Plaza
A panoramic view of the port and the city from a height of 37 metres above ground level
Book Plaza ticketsA Public Space for Hamburg
The public viewing platform situated at the junction of the old harbour warehouse and the modern glass structure above it is a magnet for visitors. Up to 17,000 Hamburg residents and guests from all over the world make their way to the HafenCity daily to enjoy the breathtaking 360° view of the city and harbour from a height of 37 metres above ground level. This places the Elbphilharmonie on the list alongside Europe's other most popular attractions, such as the Sistine Chapel in Rome, which has a comparable annual number of visitors.
The Plaza is open to everyone – not just concertgoers and hotel guests. You are welcome to come up and enjoy the fantastic view, discover more about the architecture or meet friends for coffee and a snack – from 10:00 to 24:00 daily.
Opening Times
- Plaza: 10:00–24:00 daily (last admission 23:30)
- Elbphilharmonie Shop on the Plaza: 10:00–22:00 daily
- Information desk in the entrance area: 10:00–23:30 daily
- Visitor Center, Am Kaiserkai 62: 10:00–20:00 daily
Tickets
Individuals or Small Groups of Up to 9 Persons
- Plaza tickets can be pre-booked online or on site for a booking fee of €3 per ticket. Advantage: Guaranteed access at the desired time and no waiting time.
- If available, remaining tickets for spontaneous on-site visits will be issued free of charge. These tickets cannot be reserved.
- Ticketholders for concerts in the Elbphilharmonie Grand and Recital Halls gain admission to the Plaza two hours before the start of the event.
Groups of 10 Persons or More
- Group tickets can be pre-booked online or purchased on site for a booking fee of €2 per ticket. Advantage of pre-booking: Guaranteed access at the desired time and no waiting time.
Plaza Tours
- Tickets for Plaza Tours can be booked online and at the Ticket Shops in the Elbphilharmonie and Brahms Kontor (€10 per ticket)
What is the Plaza?
The Inner Plaza
Dramatic reflecting surfaces, vistas, entryways and corridors are all important architectural features of the Elbphilharmonie. This includes the Plaza: at the centre of the Plaza, a light shaft allows visitors to get a glimpse of floors 12 to 17 of the Grand Hall foyer.
Several areas are covered with reflecting glass that presents shimmering fragments of harbour life, the sky and the city.
Particularly prominent are the leaning columns that allow for an unobstructed flow of people on the Plaza. From the outside, it seems as if the glass structure is floating above the old red-brick warehouse.
The Outer Plaza
At approximately the centre of the Plaza on both longitudinal sides of the building, two eight-metre-high wind deflectors open up to reveal large facade cutouts that overlook the inner city and the harbour. Visitors can walk all the way around the Elbphilharmonie on the outer Plaza.
Getting to the Plaza
The journey to the Plaza is an experience in itself: from the main entrance of the Elbphilharmonie, an 82-metre-long, curved escalator with elaborate lighting takes visitors up through the old Kaispeicher building. At the top of the escalator, on the 6th floor, a panorama window offers a spectacular view down the river Elbe towards the harbour and docks. Visitors then take a second, shorter escalator up to the Plaza on the 8th floor.
Approximately 8,000 discs sparkle in the two-way »Tube« – the world’s first curved escalator, with a total travel time of approximately 2.5 minutes.
On Offer on the Plaza
Elbphilharmonie Shop
A selection of products and souvenirs, made exclusively for the Elbphilharmonie, are on sale in the Elbphilharmonie Shop. Also available: books and CDs by many artists featured in the current season, the Elbphilharmonie Magazine as well as information on the Elbphilharmonie.
Opening Hours
10:00–22:00 daily
Deck & Deli
On the Elbphilharmonie Plaza, freshly baked produce, ice cream and tempting cold and warm savoury snacks are on offer. In addition to a large selection of soft drinks, wine, sparkling wine, and tea & coffee specialities, visitors can try the full range of Störtebeker cask beer varieties.
