The Speicherstadt, or ‘warehouse city’, is the world's largest historic warehouse district and one of Hamburg’s most vibrant areas. The district is located in the port of Hamburg, within the HafenCity quarter and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015 due to its unique buildings, winding network of streets, canals and bridges, and its significance in the history of the city.

The district was built into the Elbe River between 1883 and 1927 to create a customs-free zone in the heart of one of Europe’s largest ports. The warehouses were traditionally used to store goods such as coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and tobacco. The area has been undergoing a period of redevelopment but to this day some of the buildings are still used as warehouses, mainly for the trade of carpets, among other goods.

The lines of buildings in neo-gothic red brick architecture are connected by ramified canals which meander through the HafenCity quarter. Take a guided tour and gain insight into an important part of the city’s history whilst admiring the impressive architecture of the buildings with their gothic towers, gables, arches and the many bridges that cross the waterways.

The area is a popular tourist attraction, with the focus being on harbour or walking tours. There are also several museums to visit within the area, as well as cafés, shops and restaurants. Visiting the district at night is also a worthwhile experience, the buildings are illuminated by spotlights that reflect off the waterways creating a romantic ambience.

You can access the Speicherstadt district by public transport, the Baumwall (U3) and Meßberg (U1) U-Bahn stations are located a short walk away.