Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie (nicknamed Elphi by locals) is the home of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester and is one of the most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world. The building project was considered a laughing stock by the German media for several years but today it’s one of the most popular sites in Hamburg, with classical and contemporary concerts, workshops for children and families, and a public viewing deck called the Plaza. Take a guided tour to learn even more about the concert hall’s history and its place in Hamburg’s cultural scene.

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Guided Tours

Take a guided tour of the Elbphilharmonie and its surroundings to learn about the unique project.

Elbphilharmonie Guided Tour: From a scandal to a wonder

4.8

(3212)

Discover the Elbphilharmonie Plaza in Hamburg (no visit to the Concert Halls). Learn from your tour guide everything about the history of the building and the cost, and hear many facts and insider information.

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Hamburg: Guided Tour Elbphilharmonie excluding Concert Halls

4.7

(6534)

Visit Hamburg's new concert hall on this informative tour. During the one-hour tour you will get a complete overview of this fascinating building and enjoy great views of the city from the Elbphilharmonie Plaza.

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Elphi Premium Tour including Snack & Coffee (without halls)

-17%

4.7

(1889)

Discover the iconic Elbphilharmonie. Learn from your tour guide everything about the history of the building and the cost, as well as many facts and insider information. Afterwards, enjoy a coffee and Franzbrötchen, a traditional pastry from Hamburg.

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Elbphilharmonie Guided Tour (Excluding Concert Halls)

4.7

(812)

Learn interesting facts about the Elbphilharmonie. Take the longest elevator in the world to the Elbphilharmonie Plaza. Admire the view of Hamburg.

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More Tickets & Tours

Browse even more products featuring the Elbphilharmonie to plan your perfect trip.

Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt & HafenCity Tour

4.8

(2879)

Discover the Plaza of the Elbphilharmonie on this tour of Hamburg and profit from the knowledge of an expert guide. Stroll through the historic warehouse district Speicherstadt and get to know modern HafenCity.

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Hamburg: Elbphilharmonie Plaza & UNESCO World Heritage Tour

-78%

4.6

(359)

This exciting and informative 2-hour tour starts with the view of the Kontorhaus District, then takes you through Speicherstadt which was recently listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, and continues to the Elbphilharmonie Plaza.

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Hamburg: Warehouse District, HafenCity, & Harbor Tour

4.8

(305)

See the new Elbphilharmonie and trek through the historic warehouse district, home to the Spice Museum and the Hamburg Dungeon. Visit the new HafenCity, the old power plant and see where tradition and modernity blend in Hamburg

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Elbphilharmonie Tour without Concert Halls & Harbor Cruise

4.7

(449)

Enjoy a guided tour of the Elbphilharmonie (excluding concert halls) as well as a 1-hour harbor cruise with this combination ticket. Learn exciting information about the Elbphilharmonie from your guide and marvel at the views of Hamburg from the water.

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Top Tips

1. Visitors who have concert tickets to events in the Grand Hall or the Recital Hall can use their tickets to enter the Plaza from 2 hours before the event. Those who are attending events in the Kaistudios will need to pick up a separate Plaza ticket.

Grand Hall | Photo: Flickr, Alexander Svensson - CC BY 2.0

2. Tickets to the Plaza are free, but the number of people allowed inside is limited. If you know you’re visiting during the peak season or during a city-wide event then it’s a good idea to reserve in advance, even if it does cost €2 for the reservation. That also means you’ll get to skip the ticket lines when you arrive.

Elbphilharmonie Plaza | Photo: Flickr, Christian - CC BY 2.0

3. If you want to try out new music and instruments, why not go to a workshop at the World of Instruments in the Kaistudios? Taking the place of the Klingendes Museum (Sound Museum), the World of Instruments lets everyone aged 4 and over attend workshops with professional musicians who can introduce them to the instruments they play. Workshops are run in German, cost €5, and places should be reserved in advance.

4. Are you local to Hamburg? Would you like to dust off your instrument or rusty vocal cords? The Elbphilharmonie is home to 5 amateur ensembles and 3 choirs which welcome people of all ages and abilities to come along and play different kinds of music. From a family orchestra to two different Gamelan ensembles, there’s something for everyone to try out! Email mitmachen@elbphilharmonie.de to find out more.

