This shore excursion of Hamburg starts directly in front of the cruise terminal. Your private driver will greet you when your ship docks and show you to your modern, air-conditioned vehicle. The journey takes 1.5 hours each way. An experienced local guide will meet you upon your arrival, share insight into the local history; and take you on a private walking & car tour. This Hanse City is not only the most beautiful port city in Germany but also the richest in the country. It was badly damaged by bombings during WWII but has become the second most exciting city in Germany next to Berlin! In the 1960’s the Star Club became famous as the Beatles venue and today the legendary nightlife area is famous for its bars and red light district. During the day, the area around the old city with its picturesque canals is one of the nicest high end shopping areas in all of Germany. The two lakes in the heart of the old city, the Binnen and Aussenalster give the city a natural aquatic beauty.

On our tour your will enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic heart of Hamburg and see the stunning Town Hall while learning about the role of Hamburg in the Hanseatic league.

We will also visit the St Nikolai Church, still a burnt out shell of a church and hear about the near total destruction of the city during the second world war.

Afterwards we will explore the oldest street in Hamburg, Deichstrasse and cross over the Trost bridge in the heart of the Medieval City. Close by is the Elbe River and the scenic Landungsbrucke river walk. From here we will head over to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Speicherstadt where goods coming in and out of the city were once stored and the Hafencity, the newest area of the city where the Elbphilharmonie today stands as an architectural wonder for all to see.

After the tour you will have 1 to 2 hours to explore the city on your own, do souvenir shopping and get a lunch. At the end of the visit, your driver will bring you back to the port, with at least 1.5 hours to spare before its departure.