Alster Arcade

Alster Arcade is a waterfront colonnade beside the Alsterfleet in central Hamburg, close to the Town Hall and Rathausmarkt. Its white, round arches draw on Venetian architecture, and views through them frame the canal and the Town Hall tower. Walk beneath the arcades, pause by the water to watch boats pass, or continue along the lakeshore for views across the Binnenalster. Shops and restaurants line the route, though this is one of Hamburg’s pricier areas for eating and shopping.

A Venetian-style arcade beside the canal

Alster Arcade runs alongside the Alsterfleet, the canal between the arcade and Rathausmarkt. Its round-arched colonnade was designed in a Venetian style by architect Alexis de Chateauneuf. The arcades were built as part of Hamburg’s reconstruction after the Great Fire of 1842, which destroyed much of the city centre.

The covered walkway connects the waterfront with the central square. From beneath its arches, you can see the Town Hall tower across the canal. The white architecture and waterside setting make the route a natural place to pause during a walk through central Hamburg.

Continue into the adjoining passages

The arcade sits near Jungfernstieg and other shopping passages around Neuer Wall. Mellin Passage, between Jungfernstieg and Neuer Wall, is noted for its historic shopping setting. The adjoining arcades also contain Art Nouveau-era frescoes and stained-glass windows, details that are easy to miss if you only walk along the main canal.

Shops and restaurants occupy the arcades, but this is among Hamburg’s more expensive areas for shopping and dining. If you want a meal at a lower price, look for local places outside the Rathaus area. The waterfront route is also a place to watch boats move along the water, with the Binnenalster nearby for a longer lakeside walk.