To begin with: The Hamburg Speicherstadt is unique in the world. The brick buildings in neo-Gothic style were built between 1883 and 1927 on oak piles and are located in the former free port area. Today, the Speicherstadt is even part of the UNESCO World Heritage and attracts millions of visitors every year with its canals, bridges, and warehouses.

What makes the Speicherstadt so special?

What is particularly exciting is the mix of history and usage: Many buildings are still actively in use as warehouses, while others house museums, exhibitions, cafes, or showrooms – for example, the Spice Museum, the Speicherstadt Museum, or the famous Miniatur Wunderland. A boat trip through the fleetes or a walk along the cobblestone streets gives you direct insight into the goods transfer between land and water back then. Especially during high tide and due to the tides of the Elbe, the appearance of the city changes almost hourly.

Did you know that... the Speicherstadt was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2015 together with the neighboring Kontorhausviertel? The decisive factor was the extraordinary combination of functional harbor architecture, neo-Gothic brick buildings, and the close connection between the city and the waterways.

The Speicherstadt includes, among others:

• Miniatur Wunderland: The largest model railway exhibition in the world attracts millions of visitors every year.
• Hamburg Dungeon: A horror cabinet that entertainingly tells the dark chapters of the city's history.
• Spicy's Spice Museum: Here you can learn everything about the world of spices and their history.
• Speicherstadt Museum: This museum highlights the development and significance of the Speicherstadt.

 

Tip: A walk through the Speicherstadt is particularly worthwhile in the evening, as it shines in its most beautiful lights.

1. You will find there over 20 bridges, including the famous Poggenmühlenbrücke.
2. Until 2003, the Speicherstadt was officially considered customs-free territory – goods such as carpets, coffee, and cocoa were stored here without import duties.
3. The Speicherstadt was for decades the largest carpet transshipment point in the world for hand-knotted oriental rugs. Some were even beaten and sorted on the floors of the warehouses.
4. Many streets in the Speicherstadt exist officially – but are only waterways, known as Fleete. For example, the “Kehrwiederfleet” or “Brooksfleet”.
5. The Speicherstadt was the first completely electrically lit district of Hamburg, which was considered revolutionary in the late 19th century and was implemented as a prestige project of the city.
6. The Speicherstadt was built on over 3,000 oak piles driven into the ground to stabilize the moist marshland of the harbor – a gigantic foundation project.
7. During World War II, almost half of the Speicherstadt was damaged or destroyed by bombs, many buildings were later reconstructed using original materials.
8. The storage blocks of the Speicherstadt are systematically labeled with letters such as “Block R” or “Block P”, enabling quick orientation in the dense network of canals and buildings.
9. The Speicherstadt was the inspiration for the board game “The Speicherstadt”, developed by the Hamburg game designer Stefan Feld, which focuses on trade and warehouse management.
10. Some façades of the Speicherstadt are decorated with intricately detailed terracotta ornaments, including grotesques, masks, and floral motifs – they were often overlooked but originally served as protective symbolism.
11. The Speicherstadt also served as a visual model for the video game “Anno 1800”, where players build industrial harbor complexes – including brick aesthetics and canal systems.

Adults and history enthusiasts can learn a lot about the harbor, trade history, and architecture during tours. For children, the Miniatur Wunderland is especially a highlight, located in the heart of the Speicherstadt.

The Customs Museum or a boat trip through the canals also make the visit exciting for families. Those who enjoy photography or simply strolling through unique city neighborhoods will also find plenty to explore here. As a walker and photographer, you will discover picturesque alleys and bridges that provide numerous photo opportunities.

The visit to the Speicherstadt itself is free of charge. There are no entrance fees for the district itself, only for individual attractions.

 

Tip: Combination tickets often offer discounts when visiting multiple attractions.

The Speicherstadt is open 365 days a year and around the clock. You only need to pay attention to opening hours if you want to visit a restaurant or museum, for example. Here, the opening hours vary greatly, with the core opening hours being between 10 AM and 6 PM.

The Speicherstadt is a versatile place that connects history and the present in a compact space. Whether you are visiting Hamburg for the first time or have been here many times before, a stroll through the Speicherstadt always offers new perspectives. The visit is especially rewarding when combined with a boat tour or the Miniature Wonderland. It’s ideal for everyone who wants to experience Hamburg's maritime heritage – compact, authentic, and very close to the action.