Hamburg

Travel Guide
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
This modern port city is known for its maritime traditions, art galleries and converted warehouse districts filled with restaurants, bars and boutique shops.

Calling itself Germany’s Gateway to the World, Hamburg is the country's biggest port and the second largest in Europe. It is proud of its status as an independent city-state and of its mercantile background, which created much of the city's wealth. Today Hamburg is known for being one of the richest metropolitan areas in Europe, along with Brussels and London.

Located on the River Elbe, Hamburg’s busy port is 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the North Sea. Hamburg Harbor today is home to the International Maritime Museum Hamburg and the museum ship Cap San Diego, which jointly tell the story of Hamburg’s maritime history.

Although the port may be the heart of Hamburg, the city offers many additional features, particularly in the areas of culture and the arts. Visit the vast Hamburger Kunsthalle art gallery and the Deichtorhallen center for contemporary art, which hosts world-renowned international exhibitions. Use Hamburg’s extensive subway system to navigate between museums and galleries, which you’ll find throughout the city. Don’t miss the Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland), one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany.

Hamburg’s city center now contains mostly modern office buildings, as many of its medieval buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1842 or reduced to rubble during World War II. Seek out the Hamburg Rathaus, or Town Hall, which was painstakingly rebuilt and restored to its original 19th-century condition.

Walk around the Speicherstadt and New Docklands areas, where you’ll find renovated former port warehouses and ambitious modern glass-and-steel structures. Admire the architecture, dine at upscale restaurants and shop for one-of-a-kind and luxury items at boutiques. These areas of urban redevelopment, currently the largest such project in Europe, show modern Hamburg at its best, embracing change and moving confidently into the future.

A short distance from the center you can find several large parks and lakes. Visit the Planten un Blomen (Plants and Flowers) park to spend time in the tranquil Japanese Garden. Rent a car or catch Germany’s fast and reliable national train network to explore nearby historic towns.

Where to stay in Hamburg

Hamburg City Center which includes a city, heritage architecture and night scenes

Hamburg City Center

4.5/5(215 area reviews)

Imposing Renaissance Revival structures like Hamburg Rathaus and three main churches, St. Jacobi, St. Katharinen, and St. Petri, adorn this district. Explore museums like Hamburg Kunsthalle and enjoy performances at Thalia Theater.

Hamburg City Center
Hamburg City Center which includes a city, heritage architecture and night scenes

Hamburg-Mitte

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Discover Hamburg-Mitte's bustling urban center, home to the historic Altstadt, Neustadt, and HafenCity districts. Enjoy the green oasis of Planten un Blomen park, and easily navigate with the city's rapid transit system.

Hamburg-Mitte
Japanese Garden showing a river or creek and a garden

Saint Pauli

4/5(35 area reviews)

Experience the lively atmosphere of St. Pauli, Hamburg's entertainment hub, featuring musicals, theaters, bars, and clubs in the "sinful mile." Explore iconic landmarks like Beatles-Platz square and Hans-Albers-Platz near Reeperbahn.

Saint Pauli
Botanical Gardens which includes an observatory, a garden and a pond

Altona

4.5/5(35 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Altona. If sightseeing is on the list, Reeperbahn is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Othmarschen S-Bahn or Klein Flottbek S-Bahn to see more of the area.

Altona
Hamburg

HafenCity

Noted for its restaurants and waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in HafenCity. Top attractions like Hamburg Cruise Center and International Maritime Museum are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at HafenCity Universität Station or Überseequartier Station to see more of the city.

HafenCity
Wow. The beauty of spring right in the green space on an intersection on a busy Hamburg street. Discovered while cycling through the city.

Saint Georg

4/5(169 area reviews)

Central location and vibrant nightlife define St. Georg, offering street cafés, shops, and theaters like Deutsches Schauspielhaus and Ohnsorg-Theater. Explore St. Mary's Cathedral and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, with easy access to public transport.

Saint Georg
Hotel Europäischer Hof Hamburg
Hotel Europäischer Hof Hamburg
4 out of 5
Kirchenallee 45, Hamburg, HH
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Nice hotel, brekfast was rich. The facility needs some basic renovation and updates"

Reviewed on 12 Oct, 2024

Hotel Europäischer Hof Hamburg
Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Hotel Fürst Bismarck
3 out of 5
Kirchenallee 49, Hamburg, HH
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"right across from the main train terminal, therefore lots of noise and activity."

Reviewed on 20 Oct, 2024

Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Hamburg Marriott Hotel
Hamburg Marriott Hotel
ABC Strasse 52, Hamburg, HH
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
Disappointing Stay at Marriott Hamburg
"The hotel is going through renovations in certain areas. Our executive room had just been completed and was pristine and very clean. However the normal executive lounge was still being renovated and we were directed to a temporary lounge next to the breakfast area. Unfortunately because this arrangement ..."

Reviewed on 8 Oct, 2024

Hamburg Marriott Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Willy-Brandt-Strasse 25, Hamburg
Stay at this aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the room service in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,047 reviews)
"Very big comfortable apartment with everything you need including full kitchen and a clothes washer/ dryer. Fantastic stay!"

Reviewed on 21 Oct, 2024

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
sylc. Apartmenthotel
sylc. Apartmenthotel
Kronsaalsweg 88, Hamburg, Hamburg
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (721 reviews)
"Great for access to volksparkstadium. Great bar with nice cocktails. Very confortable overall"

Reviewed on 15 Sep, 2024

sylc. Apartmenthotel
Citadines Michel Hamburg
Citadines Michel Hamburg
Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 7, Hamburg, HH
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,500 reviews)
"The laundry room was a nice surprise."

Reviewed on 23 Sep, 2024

Citadines Michel Hamburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Hamburg

Like most large European cities, Hamburg has a fantastic public transportation system that makes car rental unnecessary. All the city’s buses, trains and ferries are run by HVV, so the system is completely integrated. Buy a single ticket to cover your travel across all modes of transportation. You will probably use the S-Bahn (overground rail network) and U-Bahn (underground rail network) the most. Visit the Hamburg Transport Association website.Browse Hamburg rental cars.

Best time to visit

Hamburg has a clear seasonal pattern, with warm summers, cold winters and cool springs and falls. If sunshine is your priority, visit between May and August, when daytime temperatures will be in the mid 60s F (16 C). Spring and fall offer pleasant weather. Brave the cold to visit in December and you will be rewarded with Christmas markets and festive cheer, but bring your warmest clothes.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Hamburg

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
221
" "5 - Excellent 55.388471177944865%
4 - Good
143
" "4 - Good 35.83959899749373%
3 - Okay
32
" "3 - Okay 8.020050125313283%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.2506265664160401%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.5012531328320802%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I would have liked to see it!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very beautiful city just to walk around and experience.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Visited the Christmas markets that were still open the week between Christmas and New Years. Great variety of food and crafts. On a Saturday afternoon/evening in late December, the city was alive with people on the streets and in the shopping areas

5/5 - Excellent

Na

Beautiful city

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Once you figure out public transportation, you are fine!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Hamburg is absolutely beautiful! It was truly a pleasure to explore the city and learn about its history and culture.

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