New perspectives on Altona’s Neue Mitte: four rooftops invite you to explore, marvel and linger on their rooftop terraces.

On our tour, you’ll discover Altona from an unusual perspective and learn more about the origins of Altona’s Neue Mitte, its urban development and the ideas behind this new neighbourhood. Together, we’ll visit four special rooftops that offer insights into architecture, the neighbourhood, sustainability and the diverse ways in which urban open spaces can be used.

Please note that, unfortunately, our tours are not accessible to people with disabilities.

New perspectives on Altona’s Neue Mitte: four rooftops invite you to explore, marvel and linger on their rooftop terraces.

On our tour, you’ll discover Altona from an unusual perspective and learn more about the origins of Altona’s Neue Mitte, its urban development and the ideas behind this new neighbourhood. Together, we’ll visit four special rooftops that offer insights into architecture, the neighbourhood, sustainability and the diverse ways in which urban open spaces can be used.

Please note that, unfortunately, our tours are not accessible to people with disabilities.

Reaching new heights for the little ones: the Fröbel Kindergarten on Winterstraße is opening its rooftop playground to visitors.

The expedition demonstrates how rooftops can become valuable open spaces for children and what opportunities innovative architecture and educational concepts offer for nurseries in a growing city.

Reaching new heights for the little ones: the Fröbel Kindergarten on Winterstraße is opening its rooftop playground to visitors.

The expedition demonstrates how rooftops can become valuable open spaces for children and what opportunities innovative architecture and educational concepts offer for nurseries in a growing city.

Take a stroll through Hamburg-Ottensen and discover a wide variety of green facades. Through selected examples, you’ll learn how plants enhance the cityscape, improve the microclimate, and find out about the different types of greening, plants and possible applications. It will also become clear that it’s not just roofs, but facades too, that offer valuable additional space for more greenery in the city.

Take a stroll through Hamburg-Ottensen and discover a wide variety of green facades. Through selected examples, you’ll learn how plants enhance the cityscape, improve the microclimate, and find out about the different types of greening, plants and possible applications. It will also become clear that it’s not just roofs, but facades too, that offer valuable additional space for more greenery in the city.

Join the landscape architects and building owners on a tour of the roof of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, which was named ‘Green Roof of the Year’ in 2021 by the German Federal Association for Green Buildings (BuGG). The guided tour highlights the connection between the building and its roof landscape and demonstrates how successful roof utilisation can be designed to benefit both nature and the building’s users. The building features 2,440 m² of intensive and extensive greening across several levels and serves as recreational areas and outdoor spaces for the canteen.

Join the landscape architects and building owners on a tour of the roof of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, which was named ‘Green Roof of the Year’ in 2021 by the German Federal Association for Green Buildings (BuGG). The guided tour highlights the connection between the building and its roof landscape and demonstrates how successful roof utilisation can be designed to benefit both nature and the building’s users. The building features 2,440 m² of intensive and extensive greening across several levels and serves as recreational areas and outdoor spaces for the canteen.

What if a multi-storey car park could be more than just a place for cars?

Together with the “Initiative des Entgrauens”, you’ll explore the roof of the Altona Bahnhof multi-storey car park and, in an open brainstorming session, develop ideas for new ways to use the space.

We’ll discuss the potential, the challenges and the question of how an unused space can be transformed into a vibrant place for the neighbourhood.

Please note: The event will take place outdoors. For insurance reasons, participation is at your own risk. The car park is accessible via a lift to the roof, making it barrier-free.

Registration by email is required: parkhausaltona@gmail.com

How can roofs become a natural part of urban life? Our panel discussion brings together perspectives from politics, public administration, community initiatives and civil society, and looks ahead to the future of Altona.

Registration required. Places are limited!

Yoga with Carli and a view over Altona: You can look forward to a playful, inquisitive and creative approach to Dynamic Vinyasa. Carli combines breath, mindfulness and movement to create holistic experiences for body, mind and soul. You’ll leave the class feeling refreshed, inspired and energised, with a deep sense of presence. The class is suitable for all levels. Booking required. Please bring your own yoga mat.

Yoga with Paulette and a view over Altona: Paulette was born in Ecuador and is a passionate teacher of Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. Her dynamic classes combine flexibility, strength and mindfulness, whilst also offering space for relaxation. She places great importance on building a personal connection with her students and fostering a strong sense of community. The class is suitable for all levels. Booking required.

Get creative: How can roofs be used in a meaningful, collaborative and inspiring way in the future? Using a wide variety of materials, you can bring your vision to life and build your own roof model.

How is a green roof actually created? In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn about the structure of an extensive green roof; together, we’ll recreate the individual layers on a model. Afterwards, we’ll visit the green roof on site and see how green roofing works in practice.

