English. For more detailed information, please check the websites of the following cultural institutions:

© ThisIsJulia Photography
The English Theatre of Hamburg
The English Theatre in Hamburg shows dramas, thrillers and comedies exclusively with British actors from London.
The English Theatre of Hamburg
© ThisIsJulia Photography
Traditional stage with impressive productions Thalia Theater
A visit to the venerable Thalia Theater promises visitors a high-class and stylish theatre visit in the heart of Hamburg even today.
Thalia Theater
© ThisIsJulia Photography
Venue for music, theatre and dance Kampnagel
Kampnagel enjoys worldwide recognition as an international production house. It offers a multi-faceted platform for contemporary performing arts, as…
Kampnagel

Guided tours in English

The following cultural institutions offer regular tours in English. For non-native speakers, some tours are also available in other languages. For example, the International Maritime Museum offers guided tours in French. The Deichtorhallen also offer tours of the Falkenberg Collection in Turkish.

Deutsches Hafenmuseum (German Harbour Museum) - Location: Shed 50A

Hamburg's history as an important transhipment point for the shipping industry can be experienced with exciting guided tours and many exhibits in the authentic harbour museum.

Deutsches Hafenmuseum (German Harbour Museum) - Location: Shed 50A

Deutsches Hafenmuseum - Standort Schuppen 50A

Australiastraße (Kopfbau des Schuppens) 50A
22457 Hamburg

Dialoghaus Hamburg

Embark on a discovery tour of your senses. With Dialogue in the Dark, Dialogue in Silence and Dinner in the Dark, three exciting exhibitions await you in the heart of the Speicherstadt.

Dialoghaus Hamburg

Alter Wandrahm 4
20457 Hamburg

Hamburg Dungeon

Experience history in a different way: In the catacombs of Hamburg's UNESCO World Heritage Speicherstadt, professional actors bring the city's darkest events back to life. In front of gruesome backdrops and with the help of cinematic effects, visitors experience the historical events of Hamburg's history for 90 minutes in thirteen different show areas.

Hamburg Dungeon

Kehrwieder 2
20457 Hamburg

Hamburger Rathaus — © ThisIsJulia Photography

Hamburg Town Hall

Unusually ostentatious for Hanseatic taste: The imposing Hamburg Town Hall.

Hamburg Town Hall

Hamburger Rathaus

Rathausmarkt 1
20095 Hamburg

Hamburger Kunsthalle

The Hamburger Kunsthalle is one of the most important and largest art museums in Germany. Its first-class collection takes visitors through 8 centuries. In 2019, it celebrated a round birthday: 150 years ago, the Kunsthalle was opened to the public.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Glockengießerwall 5
20095 Hamburg

Hamburgische Staatsoper

Visitors to Hamburg who are looking for high-class opera entertainment will be spoiled with grandiose performances in the time-honoured Hamburg State Opera.

Hamburgische Staatsoper

Große Theaterstraße 25
20354 Hamburg

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English audio guides

Many museums and exhibitions supply audio devices or audio guide apps in English, some even more foreign languages.

© ThisIsJulia Photography
From Hamburg to a new world Emigrant Museum BallinStadt
The emigrant museum BallinStadt in Hamburg opens its doors and shows in its exhibition the emigration history from four epochs.
Emigrant Museum BallinStadt
© ThisIsJulia Photography
Who is really real here? Panoptikum
The waxworks museum on Spielbudenplatz has been open for over 130 years and it is well worth a visit! Here you can meet everyone from Albert Einstein…
Panoptikum
© ThisIsJulia Photography
International Maritime Museum
Kaispeicher B in Hamburg's Speicherstadt is home to the world's largest private collection of maritime treasures from 3000 years of shipping and naval…
International Maritime Museum
© Ralf Sürbaum
From antique to contemporary to modern. Hamburger Kunsthalle
The Hamburger Kunsthalle is one of the most important and largest art museums in Germany. Its first-class collection takes visitors through 8…
Hamburger Kunsthalle
© Spicy's Gewürzmuseum
Spicy's Gewürzmuseum
The unique SPICY'S Gewürzmuseum, housed in an old warehouse in Hamburg's Speicherstadt since 1993, is a spice museum that appeals to all the senses -…
Spicy's Gewürzmuseum
© Hamburg Tourismus GmbH
Planetarium
The Hamburg Planetarium is probably the most advanced planetarium on your home planet! Under the dome of the hall is assembled a "multimedia…
Planetarium
© ThisIsJulia Photography
Hamburg Museum for Archaeology and History Helms Museum Hamburg
The Archaeological Museum Hamburg is Hamburg's museum for archaeology and the history of Hamburg. The museum in the south of Hamburg offers an…
Helms Museum Hamburg
© ThisIsJulia Photography
Three of the most beautiful exhibition halls in Europe Deichtorhallen
The Deichtorhallen Hamburg is one of Europe's largest art exhibition halls. There art and photography enthusiasts will find a wide variety of…
Deichtorhallen

