Two former market halls with soaring steel-and-glass roofs, built around 1911, now serve as one of Europe's largest exhibition spaces for contemporary art and photography, hosting rotating international shows across their vast open floors.
The Deichtorhallen occupy two former market halls built around 1911 on the site of Hamburg's original city gates, their soaring steel-and-glass roofs originally designed to let natural light flood the produce and flower markets once traded there. Today the two halls operate as one of Europe's largest contemporary art and photography exhibition spaces, with each hall hosting a separate rotating international show rather than a fixed permanent collection. The open, column-light floor plans and industrial-era glass ceilings give the art room to be shown at a scale not always possible in more conventional museum galleries, and large-format photography and installation art in particular benefit from the space. Because exhibitions rotate every few months, the specific highlight of a visit depends on what is currently showing across the two halls. A visit typically takes 1 to 2 hours to see both halls, less if only one current exhibition is of interest. Weekday afternoons tend to be quieter than weekends, when the halls draw both art audiences and visitors combining a stop here with the nearby Hauptbahnhof and Kunsthalle.
| Admission | €12 (~$14) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00; closed Mondays |
| Typical visit | 1-2 hours |
| Best time | Weekday afternoons for a quieter walk through the halls |
| Getting there | S-Bahn Hamburg-Hauptbahnhof, 5-minute walk |
| Address | Deichtorstraße 1-2, 20095 Hamburg |
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Location
Deichtorstraße 1-2, 20095 Hamburg
53.5478, 10.0028 View on map
Highlights
- Two former 1911 market halls with soaring steel-and-glass roofs
- Rotating international contemporary art and photography exhibitions
- Open, column-light floor plans suited to large-scale installations
- One of Europe's largest dedicated exhibition spaces of its kind
- Central location near Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and the Kunsthalle
Tips for visiting
- Check current exhibitions online before visiting, since the halls rotate shows regularly
- Visit weekday afternoons for a quieter experience than weekends
- Combine with a visit to the nearby Hamburger Kunsthalle, a short walk away
- Allow extra time if both halls have separate exhibitions of interest
- Photography exhibitions here are a particular strength, given the venue's scale
When to visit
Weekday afternoons offer a quieter viewing experience than weekends.
Accessibility
Both halls are step-free with wide, open floor plans that are wheelchair accessible throughout.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Seeing both halls typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the current exhibitions.
Is it worth it for kids?
It depends on the current exhibition; contemporary art and photography shows generally suit older children and teens better.
Is photography allowed?
Photography policies vary by exhibition, so it is worth checking signage at the entrance of each show.