Serve, beat and views of the Elbe: at the techno table tennis event on the roof of pbp Architekten, fast rallies meet electronic sounds. The event will be accompanied by institut featuring A_P_F_L with a live DJ set. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro – come along and play above the city’s rooftops. Registration for slots is required.

Guided tour of the Environment Agency’s exhibition on the 2025 Hamburg Green Buildings Award.

The exhibition on the Hamburg Green Buildings Award 2025 showcases award-winning green roofs, green façades and interiors that promote climate protection and climate adaptation. Discover how greening buildings cools cities, sequesters CO₂, boosts biodiversity and makes them more liveable.

Guided tour of the Environment Agency’s exhibition on the 2025 Hamburg Green Buildings Award.

The exhibition on the Hamburg Green Buildings Award 2025 showcases award-winning green roofs, green façades and interiors that promote climate protection and climate adaptation. Discover how greening buildings cools cities, sequesters CO₂, boosts biodiversity and makes them more liveable.

Discover the city from a new perspective and capture your impressions alongside the Urban Sketchers Hamburg. Whether it’s a quick sketch or a detailed drawing, everyone is welcome. Please bring only dry art materials, as wet paints are not permitted on the roof.

Booking required. Places are limited.

Drink and Draw above the city rooftops. The Urban Sketchers at the Kolorado.

Admittedly, we won’t be heading up onto the roof this time. Instead, the terrace at KOLORADO offers a spectacular view over Altona, the harbour and the Elbe. Join the Urban Sketchers to capture the view in your sketches. Drinks are available at the bar on site. Please use dry drawing materials only; wet paints are not permitted.

Start your day in a relaxed way: at Morning Yoga with Maja Luisa on the roof of Green Pauli, you can look forward to meditation, breathing exercises, movement, fresh air and a special view over the city. Suitable for all levels. Booking required – places are limited!

Green Pauli is a vibrant community garden right by the harbour in St. Pauli. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, for the common good and the use of public space.

Would you like to get started with raised-bed gardening yourself? The gardeners at Green Pauli will share their experiences and show you what’s currently growing in their beds. In this short workshop, you’ll learn how to set up a raised bed, which vegetables grow particularly well, and how you can get off to a successful start yourself. Booking required – places are limited!

Green Pauli is a vibrant community garden right by the harbour in St. Pauli. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, for the common good and the use of public space.

Discover the art of fermentation on the roof of GreenPauli. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of natural fermentation, get hands-on, and take home a jar of your own creation at the end. Booking required – places are limited!

Green Pauli is a vibrant community garden right by the harbour in St. Pauli. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, for the common good and the use of public space.

Discover the city from a new perspective and capture your impressions alongside the Urban Sketchers Hamburg. Whether it’s a quick sketch or a detailed drawing, everyone is welcome. Please bring only dry art materials, as wet paints are not permitted on the roof.

Booking required. Places are limited!

Admittedly, this isn’t about climbing onto rooftops in the traditional sense, but rather an exploratory tour offering both outward and inward perspectives. St. Pauli is brimming with stories. Join Steffen from GWA St. Pauli on a walk through the neighbourhood and discover political, social and urban-historical perspectives. Booking required – places are limited!

Green Pauli is a dynamic community garden right by the harbour in St. Pauli. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, for the common good and the use of public space.

How does a garden come to life on the rooftops of the city? Join a guided tour to explore Green Pauli’s rooftop garden, get to know its plants, projects and people, and find out more about urban gardening. Booking required – places are limited!

Green Pauli is a vibrant community garden right by the harbour in St. Pauli. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, for the common good and the use of public space.

Introducing the Mundhalle!

In this special guided tour, you’ll find out more about the Mundhalle’s activities, the work of the Mit (H)allen e.V. association, and the artists who, as part of the ‘offenes Dachs’ initiative, are opening the Mundhalle in collaboration with obenstadt. Enjoy exploring.

Tour starts: 6 pm

Deniz & Ove make children’s music that’s fun not just for children, but for their parents too – and all without any annoying earworms. Instead of falling back on well-worn clichés, they create music for the whole family that you’ll genuinely enjoy listening to. Musically, they combine these observations with carefully arranged band sounds that work just as well in a child’s bedroom as they do in a club in the evening. This time, the pair are joining us on the roof of the Fröbel nursery.

Start: 2 pm

A rooftop playground for everyone: all guests, young and old, are warmly welcome to the rooftop playground. Look forward to an open family programme featuring face painting, games, socialising and a cosy parent-and-child café.

A place to let off steam, get to know one another, chat and spend time together – no booking required and open to everyone.

The programme is subject to change. Due to limited capacity on the roof, there may be queues at times or access may be temporarily restricted.

