Javascript is required to view this map
Artificial Lake Alster, created back in the 12th century, is one of the most picturesque attractions. This is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and guests of the city; in the summer, it invariably attracts thousands of people who want to recover a little from the summer heat and enjoy their stay on the lake shores without leaving the city limits. Along the coastline there is a number of expensive mansions and villas where wealthy people live or spend their free time. For the abundance of such buildings, the Alster coast is nicknamed the Millionaire's Coast. However, middle-income city dwellers are also frequent guests in these places, which is not surprising, given the excellent conditions for picnics and recreational activities, such as jogging, rowing, sailing or just walking along the shore.
Among tourists, it is extremely popular to travel along the lake waters by ferry, which sails several times a day from the Jungfernstieg embankment, which is also called the “Maiden’s Path”. Such a walk not only allows you to appreciate the picturesque landscapes of Hamburg from the water, but also serves as an excellent way to gain strength and refresh yourself a little while breathing in the clean air of the Alster. Picnics are a big favorite among locals. Connoisseurs of outdoor recreation often come here on weekends and, having settled on the shore, arrange for themselves a pleasant feast, accompanied by wonderful views of the water.
Near Lake Alster there is an impressive park area with an abundance of green vegetation, picturesque walking trails and specially equipped benches on them. Here, those who wish can get complete satisfaction from unity with nature, as well as take a lot of beautiful photographs. On hot summer days, lovers of natural tanning gather on the green park lawns. An excellent decoration of the water surface are the numerous snow-white swans cutting through the lake waters. In winter, ice skating is a popular pastime for active pastime lovers.
Lake Alster takes on a particularly bright appearance at night, when, in the light of the artificial lights of the houses surrounding it, it is filled with extraordinary romanticism and delights with its beauty not only townspeople, but even experienced travelers. This area is a true decoration of the metropolis and best complements its image. Tourists coming for the first time are especially recommended to visit here in order to feel the indescribable atmosphere of this large, but extremely cozy and charming city.
Lake Alster (German: Alster) is part of the river of the same name in the central part of Hamburg, in northern Germany.
The lake arose in the riverbed under Count Adolf of the 3rd century. 1190. Then the Alster was blocked with a dam for the operation of a water mill.
Today Lake Alster is one of the main attractions of Hamburg, it is a favorite vacation spot for all city residents - people walk here, run along the paths of the park, engage in all kinds of sports, including water sports, as well as shop and go on a boat ride.
Three Alsters
From 1616 to 1625, during the construction of the city wall, the lake was divided into two parts - the Outer and Inner Alster. To prevent unauthorized entry into the city, the river flow under the wooden bridge was blocked with a large log.
On the site of the wooden bridge, the Lombardsbrücke Bridge was built in the 17th century, and in the 20th century, another bridge, the Kennedybrücke, was built to the north.
Note: Lake Alster is divided into three parts, unequal in size and dissimilar to each other: Outer (largest), Inner (middle) and Little Alster, the distances between them are large - up to 5 kilometers.
Outer Alster
The Outer Alster (Außenalster) received this name in the 17th century, as it turned out to be part of the lake that remained behind the newly built city wall. And although the fortress wall is long gone, the historical name has been preserved.
The Outer Alster is the largest part of the lake and covers an area of approximately 164 hectares. Its depth reaches 4.5 meters. The place is especially popular in the warm season. Yachting is traditionally practiced here; there are several yacht clubs. In addition, people can ride on boats, pedalos, boats, and canoes on the lake. Recently, a new sport has been gaining momentum - stand-up paddleboarding, stand-up paddleboarding.
There are numerous villas along the coast of the outer Alster, primarily in the area of Harvestehude, in the west of the Alster, along the streets of Bellevue in the area of Winterhude, and along the streets of Schone Aussicht in the area of Uhlenhorst in the north of the lake. This area of the Alster is therefore often called the “millionaire's coast”.
On the south-eastern side of the outer Alster is the famous fashionable Atlantic Hotel, today part of the Kempinski hotel chain.
Alster Park
Around the Outer Alster is the Alster Park, which today is a favorite vacation spot for the townspeople. The western side of the park was created specifically for the International Garden Exhibition (IGA) in 1953.
In 1968, 1000 Japanese cherry trees were planted in the park, received as a gift from Japanese companies operating in Hamburg. Since then, every year during their flowering, a “Cherry Blossom Festival” is held with a grandiose fireworks display.
The Alster Park has numerous walking and cycling paths, stretching for 7.4 kilometers. Adherents of an active lifestyle run here in the mornings, evenings and weekends.
Inner Alster
The Inner Alster or Binnenalster is a much smaller part of the lake - approximately 18 hectares.
