Sightseeing Cruises

Panoptikum + Hamburg River Cruise

Avail the chance to make exciting savings and set off on a tour of Hamburg cruising on the river Elbe with a visit to the Panoptikum wax museum with this combo!

Select an option

Panoptikum + Hamburg River Cruise (1-Hour Cruise)

€31.50

Tour of the Panoptikum + 1-hour Hamburg River Cruise
Admission to the Panoptikum
Audio guide (German or English) at Panoptikum
Live commentary on the cruise (German only)
Free choice between ship and barge during the purchase
Informative English audio guide on cruise suitable for Android & iOS

Panoptikum + Hamburg River Cruise (2-Hour Cruise)

€44

Tour of the Panoptikum + 2-hour Hamburg River Cruise
Admission to the Panoptikum
Audio guide (German or English) at Panoptikum
Live commentary on the cruise (German only)
Free choice between ship and barge during the purchase
Informative English audio guide on cruise suitable for Android & iOS

Panoptikum + Hamburg River Cruise (Illumination Tour)

€47.50

Tour of the Panoptikum + Hamburg River Cruise (Illumination Tour)
Admission to the Panoptikum
Audio guide (German or English) at Panoptikum
Live commentary on the cruise (German only)
Free choice between ship and barge during the purchase
Informative English audio guide on cruise suitable for Android & iOS

4.3/5(11,515)

Peter Z

Family

Verified booking

Aug 2026

The captain really showed us a lot, explained everything, and cracked one corny joke after another. We, as a family, really enjoyed it. For the photographers among us, it’s probably best NOT to sit in the outer seats. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a stiff neck ;-)

Cornelie Z

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

A wonderful tour past all the giant ships, with very insightful and witty commentary on social and political issues, as well as highly entertaining remarks on Hamburg’s politics. The little launch, splashing with low-tide water, made the close proximity to the water a delightful experience—with its intense rocking—that was truly unforgettable! I can highly recommend it if you’re not on a steamer that, like a cruise ship, is sterile and shielded from any swell while you’re on a harbor tour! Awesome, awesome!

Claudia S

Group

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Captain Matthias was very entertaining. Time flew by, and we learned a lot of interesting things about Hamburg’s past and present during the hour-long cruise on a ship that’s over 100 years old. We had a great time! THANK YOU!

Cordula M

Group

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Matthias, our boat captain, shared a wealth of information with us in his own humorous way about the history of the harbor, the Speicherstadt, and several sights. It was a tour we’ll always remember.

Avet J

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

A very interesting and comprehensive tour. The captain takes his time to show us the monuments and the huge commercial ships up close. Highly recommended.

Claudia M

Family

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Interesting INFORMATION that was new even to me at 65. Just the right balance, with a bit of fun. Just please cut back a little on the jokes that aren't suitable for children. Great—I highly recommend it!

Make significant savings on ticket costs with this combo and stop by the Panoptikum wax museum, followed by a tour of Hamburg on a cruise.

Marvel at over 120 lifelike wax figurines of celebrities like Angela Merkel, Romy Schneider, and Angelina Jolie.

Get a chance to discover the secrets of creating wax models and achieving that realistic precision.

Conclude your tour with a glimpse of the scary corner and the medical-anatomical cabinet.

Sailing along HafenCity, get a view of the splendid Elbphilharmonie and the world’s largest warehouse district of Speicherstadt, with live German commentary aboard.

Download a free English audio guide from Google Play Store or App Store and get more context about your cruise.

Tour of the Panoptikum + 2-hour Hamburg River Cruise

Admission to the Panoptikum

Audio guide (German or English) at Panoptikum

Live commentary on the cruise (German only)

Informative English audio guide on cruise available on Google Play Store or App Store

Hotel Transfers

Food and Drinks

Additional Gratuities

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

11,515 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Denmark, France, Switzerland and over 22 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Katja B
Family
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
A really lovely cruise with Captain Matthias. Very informative and with humorous commentary. We would definitely recommend it.
Frank T
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It was a nice and interesting cruise with a very friendly captain.
Kathrin E
Solo
Verified booking
5 days ago
The conversation was funny and informative
Cornelie Z
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
A wonderful tour past all the giant ships, with very insightful and witty commentary on social and political issues, as well as highly entertaining remarks on Hamburg’s politics. The little launch, splashing with low-tide water, made the close proximity to the water a delightful experience—with its intense rocking—that was truly unforgettable! I can highly recommend it if you’re not on a steamer that, like a cruise ship, is sterile and shielded from any swell while you’re on a harbor tour! Awesome, awesome!
Claudia S
Group
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Captain Matthias was very entertaining. Time flew by, and we learned a lot of interesting things about Hamburg’s past and present during the hour-long cruise on a ship that’s over 100 years old. We had a great time! THANK YOU!

Grab the opportunity to save on ticket prices with this combo that will take you on a cruise around Hamburg and a tour of the Panoptikum wax museum, all on one ticket!

Explore the world of wax figurines at Panoptikum

Find yourself amidst various life-like figurines of your favorite celebrities at the Panoptikum Wax Museum, which houses over 120 wax figures. Catch sight of figures of personalities such as Queen Elizabeth II, Angelina Jolie, and Angela Merkel. Learn about the process of making realistic wax figures from professionals. The dazzling figurines, each of which takes almost two years and more than €40,000 to make, will mesmerize you. Conclude your experience by peeking at the scary corner and the medical-anatomical cabinet.

Set Sail on an enchanting Hamburg cruise

Hamburg harbor is the largest seaport in Germany, lined with a fleet of quaint barges and elegant salon ships. The port, situated on the river Elbe, is the epitome of urban development, but it brings forth a medieval charm with the labyrinth of canals. Enjoy the splendid sights of the Elbphilharmonie and the humble warehouses of Speicherstadt, the architectural wonders of HafenCity. Explore the myriad canals, channels, container terminals, the Köhlbrand Bridge, and more on your magical tour. Choose between a 1-hour tour, an elaborate 2-hour tour, and an illuminated night cruise according to your convenience!

What to bring

Hamburg River Cruise

A passport/ID is required for admission.

What's not allowed

Sharp objects and outside food are not allowed aboard the cruise.

Accessibility

The Panoptikum

Accessibility

This tour is accessible for guests with pets, guide dogs and luggage.

This tour is accessible for pregnant women.

Hamburg River Cruise

Only the large passenger ships are accessible for wheelchair users with prior notice.

The passenger ships MS RIVER STAR and MS HAMBURG and the paddle wheeler MS LOUISIANA STAR can be accessed barrier-free via a gangway.

Additional information

The Panoptikum

Wi-Fi services are available at the Panoptikum.

Hamburg River Cruise

Due to the conditions on-site, no information can be provided in advance regarding the exact time the above ships are used in the harbor cruise (no fixed departure times).

All harbor cruises aboard little barges are subject to the tide.

The boats will have an open or closed glass roof depending on the weather conditions.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

Ticket Redemption Points

Panoptikum

Show your ticket at the ticket office of the Panoptikum.

Address: Spielbudenpl. 3, 20359 Hamburg, Germany.

Get Directions to Redemption Point

Hamburg Harbor Cruise Tour

Redeem your voucher at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, “Brücke 1” on the top of the promenade, and at “Landungsbrücke 4”, down at the water.

You will receive the access code directly from the staff on-site when boarding, or on the brochures laid out on-site.

Get Directions to Boarding Point