Open Day at the rooftop playground: The Fröbel Nursery warmly invites families, neighbours and anyone interested to come and explore its rooftop areas and enjoy a creative day in nature together.

Whether it’s building boats, sowing herbs, painting, reading or discovering stories – the rooftop playground offers a variety of hands-on activities centred around the themes of nature, water and community. The programme is complemented by a story corner, information on the nursery’s educational work, and further creative activities to discover and try out.

The programme is subject to change.

Attention, little explorers! Together we’ll explore GreenPauli’s roof garden, discovering plants, insects and fascinating spots. Through play, children will learn how food grows and how nature works in the city. Booking required – places are limited!

Green Pauli is a vibrant community garden right by St Pauli harbour. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, for the common good and the use of public space.

Calisthenics, or bodyweight training, stands for ‘beautiful strength’ and offers a creative workout. Do you want to get stronger, get to know your body better and try out new moves? Then join us on the roof! Not only will you train your body, but you’ll also become part of a motivating community that shares a love of exercise and progress. Try out new moves and push yourself to new heights with us! 💪

Calisthenics Beginners’ Workshop

In our beginners’ workshop, you’ll learn the basics, proper technique and your first bodyweight exercises – in a group setting, with plenty of motivation, and suitable for all fitness levels.

Dancefloor filler, hi-fi trash-pop, St. Pauli super-duper party music: call it what you like. One thing’s for sure – with GlitzerSuite on stage and on our rooftop, things are going to get colourful and wild. Look forward to soap bubbles, stylistic clashes and glitter dust in 4/4 time.

Arcadian Daze: This is psychedelic krautrock from Hamburg. No beginning. No end. No rules. The main thing is that the sound sweeps you away. It’s not important how we sound, but that we make a sound. Come on up. Let yourself drift away!

The band kollektiv22 joins us on the roof, bringing with them a concentrated dose of joie de vivre. The sextet is working steadily on new material – and takes the crowd on a journey with their groovy mix of soul, funk, reggae, rap and rock. Amidst poetic lyrics about humility, downfall, rise, revolution and, time and again, ecstasy, a longing for freedom emerges over danceable beats – amidst a wild mix of rap and vocals, guitars and synthesisers.

Start: 6 pm

Klubzmer is a collective: there are 12, 14, 16 of us… friends who share a love of Eastern European and Klezmer music and who spread warmth in the chilly north with wildly joyful arrangements and a zest for playing. Strings, wind instruments, vocals, accordion, tuba and percussion make the air vibrate and the hips sway. We’ve now got crowds of people of all ages dancing at housing project parties, in clubs and at street festivals!

Start: 1.00 pm

Katja Ruge is a DJ, photographer and curator from Hamburg. In her sets, she combines emotive electronic music with a cinematic atmosphere and a unique sense of space. Against a backdrop of warm synths, melancholy and euphoria, she creates musical journeys full of depth and energy.

Fancy a relaxed atmosphere, some uplifting music and a bit of exercise? We’re bringing the popular park game Roundnet (also known as Spikeball) up onto the roof. Together with Roundnet Hamburg e. V., you can give the game a go in a relaxed atmosphere – or jump straight into a quick match.

The exhibition for the 2025 Hamburg Green Buildings Award showcases award-winning green roofs, green façades and interiors that promote climate protection and climate adaptation. Discover how greening buildings cools cities, sequesters CO₂, boosts biodiversity and makes them more liveable.

The exhibition for the 2025 Hamburg Green Buildings Award showcases award-winning green roofs, green façades and interiors that promote climate protection and climate adaptation. Discover how greening buildings cools cities, sequesters CO₂, boosts biodiversity and makes them more liveable.

Op Platt, op'n daok: Ove Thomsen reads Regen im Kopf. Gunnelt the anteater doesn’t know what to do – he simply has too much to do! He actually enjoys being the caretaker of the rainforest. He likes being there for all the other animals when they need him. But somehow, he’s lost all joy in everything at the moment. It feels as if he has rain in his head!

A reading for Kinnings and everyone who is still lütt blievt sünd!

Four authors will take you on a literary journey above the rooftops of the city. In short readings, they’ll share stories of longings, hopes, encounters and charming anecdotes – sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes humorous, but always focusing on what moves people.

Look forward to special stories in a special place and an afternoon full of words that linger in the mind.

Christa Thelen

Freelance journalist and author from Hamburg. Her short stories have been published in the anthology Hamburger ZIEGEL 18, amongst others. Member of the Writer’s Room. An allotment gardener and, to her surprise, winner of the 2021 silver medal for nature-friendly gardening from the Landesbund Gartenfreunde in Hamburg.

