Christmas along the Elbe river

When the temperatures become frosty and rain becomes snow, the Hanseatic city turns into a small winter wonderland. In Hamburg you can also get into a festive mood away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre with its Christmas markets. During a walk along the Elbe the winter unfolds its own magic.

Hamburg Christmas atmosphere at the landing stages Modified in original

The view of the glittering facade of the Elbphilharmonie from the landing bridges is particularly beautiful when the darkness lies over the harbour. Then the ships begin to glow with the slight movement of the water in their own colours, creating an incomparable atmosphere in the harbour. When the Rickmer Rickmers attaches their pine tree to the bow and the candles are lit, it seems as if all the docks are wrapped in a winter coat.

Lights over the Elbe in the harbour

But also every ferry, and even the tugboats, join the winter magic; they too sail across the Elbe with their Christmas trees and lights. As we look up to the clock at the Old Elbe Tunnel and the first snow falls in the early evening darkness, we simply pull the scarf a little tighter, put on our gloves and continue along the Great Elbe Road to the Elbe beach.

Winter charm at the fish auction hall

The walk goes past the Altona Fish Auction Hall, which does not hibernate, but at dusk of the day is wrapped in the snow on the cobblestone pavement in a very special winter charm. Lights burn in the windows, people with bulging bags walk once more along the water before going home. These are the Christmas preparations away from the hectic city centre.

Glamour and lights in the container port

In the evening, when you can only see the glow of the container port lights in the fog, the machinery also glows with winter magic. It's magical how the lights reflected in the Elbe turn the pulsating metropolis into a contemplative place. We close another button on our coat, because we want to enjoy this winter walk with its silence and its very own shine for a moment before we plunge into the Christmas hustle and bustle of the city centre again.