Walking Tours

Elbphilharmonie Exterior Guided Walking Tour

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg exterior view during guided tour.

Take a 1-hour exterior walking tour of Elphi, Hamburg’s infamous cultural landmark, and uncover its controversial backstory with an expert guide.

Highlights

Circle around Elbphilharmonie, dubbed Elphi, on a walking tour and see its hoisted sail-like structure stealing hearts as Hamburg’s cultural hotspot.
A guide fluent in German will unveil Elphi's journey to stardom, despite its sky-high costs and missed construction deadlines, on this 1-hour tour.
Learn about Elphi's energy-efficient design built on a ‘63 warehouse, as you traverse from the historic Körber Foundation to the doorstep of Elphi.
Buy a ticket to see a concert (if you’re lucky) at the Grand Hall, shaped like a terraced vineyard, and top it off with harbor views from the Plaza.
Fun fact: Around 18,000 tons of steel was used in Elphi’s construction. To put it in perspective, the Eiffel Tower was built with 7,300 tons of steel!

Inclusions

1-hour exterior walking tour of Elbphilharmonie
Certified German-speaking guide

Exclusions

Entry to Plaza and concert halls

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Your experience

Tobacco warehouse to a cultural hub – Elphi’s evolution

Pssst, architecture nerds – Buckle up for a tour around Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, nicknamed Elphi, where modern architecture meets cultural charm. Your journey starts at Körber Foundation, from where a cheerful guide will walk with you through Hamburg's lively HafenCity and Speicherstadt’s canals. Inching closer to the Elphi, you'll witness the fascinating fusion of old brick charm and sleek glass aesthetics atop the 1963 tobacco warehouse. During your stroll along the building’s exterior, your guide will show you exclusive, picture-worthy stops and narrate how Elphi's got more drama than a soap opera! Find out about its sky-high cost overruns and missed deadlines, and its eventual success at winning hearts as Hamburg’s cultural icon.

A closer look at Elphi’s acoustic magic

Upon reaching the Elbphilharmonie, head to the Plaza and ascend the "Tube", a snazzy curved escalator 37 meters above the ground, offering epic views of Hamburg's skyline and bustling harbor. Get a ticket to take a look at Elphi's concert hall trifecta from the grand vineyard-style space to snug studios. The Grand Hall’s 10,000 uniquely crafted panels ensure impeccable acoustic quality, making it a favorite venue for classical music, jazz, and more. Whether you're a music buff or simply curious about Hamburg's cultural gems, Elbphilharmonie promises a blend of stunning architecture and musical performances.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bringing a water bottle along is a good idea if you need a quick refreshment during the tour.

What’s not allowed

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Accessibility

This experience may not be wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Additional information

Please wear comfortable shoes as this experience involves a lot of walking.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Körber-Stiftung.
Address: Kehrwieder 12, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
Landmark: The meeting point is in front of the Körber Foundation building, Kehrwieder 12. Please refrain from entering the same.

Get directions to the meeting point