The largest warehouse district in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Hamburg’s most popular tourist attractions, no trip to the city is complete without a visit to the Speicherstadt. Filled with history, museums, attractions, cafes and opportunities for shopping, you’d be crazy not to swing by.
Table of contents
With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here’s my guide to all the must-sees in this historic warehouse complex!
The Speicherstadt in Hamburg: All you need to know
What you need to know
- Is Speicherstadt worth visiting? Definitely! No trip to Hamburg is complete without it.
- What is the history of Speicherstadt Hamburg? The Speicherstadt played a key role in Hamburg’s trading history, I’ve gone into more detail further down in this post!
How to get there
Getting to Speicherstadt couldn’t be easier, not only is it straightforward to get to on foot, but also really easy to reach via public transport and car.
- By public transport: Both the U-Bahn and S-Bahn make Speicherstadt easily accessible with a couple of stations dotted around the site. You can take the U3 to Baumwall or the S1 & S3 to Stadthausbrücke. Additionally, there are plenty of bus stops available. You can take line 6 to Auf dem Sande – Speicherstadt.
- On foot: It’s really easy to find Speicherstadt on foot. I found Hamburg to be incredibly well signposted and most signs will point you in the right direction. It’s around a 10-15 minute wall from Hamburg Rathaus.
- By car: There are a couple of different options for parking in Speicherstadt including the Car Park Am Sandtorkai as well as the Car Park Speicherstadt.
Opening times
Speicherstadt is very much a part of Hamburg city so it’s always accessible.
Entry fee
Speicherstadt is free to visit.
My tips for visiting
- Explore every nook and cranny! This place is enormous, and while it’s tempting to stick to the main pathways, to truly experience Speicherstadt, you need to venture off the beaten path. Wander down every alleyway, look up and around at the buildings, and take in all the intricate details. Cross the bridges and explore every inch. There’s so much to see and discover here.
Speicherstadt history
What exactly is the Speicherstadt? Translating to ‘Warehouse City,’ it holds the title of the largest warehouse district in the world. In 2015 it was given its UNESCO World Heritage Site status along with the Chilehaus and Kontorhaus District. 1871 saw the Hanseatic City of Hamburg join the German empire and was able to decide its own customs regulations until 1881 when new laws came into place.
Constructed between 1883 and 1927, Speicherstadt was designed as a ‘free zone‘ where goods could be traded without the burden of customs fees. To create space for this massive project, over 20,000 residents were relocated, and approximately 1,000 buildings were demolished.
During World War II around half of the Speicherstadt faced heavy damage from bombing and was subsequently rebuilt and redeveloped. Engineer Franz Andreas Meyer is credited with designing the iconic neo-gothic red brick facades that give Speicherstadt its distinctive appearance.
Today Speicherstadt lies within the HafenCity quarter, a development put into place to revitalise the area and redevelop it after the ports became less significant to the city. This historic district has transformed into a major tourist attraction, featuring museums, cafes, restaurants, and incredible views.
Things to see
The Speicherstadt is full of history and personality with some pretty unique spots to go and see. Here are a few standouts:
Klaus Störtebeker monument
Klaus Störtebeker, a notorious pirate in the 14th century, was infamous for terrorizing Hamburg and its surrounding cities. He and his crew met a grisly end in the city when they were all executed for their crimes. Today, his monument stands as a popular tourist attraction, serving as a reminder of the fear he once instilled in the city.
Baakenhafen Viewpoint
Amidst the concrete and brick buildings, this 13-meter-tall bright orange tower is hard to miss. Climb up for fantastic 360-degree views of the harbour and surrounding areas. At the top, you’ll find information points to help you identify and learn about the sights you’re looking out at.
Flussschifferkirche (Riverboat Church)
Originally built as a barge in 1906, the Flussschifferkirche has since been remodelled into Germany’s only floating church. It features a pipe organ as well as 100 seats and continues to be the site of weddings, baptisms and regular services.