In the center of the Inner Alster there is a pontoon from which the Alster Fountain shoots out to a height of 60 meters. The fountain was financed by a private investor in 1987, and has already become one of the symbols of Hamburg. The enrichment of the Alster waters with oxygen due to the operation of the fountain led to an improvement in the quality of water in the lake. In the pre-Christmas time, the fountain is replaced by a decorated Christmas tree.
Situated in the center of the city, even with the existence of the city wall, the Binnen-Alster has always been a lively trading place. On the southern side, the lake is closed by Jungfernstieg Street, which is a city promenade.
Around the Binnen-Alster today there are various shops, offices, and hotels. Among them are the historic hotel, now part of the 4 Seasons hotel chain, the traditional Alsterhaus shopping center, and the famous Alster Pavilion cafe. In 2006, a new shopping center, Europe Center, was built on the Inner Alster.
On the southern shore of the Inner Alster there is a pier for the “White Flotilla” - the so-called boats that sail along the Alster as river buses, as well as pleasure boats.
Every year at the end of August - beginning of September, the Alster Fun Festival, Alsterfegnügen, is held on the Inner Alster with folk festivities, attractions and fireworks.
Little Alster
The Little Alster (Kleine Alster), as the name suggests, is the smallest part of the lake. Its dimensions are only 200 meters long and 40 wide. It is connected to the Inner Alster tunnel, which runs under the Jungfernstieg street. On the south side it is limited by gateways. Behind the locks, the Alster River flows into the Elbe.
There is a memorial stele of a grieving mother with a child in her arms, made in 1931 by sculptor Ernst Barlach, in memory of those who fell in the First World War. During Nazi Germany, the relief was removed as “degenerate art” and restored again in 1949.
The western side is designed in the style of a Venetian square, and is called the Alster Arcade. There are cafes, restaurants and shops here. Swans, geese, and ducks live in the waters of the Little Alster in summer. In the warm season, it is always full of tourists.
During cold winters, which happens approximately once every five years, Lake Alster freezes over. Then a skating rink is set up on the ice for everyone.
Fishing on Lake Alster
The waters of Lake Alster are home to carp, pike perch, grayling, eel, trout, pike and other fish.
In Germany, you must obtain a fishing license to obtain the right to fish. It's like a driver's license for driving a car. Without such a document, you cannot fish on either the Alster or the Elbe.
If you are the holder of a fishing ticket issued in Russia, you must purchase in Hamburg an additional permit for fishing in the Alster, the so-called guest “Angelnkarte”, “Fisherman’s Ticket”, it is sometimes called the Fischer Karte, but not “Fishkarte”.
The Angel Card for tourists is available in several options - for a weekend, for one day or for one month.
Operating mode
All areas of Lake Alster and the park are accessible to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Pleasure boats on the Outer Alster:
- From April 1 to October 6 - from 10.00 to 18.00 every half hour,
- from October 7 to October 31 - at 10.00, 11.00, then until 16.00 every half hour, the last ship at 17.00. The duration of the trip is 1 hour.
- Departure is from the pier on Jungfernstieg.
Japanese cherry blossom festival:
- takes place annually in May on Jungfernstieg.
- In 2019, the fireworks display on May 31, 2019 is planned at approximately 10:30 p.m.
- The Japanese Film Festival will be held from May 22 to 26, 2019.
Fishing permit on Lake Alster
- Weekend fishing permit: valid from Friday 18.00 to Monday 06.00.
- 1 day ticket (Tageskarte): valid for 24 hours.
You can buy a guest ticket for fishing on Lake Alster:
- Angelsport-Verband Hamburg Geschäftsstelle, address: Hansastrasse 5 20149 Hamburg (Tuesday, Thursday from 14.00 to 18.00),
- Adventure Fishing, address: Reismühle 5 22087 Hamburg,
- Angelshop Brüggen, address: Mundsburger Damm 44 22087 Hamburg,
- BAC - Bergedorfer Angler-Centrum, address: Curslacker Neuer Deich 66 21029 Hamburg,
- Angelsport Marco-Fisch, address: Bremer Str. 56 21073 Hamburg-Harburg,
- Sportfischercenter Langenhorn, address: Langenhorner Chaussee 184 22415 Hamburg,
- Mega-Angelcenter, address: Rahlstedter Str. 154 22143 Hamburg,
- Angelparadies Norderstedt, address: Alter Kirchenweg 1 22844 Norderstedt,
- Go-Fishing GmbH, address: Georg-Sasse-Str. 47 22949 Ammersbek.
Prices
Walks around Lake Alster and the park are available to everyone free of charge.
Excursion boat on the Alster:
- adults - 16 euros, children under 16 years old inclusive - 8 euros,
- family ticket (2 adults plus up to 4 children) – 40 euros,
- group ticket (from 20 people) - 14 euros.
