UNESCO-listed warehouse district and modern HafenCity with the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

About Speicherstadt & HafenCity

The Speicherstadt is the world's largest warehouse district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of red-brick neo-Gothic buildings built on oak timber foundations in the 1880s-1920s. The canal-laced quarter now houses the Miniatur Wunderland (the world's largest model railway), the Hamburg Dungeon, the German Customs Museum, and a thriving coffee-roasting scene.

Adjacent HafenCity is Europe's largest inner-city urban development project, transforming 157 hectares of former docklands into a modern waterfront neighborhood. Its crown jewel is the Elbphilharmonie, a wave-shaped concert hall atop a former cocoa warehouse that has become Hamburg's most iconic building since its 2017 opening. The free Plaza viewing platform offers panoramic harbor views.

Together, Speicherstadt and HafenCity represent Hamburg's evolution from trading port to cultural destination, with the Maritime Museum, Prototyp car museum, and dozens of waterfront restaurants and bars lining the Magellan Terraces and Marco Polo Terraces.

Nearby Landmarks

Elbphilharmonie Miniatur Wunderland Speicherstadt warehouses Maritime Museum

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost €28-€38
Time 25-35 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost €22-€32
Time 25-35 minutes

Outside arrivals

Train (S-Bahn S1)

Cost €4
Time 30 minutes
Frequency Every 10 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take S-Bahn S1 to Stadthausbrücke, walk 5 minutes to Speicherstadt. Or continue to Baumwall for Elbphilharmonie.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi €28-€38 25-35 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare €22-€32 25-35 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train €4 30 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

S-Bahn runs until 12:30 AM. After that, a taxi from the airport to HafenCity costs €30-40 at night. The Elbphilharmonie Plaza is open until midnight. Speicherstadt's canal-side paths are atmospheric at night, though most museums close by 6 PM.

Luggage Tips

Take the S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, then walk or take U4 to HafenCity. The walk from Hauptbahnhof to Speicherstadt is 15 minutes on flat terrain. HafenCity's modern streets handle rolling luggage well. Lockers are available at Hauptbahnhof.

Accessibility

S-Bahn and U4 (HafenCity Universität station) are fully accessible with elevators. Speicherstadt bridges and walkways are wheelchair-passable, though some historic cobblestone sections are bumpy. The Elbphilharmonie is fully accessible with elevators to the Plaza. HafenCity's modern streets are barrier-free.