Inaugurated in January 2017, the magnificent construction is considered to be the new landmark of the city. Sitting enthroned on a former storage building, the Elbphilharmonie marks the western tip of the HafenCity and attracts worldwide attention among music and architecture enthusiasts. Underneath its glass facade and wave-like rooftop it comprises two concert halls, a luxurious hotel and luxurious residential apartments.

The Elbphilharmonie Plaza, a public area that extends around the whole building, serves as a junction between the old warehouse and the glass structure. At 37 meters above sea level, visitors of the Plaza enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of the city and the harbour. If your SMM schedule allows some time for sightseeing, the Elbphilharmonie should rank in first place.

Welcome to the world’s largest harbour warehouse complex: Speicherstadt  (lit. warehouse city) belongs to the historic landmarks of Hamburg and proudly bears the title of Germany’s 40th UNESCO World Heritage Site. On an area of 260,000 square metres, the picturesque neo-gothic brick architecture from the late 19th century makes for a fascinating contrast to the modern steel-and-glass buildings. 

Originally built as a free economic zone, the Speicherstadt still comprises many warehouses, but has become more and more popular for its variety of leisure activities. Tourists and locals are equally enthusiastic about coffee or tea tasting facilities, for example the coffee museum Burg or the tee merchant Wasserschloss. You can spend hours at the entertainment sites like Hamburg Dungeon, which shows typical historical stories and scenes of Hamburg on an exciting walkthrough, the International Maritime Museum, showing 3,000 years of maritime history and modern research or the Miniatur Wunderland, which features the world’s largest model railway running through laboriously crafted replicas of cities and countryside areas. 

The Speicherstadt’s network of streets, canals and bridges can be experienced best by foot. Simply get off the U3 underground train at the Baumwall station and go for a stroll on the brand-new promenade at the Elbe to visit the Elbphilharmonie platform for free. Afterwards, you can head towards the Speicherstadt to discover the site with its numerous coffee shops, restaurants, museums and other attractions.

The port is one of the reasons why people from all over the world fall in love with this city. This is where the heart of Hamburg beats - and we'll tell you where to feel the pulse the most.

Starting from St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Barkassen (launches) bring you to the most exciting places - from the Speicherstadt UNESCO Site and the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall to the enormous docks and container terminals. Also, on specialised bus tours, you can easily reach parts of the port area that not everyone has access to. At the museum harbour in Neumühlen/Övelgönne, it gets even more exclusive. We highly recommend that you set off on the historic steam-powered icebreaker Stettin for a three-hour round trip on Friday evening, 7 September, after SMM.

You are also welcome aboard spectacular museum ships, such as the three-master Rickmer Rickmers or the Cap San Diego, the world's largest seaworthy museum cargo vessel. Why not spend the night aboard? The lightship hotel makes it possible. Once used as a navigational mark for the shipping off the British coast, today it offers space for eating, drinking, celebrating and sleeping.

Only a few steps away from the lightship, you can enjoy true Hamburg lifestyle in the Block Bräu. The restaurant offers daily fresh brewed beer and delicious regional specialities - with a magnificent panoramic view of the harbour. If you feel more like chill-out, drinks and music, just head to Strand Pauli Beach Club next door.

On Sunday, a Hamburg classic awaits you: early in the morning, party people and early risers meet at the Hamburg fish market. Around the traditional fish auction hall you will experience the vociferous show performances of the eccentric fish sellers – and then relax with a walk down the Elbe River to the Strandperle, one of the most popular meeting points on Hamburg’s beautiful city beach. At the latest, you too will lose your heart to Hamburg here