Hotels near St Michael's Church (Michel)

St Michael's Church - locally called the Michel - is Hamburg's largest Baroque church and the city's most recognisable landmark alongside Elbphilharmonie. The 132-metre copper spire dominates the western skyline and has served as an orientation mark for ships approaching the port for three centuries. The current building is the third on the site; the second, from 1786, burned down in 1906 after a lightning strike, and the reconstruction was completed in 1912. The interior seats 2,500 and holds five organs, including the largest by Steinmeyer completed in 1962.

The tower observation platform at 82 metres is one of the two best public viewpoints in Hamburg (the other being Elbphilharmonie Plaza) and unlike the Plaza rarely has queues. A lift covers 106 of the 452 steps; the final section is stairs. Adult tower entry is around 8 EUR, church nave is free. From up top the whole harbour, HafenCity, the Elbphilharmonie and the Alster Lakes fan out in one panorama. The daily 10:00, 12:00 and 21:00 chorale played by the tower trumpeter (Turmblasen) is a Hamburg tradition dating to the 17th century.

Pro Tip: Climb Michel tower at 09:00 opening for the clearest morning air over the harbour. Time the visit to catch the 10:00 Turmblasen chorale from the observation deck - four brass notes each direction of the compass, then you descend.