Museums
The Speicherstadt is absolutely full of great museums, whether you want to know more about Hamburg’s dark past or are an avid coffee lover, you’re sure to find something to suit your interests. Here’s a quick rundown of just some of the museums you can find here:
Speicherstadt Museum
Located in one of the historic warehouses, the Speicherstadt Museum explores the entire history of the Speicherstadt and Hamburg’s trading past. Learn how goods were transported and stored, and discover what life was like for the people who worked here.
Miniatur Wunderland
Holding the Guinness World Record for the largest model railway and once voted the best tourist attraction in Germany, Miniatur Wunderland is truly one of the crowning jewels of the Speicherstadt. Trains run through a miniature world showcasing everywhere from Austria to Patagonia and Venice to Rio de Janeiro. Over over 250,000 miniature figures call this tiny world home and there’s even an incredibly detailed airport complete with moving planes!
Dialogue in the Dark
A truly unique attraction, Dialogue in the Dark allows you to experience life without sight. You’re guided by blind hosts who take you through everyday activities like navigating an apartment or crossing a street.
International Maritime Museum Hamburg
Celebrating Hamburg’s rich maritime heritage is the International Maritime Museum. Located in the oldest warehouse in the Speicherstadt, this museum boasts over one million exhibits spread across nine floors. From paintings and drawings to models and compasses, if it’s related to ships and sailing, you’ll find it here!
Spicy’s Spice Museum
Spicy’s Spice Museum tells the fascinating story of the spice trade, taking you on a journey through the history of spices and their transportation. Learn how spices are connected to the Speicherstadt and how their uses have evolved over time. And yes, this museum smells amazing!
Coffee Museum Burg
The Coffee Museum Burg delves into the crucial role coffee played in trade within the Speicherstadt, with a special focus on the Burg family, who started their coffee business here in 1923. Explore the journey of coffee from bean to cup and discover the incredible efforts of the Burg family in bringing this beloved beverage to the people of Hamburg.
Hamburg Dungeons
The Hamburg Dungeons bring to life the city’s most terrifying and gruesome history in an experience like no other. Live actors guide you through some of Hamburg’s darkest days, including the Great Fire, the Plague Hospital, and the infamous Santa Fu prison.
Photo spots
The winding canals, imposing brick warehouses and many bridges of Spiehcerstadt make for some truly incredible photos. There are lots of great spots to go to get the perfect shot, here are a few of the best:
Poggenmühlenbrücke
If you’ve seen a photo of the Speicherstadt you’ve probably seen the iconic shot taken from Poggenmühlenbrücke. This is the shot of the Wasserschloss (Water Castle) in the centre with canals on either side of it flanked by warehouses. This spot gets pretty busy but once people have their photo they move away quickly.
Kibbelsteg
Another great bridge for a photo spot, Kibbelsteg features several bridges crossing a section of the canal, creating the perfect backdrop for your picture.
Pickhubenbrücke
Sat on the intersection of several canals this spot brings together several different areas of the Speicherstadt, giving you a photo with more than just warehouses.
Boat tours
With its winding canals, what better way to see the Speicherstadt than from a boat tour? There are so many different kinds of tours to choose from, here are just a few:
- 1.5-Hour Grand Harbor Boat Cruise: Learn all there is to know about the Speicherstadt while gliding along its canals on this cruise.
- 1-Hour Harbor Evening Lights Cruise: The Speicherstadt truly comes alive at night with twinkling lights. Experience it all on this magical evening cruise!
Walking tours
If boat tours aren’t really your thing, why not see Speicherstadt on foot with a walking tour? Here are a few great choices:
- Treasure hunt through Hamburg’s HafenCity: If you don’t want a traditional waking tour, why not try a treasure hunt? Learn all about the sites while solving riddles to find the hidden treasure!
- Speicherstadt and HafenCity Guided Tour: Explore all there is to see in HafenCity and Speicherstadt while learning all its history with knowledgable tour guides.
Summary
While its brick facade may seem a little cold and uninviting, Speicherstadt is full of personality and has become an integral part of Hamburg’s history. I really can’t recommend exploring this place enough if you’re visiting the city!
