Elbphilharmonie

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.

Construction of the Elbphilharmonie lasted from 2007 to 2016 and cost 886 million euros. The structure, at 110 m (361 ft), has since become one of the tallest in otherwise flat Hamburg. 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.

Thanks to a circular walkway, visitors can experience a 360° panorama of the harbor, HafenCity, the North Elbe, and Hamburg's city center. The entry to the Plaza is free, but due to the limited number of visitors, a time slot must be booked in advance, which will be printed on the ticket. Guests reach the Plaza by riding one of Europe’s longest elevators, which stretches 82m (269ft) from the ground floor to the 6th floor. It was also the world’s first curved elevator! Once you’ve reached the 8th floor, 37m (121 ft) 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.

The starting point for guided tours is located opposite the Elbphilharmonie at the visitor center Am Kaiserkai 62. It is requested to be on site 15 minutes before the start. The duration of a guided tour of the Elbphilharmonie is approximately 1 hour. Due to the rehearsal schedule, tours will only be held in predetermined time slots. The tickets are only valid for the booked tour as printed.

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.

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.