In August 2026, I spent a wonderful port day in Hamburg Germany while on a 9-day Baltic cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun. This was day 8 of the cruise and day 2 in Germany! While we actually docked in the city of Kiel, I decided to spend the day exploring the nearby city of Hamburg. Hamburg has a complicated history, rebuilding a lot of the city from the ground up after WWII. It was a wonderful day exploring the different pockets of the city, from the parts that were spared during the war and are hundreds of years old, to some of the structures that were meticulously rebuilt to their original glory. Even if you’re only in town for a few hours on a cruise, there is a lot to experience. Here is how to spend a port day in Hamburg, Germany!
Read More: Full Review: 9-Day NCL Sun Baltic Cruise
Docking in Kiel and Excursion to Hamburg
While there are many cruise ships that are able to actually dock right in the heart of Hamburg, we docked in the city of Kiel (about a 90-minute drive away). There is a direct train that goes from Kiel into Hamburg, but when I broke down the cost it actually made more financial sense to book an excursion through the cruise line. Because I booked with Norwegian’s Free at Sea promotion, I had a $50 excursion credit to use in every port which made it even more of a no brainer. The excursion I booked was Hamburg On Your Own. This excursion provided round-trip bus transportation right into the heart of the city to explore Hamburg at our own pace. Exactly the kind of excursion I like!
Upon drop off, we only had about four hours to explore the city. At first, I was panicking that it wasn’t enough time! But we visited Hamburg on a Sunday, so a lot of stores, shops, and restaurants were closed. While that was a big bummer, it made me much more efficient covering city grounds, and not spending time in shops!
Speicherstadt
Once the bus dropped us off in the heart of Hamburg, I beelined it straight to the famous Speicherstadt district. Speicherstadt is the largest warehouse district in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Portions of Speicherstadt survived WWII, and it was wonderful to walk amongst the historic brick buildings. Today, while some of the buildings still operate as warehouses, many have been modernized. Museums, shops, restaurants, cafes, and offices occupy the majority of the spaces. I loved the history mixed with a modern twist! Spend some time wandering up and down the islands and over the canals as you’re surrounded by these historical symmetrical buildings. Of course, you can’t miss getting the famous photo at the iconic spot, here.
Elbphilharmonie
Located in the Speicherstadt district is the Elbphilharmonie. The Elphi, as it’s known, is a concert hall right on the Elbe River and offers so much more than just performances. Visitors can go up to their viewing platform to get 360 degree views of the city! And the best part? Tickets are free! Just outside the venue, there is a ticket booth that you simply get in line for, and get your free ticket. You’ll ride up two long escalators to the viewing platforms. And the views are stunning! You can see for miles and miles in every direction. Up on the plaza level, there are restrooms, shops, and even a cafe. You can make a little day out of this, and I can’t believe something like this is free!
Tip: the line for free tickets can get a little long during peak times. If you want to skip the line, you can reserve your timed ticket online for a few Euros by clicking here.
Deichstraße and St. Nikoli
After exploring the Speicherstadt district, take a stroll towards the city center. Deichstraße is a street just outside Speicherstadt and is the oldest remaining historic street in the city. Today, the historic buildings house cafes and shops, with many of them offering seating right on the Nikolaifleet canal. For the best photo op of Deichstraße, make your way to the viewing platform here. Just a few minute walk from Deichstraße is the remains of St. Nikolai church. During the Allied air raids on Hamburg in WWII, the majority of St. Nikolai was destroyed, but the church’s spire remained. Today, the ruins of St. Nikolai serve as a WWII museum and a memorial. A somber but important reminder of the history of Hamburg,
Hamburg City Hall
A major highlight during my port day in Hamburg was visiting the Rathaus (Town Hall)! The town hall is stunning, and was definitely one of the most beautiful and unique ones I have ever seen. It is enormous, and even has more rooms than Buckingham Palace! Even when I visited on a Sunday, the grounds were open and free to enter, which was such a treat! You can enter the main lobby and view the stunning domed ceilings, gorgeous bronze statues, ironwork, and massive staircases. You can then make your way out to the courtyard and see the Hygieia Fountain. This fountain depicts the Greek goddess of health and was built in memory of those lost to the cholera epidemic in Hamburg in 1892.
Alster Arcade & Waterfront
Just across from the Hamburg’s Rathaus was one of my favorite spots in the city: Alster Arcade. This shopping area lines the canal and has tons of outdoor dining and a pedestrian walkway that truly make you feel like you’re strolling in Venice, Italy! Again, because I visited on a Sunday, just about all of the shops were closed. I got my fill of window shopping instead! At the end of the Alster Arcade is Binnenalster, also known as Inner Alster Lake. This manmade lake is the perfect place for some waterfront strolling! There are tiered steps that locals and tourists could both sit on to relax as you watch the boats come and go from the docks. It’s a perfect place to relax during your port day in Hamburg!
Snack on Franzbrötchen
No port day in Hamburg is complete without treats! Franzbrötchen is a sweet pastry that is native to Hamburg. To me, it was like a blend between a cinnamon bun and a croissant. Light and flaky, but packed with flavor. I did a bit of research ahead of time as to where to find the best franzbrötchen, and all roads lead me to Schanzenbäckerei. And I was not disappointed! While this may have been the only franzbrötchen I’ve had in my life, it was certainly the best. There were so many options for flavors too such as pistachio, almond, apple, or chocolate. I’m a chocolate girl to my core, so had to get that of course!
Bonus: Miniatur Wunderland
When planning my port day in Hamburg, I found myself so intrigued by the famous Miniatur Wunderland, located in the Speicherstadt district. This world-famous museum features miniature creations of everything from cities, to airports, to railways, and everything in between. It looked so unique and adorable! To fully experience it though, it’s recommended to spend at least 3-4 hours here, which would have been my whole port day in Hamburg. If you have been to Hamburg before and have seen the city’s highlights, this would be a great way to spend a day! It’s definitely on my list for the next time I am in Hamburg!
Tip: tickets sell out far in advance! If visiting the Miniatur Wunderland is on your list for your port day in Hamburg, get your tickets as soon as possible by clicking here.
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments