Hamburg's ornate neo-Renaissance city hall, completed in 1897, still houses the city-state's government and features a facade with 20 statues of Holy Roman Emperors. Guided tours reveal lavishly decorated reception rooms including the Emperor's Hall and the Great Hall.
Hamburg's Rathaus stands at the head of Rathausmarkt, a neo-Renaissance building completed in 1897 that still serves as the seat of the city-state's senate and parliament. Its sandstone facade is dense with sculpture, including 20 statues of Holy Roman Emperors set into niches above the entrance, and the building is famously said to have more rooms than Buckingham Palace, at roughly 647. Guided interior tours, run on the hour, move through the ceremonial rooms including the gold-trimmed Emperor's Hall, the Great Hall used for state receptions, and the Senate Chamber where Hamburg's governing body still meets. The exterior square is free to visit at any time and is often used for markets, concerts, and the annual Christmas market. A visit to the square and facade alone takes about 20 minutes, while joining a guided tour of the interior extends the visit to closer to an hour. The building's ornate facade photographs best in the soft light of early morning, before the square fills with tour groups and market stalls, and interior tours can sell out on weekends during high season, so arriving shortly before a tour's start time is worth it if tickets are not booked ahead.
| Admission | Exterior/square: Free; Guided interior tour: €5 (~$6) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00; interior tours on the hour |
| Typical visit | 30-60 minutes |
| Best time | Morning for a quieter square and softer light on the facade |
| Getting there | U3 Rathaus or S-Bahn Jungfernstieg, 3-minute walk |
| Address | Rathausmarkt 1, 20095 Hamburg |
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Location
Rathausmarkt 1, 20095 Hamburg
53.5503, 9.9930 View on map
Highlights
- Neo-Renaissance facade with 20 statues of Holy Roman Emperors
- Gold-trimmed Emperor's Hall and ceremonial Great Hall on guided tours
- Working Senate Chamber where Hamburg's government still meets
- Rathausmarkt square used for markets, concerts, and the Christmas market
- Roughly 647 rooms across the building's interior
Tips for visiting
- Guided interior tours run on the hour and can sell out on weekends in high season
- Visit early morning for a quieter square and clearer photographs of the facade
- Interior tours are typically conducted in German with English tours at set times, so check the schedule
- The Christmas market on Rathausmarkt draws large crowds in December
- Tours may be canceled on days with official government events, so check ahead
When to visit
Early morning gives a quieter square and softer light on the facade before tour groups and market stalls arrive.
Accessibility
The square and main entrance are step-free, and an elevator provides access to most interior tour rooms; some historic sections retain original stairs without lift access.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Viewing the exterior and square takes about 20 minutes; adding a guided interior tour brings the total to around an hour.
Is it worth it for kids?
The exterior and square are enjoyable for families; the guided interior tour suits older children more than very young kids.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is allowed on the square and generally inside on guided tours, though some ceremonial rooms may restrict flash.