5. If you’re going to a concert, check to see if the one you’re attending includes a 30-minute pre-show talk. Experts on the piece, either academics, conductors, or musicians, will give you some background on what you’re about to hear and if there’s anything particularly unusual you should listen out for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Elbphilharmonie? What’s that?

The Elbphilharmonie was built on the foundations of the largest warehouse in Hamburg, the Kaiserspeicher. Destroyed in World War II, then rebuilt and renamed Kaispeicher A, it was left empty after more and more shipping companies switched to container shipping. The current structure keeps the old facade but adds modern architecture above it, making it a unique building in the Hamburg skyline. Today the building contains 3 different sized venues for concerts, a hotel, restaurants, and the Plaza observation deck.

When should I arrive for a concert?

Doors open 90 minutes before an event, including the bars in each foyer, and it’s recommended that visitors arrive 30 minutes before the start of any concert or show. Latecomers are not guaranteed entry, though ushers will try to find an appropriate time to take you to your seat if possible.

What is the Plaza?

The plaza is a meeting space and observation deck, with glorious views over Hamburg - one side looks over the inner city and the other side overlooks the harbor. Guests reached the Plaza by riding one of Europe’s longest elevators, which stretches 269 feet (82m) from the ground floor to the 6th floor. It was also the world’s first curved elevator! Once you’ve reached the 8th floor, 121 feet (37m) above street level, you’ll be able to learn more about the Elbphilharmonie using digital infotainment tables, visit the Elbphilharmonie shop, or enjoy a drink or a snack from the Deck & Deli café.

Are the official guided tours suitable for children?

The official guided tours of the Elbphilharmonie are designed with an older audience in mind. While older children who are interested in music will likely have a good time, the tour isn’t recommended for children younger than 8.

General Information

Opening Hours:

The Plaza is open to the public from 9 am to midnight daily, but these times are subject to change due to special events throughout the year. Guided tours are offered at a variety of times between 9.15 am and 4 pm, times vary due to concerts and events. The Visitor Center, where Plaza tickets can be picked up on the day of your visit, is open from 9 am to 8 pm daily. Be aware that there will be no guided tours or concerts during the summer break, from July 8 to August 4. The Plaza will still be open to the public.

Tickets:

Plaza tickets are available on the day, free of charge. If you book them ahead of time to ensure that you can visit at your preferred time, each ticket has a booking fee of €2. A limited number of tickets are available for each timeslot. Tickets for guided tours (available in German or English) cost €15. Ticket prices for concerts and other events vary depending on the event and the seats you choose.

Address:

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz der Deutschen Einheit
20457 Hamburg
Germany

Security:

Security measures may be in effect when the city is hosting events or the building is particularly crowded.

Cloakroom:

A cloakroom is available on the 11th floor for visitors attending concerts in the Grand Hall, and on the 10th floor for those attending events in the Recital Hall. The cloakroom fee is €1.50. Strollers, wheeled walkers, large umbrellas, and bags larger than 42cm x 30cm (16.5” x 12”) must all be checked in at the cloakroom.

How to get there:

The Elbphilharmonie can be reached via subway line U3 to Baumwall or line U4 to Überseequartier, via bus number 111 to Am Kaiserkai, or number 6 to Auf dem Sande, or via ferry 72 from Landungsbrücken pier to Elbphilharmonie. Concert tickets can be used as public transportation tickets for one round trip to the concert hall. Limited car parking is available for a charge in the Elbphilharmonie multistory Car Park, please be aware that the entrance marked Elbphilharmonie Hotel is reserved for hotel guests only.

Accessibility:

All concert halls at the Elbphilharmonie provide seating for wheelchair users, this can currently only be booked by calling the concert hall on +49 40 357 666 66, sending them an email at tickets@elbphilharmonie.de, or in-person at the box office. Lifts are available to the Plaza, to all concert halls, and to the Kaistudios for those with limited mobility. A tactile paving system guides guests with visual impairments from the forecourt into the building and between each floor, and improvements have recently been made to allow easier access for visitors using canes. Guide dogs are permitted, but please note that you intend to bring a guide dog when booking. The E and I blocks of the Grand Hall are fitted with induction loops for users of hearing aids, and hearing aids are also available to borrow for all other areas of the Grand Hall and the Recital Hall.

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