Tourism - Elphi, Wunderland and Michel: Hamburg attracts millions
Hamburg's tourist attractions had a positive balance in the first half of the year. "During the Corona time, it is still better every half year than the previous year," said Miniaturwunderland founder Frederik Braun to the German Press Agency dpa. "One thinks that it's not going to go on anymore, but it's still getting even more popular. Our mood is great, and this half year is again a dream for us."
However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for visitors to get tickets. "There are days when 20,000 people want to go to the Wunderland, but we can only accommodate 5,000," said Braun. During the summer holidays, opening hours were already extended from 7:00 am to 1:00 am.
20,000 people want to visit the Wunderland every day
"We could also open until 3:00 am at night or start at 6:00 am, but we don't want to put that pressure on the team or the facility," said Braun. With only six hours for maintenance and cleaning, that's really tough... But a wonderful luxury problem," he added.
In the first half of 2024, visitor numbers rose again to 749,000 (first half of 2023: 718,000). At the same time, the demand for tickets increased from 1.8 million in 2023 to 2.1 million in the first half of 2024. The airport remains particularly popular among visitors. But also the newly opened Monaco area with the built Formula 1 race track is in high demand.
The Elbphilharmonie Plaza is still very popular among locals and tourists. "The unique architecture of the Elbphilharmonie with the spectacular panoramic view over Hamburg is still a magnet for the public," said Press Officer Martin Andris. In the first half of 2024, around 1.5 million visitors came to the Plaza. That's the same number as in the previous year. By the end of the year, the Elbphilharmonie is expected to welcome around 3 million guests. Due to the unbroken popularity of the building, there can still be long waiting times on site. With pre-booked Plaza tickets, however, the line can be avoided.
The Hamburg Michel with its tower attracted 500,000 visitors in the first half of 2024, just like in the previous year. "The visitor center St. Michaelis, which opened at the end of 2022, is very well received," said Spokesperson Ines Lessing. "The expansion of the product range with attractive items in the Michel design such as beanies, licorice balls or dishcloths has led to an increase in sales of more than 30 percent compared to the shop we had in the tower hall before."
- Despite the increased demand, Frederik Braun of the German Press Agency mentioned that they can only accommodate 5,000 visitors per day at Miniaturwunderland, even though 20,000 people express interest.
- During the Corona time, the Warehouse district in Hamburg has become even more popular, and tourism has had a positive balance, as explained by Braun to the German Press Agency dpa.
- Visitors to Hamburg's attractions often have long waiting times, but pre-booked Plaza tickets for the Elbphilharmonie Plaza can help avoid these lines, according to Press Officer Martin Andris.
- The tourist attraction Hamburg Michel, including its visitor center and shop, has remained popular with 500,000 visitors in the first half of 2024, as reported by Spokesperson Ines Lessing.
