Hamburg is the second biggest and one of the most amazing cities in Germany. It is located in the northern part of the country and has lots a big lake, park areas and so many nice places. If you have a chance to visit, here are 12 things to do in Hamburg.
1. Explore the Hafencity & Speicherstadt, UNESCO Site
First of all, you have to visit Speicherstadt, which is a historic district in Hamburg. It is one of the most iconic and picturesque areas with lots of cultural and architectural highlights. Here you can take canal boat tours, explore the museums such as Miniatur Wunderland or Hamburg Dungeon and enjoy the cafes and restaurants. Not only does it hold great importance in Hamburg’s maritime history, Speicherstadt is also a vibrant and culturally rich district, making it a must-visit destination for tourists exploring Hamburg. In 2015, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Kontorhaus District with the famous Chilehaus building. I’d recommend a walking tour (as I did) so you can also learn about the history more in depth. Click the following link for the guided tour: LINK
2. Water activities and picnic in Alster Lake
The Alster Lake is an outstanding landmark and a must-see in Hamburg. It is actually divided into two parts: the Outer Alster (Außenalster) and the Inner Alster (Binnenalster). The lake is located in the heart of the city and offers a range of activities and attractions. There are many water activities going on in the lake – you can rent sailboats, paddle boats, row boats, or even take a guided sailing tour to enjoy the water. You can also jog or cycle around the lake, which is 7.4km (4.6 miles) in circumference. Or if you just want to relax, it’s perfect for having a picnic, as well as sitting and watching the beautiful Hamburg sunset.
3. Escape from the city to Planten un Blomen
Planten un Blomen is a beautiful park located in the heart of the city. As you enter the park, you can enjoy nature and calmness as it provides an escape from the busy city scene. The park has botanical gardens featuring a diverse collection of plants and flowers, and it also has a Japanese garden which I love! It’s also known for its ponds, fountains, and waterfalls. The largest and most famous fountain in the park is the Great Fountain, which hosts regular water and light shows during the summer, as well as open-air performances like concerts. You will spot lots of local people picnicking and relaxing there, so join them and enjoy the nature of Hamburg if you have time.
4. Michael’s Church for the panoramic view of the city
St. Michael’s Church is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hamburg. It is a Baroque-style Protestant church that is known for its architecture and history. St. Michael’s Church has a tower where you can climb up to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the harbor. Watching the sunset here was one of the most amazing experiences for me in Hamburg. For information about hours and entrance fee, visit the following link: https://www.st-michaelis.de/en/#main
5. Visit Elbphilharmonie concert hall
Elbphilharmonie is one of the most impressive and architecturally stunning concert venues in the world. Located on the Elbe River in the HafenCity district of Hamburg, its unique and impressive structure will definitely get your attention. The venue has two concert halls where they host a wide range of musical events, including classical concerts, contemporary music performances, jazz, world music, and more. The walls of the concert halls are made of gypsum fiber panels, which helps create outstanding sound quality. My tour guide explained that you can even hear the sound of a piece of paper falling! It is considered one of the best concert hall acoustics in the world. It has a publicly accessible plaza above the ground level. Visitors can access the plaza for free and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the harbour.
6. Visit Hamburg city hall
The City Hall of Hamburg is one of the most famous and important governmental buildings in the city. It is located in the heart of the city, near the historic Altstadt (Old Town) and within walking distance of other major attractions such as the Alster Lake and the HafenCity district. The interior of the Hamburg City Hall is also impressive, so I definitely recommend for you to explore the courtyard, hallways, and the grand staircase. The City Hall is also the site of the annual Rathausmarkt Christmas market, which I hope to visit one day during the holiday season 🙂
7. Bicycle tour around the city
Cycling in Hamburg is not only an eco-friendly and healthy way to get around but also a great way to experience the city’s many attractions and natural beauty. Hamburg is very bike friendly and offers a public bike-sharing system called “StadtRAD Hamburg”, which allows people to rent both traditional and electric bikes. You can cycle along the Elbe River, through parks, and around lakes, such as the Alster Lake and Eppendorfer Moor. If you want a guided tour, there are many good ones available. Check out some options at this link: LINK
8. Night out in Reeperbahn
Reeperbahn is a famous and historic street in the St. Pauli district, and it is also known for its vibrant nightlife. It’s full of cool bars and clubs with different types of music, which makes the neighborhood really come to life in the evenings. They also have a Red-Light District, in case you’d like to venture into adult entertainment venues. In any case, I definitely recommend
9. Enjoy Elbstrand Beach
Elbstrand is a sandy shoreline (or “beach”) along the Elbe River in Hamburg. It offers a relaxing escape from the city and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking to enjoy the waterfront. It is easily accessible by public transportation – I personally used the public transport ferry. During summer months, people go there with a towel or beach chair to soak up the sun. They also have several beachside cafes and restaurants – it’s truly a great place to enjoy a meal or refreshments while taking in the river scenery. Elbstrand is particularly popular for watching the sunset over the Elbe River. As the day comes to an end, the atmosphere becomes very peaceful and romantic.
10. See one of Europe’s busiest ports
Hamburg’s port, Hamburger Hafen, is one of the largest and busiest ports in Europe. The Port has an interesting history dating back over 800 years and it has played an important role in the city’s economic development. It is located along the Elbe River in the northern part of Hamburg and extends into the North Sea. The whole area is very impressive and quite large, including multiple docks, terminals, and facilities along the river and the harbor.
11. Enjoy fresh seafood in Hamburg Fish Market
Dating back to 1703, the Hamburg Fish Market (Hamburger Fischmarkt) is one of the most popular and vibrant markets in Hamburg. It is known for fresh seafood and its lively and entertaining atmosphere with street performers and musicians. The market opens early in the morning, starting at around 5:00 or 6:00 AM, and it goes until mid-morning (typically around 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM). If you are into eating delicious fresh seafood (like me), I strongly recommend that you visit.
12. Walk around Portuguese Quarter
The Portuguese Quarter is located near the Landungsbrücken (landing stages) along the Elbe River, close to the famous Reeperbahn entertainment district. It is a relatively small area – so you can have a very quick visit – but despite its size, it is very interesting and definitely worth seeing. Here you will find a mix of Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian cultures, so you can find numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants that serve Mediterranean and traditional Portuguese cuisine.
TIP 1. Place to Stay
Hotel Motel One is a great place to stay in Hamburg. They have several locations in Hamburg but they are all central and well connected with the hot spots. The room is well equipped and have everything you need. Their lobby is very spacious and nice with the bar comes to life during the evening. Their breakfast buffet has all you could ask for. I specifically stayed the one in Fleetinsel and it was perfect as it’s located right in the middle of the centre close to many must visit spots such as city hall and Elbphilharmonie. Here’s a direct link for booking: LINK
TIP 2. Hamburg Card
I highly recommend for you to get the Hamburg Card. It is a tourist pass that offers various benefits and discounts for visitors exploring the city. It provides access to public transportation, discounts at museums, attractions, and other activities. I had it and it was very useful as Hamburg’s public transportation was very well organized. They also have a mobile app and you can download the card on your phone, which really comes in handy. Get your Hamburg card HERE.
TIP 3. Enjoy Hamburg Cruise Days
Every 2 years Hamburg celebrates “Hamburg Cruise Days” which is one of the world’s most beautiful cruise festival. I had a chance to participate this year and I can totally say it was such a special experience. If you would like to visit Hamburg during these special days, the next event is on 12-14th September, 2025. For further details, check out my blog post: LINK
TIP 4. Exploring Hamburg on a Cruise
The cruise tour will take you through the beautiful Speicherstadt and really close to the port. With all the lights on, you will be impressed by the amazing city view. This was definitely one of my favourite activities in Hamburg and I can’t recommend you enough. Here’s a link to the tour: LINK