English information material & descriptions of the exhibits

Information material and exhibition texts as well as descriptions of the exhibits in English can be found at the following cultural institutions:

Hamburg Dungeon

Kehrwieder 2
20457 Hamburg

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Glockengießerwall 5
20095 Hamburg

Helms Museum Hamburg

The Archaeological Museum Hamburg is Hamburg's museum for archaeology and the history of Hamburg. The museum in the south of Hamburg offers an exciting, interactive overview of 200,000 years of the region's history.

Helms Museum Hamburg

Archäologisches Museum Hamburg

Museumsplatz 2
21075 Hamburg

Kunstverein in Hamburg — © ThisIsJulia Photography

Kunstverein Hamburg

The Hamburger Kunstverein was founded in 1817 and thus belongs to one of the oldest art associations in Germany. The non-profit association is committed to the mediation of contemporary art and is one of the first places to go to for art lovers in Hamburg.

Kunstverein Hamburg

Kunstverein in Hamburg

Klosterwall 23
20095 Hamburg

MONTBLANC HAUS

With the MONTBLANC HAUS, the Hamburg-based company has created a place that inspires writing. Find out more about Montblanc's history and rediscover the power of writing in two exhibitions, a guided tour of the Manufacturing Facility or creative classes in the Writing Atelier.

MONTBLANC HAUS

Montblanc Haus

Hellgrundweg 98
22525 Hamburg

Museum am Rothenbaum - Kulturen und Künste der Welt

The Museum am Rothenbaum, Kulturen und Künste der Welt (MARKK) preserves the cultural and artistic wealth of humanity.

Museum am Rothenbaum - Kulturen und Künste der Welt

Rothenbaumchaussee 64
20148 Hamburg

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Cultural activities beyond languages

Most of Hamburgs cultural institutions do not require any language skills and can be enjoyed by everyone. Have a look at the following offers:

Classical ballet and modern forms

Hamburg Ballet

The Hamburg Ballet – John Neumeier is one of the world’s top companies, merging classical technique with modern storytelling since 1973 – poetic, precise, and unique.

Pure fascination!

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg

The Miniatur Wunderland in Speicherstadt Hamburg is the must-see for all railway enthusiasts, world-deckers, families, and every other visitor to Hamburg!

One of the world's leading venues for opera

Hamburgische Staatsoper

Visitors to Hamburg who are looking for high-class opera entertainment will be spoiled with grandiose performances in the time-honoured Hamburg State Opera.

World renowned concert hall and city emblem

Elbphilharmonie

Hamburg has a new cultural landmark! The Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall represents an unprecedented synthesis of the arts - architecture, music and the unique location in the middle of the Hamburg harbour. More than 2.6 million guests have already attended over 1,000 concerts!

Concert hall with tradition

Laeiszhalle

The first house on the square: The Laeiszhalle is Hamburg's traditional venue for exquisite musical experiences with a special focus on early music, recitals, chamber music and jazz.

Hamburg Warehouse District — © ThisIsJulia Photography

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hamburg

Speicherstadt

The Speicherstadt is probably the best-known symbol of the maritime history of the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the expression of Hamburg's rise and is one of the most beautiful sights today!

Komponisten-Quartier — © ThisIsJulia Photography

Composers Quarter

The Hamburg Composers' Quarter is an association of various museums that offer exciting and interactive insights into the biographies of world-famous composers.

Cinemas showing original versions (OV) or originals with subtitles (OmU)

If you are interested in movies in English, you should definitely visit one of these cinemas. Don't be put off by the German website, the following cinemas from time to time show English films or original versions with English subtitles.

