In the middle of the city, Hamburg has an island. Nestled between the Bleichenfleet, Herrengrabenfleet and Alsterfleet canals lies the Fleetinsel. The island (whose name roughly translates to ‘urban canal island’) is a long one, running through the Neustadt district from the Binnenalster to the Elbe.
The Fleetinsel begins right between Rödingsmarkt and St. Micheal’s church. Scenic and surrounded by water, the island is home to a variety of restaurants and cafés inviting you to linger on the river, as well as galleries and boutiques to stroll through. In winter, the local Christmas market on the Fleet Island is not to be missed; it serves up a special maritime atmosphere with its location.
Architecturally, the Fleetinsel is quite unique. Some of its buildings were destroyed during World War II and replaced by new ones, creating an exciting interplay of historic and modern buildings in the Hamburg style that can be seen between the canals.
Best of all, the Fleetinsel is located in the immediate vicinity of many of Hamburg’s main attractions. Following the island in the direction of the Elbe brings visitors to Baumwall and thus the harbour and the Landungsbrücken piers. The Fleetinsel is also tantalisingly close to both the Speicherstadt and then the modern architecture of HafenCity. A walk in the direction of the city centre, on the other hand, takes you by the neoclassical city hall and Jungfernstieg, ending at the Binnenalster lake. St. Micheal’s church, or Michel as the locals call it, isn’t far off either, nor is the Großneumarkt with its numerous cafés, restaurants and shopping opportunities.
Neuer Wall
One of the few streets on the narrow Fleetinsel is perhaps more well-known than the actual island on which it’s located. Neuer Wall, running form the northern end of the Fleetinsel to Stadthausbrücke station is Hamburg’s single-best location for high-end luxury shopping. The top designers and brands have their shops on this chic and exclusive street, where celebrities are a common sight.
Getting there
Fleetinsel is a 1.3 kilometres-long island, easily serviced by a number of public transportation options, including S1, S2 or S3 to Jungfernstieg or Stadthausbrücke or U3 to Rödingsmarkt.
