Beatles-Platz
Beatles-Platz, Hamburg, Northern Germany, 20359
In the Beatles’ early days, they slept in meager conditions in Hamburg’s St. Pauli neighborhood, playing clubs like the Kaiserkeller. Today, visitors will find the Beatles-Platz, or Beatles Square, just steps away from their old stomping grounds—a circular landmark, like a vinyl record, stands below five statues depicting the Fab Four.
The basics
The Beatles got their start in Hamburg—they played for roughly two years at various St. Pauli spots like the Indra Club and Kaiserkeller (still open today) before becoming a name worldwide.
In 2008, the city wanted to commemorate this history by creating the Beatles-Platz, or Beatles Square, right in St. Pauli. Five outlined statues symbolize the six members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, Ringo Starr, and Pete Best. (The drummer statue represents both Ringo and Pete.) More than 90 feet (27 meters) in diameter, the “square” is a circle, paved in black like a vinyl LP, with silver lines depicting the names of songs. Visitors usually stand in the statues’ forms, being the seventh Beatle for a moment in time.
Things to know before you go
The square is right before Grosse Freiheit Street, where The Beatles played.
The Kaiserkeller, a Beatles venue, is just a couple minutes’ walk away (as are public restrooms).
The square is lit at night, making it fun to snap photos.
How to get there
The Beatles-Platz can be found right off the Reeperbahn S-Bahn stop, making it super accessible via public transit (the U3 St. Pauli also works). You can also get there on foot, just north of the St. Pauli Fischmarkt and other Hamburg attractions. Rideshares, taxis, and bicycles will get you there, too.
When to get there
If you want to avoid the crowds, come during the day—the Reeperbahn can be a bit of a ghost town during business hours. But to get the whole vibe of the area and the nightlife that drew the Fab Four here, come at night, pretending the square’s lights are stage lights.
Make a day of it
Beatles history can be found throughout Hamburg, and tours abound that will take you to “secret” spots—or you can just wander on your own. Start at the Beatles-Platz, then walk down Grosse Freiheit to spot The Indra Club, The Kaiserkeller, The Top Ten, and The Star Club. The Kaiserkeller is still open, and you can catch a show where the dudes played on its once-rickety, wooden stage.
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