Hamburg St. Pauli Tour: The Harbour, Reeperbahn & Beatles
Discover Hamburg’s alternative side—music, port life, and counterculture—in the harbour and St. Pauli. We start at the Elbphilharmonie and Landungsbrücken, take a ferry across the Elbe, visit the Old Elbtunnel, then walk through the notorious Reeperbahn and finish at Beatles-Platz.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 15m
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Elbphilharmonie Entrance (Opposite Coffee Fellows) Nearest public transport: Kehrwiederspitze metro station; U-Bahn Baumwall metro station
Ending point
Beatles-Platz
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Hamburg guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
❗During the tour we take a ferry ride across the river (Note: If you have a Day Transport ticket, Hamburg Card, or DeutschlandTicket, the ferry ride is included. Otherwise, a ticket costs €2.10.) There are some days when ferry can't be used.
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Hamburg is a city shaped by water, trade, and music. These three powerful forces have created a fascinating mix that continues to attract people from all over the world. Known for its grand port, elegant architecture, and vibrant cultural life, Hamburg also has a side that doesn’t fit into postcard-perfect images. It’s a city of contrasts, where old sailors’ pubs stand next to trendy bars, where alternative culture thrives, and where a small band from Liverpool played before taking over the world.
If you want to experience the real Hamburg—the one with raw energy, rebellious spirit, and fascinating history—this is the tour for you!
A District of Sailors, Outsiders, and Rock & Roll
Hamburg’s St. Pauli district has always been a place for those who lived outside the rules. In the 19th century, sailors from all over the world filled its bars, bringing new ideas, stories, and… music. The neighborhood grew around the harbor, becoming home to merchants, immigrants, and dock workers, who shaped its unique character.
Thanks to this explosive mix of people and their rough energy by the 20th century, St. Pauli had become Germany’s most famous entertainment district, known for its wild nightlife, clubs, cabarets, and the notorious Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s legendary red-light district. This “Sinful Mile” was where sailors spent their nights before heading back to sea, and where, in smoky bars, The Beatles played some of their earliest gigs, shaping their sound before they became legends.
But St. Pauli is more than just nightlife—it’s a neighborhood with a strong sense of community, a countercultural and working-class identity, and a history of activism, squatting movements, and leftist politics. While gentrification has been changing the area, St. Pauli continues to retain its rebellious spirit and unique character.
See Hamburg Like Never Before!
This tour is for those who want to go beyond Hamburg’s polished tourist spots and experience the city’s true character. From the harbor to the backstreets of St. Pauli, from historic tunnels to legendary music clubs, this walk takes you through the places that shaped Hamburg’s rebellious, creative, and unforgettable spirit. Join us and discover Hamburg like never before!
Highlights
- 1
Elbphilharmonie
Hamburg's stunning modern concert hall, an architectural icon with breathtaking views over the harbor.
- 2
Landungsbrücken
The city’s lively waterfront, a bustling harbor promenade with views of massive passing ships.
- 3
Harbor Ferry Ride
A unique way to experience Hamburg's port from the water, crossing the Elbe River.
- 4
Old Elbtunnel
An impressive engineering marvel from 1911 that runs deep beneath the Elbe River.
- 5
Reeperbahn
Hamburg’s legendary “Sinful Mile,” the city's famous nightlife hub and red-light district.
- 6
The Beatles’ Story
Explore the clubs where the band played their earliest gigs, shaping their legendary sound.
- 7
St. Pauli District
A neighborhood with a rebellious spirit, countercultural identity, and a rich history of activism.
Map
Elbphilharmonie Entrance (Opposite Coffee Fellows) Nearest public transport: Kehrwiederspitze metro station; U-Bahn Baumwall metro station
Our customers said about us
Hamburg
5.0Sushma Prabhu
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Hamburg
5.0Linda
💯💯💯
Lovely and informative tour with the fun and charming Savvy - lots of fun and interesting facts about the harbor, St Pauli and Beatles. Would definitely do the tour again! 👏🏾🥳 Linda & Louise
Hamburg
5.0Donna Perry
Very easy to arrange. Savvy arrived in a timely manner, made himself visible, was very knowledgeable and friendly and pitched the walk just right. Saw more of Hamburg than we would had we done our own walk.
Hamburg
5.0Steff and Ted
Great day in Hamburg💯💯💯
Savvy, our tour guide welcomed us in front of Elbphilharmonie with big smiles. I've been to the city more than few time but it's my first walking tour ever. Warm and sunny but a whole lot of interesting facts & fun.
