Hamburg’s Alster lakes are beautiful, but they can also get quite crowded. North of the Outer Alster lake, boating opportunities abound and the farther upstream you travel, the less you'll see other people are on the water. You might explore the bodies of water the Stadtpark city park has to offer or venture a bit farther north and away from Hamburg’s more urban areas into the quiet canals and waterways of Eppendorf and Poppenbüttel.
Note: Reservations are required at many (but not all) boat rentals, so be sure to plan ahead. Also, please note the rules stipulated by the various boat rental companies. It is always best to check up directly with the rental company before visiting.
Boat rentals north of the Outer Alster
Bootshaus Marienhof (Poppenbüttel)
If you are planning a boat trip on the Alster, the Marienhof boathouse is the right place to start. It's located at the Poppenbüttel lock next to a café - perfect for putting together picnic baskets for canoeists (upon request and in advance). It’s just about 14 kilometres from the boathouse to the Outer Alster lake. Or head in the other direction and paddle upstream to the Alster spring.
Boats to rent: kayaks, canoes
Opening times: April to September, Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call in advance if the weather is poor. Reservations are possible Mon-Fri for 2-hour bookings and on weekends only at the daily rate.
Prices per hour / day (minimum rental time, one hour): 1-seater kayak: €8/€32, 3-seater kayak: €14/€56, 2-seater canoe: €11/€44, 3-seater canoe: €14/€56, 4-seater canoe (only two adults and two children): €15/€60
Bootshaus Silwar (Eppendorf)
The oldest boathouse in Hamburg, Bootshaus Silwar has been renting out kayaks and canoes for leisurely paddle tours since 1874. When you need a break from boating for some sustenance, Café Silwar Bucht will take good care of you. The boathouse is conveniently located for a tour to the Ohlsdorf lock or through the Alster canals towards Jungfernstieg.
Boats to rent: wooden Alster canoes, original wooden canoes from the 20s / 30s with upholstery and carpet, sports canoes, paddle boats (duck and swan varieties, plus aquabikes)
Opening times: April: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., May: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., July to August: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., September: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Prices per hour: €12 to €19 depending on the boat and the number of people. No daily prices, but special rates available
Anleger Hamburg (Alsterdorf)
Anleger Hamburg, located in the neighbourhood of Alsterdorf, is boat rental, beach club and bar & grill all in one. In addition to kayaks, canoes and paddle boats, you can also rent boards for stand-up paddling and dragon boats for large groups.
Boats to rent: kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, stand-up paddling boards, OC1 outriggers
Opening times: April and May: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. June to August: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., September: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., October to March: closed. Opening times may vary in rain.
Prices per hour / day: 1-seater kayak: €11/€54, 2-seater kayak: €13/€64, 2-seater canoe: €13/€64, 3-seater canoe: €15/€74, 4-seater canoe: €18/€89, paddle boat for max. 5 people: €25/€124, stand-up paddling board for 1 person: €13/€64, stand-up paddling board for 8 people: €60/€299 euros. Discounts for children and students available.
Supper Club (Eppendorf)
The former Café Isekai combines paddling fun with culinary delights. Before or after the tour, boaters can fortify themselves with coffee, ice cream and cake or hearty dishes and Hamburg specialties.
Boats to rent: paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, stand-up paddling boards
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 12 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.
Prices per hour: paddle boats up to 4 people: €20, paddle boats up to 5 people: €25, rowboats: €16, canoes for 2 people: €12, for 3 people: €14, for 4 people: €16, for 5 people: €18, kayak for 1 person: €12, for 2 people: €18, stand-up paddling boards for 1 person: €14 euros, touring stand-up paddling boards: €16, racing stand-up paddling boards: €19, XXL board for 10 people: €80. Prices are staggered every half hour.
Boat rentals in the Stadtpark city park
At Café Sommer Terrassen, directly on the Goldbek Canal in the middle of the Stadtpark, you can rent canoes and then relax with a wide variety of dishes from salad and pasta to fish and schnitzel.
Boats to rent: canoes
Opening times: April to October, daily from 10 a.m., depending on the weather. Boats must be returned by nightfall.
Prices per hour / day: 3-person canoe: €10/€60 euros, 4-person canoe: €12/€80
Bootsvermietung auf der Liebesinsel
This boat rental is located on the overgrown ‘love island’ in the middle of the Stadtparksee lake. From here you can explore the lake or head out into the Alster canals via the Goldbek Canal and even go as far as the Outer Alster lake.
Opening times: until October, daily from 11 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until dark or until 9 p.m, depending on the weather.
Prices per hour: canoes: €10, paddle boats and rowboats: €14 (no daily prices)
