Deichstrasse

The basics

Hamburg’s Great Fire blazed for three days in 1842, which destroyed or partially destroyed much of the city, including parts of Deichstrasse (Brandsende, or “Fire’s End,” marks the street where the fire ceased). Though many buildings are now from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, they still hold onto their historic flair. It also managed to escape the profligate bombings of World War II.

Deichstrasse is a tourist draw—don’t expect only locals wandering the ancient walkways. What’s more, nearby is the UNESCO-protected Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world.

Things to know before you go

• Combine a walk down Deichstrasse and Neustadt's Peterstrasse, and you’ll have seen the oldest buildings in the city.

• Cafes, shops, and public-facing establishments make this spot more than an open-air museum.

• Deichstrasse is about a 10–15 minute walk from Speicherstadt.

How to get there

Deichstrasse is one of the only remnants of Hamburg’s original harbor, which is to say, It’s near just about everything. It’s a 10–15 minute walk from the Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt, Hauptkirche St. Nikolai, Alter Elbpark, and other common attractions. You can also hail a taxi, grab a rideshare, or bike along Deichstrasse.

When to get there

If you enjoy quiet, cultural experiences, come early in the morning before the shops open—you’ll get that historic feel with quieter moments. Otherwise, stroll the street as part of your Hamburg Altstadt adventure whenever possible, though during business hours will be best for the cafes, shops, pubs, and museums.

Make a day of it

Deichstrasse is a bustling thoroughfare, even 700 years later. You’ll find the Johannes Brahms Museum at number 39 (the famous composer's home), the Telemann Museum, another composer-dedicated stop, and cafes like Das Kontor and Kartoffelkeller. The street is relatively short, with Nikolaifleet and Das Schiff, a theatre, just around its curves (though with a different street name).