If you’re visiting Hamburg, chances are you’ve heard of, or at least seen a photo of, Speicherstadt. Its red-brick warehouses and photo-worthy canals are instantly recognizable, and for history enthusiasts, it’s an incredible part of the city to explore on foot. Speicherstadt was developed in the 19th century, and the warehouse district played a key role in the city’s growth as a trading hub on the international stage. Today, it stands as one of the largest historic port warehouse complexes in the world, and in 2015 it was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Despite its small size, there are a lot of things to do in Speicherstadt, ranging from museums to tours and unique cafe experiences.
Hamburg is an incredible city break destination in Germany, though it can be overlooked by international visitors in favour of cities such as Berlin and Munich. If you enjoy a mix of waterfront walks, history, and good food, Hamburg should be added to your list of places to visit. You’ll find plenty to do in the city to fill a multi-day itinerary, and Speicherstadt is a fantastic place to start before moving on to areas like Altstadt and HafenCity. If you’re short on time, spending half a day exploring all the things to do in Speicherstadt will give you a good feel for the district and provide you with a better understanding of why Speicherstadt is so important in Hamburg’s history.
Things to do in Speicherstadt
Go on a walking tour of the UNESCO warehouse district
There are a lot of things to do in Speicherstadt, but one of the best options is to go on a walking tour. This district was originally developed as a port where imported goods could be stored without being hit with customs duties right away. Its canals, warehouses, and bridges were designed to help keep goods moving through the city. Exploring them today will give you a better understanding of how everything worked. Although you can easily walk around by yourself, I’d recommend joining a Speicherstadt walking tour.
There are numerous walking tours online to choose from, and even the Speicherstadtmuseum offers tours if you book in advance. Having a guide show you around Speicherstadt will provide you with more background knowledge of the district, and they’ll no doubt point out details you might have passed right by. If you want to combine a Speicherstadt walking tour with another part of the city, some tours will give you the chance to explore HafenCity and the Kontorhaus district.
Wasserschloss Tea Shop
One of the best things to do in Speicherstadt is to stop at Wasserschloss Tea Shop. This is one of the most famous buildings in the district, and it’s a beautiful spot to take photos. The building was built at the start of the 20th century and sits between two canals. It originally acted as accommodation and a workspace for workers who maintained the warehouse winches, which were essential for lifting goods to the higher floors. Today, it’s a popular tea shop and restaurant, so you can step inside this historic building in Hamburg rather than only taking photos of it from the outside.
Unfortunately, the tea shop was closed on the day I visited Speicherstadt, so I wasn’t able to go in. If you’re looking for loose tea or you want to bring a unique gift from Hamburg home with you, Wasserschloss Tea Shop is the perfect place. Inside, you’ll find more than 250 varieties of tea, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be scared to ask one of the members of staff.
Miniatur Wunderland
A big reason many people visit Speicherstadt is to go to Miniatur Wunderland. This is one of the top things to do in Hamburg, and it’s one of the most visited attractions in Germany, too. I’m not a model railway fan, but I had a great time walking through each of the rooms and seeing how the different landscapes and miniature cities have been built. Miniatur Wunderland has grown into the largest model railway in the world, so expect to spend at least 2 hours here, though you can easily lose track of time and spend half a day inside.
While you’re looking at the trains moving around the landscapes, don’t forget to take a close look at the impressive details, too. One of my favourite areas is Knuffingen Airport, where you can watch model aircraft take off and land, including a few unique additions. Visiting Miniatur Wunderland is a great rainy-day activity in Hamburg, and it’s a lot of fun for both adults and children. I’d recommend going in the evening so you can enjoy all the other things to do in Speicherstadt while there’s still daylight.
Grab a warm drink at Amoahs
I visited Hamburg in October, and I woke up very early to walk around Speicherstadt to avoid the crowds. If you’re looking for somewhere to have a break or grab a quick coffee, Amoahs is a very good option. You’ll find this cafe located next to Poggenmühlen Bridge, and they have indoor and outdoor seating available. I took my matcha latte to go, but there were plenty of people inside having a mixture of drinks and breakfast. Amoahs is a convenient stop as you make your way through Speicherstadt, and the view of the bridge is perfect for photos.
Take a photo from Poggenmühlen Bridge
One of the best things to do in Speicherstadt is to take a photo from Poggenmühlen Bridge. From here, you’ll have a perfect view of Wasserschloss, with the canals and brick warehouses on either side of it. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Hamburg, so it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary, even if you’re not the type of person who prioritizes photography while travelling. The bridge is an easy stop while walking around Speicherstadt, and it’s completely free to access at all times of the day.
If you’re visiting Hamburg in the summertime, you’ll probably find it more crowded than at other times of the year. I’d recommend starting your day in Speicherstadt at Poggenmühlen Bridge, early in the morning, so you can take photos without people pushing in. This will also give you enough time to frame your captures how you want.
Visit a museum in Speicherstadt
Did you know there are several unique museums in Speicherstadt to enjoy? Visiting a museum in this district is a great way to understand how the warehouses functioned and why they played such an important role in Hamburg’s history. The Deutsches Zollmuseum, or the German Customs Museum, is a good place to start. It’s housed inside the former customs house, exploring the history of customs through approximately 1,000 exhibitions. Admission costs just €3, so you can easily add it to your list of things to do in Speicherstadt on a budget.
