Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg is a concert hall, but also a landmark. When we visited the concert hall in 2022, the building turned 5 years old and in connection with that, a lot of extra festivities were arranged. We took a look at the beautiful building both from the outside and from the inside.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareTable of contents
Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and, with its undulating forms, is reminiscent of the sea and nature.
The Elbphilharmonie is located in the HafenCity area, by the harbour in the centre of Hamburg.
Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg - a landmark event
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg is a landmark that keeps popping into view almost everywhere you go in the city. The building appears in different ways from different angles, but from any perspective, the undulating roof is reminiscent of rippling water.
Plaza
Even if you don't plan to attend a concert, you can visit the Plaza on the 8th floor of the concert hall, 37 metres above the ground. The open floor plan here is really cool and you have a view of the city and the harbour that stretches for miles. There is also a café here.
To visit the Plaza you need to buy a ticket at the price of €2/person. It is also possible to book a guided "Plaza Tour" for €10/person.
Concert halls
The most outstanding room, which is the heart of the Elbphilharmonie, is the Great Concert Hall (Grosser Saal), which has 2100 seats. This gigantic hall offers an enormous amount of space and is designed to provide the best possible sound.
A closer look at the walls reveals small tiles with different depths of recesses. Japanese acoustic engineer Yasuhisa Toyota is responsible for the design of these 10 000 individually shaped tiles, which together provide the best possible acoustics.
No detail has been left to chance and if you go to a concert, even going to the toilet can be an experience. There's nothing wrong with the view while washing your hands!
5-year anniversary with drone show
When we visited, it had been five years since the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg was completed, becoming a landmark of the city. During these years, the concert hall developed into a huge tourist magnet with tons of annual visitors.
Brief facts from the first five years of the Elbphilharmonie
- Number of visitors to the Plaza: More than 14.5 million
- Number of concertgoers: Around 3.3 million
- Number of concerts: More than 2900
- Number of guided tours: 9782
- The most played piece: Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 7
- The most played composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
To celebrate the 5th anniversary in a spectacular and unique way, they contacted the artist duo DRIFT. They created an artistic display with 300 drones, which would move around the concert hall in a moving art installation.
To see the show, we, and many others, went out in boats in the evening. As the clock approached 23:00, the boats flocked around the Elbphilharmonie, and all eyes were on the concert hall.
Music was heard throughout the harbour area and the 300 drones moved in soft formations around the building. A fascinating spectacle! The 5th anniversary is now continuing in various ways, including the Hamburg International Music Festival.
Visiting the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg
We can definitely recommend a visit to the Elbphilharmonie during your trip to Hamburg. The easiest way is to buy a ticket to the Plaza viewing area. If you want to experience even more, you can book a guided tour or attend a concert. Either way, start your visit with a ride on the world's longest curved escalator.
More to see and do in Hamburg and Germany
Beyond the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, there is much more to see and experience in this northern German city. You won't want to miss strolling around the harbour area, and perhaps taking a boat trip. Other interesting experiences include Miniatur Wunderland with the world's largest model railway and a guided tour in the footsteps of the Beatles.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the Elbphilharmonie
What is the Elbphilharmonie?
The Elbphilharmonie is Hamburg's largest concert hall and one of the city's most famous landmarks. The building is located on the Elbe in HafenCity and consists of an old harbor warehouse with a modern glass building on top. It includes the main concert hall, smaller concert halls, hotels, restaurants and the Plaza viewing platform.
Can you visit the Elbphilharmonie without going to a concert?
Yes. You do not need a concert ticket to visit the Elbphilharmonie and get up to the Plaza. However, you do need a special Plaza ticket as the number of visitors in the building is limited.
What is the Plaza at the Elbphilharmonie?
The Plaza is the Elbphilharmonie's public viewing platform, located 37 meters above the land between the old harbor warehouse and the modern glass building. From here you get a 360-degree view of Hamburg's harbor, the Elbe, Speicherstadt and parts of the city center, among other things.
Does it cost to visit Elbphilharmonie Plaza?
Until October 4, 2026, spontaneous Plaza tickets can be collected for free, subject to availability, while a pre-booked ticket costs €3. From October 5, 2026, an entrance fee of €5 will be introduced, with a reduced price of €3 for certain groups. Check current prices before visiting.
Do you need to book tickets for Elbphilharmonie Plaza in advance?
It is not necessary, but a pre-booked ticket guarantees entry at your chosen time. It may be wise during peak periods. The Plaza is one of Hamburg's most popular attractions.
What are the opening hours of the Elbphilharmonie Plaza?
The Plaza is normally open every day between 10:00 and 24:00, with last admission at 23:30. Opening hours are subject to change, so please check for current information before visiting.
How do you get up to the Plaza?
From the main entrance, take the spectacular curved escalator known as The Tube. It is over 80 meters long and leads up to a panoramic window, from where another shorter escalator takes you to the Plaza on the eighth floor. There are also elevators.
Can you enter the concert hall at the Elbphilharmonie?
A regular Plaza ticket does not give access to the concert halls. If you want to see the main concert hall, you can go to a concert or book a guided tour that includes the concert hall. Please note that in exceptional cases the main hall cannot be visited during the tour due to concerts or rehearsals.
Are there guided tours at the Elbphilharmonie?
Yes. There are various guided tours focusing on the building, architecture, music and concert halls, among other things. There are also simpler Plaza tours. The tours are offered in German and some also in English.
Is the Elbphilharmonie wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The Plaza is accessible by elevator and there are wheelchair spaces and accessible restrooms in the concert areas. There are also special guided tours without stairs for people with reduced mobility.
You might also like:
Steinau an der Strasse - with the Brothers Grimm house
The Rammelsberg Mine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Goslar
Sanspareil rock garden and Zwernitz castle in Bavaria
Hofgarten Eremitage in Bayreuth - amazing park in Bavaria
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel – guide to Germany's unique water spectacle
English (UK) 
Svenska
4000mil says:
How nice it was in Hamburg! Nice to read your reports too. Although I did not dare to read the Beatles before writing myself! 😅
05 May 2022 - 7:06
Helena says:
Yes, very nice, and fun to meet! Of course it is a bit special when you write about the same thing, but I still think you have your own way of writing, so it will always be different. Will read about the Beatles tour with you now 🙂 .
05 May 2022 - 7:32
Nils-Åke Hansson says:
300 drones and getting them to synchronise with each other. The concert hall was magnificent.
05 May 2022 - 8:02
Helena says:
The show with the drones was impressive! Everything moved so smoothly, as if it was "easy", but we suspect it was anything but!
05 May 2022 - 19:40
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:
What a cool building, I really want to go there!
05 May 2022 - 17:23
Helena says:
Isn't it cool? Hamburg is an exciting city to discover! 🙂
05 May 2022 - 19:41
BP says:
What an amazing creation, because it is indeed a creation. Incredibly beautiful and I can imagine that Hamburg is very proud of its Elphi. The city needed a landmark that is different. The drone formations must have been WOW! As I like all kinds of cranes, I really liked the framing along the Elbe river:-)
05 May 2022 - 20:53
Helena says:
Isn't that great? And yes, the drone show was cool, unlike anything else we've seen. and you got cranes on the purchase 🙂 .
06 May 2022 - 8:49
Lena+i+Wales+och+Spanien says:
The more posts about Hamburg, the more I realise that a lot has happened there since I used to go there several times a year. Interesting!
07 May 2022 - 8:37