Huge and small ships in the Port of Hamburg

Old and new in the Harbour City

For over 30 years I have been working in Hamburg-Harburg, a large area south of the river Elbe. (Zum deutschen Blog.) Therefore, it is not so often that I go to downtown Hamburg or even to the harbor.

But this summer it repeatedly happened. Once at the invitation of the tour operator Belvelo, to explore the Port of Hamburg with an e-bike .

By bike through the harbour

The port of Hamburg itself is usually flooded several times a year at high water and so many people think that there are no inclines. Far from it, just behind the harbor, it goes up quite steeply. Amazing such an e-bike! Because even I can do this height difference easily. Our guide Lars from Hamburg City Cycles takes us on a 15 km tour around the harbor area and tells us a lot about this area.

Such a bike ride is a highlight not only for tourists, I recommend it to anyone who lives here or in the surrounding area and likes to see a couple of corners, that are not so familiar.

Like the Portuguese quarter, where lots of people from Portugal used to live who came to the port of Hamburg for work. This happened during the times, when all ships were loaded and unloaded by hand and not by cranes that can uplift these heavy and huge containers.

At interesting viewpoints we stop again and again, the pictures speak for themselves, sure enough!

At the end of the tour we even drive through the old Elbe tunnel. It was designed for horse-drawn vehicles and is so narrow that quite a lot of cars get one or two scratches on the rims, if the driver does not exactly stay on track.

What a timing, the AIDAsol is leaving the port right now. Enjoy the ship’s horn here.

A few days later Hamburg celebrates the 1st Elbfest at Hamburg Port.

It has nothing to do with the annual Port Birthday on the second weekend in May.

Here one gets to know what happens on and near the river Elbe. Old ships, young bands, traditional food, such as fish sandwiches or new lemonade creations. Everything is represented.

In Sandtorhafen, the historic harbor, there are booths and live music, even the bad weather that so often happens in Hamburg, like the day before, changed to a blue sky and pleasant temperatures.

From the square at the Elbphilharmonie we watch the parade of historic ships, some of them have their current home in the Harbor Museum Ovelgönne and may today sail again through the harbor. The ship horns of these elderly ships are heard. The goose bumps moment I have trapped here for you!

I look forward to the next Elbfest next year which hopefully takes place again with the best late summer weather!

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