Hamburg Tours and MSC Shore Excursions

Hamburg Tours, Speicherstadt | MSC Cruises

Hamburg, Germany is one of the country’s top travel destinations. Our MSC shore excursions are a smart and simple way to get acquainted with this venerable Hanseatic city on the Elbe River.

 

No trip to Hamburg is complete without a long look at the Speicherstadt, a historic district that feels straight out of a film set, thanks to ornate red-brick warehouses connected by canals and bridges. On our Hamburg excursions, explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and its most popular attraction: the Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway, where teeny trains whiz through a marvellously detailed micro-sized world. 

Another highlight of your Hamburg city break is a walk through the HafenCity, a new quarter known for its edgy contemporary architecture.  The star of the show is the Elbphilharmonie, a shiny concert hall nicknamed ‘Elphi’, which juts into the port like a postmodern ship’s prow.

 

Naturally, our Hamburg tours also venture into the historic Old Town by the Alster Lakes. Here you’ll discover the Baroque St Michael’s Church, the imposing neo-Renaissance city hall, bustling shopping streets and elegant cafes. Nearby, Planten un Blomen park provides a lovely sightseeing break and is one reason why Hamburg was named ‘European Green Capital’.

Our trips to Hamburg also offer the opportunity to elevate your experience with an excursion to charismatic Lübeck, where you can get lost in a warren of medieval lanes and sample the city’s world-famous marzipan.

Excursions in Hamburg

In a city teeming with sights and activities, our expertly curated Hamburg tours guarantee that you make the most of your time in port. Book our inspiring excursions to check off the must-see Hamburg attractions and quickly feel like an insider.

From the UNESCO-recognised Speicherstadt warehouse district with its one-of-a-kind museums to the historic city heart crowned by St Michael’s Church, and the medieval charm of nearby Lübeck, we’ve rounded up the best things to see in Hamburg and beyond.
Hamburg Tours, Speicherstadt | MSC Cruises
Hamburg Tours, HafenCity | MSC Cruises
Hamburg Tours, Miniatur Wunderland | MSC Cruises

Culture galore in the Speicherstadt and HafenCity

History meets future at the Speicherstadt and Hafen City, Hamburg’s most thrilling harbourside areas. One of the world’s largest historical warehouse districts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Speicherstadt now teems with cafes, shops and delightful museums: the dazzlingly detailed Miniatur Wunderland model railway and the spine-tingling Hamburg Dungeon.

 

Our tour also explores the adjacent postmodern HafenCity, a docklands area recently rebooted as a trendy district and graced by the magnificent Elbphilharmonie concert hall.

Hamburg Tours, Rathaus | MSC Cruises
Hamburg Tours, Michael's Church | MSC Cruises
Hamburg Tours, Michael's Church | MSC Cruises

Hamburg by Land and Sea: Step into the heart of the city

Tap into the rhythms of daily life in Hamburg city centre, a treasure trove infused with culture, commerce and history. Visit the city symbol, the grand St Michael’s Church, and pinpoint city sights from its bell tower. Another highlight is the magnificent city hall, whose grandeur reflects Hamburg’s centuries of prosperity.

 

With an MSC excursion, board the boats that navigate Hamburg's canals. From this particular perspective, enjoy a unique view of the city's diverse skyline before taking a relaxing break amidst the lush vegetation of the Planten un Blomen park.
Hamburg Tours, Lubeck | MSC Cruises
Hamburg Tours, Speicherstadt | MSC Cruises
Hamburg Tours, Cafè Niederegger | MSC Cruises

Lübeck: Medieval marvels and marzipan

Step back in time to the Middle Ages in Lübeck, a proud Hanseatic city graced with a sprightly Old Town so gorgeous that it earned UNESCO’s stamp of approval. Brave the stairs of the St Mary’s Church to get the lay of the land and find out why Lübeck is also called the City of Seven Spires.

 

No less photogenic is the city symbol, the twin-towered Holsten Gate that once guarded the western town entrance across the Trave River. Lübeck is also Germany’s ‘marzipan capital’, making a visit to famous Café Niederegger a delectable must.

Book your cruise to Hamburg

When pulling into port on your Hamburg cruise, you can look forward to exploring a proud maritime city bursting with energy, world-class sights, head-turning architecture and a cosmopolitan culinary scene. Fall in love with this Hanseatic jewel before continuing your journey with MSC Cruises. Set sail for the North Cape to see the northern lights, visit Scandinavian capitals or sample the pearls of the British Isles. So, go ahead and book your next cruise to Hamburg. Adventure awaits!

Hamburg Tours, Hamburg | MSC Cruises
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Hamburg tours and excursions FAQ

In which language are Hamburg excursions conducted?

English, German, Italian, Spanish and French are the five languages in which MSC shore excursions can be conducted. However, this is partly based on guide availability. The final selected languages will be fully confirmed during the course of the cruise.

Are Hamburg tours always available to be booked?

Our Hamburg excursions are popular, which means that some of them may not be available to book at all times. Because of this, we advise our guests to book their chosen Hamburg tours before departure.

Can the Hamburg excursions programme be changed?

The MSC shore excursions programme supplies guests with guidance about the various Hamburg tours and excursions that can be booked. The finalised details, including tour information and pricing, will be confirmed during the cruise.

Excursion itineraries, schedules and timings may end up varying depending on conditions in the local area and unforeseen events and situations. Tours are also subject to change with regard to local laws, regulations and restrictions.

Does MSC offer a Hamburg boat tour?

MSC Cruises offers the ‘Hamburg by Land and Sea’ shore excursion, which is a mixed coach and boat tour of the historic city of Hamburg. The tour begins with a coach trip through the modern HafenCity district and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Speicherstadt. From there, guests board a pleasure boat for a guided tour of the city via its canals and waterways, to gain a unique view of Hamburg’s skyline.

 

The final part of the tour is a coach trip that passes other major Hamburg sights, including the Planten un Blomen botanical park and the Reeperbahn district, before a stop at St. Michael’s Church and its adjacent 17th-century houses.

What does the Hamburg Highlights tour involve?

The ‘Hamburg Highlights’ tour involves a guided tour of the city’s most iconic sights. The tour begins at the 19th-century Hamburg City Hall before moving to the oldest stock exchange in Germany on the way to the red-brick warehouse district of Speicherstadt (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

 

The tour then proceeds to the shopping district of Jungfernstieg, the exclusive Außenalster neighbourhood and the riverside area of St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken. Guests will then visit the world-famous Reeperbahn street, before visiting St. Michael’s Church.

What is involved in the Lübeck tour?

The two ‘Marvels of Medieval Lübeck’ excursions offered by MSC Cruises both involve a guided walking tour of the historic Hanseatic city of Lübeck, located around 58 kilometres north-east of Hamburg. The tour begins with a coach journey through scenic German countryside, before arriving at Lübeck for a guided walking tour through the city’s medieval streets and quaint alleyways.

 

Key sights include the imposing Holsten Gate, one of the world’s largest mechanical organs inside St. Mary’s Church and the 14th-century Hospital of the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, guests can enjoy a typical German lunch before the return journey back to Hamburg.