15 must-do things to do in Hamburg

Visiter Hambourg

What to do in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city and the country’s biggest port?

After Berlin, do you know which is the second most important city in Germany? Hamburg, of course. The city’s port activity is world-renowned and has helped shape the architecture of its walls and streets. The port alone is well worth a visit, especially the warehouse district known as Speicherstadt. Hamburg’s other main attraction is the Alster basin, made up of two stretches of water that can now be navigated, providing one of the city’s most pleasant promenades. But is this all there is to Hamburg? What is there to see? What’s there to do? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Hamburg and its city center

centre-ville Hambourg, Mönckebergstrasse

Photo credit: Flickr – Roman Scheiwiller

For shopping enthusiasts, Hamburg’s « innenstadt » can be explored in no more than 3 hours: the main streets are Mönckebergstrasse and Spitalerstrasse. In these two thoroughfares, you’ll find everything you could possibly want (and need), from clothes and shoes to records, multimedia and home furnishings. Just 10 minutes from these two streets, you’ll find designer boutiques in the wonderful Alsterpassage with its luxury stores.

2. The Alster

Alster Hambourg

Photo credit: Pixabay – PeterKraayvanger

A walk along the river Alster is the perfect way to get a breath of fresh air. Take a stroll with family or friends, enjoy a cup of coffee, watch the penny boats and take in the breathtaking view of the river and the fountain at its center.

3. The harbor

Port Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Sebastian Warneke

Of course, the Port of Hamburg is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Nicknamed the « port of the world » because of the incredible amount of marine activity (cruise ships, cargo ships, small tourist boats, canal cruises), it’s a place that can’t leave you unmoved. The best way to visit the port is by boat.

4. Saint-Nicolas Church

Eglise Saint-Nicolas, tour, Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Jan71

This tower of the former St. Nicholas Church was destroyed during WWII, but it’s still possible to climb to the top for a unique view of Hamburg. Visibility of at least 300 meters over the historic center and harbor area.

5. Emigration Museum (BallinStadt)

Musée de l'émigration, BallinStadt, Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Claus-Joachim Dickow

This museum tells the whole story of emigration, but also the daily lives of these men and women on a historical basis. For those who want to follow in the footsteps of their own family, there is an investigation center. The museum also keeps lists of passengers (over 5 million people) who gathered in Hamburg to try to emigrate to the USA. Address: Veddeler Bogen 2, 20539 Hamburg, (www.ballinstadt.de). Open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

6. Église Saint-Michel (Der Michel)

Eglise Saint-Michel, Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Heidas

« Der Michel », as it’s affectionately known, is one of Hamburg’s most recognizable landmarks and the largest Protestant Baroque church in Northern Germany. Climbing to the top of the tower (by staircase or elevator) you’ll be rewarded with great panoramic views over the city and canals. Today, the crypt also houses a multimedia exhibition retracing the history of the church’s construction, complete with scale models.

7. Botanical park (Planten un Blomen)

Planten un Blomen, jardin, Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Holger.Ellgaard

This immense botanical garden is not to be missed. You can choose from several itineraries leading to the rose nursery, the Japanese garden and the various water fountains. A charming, delicate place to spend a pleasant, somewhat poetic moment. Walk along the stream to the park’s lake and the water and light organ. During the summer months, water games are played during the day and concerts are held in the evening.

The city of Hamburg is considered Germany’s great lung: between its various canals, gardens and streets, there’s a natural beauty that stands on its own. The parks in the heart of the city invite you to contemplate the ecological beauty and breathe deeply, while you relax and forget your stress.

8. Channels

Canaux, Speicherstadt, Hambourg

Photo credit: Fotocommunity – Michael Schwarz

What would Hamburg be without its canals? In the « Speicherstadt » district, the largest warehouse complex in the world, you’ll find a sort of open-air museum. Take the opportunity to discover the city from a different angle, but also at a pace that’s completely out of sync with everyday life. As you cruise the canals, you’ll also have the chance to visit the dungeons and the spice museum. The warehouses here are over 100 years old.