© Laura Müller
Films in original version Savoy Filmtheater
The traditional Savoy film theatre primarily shows original-language films as well as highlights from the English theatre scene.
Savoy Filmtheater
© ThisIsJulia Photography
Varied cultural programme zeise cinema
The zeise cinemas in Hamburg Ottensen are located in a former ship propeller factory. In this unique setting, audiences can enjoy a varied cultural…
zeise cinema
© Polizei Hamburg
Place to dream Passage Cinema
The Passage cinema has three halls with 670 seats. The latest technology is presented in a stylish setting.
Passage Cinema
© Nick Cooper on Unsplash
Current mainstream cinema CinemaxX
The CinemaxX at Dammtor shows current movie highlights. It's not unusual for big stars to romp around in the cinema for the premiere of their latest…
CinemaxX

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Frontalansicht der Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg bei Tageslicht und bewölktem Himmel — © Jung von Matt

Theatre, Museums, Galleries & Music Culture & Music in Hamburg

When it comes to culture, Hamburg certainly caters for all tastes! With everything from theatres, museums, exhibitions, live music and a lively club scene to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and exciting adventure attractions right through to the jewel in Hamburg’s crown – the Elbphilharmonie, this city of culture won’t disappoint!

Culture & Music in Hamburg

Blick auf Hamburger Speicherstadt mit Boot im Kanal und Elbphilharmonie im Hintergrund bei Sonnenschein — © Mediaserver Hamburg / Jörg Modrow

Uniquely and unmistakably Hamburg Only in Hamburg

These cultural sights can only be found in Hamburg: from the UNESCO Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel to the Elbphilharmonie and the famous Michel, the main church named St. Michaelis.

Only in Hamburg

Abaton Cinema in Hamburg — © Julia Schwendner

The days are getting colder 10 indoor cultural highlights in Hamburg

The leaves are turning colourful, the skies are turning grey and those interested in culture in Hamburg are seeking shelter. Hamburg has a lot to offer in the contrast to the dark season: Our cultural highlights defy the grey weather, have colourful things to offer and best of all: you can warm up perfectly during your Hamburg trip, because they are all indoors.

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10 indoor cultural highlights in Hamburg

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Cultural highlights for international guests

English stage arts & performances

The English Theatre of Hamburg

Traditional stage with impressive productions Thalia Theater

Venue for music, theatre and dance Kampnagel

Guided tours in English

Deutsches Hafenmuseum (German Harbour Museum) - Location: Shed 50A

Deutsches Hafenmuseum - Standort Schuppen 50A

Dialoghaus Hamburg

Dialoghaus Hamburg

Hamburg Dungeon

Hamburg Dungeon

Hamburg Town Hall

Hamburger Rathaus

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburgische Staatsoper

Hamburgische Staatsoper

English audio guides

From Hamburg to a new world Emigrant Museum BallinStadt

Who is really real here? Panoptikum

International Maritime Museum

From antique to contemporary to modern. Hamburger Kunsthalle

Spicy's Gewürzmuseum

Planetarium

Hamburg Museum for Archaeology and History Helms Museum Hamburg

Three of the most beautiful exhibition halls in Europe Deichtorhallen

English information material & descriptions of the exhibits

Hamburg Dungeon

Hamburg Dungeon

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Helms Museum Hamburg

Archäologisches Museum Hamburg

Kunstverein Hamburg

Kunstverein in Hamburg

MONTBLANC HAUS

Montblanc Haus

Museum am Rothenbaum - Kulturen und Künste der Welt

Museum am Rothenbaum - Kulturen und Künste der Welt

Cultural activities beyond languages

Hamburg Ballet

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg

Hamburgische Staatsoper

Elbphilharmonie

Laeiszhalle

Speicherstadt

Composers Quarter

Cinemas showing original versions (OV) or originals with subtitles (OmU)

Films in original version Savoy Filmtheater

3001 Kino

Varied cultural programme zeise cinema

Place to dream Passage Cinema

Current mainstream cinema CinemaxX

DISCOVER NOW This might interest you as well

Theatre, Museums, Galleries & Music Culture & Music in Hamburg

Uniquely and unmistakably Hamburg Only in Hamburg

TOPThe days are getting colder 10 indoor cultural highlights in Hamburg

FOLLOW US @hamburgahoi

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Google translator for other languages

The days are getting colder 10 indoor cultural highlights in Hamburg