Tours and Tickets to Experience Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie is famous for its striking modern architecture, which can be seen from afar thanks to its location on the Elbe River. Its design, which is said to resemble either sails or waves above brick warehouses, has become a fixture of the Hamburg skyline since opening in 2017.

You can book concert tickets for the Elbphilharmonie either online, by phone, in person at several ticket shops around Hamburg, or at the ticket shop on the ground floor of the Elbphilharmonie. It is recommended to book concert tickets in advance; popular concerts often sell out quickly.

Yes, guided tours of the Elbphilharmonie are available in both German and English. There are general tours, which focus on the building and its history, or focussed tours, that offer more in-depth information on either the architecture, music, or the Elbphilharmonie’s organ. The focussed tours are currently German language only.

Yes, you do not need a concert ticket to see the Plaza of the Elbphilharmonie. Instead, you will need a plaza ticket, which can be booked in advance for a small fee; there are free walk-in tickets, but these can’t be reserved and may not be available if you arrive spontaneously.

There is a restaurant, a bar, and a café inside the Elbphilharmonie, each enjoying views over the city. The on-site restaurant is Störtebeker Elbphilharmonie, an upscale dining venue that also offers beer tasting. There is also a selection of international restaurants in the nearby streets of HafenCity.

Yes, the Elbphilharmonie hosts one of the largest festivals in the city: the Hamburg International Music Festival. Held over five weeks, the festival features a series of classical and contemporary concerts. The Elbphilharmonie is also involved in other Hamburg festivals, such as the Elbjazz Festival that’s held throughout the port area.