Zwei Containerschiffe im Hamburger Hafen an Verladekränen bei blauem Himmel und ruhigem Wasser
© mediaserver.hamburg.de / Andreas Vallbracht

Container port in Hamburg: Goods from all over the world

If you really want to get to know the Hanseatic city on the Elbe, you have to go to the water. Besides a harbour tour, the Hamburg container harbour is a major highlight.

Around 85 million tonnes of goods are shipped here every year. With four container terminals this port is the second largest container in Europe after Rotterdam. Visitors can immerse themselves in a world full of glittering machines, cranes as tall as a house and huge cargo ships.

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    Port of Hamburg

    About 8,000 ships from all over the world call at Europe's second largest port. From Hamburgs cruise ship terminal to the historic Speicherstadt and the jetties to the modern container port - it smells like freedom and distant countries here.

    Port of Hamburg
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    The whole world's port Maritime Hamburg

    Desire for the water, harbour flair and large boats? Then you're in the right place so close to the Elbe. No matter whether you take off on your own or want to experience such highlights as the Harbour Birthday or Cruise Days, we tell you when and…

    Maritime Hamburg
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    The Elbe

    You can experience the "big pots" - big ships - up close at numerous places along the Elbe. Apart from the Landungsbrücke and the fish market, there are numerous other spots where you can experience the maritime lifestyle.

    The Elbe
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    Explore the port of Hamburg Harbour Round Trips

    When you visit Hamburg, don't miss a boat cruise through the harbour. Whether you take a hop-on, hop-off launch ride, an atmospheric round trip in the evening or a high-speed tour - there's something for every taste.

    Harbour Round Trips
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    Lighthouses in Hamburg

    The lighthouses in Hamburg radiate maritime flair and a very special attraction!

    Lighthouses in Hamburg
  • © mediaserver.hamburg.de / Jörg Modrow

    Shipping & Cruises

    Experience the metropolis on the Elbe before or after your cruise or just watch the ships. Be there live and up close when the most amazing cruise ships arrive at Hamburg's cruise terminals.

    Shipping & Cruises
Museums-U-Boot U-434 im Hamburger Hafen bei Sonnenuntergang, im Hintergrund die Elbphilharmonie
© ThisIsJulia-Photography

The container port: Hamburg's gateway to the world

At Hamburg harbour between Altenwerder and Waltershofer Damm, a spectacle takes place around the clock 360 days a year, in which everything revolves around speed and precision. Gigantic container ships from over 174 countries on six continents are loaded and unloaded here. Hamburg's port is almost in the top 10 internationally and thus plays an immensely important role in world trade. In a very short time, cranes take the containers weighing several tons from the ship, which are then transported to their intended location by means of lift trucks and then transported away by truck or the port's own railway. The invention of containers revolutionised freight transport at the time and the first container terminal opened in 1968 at Burchardkai in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, which is still Hamburg's largest transhipment terminal today.

Hafenkräne im Hamburger Hafen bei Sonnenuntergang vor goldenem Himmel
© ThisIsJulia-Photography
So much more Hamburg

Adventure container port: sightseeing tour from the Landungsbrücken

Anyone who wants to experience maritime Hamburg within reach should not miss a visit to the container port. From the Landungsbrücken in St. Pauli, take ferry 61 to the Waltershof jetty. Through the Zollmauer you reach Alternwerder Damm, cross the A7 underpass and then cross the pedestrian bridge to Waltershofer Damm. For holders of the Hamburg CARD, the ferry trip is included. Arriving at your destination, you can enjoy a spectacular view of imposing container gantry cranes, endlessly long container warehouses and huge freighters full of colourful containers. In the evening, the spectacle is bathed in a very special atmosphere by yellow floodlights. Only after you have visited the container port in Hamburg will you get a realistic picture of the Elbe metropolis.

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Sonnenaufgang im Hamburger Hafen mit Möwen, Schiffen und silhouettierten Kränen über glitzerndem Wasser
© ThisIsJulia Photography
The whole world's port

Maritime Hamburg

Do you fancy water, harbour flair and big boats? Then you're in the right place near the Elbe. No matter whether you want to go on your own - or want to experience the highlights of the harbour birthday or cruise days: We will tell you when and where you can enjoy maritime flair in its purest form in Hamburg.

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Purchase your tickets now! Harbour round-trips in Hamburg

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    Hafenrundfahrt Barkassen Ehlers
    © Felix Neumann

    1h Harbour Tour Ehlers

    • Starting at the Vorsetzen-Anleger
    • Following the vibrant quayside
    • Speicherstadt (depending on the tide)
    • Exact time booking
    1h Harbour Tour EhlersTo offerfrom 24.00 €*

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Package: Hamburg Reisen incl. Bahn
© Mediaserver HH_Andreas Vallbrach

Hotel and train Travel with the Deutsche Bahn included

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  • Return journey with Deutsche Bahn including seat reservation depends on availability
  • Hamburg CARD (3 Days) – ticket worth 33.50€
Hotel and trainTo offerfrom 219.00 €
Package: Buzzing City by the Water
© Andreas Vallbracht

Buzzing City by the Water Discoverer Experience

  • overnight stay in a hotel, with breakfast
  • Sightseeing tour on a red double-decker
  • 1-hour harbour tour on the Elbe
Buzzing City by the WaterTo offerfrom 173.60 €
Package: Miniatur Wunderland PUR
© Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg

Miniatur Wunderland at its best Top Attraction

  • overnight stay in the hotel of your choice, with breakfast
  • VIP entry to Miniatur Wunderland (flexible date and time selection, no queuing)
  • Hamburg CARD (3 Days) – ticket worth 33.50€
Miniatur Wunderland at its bestTo offerfrom 81.10 €

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