AIDAnova passiert bei Sonnenschein die Elbphilharmonie auf der Elbe vor der Hamburger Skyline
© AIDA Cruises

Shipping and cruises in Hamburg

If you like cruises, you'll love Hamburg!

Be there live and up close when the most beautiful cruise ships arrive at Hamburg's cruise terminals. You will find all the dates and information you need on cruises, the passing visits of cruise liners, as well as practical tips for those on a cruise and those interested in starting a here!

    AT A GLANCE The most important information for cruise guests

    Experience cruises live in Hamburg!

    The Hanseatic City of Hamburg has always been the gateway to the world. Here, where Albert Ballin invented cruise liners at the end of the 19th century, is where the most beautiful and popular cruise ships in the world regularly arrive and depart from. The ocean liners moor directly in the heart of the city near the Elbphilharmonie and take guests to the Norwegian fjords, the British Isles, the Baltic Sea, the Arctic, Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland, around Western Europe or directly to New York.

    Hamburg. Unique. Diverse.

    When are you coming?

    Travel Packages
    Feuerwerk über dem beleuchteten AIDA-Kreuzfahrtschiff im Hamburger Hafen beim Hafengeburtstag
    © Hamburg Messe und Congress / Nicolas Maack

    834th Hamburg Port Anniversary

    Discover now the biggest digital harbour festival in the world! All dates of the programme Detailed information and background Tips & recommendations for the port anniversary in Hamburg.

    More
    385th Hamburg Port Anniversary
    © Hamburg Messe und Congress / Romanus-Fuhrmann

    Hamburg Cruise Days

    From 12 to 14 September 2025, Hamburg will once again be the stage for the world of cruising - with the Hamburg Cruise Days. The world's most beautiful cruise festival returns: with impressive ships, the atmospheric Blue Port Hamburg, and with spectacular event highlights such as the parade on Saturday evening. Hamburg Tourismus has the right package deal for the maritime experience.

    More
    hamburg-cruise-days-c-ralph-larmann-2-web-2500x1500
    © Ralph Larmann

    Watching ships. At the entrance and exit of the Elbe.

    Frau blickt auf historische Schiffe im Hamburger Hafen und zeigt in die Ferne bei sonnigem Wetter
    © Timo Sommer

    Where to watch ships

    In Hamburg, the best and most well-known ocean liners in the world regularly enter and leave the harbour, which makes Hamburg a popular place for ship-spotters - 12 months out of the year.

    Blog
    Where to watch ships
    hamburg-maritim_schiffsausfahrt_elbe_c-andreas-vallbracht
    © Andreas Vallbracht

    Leaving Hamburg on the Elbe

    Experience the Elbe from Hamburg to its delta into the North Sea!

    Leaving Hamburg on the Elbe

    BOOK NOW Discover the Hamburg Harbour

    • Hamburg CARD reduced
      Hafenrundfahrt Abicht (1 Stunde)
      © ThisIsJulia Photography

      1h Harbour Tour Abicht

      • Starting at the Landungsbrücken
      • Following the vibrant quayside
      • Speicherstadt (depending on the tide)
      • Booking day ticktes
      1h Harbour Tour AbichtTo offerfrom 26.00 €*
    • Hamburg CARD reduced
      Lichterfahrt Abicht Erwachsener
      © 2019-ThisIsJulia-Photography

      1h Harbour Tour in the Evening

      • One of a kind night-ride
      • Illuminated facades
      • Sea of ​​lights of the Hamburg harbour
      • Maritime barge or  salon ship
      1h Harbour Tour in the EveningTo offerfrom 26.00 €*
    • Hamburg CARD reduced
      Maritime Circle Line - Hop-on Hop-of
      © Eckhard Biermann

      Hop-on Hop-off Ticket "Maritime Circle Line"

      • Sightseeing from the water
      • 10 stops along Hamburg's attractions
      • Elbphilharmonie, Ballinstadt, etc..
      • Pay once and drive all day
      Hop-on Hop-off Ticket "Maritime Circle Line"To offerfrom 22.00 €*
    • Hamburg CARD reduced
      Gregor´s Lichterfahrt und Abendtörn
      © Jan Schugardt

      Gregor's Harbour Tour in the Evening

      • Boat-ride after sunset
      • Sea of ​​lights at the edge of the harbour
      • Wonderful illuminated Speicherstadt
      Gregor's Harbour Tour in the EveningTo offerfrom 28.00 €*

    Hamburg's official
    city card

    Free travel by bus, train & harbour ferries,
    up to 50% discount on over 150 activities,
    attractions and restaurants.

    Hamburg's officialInfo & Bookingfrom 11.90 €

    Start your Journey

    Local transport & port ferries included

    The Hamburg experience

    With 150 discounts & benefits

    All in the app

    Tickets, tips & your Hamburg guide

    BOOK NOW Our Top Offers for Your Hamburg Trip

    • Save up to 50 % in 1st class
      Package: Hamburg Reisen incl. Bahn
      © Mediaserver HH_Andreas Vallbrach

      Hamburg travel including train 4 Days including hotel and arrival

      • overnight stay in hotel, with breakfast
      • Save up to 50 % in 1st class
      • Hamburg CARD (3 Days) – ticket worth 33.50€
      Hamburg travel including 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 169.60 €
    • Reisepaket: Hamburg für Entdecker
      © Escape Filmproduktion

      Hamburg for explorers On water, on land and on foot

      • overnight stay in a Hotel, with breakfast
      • Guided tours by bus, boat and on foot
      • Hamburg CARD (3 Days) – ticket worth 33.50€
      Hamburg for explorersTo offerfrom 189.10 €

    THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU AS WELL Further Recommendations

    Sonnenaufgang im Hamburger Hafen mit Möwen, Schiffen und silhouettierten Kränen über glitzerndem Wasser
    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    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 where you can enjoy Hamburg's maritime flair pure.

    Maritime Hamburg
    Luftaufnahme der Elbphilharmonie bei Sonnenaufgang
    © mediaserver.hamburg.de / Cooper Copter

    Urban.Shore.Hamburg Hamburg – City at the waterfront

    Life on the water makes Hamburg really special. Discover the city on the water and enjoy its maritime diversity.

    Hamburg – City at the waterfront
    hamburg ahoi
    © Till – stock.adobe.com

    blog Insider tips, City & people, Stories

    Our online magazine with insider tips about Hamburg and exciting stories about the city and its people from our HamburgAhoi experts. It's worth taking a look. ♥

    Insider tips, City & people, Stories

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