Hamburger Märchenschiffe

The Hamburger Märchenschiffe (Hamburg Fairy Tale Ships) transform the Binnenalster into a magical Christmas wonderland for children and families each Advent season. Moored at the Jungfernstieg pier, these festively decorated ships have been a beloved Hamburg tradition for over 35 years, welcoming up to 30,000 visitors annually from around the world. The fleet includes specialized vessels offering unique experiences: the Saselbek and Sielbek baking ships where children aged four and up create and decorate their own Christmas cookies, complete with take-home aprons and baker's hats from Junge Die Bäckerei; the Bredenbek theatre ship featuring daily rotating programs of fairy tales, magic shows, and interactive storytelling; the Amersbek dream ship with face painting transforming children into queens, lions, and fairies; and the Susebek café ship where parents can relax with coffee and cake while enjoying views of the illuminated Alstertanne Christmas tree. Each ship offers free admission except the baking ships, which require €3 tickets available through advance sales or at the on-site office. With over 100,000 cookies baked annually using 5,000 kg of dough, this enchanting floating Christmas market creates unforgettable memories. Visit during weekday mornings for shorter queues at the popular baking ships.