No other sight is as typical of Hamburg as the iconic Landungsbrücken piers. This is the perfect spot to go for a walk along the quayside, have a fish sandwich and board a ferry boat – or maybe just watch the ships go by and let your mind drift off to faraway places.
St. Pauli Landungsbrücken Piers
The Landungsbrücken piers are located on the River Elbe between other popular sights, such as the Elbphilharmonie, the Reeperbahn and the Fish Market, and comprise several tuff stone buildings as well as 10 landing docks for the harbour ferries. Back in the day, steam ships used to depart from the Landungsbrücken to venture out onto the open seas. Today, many motorised launches and paddle steamers set off from here for harbour boat trips, and catamarans head for Heligoland.
Anyone who wants to be a sailor and take to the seas can simply board the ferry line 62 and cruise out onto the Elbe on a standard fare. This self-guided harbour tour is also included in a HVV day pass as well as the Hamburg CARD package and Deutschlandticket. The Landungsbrücken piers are also the starting point for a night of musical theatre; many of Hamburg’s musicals play at the stages along the Elbe, and the most convenient way for audiences to cross the river is the ferry line 73.
Historical Architecture and Cultural Heritage
The terminal building at the Landungsbrücken spans 205 metres and is flanked by two bulky towers with striking green domes. It was designed by the architects Raabe & Wöhlecke to feature numerous walkways leading to the piers; the architectural sculptures are by Arthur Bock. The tall tower on the eastern end displays not only the time, but also the water level of the River Elbe, and the bell rings on the hour and on the half-hour. The Landungsbrücken building has been a legally-protected listed building since 15 September 2003.
Other Sights Near Landungsbrücken
The Old Elbe Tunnel as well as the museum ships Rickmer Rickmers and Cap San Diego are just few steps from the piers. There are also plenty of places to eat and tourist shops to explore, as the waterfront offers a perfect vantage point for watching both container ships and cruise liners.
Over the past few decades, the Landungsbrücken have also become one of Hamburg’s most popular strolling promenades. A nice walk through the Speicherstadt and HafenCity, including the Elbphilharmonie, is ideal in fair weather, and if the weather should be subpar, a panoramic ride on the U3 elevated train line is a good option as well.
Landungsbrücken Impressions
History of the Piers
The first of the Landungsbrücken piers was opened in 1839. The pier provided a safety distance from the neighbouring houses – which at that time stood much closer to the water’s edge than they do today – and was intended to ensure that coal steamers could be loaded and unloaded more easily. Between 1907 and 1909, the terminal building was constructed from tuff stone and floating pontoons accessible from the mainland via nine movable walkways.
Unlike the first pier, the newer one was originally used as a landing stage for passenger steamers on overseas routes – including HAPAG liners. During the Second World War, the piers built in 1907 were destroyed, so the current floating piers date from 1953 to 1955. The last connecting section between bridges 2 and 3 was installed in 1976. The canopy and lighting were modernised in 1999.