Guest ticket for fishing on the Alster
Adult ticket:
- 1 day (Tageskarte) – 15.00 euros,
- weekend ticket (Wochenendkarte) – 25.00 euros,
- ticket for 1 month (Monatskarte) - 60.00 euros.
Child ticket (for children under 18 years):
- 1 day (Tageskarte) - 4.00 euros,
- weekend ticket (Wochenendkarte) – 10.00 euros,
- ticket for 1 month (Monatskarte) - 30.00 euros.
How to get to Lake Alster
Lake Alster is located in the very center of the city. It is easily accessible by any type of transport.
By public transport
The Little and Inner Alster can be reached by metro, train or S-Bahn.
- Metro- line U3 to the Rathausmarkt stop or line U2 to the Jungfernstieg stop, then about 5 minutes on foot.
- S-Bahn S-Bahn- routes S1 or S3 to the Jungfernstieg stop.
- By train— all regional, intercity and international trains make stops at the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof). From there, heading west, it's about a 5-minute walk to the Outer or Inner Alster.
To Outer Alster:
- By bus: routes 6.17, 607 to the Graumannsweg stop or 6.17, 37, 607 to the AK St. Georg stop, as well as routes 109, 605 to the Bahnhof Dammtor stop.
- City train- route A1 or S11, S21, S31 to the Dammtor station stop (Bahnhof Dammtor).
- Metro: line U1 to the Hallerstrasse or Stephansplatz stop.
By car
There are several parking areas in the Little and Inner Alster area.
- Adolphsplatz - surface parking with 19 spaces, you can park for free for 2 hours, from the parking lot to the Little Alster - 2 minutes on foot.
- Alsterhaus - underground parking for 92 spaces, tariff: 3 euros per 1 hour, to Alster - 5 minutes on foot.
In the Outer Alster area all parking is paid:
- Ibis Hamburg Alster Centrum, surface parking with 110 spaces. Tariff: 1 hour - 3 euros, to the Outer Alster - 5 minutes on foot.
- Alsterterrasse - surface parking with 60 spaces, Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 20.00. Rates: 6 minutes - 0.20 euros, 1 hour - 2.00 euros, maximum 3 hours - 6.00 euros.
By taxi
It is convenient to get to Lake Alster by Uber or MyTaxi by placing an order through the app.
View of Lake Alster on Google Panorama:
Video about Lake Alster:
Lake Alster was formed in the 13th century in the center of Hamburg. It is larger in size than the Principality of Monaco. Millionaires' villas are built along its coastline, which is why it is known as the Millionaire's Coast.
The artificial lake consists of an internal and external part: the first part with parks and gardens occupies an area of 18 hectares, and the second – 160 hectares. A trip on a boat or steamer on the lake will bring an unforgettable experience. Vacationers will have a beautiful view of the city, numerous fountains installed on the lake, as well as snow-white swans.
The number of bridges in the city is amazing. In Hamburg itself there are about 2,500 of them, which is significantly more than in London and Amsterdam combined. So, while sailing along the lake, you can come across more than one bridge.
On the way you can also meet vacationers on canoes, boats, boards, as well as on other “water transport”. Almost all tourists also visit the cafe located on the banks of the Alster.
Lake Alster embankment
Alster lake embankment. This is a favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of Hamburg. On the opposite side, medieval houses in the brick Gothic style have been preserved. The brick is red, the window frames and decorative elements of the facade are white. These are the traditional colors of the Hanseatic Trade League, in which Hamburg played a leading role for five centuries.
Lake Alster (Hamburg, Germany) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
- Last minute tours Worldwide
Previous photo Next photo
Lake Alster is the real pride of Hamburg. Many Hamburgers come here as an outlet after workdays. The lake spreads over 160 hectares in the center of the metropolis and is completely surrounded by parks, trees and alleys.
Despite the constant development of Hamburg, the lake remains untouched by civilization.
The history of Lake Alster began in the 13th century, after the Elbe tributary was blocked with the help of a dam. Since then, this area has always been under the close attention of local residents and authorities. Despite the constant development of Hamburg and the construction of industrial enterprises and numerous residential complexes, the lake remains untouched by civilization.
On Lake Alster
Today Alster is a popular holiday destination for citizens and tourists. A 7 km long so-called health trail has been laid around the lake. Don't have time for jogging and other healthy lifestyle? Then you can simply sit in the shade and admire the lake and the fountains gushing from it. Fortunately, there are benches on the embankment almost every two meters.
By the way, two years ago a giant sculpture of a bathing girl was installed in the center of Lake Alster. From the first days, the sculpture, more than 4 m high, became the most popular attraction in Hamburg. You can get to know it better by renting a boat or catamaran. Here, tourists are vying with each other for tickets for pleasure boats, on which you can take a ride and enjoy the view of the city’s attractions from the water.
The cost of trips, depending on the tour and its duration, starts from 12-18 EUR per person.
For the convenience of tourists, boats and steamships depart every hour.
