Elbe Island bike tour:
Steinwerder & Wilhelmsburg
Welcome to the other Hamburg. Wilhelmsburg, along with the districts of Steinwerder, Kleiner Grasbrook, and Veddel, lies in the "river splitting area" between the two large Elbe branches, the Norderelbe and the Süderelbe-Köhlbrand. These areas are often popularly considered and referred to as one large, contiguous Elbe island, but in reality they consist of numerous smaller islands and peninsulas.
In addition to the main island of the same name, which itself was created in the 18th century by embanking several smaller islands (Stillhorn, Georgswerder, and Moorwerder), the Wilhelmsburg district also includes the island of Hohe Schaar and part of the island of Neuhof. Hamburg's Elbe island consists of five districts. For decades, it had a negative image. In 2007, the "Leap over the Elbe" project brought about a transformation and revitalization of the district.
A lot has changed since then and now Wilhelmsburg is perceived by many who don't live here as what it has always been: colorful, diverse and lively.
We start our Elbe Island bike tour on the Steinwerder side of the Old Elbe Tunnel. Here, at the former "Pudding," a fine restaurant scene has developed in recent years. We continue toward the dike—with a bit of luck, we'll spot peacefully grazing sheep while giant container towers are stacked in the background. The diversity and contrasts of the district—a green idyll with a village feel, but also an industrial area with a romantic harbor backdrop—make up the charm of the Elbe Island, a place unlike any other in Hamburg.
In addition to the main island of the same name, which itself was created in the 18th century by embanking several smaller islands (Stillhorn, Georgswerder, and Moorwerder), the Wilhelmsburg district also includes the island of Hohe Schaar and part of the island of Neuhof. Hamburg's Elbe island consists of five districts. For decades, it had a negative image. In 2007, the "Leap over the Elbe" project brought about a transformation and revitalization of the district.
A lot has changed since then and now Wilhelmsburg is perceived by many who don't live here as what it has always been: colorful, diverse and lively.
We start our Elbe Island bike tour on the Steinwerder side of the Old Elbe Tunnel. Here, at the former "Pudding," a fine restaurant scene has developed in recent years. We continue toward the dike—with a bit of luck, we'll spot peacefully grazing sheep while giant container towers are stacked in the background. The diversity and contrasts of the district—a green idyll with a village feel, but also an industrial area with a romantic harbor backdrop—make up the charm of the Elbe Island, a place unlike any other in Hamburg.
Passing by charming Wilhelminian-era house facades, we continue along the Vering Canal. Here, our tour takes us to the Honigfabrik cultural center and then to the Energy Bunker. Of course, we don't neglect the exciting history of Wilhelmsburg, and as islanders who grew up here, we always have a personal anecdote to share. The positive and negative aspects that the leap across the Elbe meant for the residents will also be discussed.
At the end of the tour, we'll take a look at the Wilhelmsburg Water Tower. We've now essentially reached the center of Wilhelmsburg, and from here you can continue your exploration with plenty of tips.
At the end of the tour, we'll take a look at the Wilhelmsburg Water Tower. We've now essentially reached the center of Wilhelmsburg, and from here you can continue your exploration with plenty of tips.
The tour ends at Adolph-Menge Platz/ Mengestraße bus stop, bus line 13.
Price: 12,00 € per person
And after the tour?
Inselpark
Our tour ends directly at Inselpark. The 85-hectare site is a legacy of the 2013 International Garden Show and an experience in itself. Several innovative buildings from the IBA, which also took place in Wilhelmsburg in 2013, are also located on the grounds, offering a glimpse into the future of construction. Alongside innovative building and housing types, materials, energy concepts, and architectural forms, the building exhibition in the Wilhelmsburg Mitte building exhibition forms a showcase and offers a glimpse into the future of construction and living.
Bike tour!
Elbe Island Beauties
You've now gotten to know the lively and colorful Willitown. If the weather's nice, we recommend a bike tour. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can leave the city behind. You can rent your bike at the Wilhelmsburg bike rental or at the StadtRad station. Must-sees: Minitopia, Finkenriek Elbe beach, Moorwerder with the Heuckenlock nature reserve—one of the last tidal floodplain forests in Europe, Bunthäuser Spitze with its lighthouse, Johanna windmill, and the children's farm.