Opening Hours
Mon–Sund: 12:00–20:00
The Westin Hamburg
In the upper part of the Elbphilharmonie, The Westin Hamburg’s 244 rooms and suites offer a spectacular view of the river Elbe, the Speicherstadt and the HafenCity. The entrance to the lobby is located on the Plaza.
Smart Table
Visitors can discover the Elbphilharmonie in different ways using the Smart Table, a digital infotainment table – from a high-speed drone flight to a detailed picture gallery.
Points of interest
Tanzende Türme, Köhlbrandbrücke, Speicherstadt and Michel: there is a lot to discover from the Elbphilharmonie Plaza. Several digital boards on the outdoor plaza provide information about the sights and curious anecdotes from the city of Hamburg – simply scan the QR codes with your smartphone.
Good to know
Ticket Information and getting to the Plaza
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How is Plaza admittance regulated?
In principle, a Plaza ticket entitles access to the Plaza. The operator, however, reserves the right to limit access, especially in the case of overcrowding. In addition, controls can be carried out by our security company as well as by the police and other regulatory agencies. All visitors may be subject to security checks.
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Is a Plaza ticket valid for public transportation?
No, a Plaza ticket may not be used as a HVV (public transportation) ticket.
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Does my child need a ticket to visit the Plaza?
Children under the age of three do not require a ticket.
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Do restaurant customers require Plaza tickets?
Yes. Restaurant customers who make a reservation in advance receive confirmation and the corresponding number of Plaza tickets in the form of PDF files by email.
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Is the Plaza accessible for persons with mobility disabilities?
Yes, the Plaza is fully accessible via lifts. These are located in the main entrance area of the Elbphilharmonie (please follow the signs).
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How do I get from the parking garage to the Plaza?
Visitors first go to the ground floor from the parking garage. Upon presentation of a Plaza ticket, visitors may then access the Plaza from the main entrance area.
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What protective measures are in place in the event of flooding?
The Elbphilharmonie is located in a safe high-water area, therefore no flood control measures are in place in the event of flooding. Closures that could occur in the areas surrounding the Elbphilharmonie may result in restrictions when travelling to and from the Elbphilharmonie.
All about your visit
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Are there toilets for visitors on the Plaza?
Free public toilets are located on the western tip of the Plaza, adjacent to the Elbphilharmonie Shop, and are accessible via stairs.
Persons with mobility disabilities and wheelchair users may use the B elevators situated at the entrance of the Elbphilharmonie Shop. The accessible toilets are open – a key is not required.
Further toilets are located behind the ticket shop at the main entrance of the Elbphilharmonie.
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May dogs be taken onto the Plaza?
No, animals are prohibited on the Plaza, however disability assistance dogs may enter the Plaza.
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Are visitors permitted to take photographs and/or make video recordings?
Video recordings and photographs for private purposes are permitted. Please respect the privacy of other visitors and do not interfere with regular Plaza operations. Employees may not be photographed or filmed.
Video recordings or photographs for editorial or commercial purposes are only permitted with prior approval from the Press Office of the Elbphilharmonie.
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May I smoke in the Elbphilharmonie?
Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire premises of the Elbphilharmonie. This includes the Outer Plaza on floor 8.
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Who should I contact if I find or lose an item?
Found items should be handed in to the security staff on the Plaza, at the main entrance or at the security office at the south-east corner of the Elbphilharmonie. Lost items can also be retrieved here. Please come by in person; it is not possible to contact the security office via phone or email.
After four weeks, all lost items will be deposited at the Lost Items Headquarters (»zentrale Fundbüro«) in the neighbourhood of Altona:
Bahrenfelder Straße 254-260
22765 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 428 113 501
email: zentrales-fundbuero@altona.hamburg.de
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 09:00-19:00 - Download the Elbphilharmonie house regulations