Unchanged through time – Hamburg’s first port of call in the heart of the city

The Ballinhof is situated on Ballindamm, in a prime location. Many domestic and international companies have their offices in the vicinity – not least because public transport services and various places of interest are just minutes away.

The Ballindamm never ceased to be a prestigious business location in the city centre of Hamburg. Many renowned companies, including several private banks, have their branches in the neighbourhood. The Ballinhof could thus not be in better company: situated in the first row on lake Alster, Hamburg’s “showpiece”, it faces the Alsterhaus on Jungfernstieg, with the Europa Passage, the bustling Mönckebergstrasse, and the town hall square just around the corner. The connection to local and long-distance transport is excellent and most of the city’s attractions are within walking distance.

The municipality and the initiative for Business Improvement Districts (BID) are now planning to further tap into the great potential of the Ballindamm: its location directly on the bank of the Inner Alster and its proximity to the Europa Passage that was designed by Hadi Teherani and attracts 8,000 passers-by per hour. In the future, more of them are expected to head towards Ballindamm to stroll down the broadened waterfront promenade or to dine at the new restaurants on the pontoons or on the ground floors of the adjacent buildings – even after business hours. The Ballinhof sits at the very heart of these developments.

Unchanged through time – hamburg’s first port of call in the heart of the city

The Ballinhof is situated on Ballindamm, in a prime location. Many domestic and international companies have their offices in the vicinity – not least because public transport services and various places of interest are just minutes away.

The Ballindamm never ceased to be a prestigious business location in the city centre of Hamburg. Many renowned companies, including several private banks, have their branches in the neighbourhood. The Ballinhof could thus not be in better company: situated in the first row on lake Alster, Hamburg’s “showpiece”, it faces the Alsterhaus on Jungfernstieg, with the Europa Passage, the bustling Mönckebergstrasse, and the town hall square just around the corner. The connection to local and long-distance transport is excellent and most of the city’s attractions are within walking distance.

The municipality and the initiative for Business Improvement Districts (BID) are now planning to further tap into the great potential of the Ballindamm: its location directly on the bank of the Inner Alster and its proximity to the Europa Passage that was designed by Hadi Teherani and attracts 8,000 passers-by per hour. In the future, more of them are expected to head towards Ballindamm to stroll down the broadened waterfront promenade or to dine at the new restaurants on the pontoons or on the ground floors of the adjacent buildings – even after business hours. The Ballinhof sits at the very heart of these developments.

Distances

1 Main Train Station 10 minutes on foot
2 Airport 28 minutes by car
3 Motorway Access 18 minutes by car
4 U+S-Bahn Jungfernstieg 1 minute on foot
5 U-Bahn Rathaus 5 minutes on foot
6 U-Bahn Mönckebergstrasse 7 minutes on foot
7 Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten 10 minutes on foot
8 Town Hall 6 minutes on foot
9 Alster Arcades 10 minutes on foot
10 Art Museum Hamburger Kunsthalle 7 minutes on foot
11 Alsterhaus Department Store 7 minutes on foot
12 Europa Passage Shopping Arcade 5 minutes on foot

What would the Alster be without the Alster fountain? The water spectacle that sparkles in the heart of the city from May to November between 9 a.m. and midnight is part and parcel of Hamburg’s scenery and can be admired from Ballinhof. The water fountain on the Inner Alster is modelled on the Jet d’Eau in Geneva.

Several office buildings with sandstone façades and copper roofs are situated around the Inner Alster — one of them is the renowned and exclusive Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, located opposite the Ballinhof on the southwest bank. The luxury department store “Alsterhaus” is also located directly on the banks of the Alster, along with the Europa Passage and the famous Alsterpavillon with its restaurant “Alex” on the Alster pier, where the river cruisers depart.

“It is Hamburg in its timelessness, this great synthesis of a city, the marriage of the Atlantic and the Alster, the Buddenbrooks and Bebel, of live and let live. I love this city with its loosely veiled anglicisms in form and gesture, with its ceremonial pride in tradition, its mercantile pragmatism and its lovable provincialism.”

HELMUT SCHMIDT

Hamburg’s top ten attractions

Hamburg lives and breathes culture, shopping, and culinary delights at the highest level – like no other city in Germany.

Elbphilharmonie

Hamburg’s new concert hall is the city’s number one attraction. It is a synthesis of the arts, combining breathtaking architecture, excellent music and a unique location.

Binnenalster

The lake in the city centre – an Alster cruise is an absolute must when visiting Hamburg. The Alster also provides a beautiful scenery for walks.

Speicherstadt

A unique world heritage site: be it the Miniatur Wunderland, the Wasserschloss or the Traditional Ship Harbour – a detour to the Speicherstadt warehouse district is a must on any visit to Hamburg.

Michel

Hamburg’s most famous landmark: The presence of Hamburg’s main church St. Michaelis is felt throughout the city centre. This is due in particular to the 132-metre high spire that towers above the buildings of the city.

