The Elbphilharmonie may be the youngest, but it is without question one of Hamburg's most popular and visually appealing sights. Designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, the Hamburg concert hall has been strikingly combining tradition and modernity since 2016. Meanwhile, the 110-meter-high building on the right bank of the Norderelbe in HafenCity is considered the new landmark of the Hanseatic metropolis.
Brilliant concert halls
The concert hall with its spectacular glass façade, affectionately christened "Elphi" by the people of Hamburg, regularly hosts concerts ranging from classical and jazz to pop and folk music.
Three concert halls bring the music of the world to Hamburg. The house is directed by the general director Lieben-Seutter. The Plaza viewing platform guarantees breathtaking views of the Elbe metropolis and the harbour. The Elbphilharmonie is home to the Westin Hotel, a restaurant and several private apartments.
At the heart of the Philharmonie are concert halls masterfully constructed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and Japanese acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota. The great hall allows for true miracles of sound during opulent concerts as well as intimate solo performances by world stars or thunderous tones from the concert organ. This is ensured by 10,000 individually milled, scale-like plaster panels and a huge funnel on the ceiling, which reflect the sound to all angles according to a carefully planned plan. The large hall holds 2,100 guests. With elegant wooden panelling, the small concert hall delights up to 550 visitors.
The view in the distance from the Plaza
On the roof of the Elbphilharmonie, the Plaza viewing platform opens up. A curved escalator called "The Tube" leads the way to the top. The rolling staircase, the longest in Western Europe, is the only one in the world to describe an arc. At the top, a futuristically designed hall welcomes visitors, opening the way to the outdoor terrace. There, the city and harbour open up and lay their splendours at the feet of the observer, telling of adventures and the longing for the sea. Some visitors find it hard to tear themselves away again from the stages of the bustling harbour.
Visit to the Elbphilharmonie
Concert tickets are required for the concerts and are available online, at the Elbphilharmonie ticket offices or at the visitor centre in front of the Philharmonie. Tickets for the Plaza can be pre-ordered and purchased on site.
