Port des Lumières brings the immersive art format made famous in Paris and Bordeaux to Hamburg. In a large hall in the new Westfield Überseequartier in HafenCity, high-resolution projectors cover the walls and the floor with moving images set to music, so that you walk inside a painting rather than looking at it. The programme changes over time: shows have been built around great artists such as Gustav Klimt, Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Claude Monet, as well as lighter subjects such as Asterix and Obelix, and Tiqets currently lists a Monet show and an Asterix and Obelix show. Each show runs on a loop of around an hour, so you can arrive at any time, find a spot on the floor or a bench and watch the cycle come round. It is a relaxed, sensory experience rather than a traditional museum, and it suits mixed groups, families and couples looking for something different on a wet day.
How to book: Tiqets sells entry through its venue page, where you choose the show that is running on your date. Because the programme rotates, check which show is listed before you buy, and pick a time slot to avoid queues at busy periods. Port des Lumières is open daily, generally from 10:00 until the early evening, a little earlier on Sundays.
What to expect: the main hall is dark, with sound all around you, and the images move across every surface. People sit on the floor, wander slowly or stand still in the middle; there is no right way to watch. A full cycle of the main show takes about an hour, and many visitors stay for part of a second loop. Photography is usually allowed without flash, but put your phone down for a while and let the show wash over you.
Making the most of it: the Überseequartier is the new heart of HafenCity, so combine your visit with shopping and food in Westfield, a walk to the Elbphilharmonie Plaza and the International Maritime Museum nearby. Tiqets also offers combinations with the Hamburger Kunsthalle and with harbour boat tours.
What to expect
The experience
A walk-in digital art show projected onto every wall and floor of a large hall, set to music.
Best time
A wet afternoon or an early evening before dinner in HafenCity.
How long
About an hour for one full cycle, longer if you stay for a second loop.
Tips
Check which show is running on your date before booking, and arrive at any point in the loop.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Mixed groups and anyone who wants art as an experience rather than a lecture.
- Families
- Children enjoy walking among the images, and the Asterix show is a natural family pick.
- Couples
- A relaxed, atmospheric hour before dinner in the Überseequartier.
- Pair with
- The Elbphilharmonie Plaza, the International Maritime Museum and the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes including arrival.
Good questions
What is on at Port des Lumières?+
The programme rotates between immersive shows, and Tiqets currently lists a Monet show and an Asterix and Obelix show. Check the venue page for the show on your date.
Where is Port des Lumières?+
It is in the Westfield Überseequartier in HafenCity, near the corner of Osakaallee and Überseeallee. The Überseequartier U-Bahn stop is close by.
How long does a visit take?+
A full cycle of the main show takes about an hour. Many visitors stay a little longer to see their favourite parts again.
Can I arrive in the middle of the show?+
Yes, the show runs on a loop, so you can arrive at any time. Stay until the point where you came in to see the whole cycle.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, children usually love the moving images and the freedom to walk around. The hall is dark and the music can be loud for very small children.