Landungsbrücken

Most harbour tours start from the floating dock. However, the Landungsbrücken Piers are also a shipping pier and a tourist magnet, due to their many restaurants.

Schauspielhaus

Germany’s largest spoken theatre is located in St. Georg. Both classical and young, unconventional plays are performed on several stages.

Rathaus

After the town hall was destroyed by the Great fire of Hamburg in 1842, the current town was built in 1897 in Neo-Renaissance style. It has since been the seat of Hamburg’s Parliament.

Alsterhaus

Hamburg’s luxury department store on the Inner Alster opened its doors back in 1912 and was a Karstadt subsidiary until 2014. By 2020, the department store is to be fully renovated – the Luxury Hall has already been completed.

Vier Jahreszeiten

VIER JAHRESZEITEN The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is said to be one of the best hotels in the world. Its distinguished guests appreciate the historic charm and its breathtaking location.

Stadtpark

In 2014, the green oasis celebrated its 100th anniversary. The former hunting ground of businessman Adolph Sierich features events, a planetarium and a park lake for sports and relaxation.

Hamburg’s top ten attractions

Hamburg lives and breathes culture, shopping, and culinary delights at the highest level – like no other city in Germany.

Elbphilharmonie

Hamburg’s new concert hall is the city’s number one attraction. It is a synthesis of the arts, combining breathtaking architecture, excellent music and a unique location.

Binnenalster

The lake in the city centre – an Alster cruise is an absolute must when visiting Hamburg. The Alster also provides a beautiful scenery for walks.

Speicherstadt

A unique world heritage site: be it the Miniatur Wunderland, the Wasserschloss or the Traditional Ship Harbour – a detour to the Speicherstadt warehouse district is a must on any visit to Hamburg.

Michel

Hamburg’s most famous landmark: The presence of Hamburg’s main church St. Michaelis is felt throughout the city centre. This is due in particular to the 132-metre high spire that towers above the buildings of the city.

Landungsbrücken

Most harbour tours start from the floating dock. However, the Landungsbrücken Piers are also a shipping pier and a tourist magnet, due to their many restaurants.

Schauspielhaus

Germany’s largest spoken theatre is located in St. Georg. Both classical and young, unconventional plays are performed on several stages.

Rathaus

After the town hall was destroyed by the Great fire of Hamburg in 1842, the current town was built in 1897 in Neo-Renaissance style. It has since been the seat of Hamburg’s Parliament.

Alsterhaus

Hamburg’s luxury department store on the Inner Alster opened its doors back in 1912 and was a Karstadt subsidiary until 2014. By 2020, the department store is to be fully renovated – the Luxury Hall has already been completed.

Vier Jahreszeiten

VIER JAHRESZEITEN The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is said to be one of the best hotels in the world. Its distinguished guests appreciate the historic charm and its breathtaking location.

Stadtpark

In 2014, the green oasis celebrated its 100th anniversary. The former hunting ground of businessman Adolph Sierich features events, a planetarium and a park lake for sports and relaxation.

Wine & Dine

11 Barefood Deli, Lilienstraße 5-9
12 The Table, Shanghaiallee 15
13 Le Golden Igel, Neustädter Straße 45
14 Le Lion, Rathausstraße 3
15 The Boilerman Bar, Osakaallee 12
16 Weltbühne, Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 70
17 Café Paris, Rathausstraße 4
18 Alsterschiff Galatea, Ballindamm 14A
19 Ciù Die Bar, Ballindamm 14A

Hotels

20 Park Hyatt, Bugenhagenstraße 8
21 25Hours Hotel, Überseeallee 5
22 Ameron, Am Sandtorkai 4
23 Sir Nikolai Hotel, Katharinenstraße 29
24 Sofitel Hamburg, Alter Wall 40
25 Barceló Hamburg, Ferdinandstraße 15

Health & Wellbeing

26 Fitness First, Ballindamm 40
27 Meridian Spa & Fitness, Schaarsteinweg 6
28 Prime Time Fitness, Überseeboulevard 3

Shopping

29 Europa Passage, Ballindamm 40
30 Neuer Wall, Neuer Wall
31 Mönckebergstrasse, Mönckebergstraße
32 Alsterarkaden, Alsterarkaden
33 Überseeboulevard Hafencity, Überseeboulevard

Cinema, Theatre & Concerts

34 Thalia Theater, Alstertor
35 Hamburgische Staatsoper, Große Theaterstraße 25
36 Passage Kino, Ballindamm 17
37 Metropolis Kino, Kleine Theaterstraße 10
38 Stage Entertainment, Kehrwieder 6

Art & Attractions

39 Hamburger Kunsthalle, Glockengießerwall
40 Internationales Maritimes Museum, Koreastraße 1
41 St. Nikolai Memorial, Willy-Brandt-Straße 60
42 Bucerius Kunst Forum, Rathausmarkt 2