When does the harbor lights cruise start?
Every evening at dusk. Departure depends on sunset, so it shifts throughout the year: later in summer, earlier in winter. The exact time for your date is shown in the calendar on the harbor lights cruise page.
How early should I arrive?
Boarding starts one hour before departure. Our tip: be at the meeting point 30 to 45 minutes early for the best choice of seats. The meeting point is Pier 1 of the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken; at the Elbreederei Rainer Abicht counter, staff will tell you where your boat is.
What you see
- The illuminated Speicherstadt: it has been lit up every evening since 2001, following a lighting concept by Hamburg light artist Michael Batz. Whether the cruise goes through the canals is the captain's call, depending on the water level.
- HafenCity and the Elbphilharmonie in the evening light.
- The container port at night with the sea of lights at the terminals.
Duration and language
The cruise takes about 1.5 hours. The captain gives live commentary in German, and a free audio guide app is available in several languages, including English.
More for your evening
Want to keep going? The Reeperbahn tour also starts at the Landungsbrücken. To celebrate on the water, there is the party boat.
Updated on Oct 9, 2026
