Plizio Visual Lab
Port of Hamburg
The Port of Hamburg is known as the 'Gateway to the World' and is the largest seaport in Germany and the third largest in Europe. It was officially founded on May 7, 1189, through a charter granted by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, an event celebrated annually during the Port Anniversary. The port area covers approximately 7,200 hectares, accounting for about ten percent of Hamburg's total city area. The port is a significant container transshipment hub and a central junction for international trade, particularly with Asia. Beyond container handling, cruise shipping and the transshipment of bulk goods play an essential role in the regional economy. The tidal Elbe River presents a constant challenge for the accessibility of modern mega-ships due to the required depth of its navigation channel. The port is not only an industrial site but also a major attraction for millions of tourists, centered around the Landungsbrücken and the adjacent Speicherstadt. More than 150,000 jobs in the metropolitan region depend directly or indirectly on the port's operations.
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Top sights: Buchenbaum · Altonaer Balkon · Christianskirche
- Nearby: Wandsbek (10 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 70 | 55 | 50 | 40 | 58 | 71 | 84 | 71 | 58 | 63 | 63 | 71 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Official founding date is May 7, 1189
- Total area covers approximately 7,200 hectares
- Third largest container port on the European continent
- Annual transshipment of approx. 9 million TEU
- Over 300 berths available for seagoing vessels
- Port Anniversary is the world's largest port festival
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Port of Hamburg (10)
Dockland
Viewpoint in Hamburg, modern building with rooftop terrace and harbor view.
Heine Haus, Gartenhaus🏛 museum
Museum in Hamburg, former residence of Heinrich Heine.
Heine-Park🌳 park
Park in Altona, Germany, green area with a monument to Heinrich Heine.
Kinderbuchhaus🏛 museum
Museum in Hamburg, dedicated to children's and youth literature.
Platz der Republik🌳 park
City square and park in Altona, Hamburg, central meeting point.
Altonaer Museum🏛 museum
Museum in Hamburg, shows the cultural history of the Altona region.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is a harbor cruise?
Where do the large cruise ships dock?
What is the Speicherstadt?
When is the Hamburg Fish Market?
Can you visit the Elbphilharmonie?
Port of Hamburg: where is it located?
Port of Hamburg: what is there to see?
Port of Hamburg: when is the best time to visit?
Port of Hamburg: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Nature
More places