Another museum in Speicherstadt worth noting is the Speicherstadtmuseum, where you can learn about the district itself through exhibitions and displays showcased on a warehouse floor dating back to the end of the 19th century. Alternatively, Spicy’s Spice Museum puts the focus on the spice trade, and it was the first museum dedicated to spices in the world when it was founded in 1991. If you’re short on time, I’d choose a museum that most appeals to you rather than seeing them all, so you can still walk around the district without rushing.
Enjoy Speicherstadt at night
Before leaving Speicherstadt, don’t forget to enjoy the district at night. The buildings take on a very different look when they’re illuminated, and the light reflects off the canals in a beautiful way. The lighting in Speicherstadt is part of a project that was founded in 2000, and it makes an evening walk here much more enjoyable and fantastic for photographers. After a busy day of exploring all the things to do in Speicherstadt, walking around the district at a leisurely pace in the evening is the perfect way to round off your itinerary before heading for something to eat nearby.
Places to visit near Speicherstadt
Elbphilharmonie
While walking through Miniatur Wunderland, you may notice the miniature Elbphilharmonie. Well, the real thing is just a short walk away! This iconic concert hall in Hamburg sits on the banks of the Elbe, with a wave-shaped glass roof that’s very easy to spot from afar.
Even if you aren’t planning to see a performance here, you can still purchase a ticket to go inside the concert hall and see the main hall for yourself. There’s also a stunning viewing platform surrounding the building, and you can add a trip to the rooftop to see the building’s unique design up close. Visiting the Elbphilharmonie is one of the best things to do in Hamburg, and it’s something I really enjoyed experiencing.
International Maritime Museum Hamburg
Although it’s located right next to Speicherstadt, the International Maritime Museum Hamburg doesn’t sit within the district’s boundaries. This red-brick warehouse dates back to 1878, so it’s actually several years older than Speicherstadt. The museum introduces visitors to the ships and sailors that carried the cargo across the world, filling nine exhibition floors. There’s a lot to see here, so you may not have enough time in your schedule to spend half a day inside. It’s a good idea to focus on a few highlights and go from there.
Although I wasn’t able to go inside the International Maritime Museum Hamburg this time, I’ve heard very positive things about the model ships and Deck 1, which has a simulator where visitors can try to steer a container ship into port. It’s a beautiful building to photograph, too, so you can easily come here to admire it from the outside if you don’t have time to head inside and see the exhibitions.
HafenCity
When people visit Speicherstadt, they often combine it with a visit to HafenCity. This part of Hamburg was once a working port, but in 1997, work began on transforming the former docklands into a brand new waterfront neighbourhood. There are quite a lot of things to see and do here, despite it being new. Both the Elbphilharmonie and the Maritime Museum are located within HafenCity, and there are plenty of streets lined with shops and eateries to enjoy.
One of my favourite areas to walk along is Sandtorhafen, where you can see a variety of vessels moored. There’s also a beautiful observation deck called Strandhöft, where you can view the Elbphilharmonie from across the harbour. HafenCity is a lovely part of Hamburg for a slower afternoon experience, and there are some great restaurants to enjoy after spending time exploring all the things to do in Speicherstadt.
Where to stay near Speicherstadt
PIERDREI Hotel HafenCity Hamburg
I spent two nights at PIERDREI Hotel HafenCity Hamburg, which sits right on the border of HafenCity and Speicherstadt, so the location couldn’t be better. You can easily walk to Miniatur Wunderland, Poggenmühlen Bridge, or the Elbphilharmonie and pop back to the hotel if you need a rest or have forgotten something. My room even looked out over Speicherstadt, so I had a very nice view for the duration of my stay. PIERDREI Hotel has five room categories ranging from small doubles to extra-large rooms for families. They also have the option of staying in one of three vintage caravans for a unique glamping experience in the heart of the city.
Throughout the rooms and the public spaces of the hotel you’ll find lots of incredible details that tie into the history of Hamburg. If you want to eat before heading out in the morning, the buffet breakfast is a fantastic option, and there’s also a 24/7 convenience shop called Späti within the hotel for guests. Travelling with kids? There’s a dedicated area for different age groups, which is a very unique feature of the hotel. You can also enjoy the rooftop garden, MOON 46, and have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant that has a menu based around seasonal produce.
I really enjoyed my stay at PIERDREI Hotel HafenCity Hamburg and would recommend it to anyone wanting a modern place to stay right next to one of the most historic districts in Hamburg.
Is Speicherstadt worth visiting?
Whether it’s your first time in Hamburg or not, Speicherstadt is always worth visiting in my opinion. Even taking a short walk along the canals will give you a strong sense of how important the district was to Hamburg. There are many things to do in Speicherstadt, despite its relatively small size, so plan for at least half a day here. It’s very easy to get around on foot, and if you’re staying nearby, you can enjoy Speicherstadt after dark, too. Places such as Miniatur Wunderland, Poggenmühlen Bridge, and Wasserschloss shouldn’t be missed, but you’ll most likely find some hidden gems in Speicherstadt during your time here to make your trip even more memorable.
If you have any questions about things to do in Speicherstadt or where to stay in Hamburg, please feel free to get in touch. You can reach out via email or through the contact form on my website. Remember to follow my travels on Instagram and TikTok as well, where you’ll find more helpful travel tips and ideas about where to plan your next trip.
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