Prices on the page are as of November 2018.
Today is our first morning in Hamburg. We will spend several days here. Hamburg is a very large and interesting city. You obviously can’t inspect it in just one day.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
We start it with breakfast at the hotel. Here it is organized in the hotel lobby and lasts from 6-30 to 10-30. We decided to get some sleep and go out for breakfast at the beginning of ten. Apparently we are not the only ones, because almost all the tables are occupied, and a long tail of the queue has formed near the buffet counter. Breakfast is a classic European buffet - bread, cold cuts and cheese, boiled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, juice, coffee and tea. There are no complaints about the quality of the products - everything is fresh and in abundance. Hotel staff replenish food supplies in a timely manner.
A few words about our base for the next week. Hamburg is the only city in Germany that has federal jurisdiction. Even the official name speaks about this: “The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.” The history of the city begins with the construction of the Hammaburg fortress by Charlemagne. In the 12th century, the city became an important transport hub for the delivery of goods from mainland Europe to Scandinavia and the British Isles. In the 16th century, it was one of the first to join the Hanseatic League, and in 1510 it received the status of a free imperial city. Thanks to its very advantageous position, the city grew and developed not only as a transport center, but also as an industrial center. The boundaries between it and the suburbs gradually disappeared and Altona, Harburg and other cities were included in the city limits. Currently, the population of the city itself is about 1.6 million people. And more than 5 million people live in the Hamburg agglomeration. Many industrial enterprises are located in and around the city, such as the Airbus assembly plant. The city has 17 universities, many colleges and schools. Thanks to relatively low corporate taxes, Hamburg has become the registered location for many German and international logistics companies. Many sea and ocean vessels have their home port of Hamburg. Hamburg's river port can accommodate even the largest ocean liners. A few years ago, the Quin Mary 2 liner called at the port.
So, having refreshed ourselves, we set off on a walk to the city center. 3 blocks away there is access to Lake Alster.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
This is the largest intra-city lake in Europe. We go ashore and move towards the city center. There are many cafes and piers for boats and small yachts on the shore.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
We slowly reach two bridges that divide the lake into an internal and external lake.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
Previously, the border of Hamburg passed along this line and the bridges were an important fortification structure. Now one bridge, Kennedybrüke, is a road, pedestrian and bicycle bridge, and the second, Lombardbrüke, is a railway bridge.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
Having walked around the inner Alster, we come out to the shopping and entertainment districts.
Shopping galleries have been located here since the 18th century. Over two centuries, trading traditions have not changed much, and now there are various trading establishments here. From inexpensive chain stores to boutiques of world famous brands.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
We move on and walk through the streets of the old city. There are a lot of churches in Hamburg and the main ones are located in the historical center. According to the decision of the town hall, taken back in the 19th century, the construction of buildings higher than church spiers is prohibited in the city center. Therefore, the spiers of churches are visible from almost everywhere and they serve as excellent landmarks for visitors to the city.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
In the northern limit of the church of St. Jacobi hosted a very interesting exhibition of wooden sculpture made from old wooden piles.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
We go further and find ourselves on the town hall square. The Hamburg Town Hall is a symbol of the power of the merchants and subsequently the bourgeoisie. The spirit of freedom and independence is present in many details, starting with the name of the city. The official name of the city is "Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg". In the state infrastructure of Germany, Hamburg does not belong to any of the states. It reports directly to the federal government and has three representatives in the upper house of parliament - the Bundesrat.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
// woland2k.livejournal.com
After walking around the town hall square, we return towards the station, where we buy a Hamburg visitor card. This is a combined ticket for all city transport, as well as a discount card for visiting many tourist sites in the city.
// woland2k.livejournal.com
From the station we move towards the hotel. Apparently, the area adjacent to the station is not very popular among local residents, therefore it is populated mainly by immigrants. The street sometimes resembles a branch of an eastern market. There are trays with fresh vegetables and fruits right next to the buildings. Dial, go inside and pay. There are many national shops - Arabic, Pakistani, Afghani, Indian. The visitors are oriental people, traditionally noisy and sociable. However, everything is within the bounds of decency. Even walking through these neighborhoods, you don’t feel the desire to speed up your pace and leave the area. Hamburg is generally a very international city. This happened historically; many sailors from other countries settled in the port city. And now there are many international transport and logistics companies located here.
Finally, tired but happy, we get to the hotel. I no longer have the strength or desire to sit in a cafe, so we buy vegetables and slices for sandwiches and settle down in the room. Having learned from the experience of last Sunday, we buy a supply of drinks and dry food for walks. The fact is that on Sunday all shops are closed here, except those at the station and most cafes and restaurants. And we have plans for tomorrow to continue the survey of the city.
woland2k
13/08/2013 16:00
The opinions of tourists may not coincide with the opinions of the editors.