9. Saint Georg district

Quartier saint georg, Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Lorenz Teschner

The name of this district comes from the former hospital for lepers. Until the 90s, the area was considered insalubrious and notorious for drug trafficking. Today, the district has been completely rehabilitated and is now a new multicultural center where many fashion artists, painters, etc. gather. It’s also Hamburg’s gay district.

10. The Eppendorf district

Quartier Eppendorf, Hambourg

Photo credit: Hamburg.de

This is Hamburg’s chic, good-natured district; not far from the heart of the city, it has the advantage of offering a variety of green spaces and parks, as well as stores, restaurants and cafés in which to relax. The most popular streets are Eppendorfer Baum and Eppendorfer Landstrasse. And don’t miss the market with its regional produce.

11. The Rotherbaum district

Quartier de Rotherbaum, Hambourg

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Jean11

This district is famous for the magnificent villas that line its streets. Don’t hesitate to take a stroll along the shores of Lake Aussenalster. A university district with a wealth of embassies and consulates.

12. Hamburg Stock Exchange

Ancienne bourse de Hambourg, Adolphsplatz

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Oursana

This building has existed since the mid-16th century and is now housed in the new classical building on Adolphsplatz, on the site of the former Maria-Magdalenen convent. The building was enlarged several times over the last century, and the Town Hall was built at the rear of the Stock Exchange. Although the Hamburg Stock Exchange is Germany’s oldest financial service, it is no longer in operation.

13. The Elbe Philharmonic Hall (« Elbphilharmonie » or « Elphie »)

elbphilharmonie, Hambourg, salle de concerts

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Pedelecs

An ambitious project with a 2150-seat hall and another 550-seat hall. A 5-star hotel with over 200 beds is also planned. The lower part of the building is a red-brick warehouse, while the upper part is a glass building with expressionist shapes. It is due to open in 2017, but you can already admire the building.

14. Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s « red light district

Reeperbahn, Hambourg, quartier rouge, bars

Photo credit: Flickr – IK’s World Trip

The eclectic mix of bars and restaurants as well as strip clubs and erotic museums brought the Beatles here, who began their international career in Hamburg in the 1960s.

15. Other ideas for visits to Hamburg

Other places and buildings to discover as you stroll around include :

  • The 280-metre-high television tower (which also houses a restaurant)
  • Famous music clubs such as the « Star Club », where great rock stars performed in the 50s and 60s.
  • Fischmarkt, the seafood market
  • The Kunsthalle, an art museum housed in an architectural trio of buildings that traces over 700 years of European art history through works by Rembrandt, Caspar David Friedrich and Edvard Munch, among others.
  • HafenCity, Europe’s largest urban development project of the 21st century. It involves the redevelopment of 155 hectares of a former part of the port of Hamburg. The Elbe Philharmonic is part of the project.
  • Nightlife, especially in the St-Paul district

Hamburg: How to get there Where to stay?

Hamburg Airport is one of Germany’s major airports. It has the advantage of being only 8 km from the city. Several planes leave every day from Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, etc., and reach Hamburg in around 1? hours. The main airlines (low-cost and classic) operating these flights are Germanwings, easyJet and Air Berlin. You can check flight dates and prices on the Ulysse comparator.

Hamburg can also be reached by train. Hamburg is connected to the major cities of Germany and Europe by rail. Trains stop at the Hauptbahnhof station in downtown Hamburg. Trains depart daily from Gare du Nord in Paris. A connection in Cologne is necessary.

Hamburg is a great place to stay, with modern design hotels such as the Gastwerk, housed in a former coal storage warehouse. It’s just an idea, but there’s a wide choice of hotels to suit both small and large budgets. From youth hostels to 4 and 5 star hotels, you can find your hotel by searching on our hotel comparator.

Have you visited Hamburg?

Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Heidas

Map of hotels and accommodation – Hamburg,de