Information about the extract from her novel project ‘Fremdgehen’

At first, there are no strong emotions involved: when Eva meets Julian at a party, she is in the process of climbing the career ladder and finding her place in life. But a chance encounter and a night in Mallorca change everything. A long-standing affair begins, which they keep secret from their spouses – and which turns everything Eva thought she knew about herself on its head.

A story about settling down and setting out, about lies and passion – and about the home we seek in love.

Lara Gahlow

Freelance author, editor and cultural manager; a graduate in cultural studies (Bremen, USA, Lüneburg, Lithuania); founder of “Soft – Büro für sensible Kommunikation” (communication work, consultancy and training with a focus on anti-discrimination); Lara campaigns for gender equality in the cultural sector, for example through the FLINTA* event format meet-up in collaboration with the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft; in 2024, she won the Hamburg Literature Prize in the ‘Short Stories’ category with the short story ‘Vorwiegend festkochend’ (to be published by Ankerwechsel Verlag in Hamburg, Lara’s literary debut); Lara is currently working on her debut novel, but she continues to love the short form and also writes short stories

About the story entitled ‘Der Schmerz ist schon groß genug und dann teilt man sich auch noch ein Dachbodenabteil’

The inspiration actually came from my own shared loft space with a neighbour who keeps lots of original packaging there (that’s what the story is about); it deals with loss, consumerism and fragile masculinity.

Gabriel Bornstein

German-Israeli author and filmmaker. Through the association DREH DEINEN FILM! e.V., he leads film projects with young people and children, and published his second novel, ‘Das Elfte Gebot’, in March 2026. He will read an excerpt from this book featuring a chase across the rooftops of Riga.

Christine Sterly-Paulsen

Studied ethnology, conducted field research in Madagascar and worked as a translator for many years. She writes novels and short stories and was a prize-winner at “ungehalten” last year. She will read her as yet unpublished short story: “Die Wohnung im siebzehnten Stock”.

The Hamburg Roof Days will draw to a close on a musical note: the Flinta*Chor, which regularly uses GreenPauli’s roof garden for rehearsals, invites you to an atmospheric open-air concert overlooking the Elbe. No booking required – just pop along!

Green Pauli is a vibrant community garden right by the harbour in St. Pauli. The focus here is on community spirit and social interaction, promoting the common good and the use of public space.

The 90s are back. This time on the roof of the Altona neighbourhood school. The Royal Rocks blend elements of alternative, grunge and rock to create a sound all of their own, and they perform regularly in Hamburg’s clubs.

Art above all, for everyone. In collaboration with IKEA Altona, a special open-air exhibition is being created on the roof of IKEA Altona as part of the Hamburg Roof Days 2026: the Rooftop Gallery. Eight artists from Altona are transforming the top car park deck into a space for art, socialising and new perspectives. Come along to discover art above the city’s rooftops and, at the same time, explore the creative potential of urban spaces.

We’ll be leading tours up to the Rooftop Gallery every hour on the hour between 12 noon and 6 pm! Unfortunately, you won’t be able to go up on your own without us. Meet in front of the main entrance to IKEA.

From top to bottom, from bottom to top: on Hamburg’s smallest roof, “Mit (H)allen e.V.” is celebrating the Hamburg Roof Days with you.

As part of the Hamburg Roof Days, this charitable association invites you to enjoy performances and music. The event plays with different perspectives and uses the roof itself as a stage. In this way, different perspectives on space, the city and the audience come together to foster a sense of community.

Celebrate with us from the bottom up – and take this special opportunity to get to know the Mundhalle eG venue as an interface between art, craftsmanship and a place for people to meet.

Create your own souvenir of the Hamburg Dachtage. At the event, you can have a jute bag (whilst stocks last) printed with the official Dachtage design. You’re also welcome to bring your own light-coloured textiles to have printed. No booking is required – just pop along and get started.

Probably the highest tee in Hamburg! Play on a unique mini-golf course that stretches across several rooftops of the Altona District School. Grab your friends and sink some putts above the rooftops.

No booking required – just pop along and join in!

Do you already have a basic knowledge of salsa? Then you’ve come to the right place. Together, we’ll work on our sense of rhythm, body movement and simple combinations – without a dance partner, but with plenty of music and a great atmosphere. Please bring comfortable clothes and shoes.

A quick note: The dance teachers would appreciate a small donation.

Have you always wanted to give salsa a go? In this taster class, set against the rooftops of Altona, you’ll learn the basic steps and some simple combinations. No previous experience is needed – the focus is on enjoying the movement, the music and the special atmosphere on the rooftop.

A quick note: The dance teachers would appreciate a small donation.

The dancing continues after the workshop: the roof of the Altona Community School will be transformed into a salsa dance floor. Enjoy the music, dance with the other participants and round off the summer afternoon with a special view over Altona.

A quick note: the dance instructors would appreciate a small donation.