Ausflugsboot auf der Hamburger Außenalster bei sonnigem Wetter und Blick auf den Fernsehturm.
© Jörg Modrow

Canal trip through Hamburg

On an Alster steamer over the city's waterways.

Guests of the Elbe metropolis who would like to taste of the spirit of the city should take time for a canal trip in Hamburg.

A leisurely cruise on an Alster steamer along the former Hanseatic lanes transports you back in time to the days of pepper sacks and lets a trace of sea air blow around your nose. The mighty ocean giants are booming nearby, a cruise ship is parked across the way... this is more a canal-like place - the second largest German city can be so diverse: modern, moderate, maritime and also quite cosy.

  • © mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Spahrbier

    Alster Round Trips

    Discover Hamburg with a ride down the Alster. Enjoy the many canals that go down the Inner and Outer Alster and experience a completely different side of Hamburg.

    Alster Round Trips
  • © ThisIsJulia Photography

    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
  • © 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…

    Maritime Hamburg

  • Food and drink with a view Restaurants & Cafés where you can watch ships

    We have compiled a list of the best places where you can watch the arriving and departing ships with a cup of coffee and a piece of cake or a delicious dinner.

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    Restaurants & Cafés where you can watch ships
  • © ThisIsJulia Photography

    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
© Jörg Ibsen

A canal trip through Hamburg changes your perspective

If you cruise along the Alster, you can let your soul dangle in the middle of the metropolitan turmoil and experience make your own discoveries. The small boat winds its way past the huge ships, gets through the bottleneck in the next entrance, sometimes the barge swings because it has gotten caught in the wake of ocean-going ships from all over the world. Sometimes it rocks violently and the children shriek because their hearts pound to the ceiling. Tickets for the Alster ships can be booked cheaply and conveniently online. Adults pay from 11 Euro, children up to 12 years pay half. A round trip lasts from 50 minutes up to two hours, depending on your choice.

Binnenalster Hamburg bei Sonnenschein und historische Altstadtfassaden im Hintergrund
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Back in Hamburg

The Alsterpavillon, located directly on the Jungfernstieg, one of Hamburg's most famous addresses, is always a magnet for the public. Here on the Binnenalster, people have been swaggering, strolling, visiting the cafés and eating well since 1799. After the devastating destruction left behind in Hamburg by the bombardments of Anglo-American planes in World War II, the central area was rebuilt in the same place at the beginning of the 1950s. It was rebuilt to its present state from 1992 to 1994. Here you can dine very well close to the water, drink a good cup of coffee or enjoy an ice cream. On the terrace you can sit close to the harbour and take the canal trip through Hamburg again - the Alster round trips start every half hour or every hour, depending on the provider.

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.

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Book your tickets now! Harbour round-trips in Hamburg

  • Teaser_Stadt&Alster_Doppeldecker_HamburgTourismus.jpg
    © Hamburg Tourismus GmbH

    City and Alster Lake Round Trip

    • Cosy boat trip on the Alster
    • Delightful Inner and Outer Alster
    • Legendary red double decker
    City and Alster Lake Round TripTo offerfrom 39.00 €*
  • ATG - Alsterrundfahrt
    © JörgModrow

    Alster Round Trip

    • Delightful Inner and Outer Alster
    • Traditional steam-boat
    • Beautiful Alsterpark and villas
    Alster Round TripTo Offerfrom 20,00€

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    © Mediaserver HH_Andreas Vallbrach

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  • 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 €
  • MiniaturWunderland
    © MiniaturWunderland

    Miniatur Wunderland at its best Top Attraction

    • overnight stay in the hotel of your choice, with breakfast
    • VIP entry to Miniatur Wunderland (no queuing)
    • Hamburg CARD (3 Days) – ticket worth 33.50€
    Miniatur Wunderland at its bestTo offerfrom 83.60 €

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Abendstimmung im Hamburger Hafen mit Lichterspiegelung auf der Elbe und Poller im Vordergrund
© Jörg Modrow

Get to know Hamburg! This is Hamburg

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© Till – stock.adobe.com

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Panorama der Binnenalster bei Sonnenaufgang mit Blick auf Hamburgs Innenstadt und glitzerndem Wasser
© mediaserver.hamburg.de / DoubleVision

Everything is possible in Hamburg See & Explore

The city on the Elbe with Germany's most well-known harbour offers its guest city life at its best, with once-in-a-lifetime shopping, cultural and outdoors experiences. Enter the fray, discover gastronomical delights or shop to your heart's content!

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