Hamburg is not only the second largest city in Germany, but was also recently voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Between the Elbe, Alster, Elbphilharmonie and Reeperbahn, not only locals but also travelers from all over the world get their money's worth on a city trip. But there are also dissenting voices: Some consider the metropolis to be a rainy and cold city with a provincial, small-town atmosphere. In our Hamburg travel report, I present you insider tips for the most beautiful corners of the city and check whether there is any truth to the criticism. A home game.

The water of the Alster is as smooth as glass on this day in May. There is no breeze, the temperatures are around 24 degrees and the sun is shining from the sky on this early summer day. The air smells of summer, even a little of the Mediterranean, of Italy and dolce vita. In the cafés in the city center and in the neighborhoods, people sit, chat, read or work on their laptops. What was it like with God in France? On days like these, the gods are kind to the metropolis on the Elbe - and of course to everyone who lives here or discovers the countless sights on a city trip.    

In recent years, Hamburg has received many international awards Destination - both as a tip for holidaymakers and as a place to live with a high feel-good factor. For example, the “New York Times“Hamburg was included in the top 10 of your most important “52 places to go”. The also internationally renowned Economist ranked Hamburg as the tenth most liveable city in the world. In its publication “Best in Travel 2018,” the travel guide publisher “Lonely Planet,” which is highly regarded among travelers, ranked Hamburg fourth among the cities worth visiting in 2018. Hamburg can hardly be described more accurately than the short description by the travel guide publisher: 

Germany's second largest city has an international flair (especially in its legendary clubs) - sometimes you even think you are in a completely different country. In the streets you can find Portuguese bistros, oriental markets and designer boutiques right next to each other. This openness to foreign cultures goes back to the time when Hamburg was a wealthy Hanseatic city, and it is still characteristic of the atmosphere in the northern German metropolis.

The proximity to the water is omnipresent, if you briefly forget this fact, it is enough if suddenly a huge freighter glides past in sight. And even on the Reeperbahn - the red light district where the Beatles found their sound in the early 1960s - the screeching seagulls remind that the water can't be far.

Lonely Planet

What is striking is that all of these recommendations come from the time after the Elbphilharmonie was completed - the concert hall immediately established itself as a landmark and magnet for international attention. Don't such developments remind you a little of Sydney in Australia? Reason enough for me to choose one about my own adopted home Travelogue to publish about Hamburg in the blog. The new, large concert hall alone would be worth its own Elbphilharmonie travel report.

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City trip to Hamburg – Discover the diversity of the Hanseatic city

A quick overview

• Hamburg is not only a metropolis of millions, but is also incredibly diverse with a wide range of cultural offerings and numerous sports opportunities
• Countless attractions such as the Elbphilharmonie, the Reeperbahn, musicals, parks, the Alster and many other Hamburg sights are known far beyond the city limits
• Hamburg is easy to reach from all over Germany via the A1 and A7 - attractive train connections and domestic flights are also available

Travel report Hamburg - Sights for your city trip

A visit to Hamburg is incredibly diverse and you can discover many exciting attractions and sights on your city trip, do an incredible amount and definitely learn something new. A city trip to Hamburg is an extraordinary experience that will stay with you for a long time. I still remember my first stay in 2003 – a few years before Hamburg became my adopted home. The Hanseatic city on the Elbe is known worldwide for some hotspots, others are famous and infamous or just invite you to linger.

1. Speicherstadt, HafenCity and Elbphilharmonie - Hamburg's historical and modern treasures

The Speicherstadt is definitely one of the most important sights in Hamburg. This historic district proves to be an excellent starting point for any exploration of the city - whether on foot, by bike or by car. The Speicherstadt is the world's largest historical warehouse complex, which borders directly on the port of Hamburg. The building complex is a listed building and on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The architects of the Speicherstadt studied church construction, which can be clearly seen in the architecture of the complex.

The Hafencity, built in the 2000s, borders directly on the Speicherstadt. It is a district on the Elbe that borders directly on the port of Hamburg and the city center. The Hafencity is now a lively district with many shops, private apartments, a university and of course many tourists and day visitors. Here you can shop to your heart's content, sit in the sun on the Marco Polo terraces or take a look at the playful, modern architecture.

At the top of Hafen City is the Elbphilharmonie. The concert hall, which was completed in November 2016, has become a world-famous landmark for Hamburg in recent years - similar to the opera house in Sydney. The 110 meter high building is located between Hafen City and the Landungsbrücken. There is an observation deck approximately halfway up the building. And of course it is also an incredible experience to watch a concert in the building during your Hamburg city trip.

2. St. Pauli Landungsbrücken - the maritime heart of Hamburg

The St. Pauli Landungsbrücken is a large pier on the northern edge of the port of Hamburg with direct access to the city. You are not far from the St. Pauli fish market. Today, harbor ferries, which travel in the harbor like buses, and excursion ships dock here.

The old Elbe tunnel is also located directly at the jetties and is now only accessible to pedestrians as a historical relic. You can take a leisurely stroll through there. The historic reception building at the Landungsbrücken with the bell tower is also a tourist attraction.

3. Reeperbahn - the vibrant nightlife in the heart of St. Pauli

The Reeperbahn is the main street in the entertainment district of St. Pauli. Both day and night, this neighborhood is a juggernaut for those looking for fun. You can party all night long in bars and clubs, simply go out for a good meal or take in the lively life of the district.

Of course, those interested can also gain an insight into the red light district by visiting Herbertstrasse. There are certainly enough bars and clubs in the neighborhood: Hamburger Berg, Große Freiheit and Hans-Albers-Platz are full of rustic bars.

4. Shopping variety and relaxation on Jungfernstieg and in downtown Hamburg

With its countless retail stores, Hamburg city center is ideal for shopping to your heart's content. There are a number of shops on Jungfernstieg, Gänsemarkt, Neuer Wall, Alten Wall, Mönckebergstrasse and Spitaler Strasse. From fashion to technology, there is sure to be a shop to suit every taste.

As a visitor to Hamburg, you should of course also stroll past the Hamburg City Hall. Of course, you can also simply drink a coffee in the center of Hamburg and take a look at the Binnenalster, the lake right on the Jungfernstieg.

5. Relaxation and nature experience on the Outer Alster and on the Alstertreek

Above the Inner Alster is the much larger Outer Alster, which is a large lake in the center of Hamburg. Here you can go for a wonderful walk in the surrounding parks. The Outer Alster can also be easily circumnavigated on foot; the route is approximately 7,4 kilometers long.

You can sit in the sun here or even rent a pedal boat, rowing boat or stand-up paddling board with which you can explore the water side of the large reservoir. Above the Alster there are various canals, the so-called Alsterstreek. There are beautiful old villas here that are located directly on the canals. A great area for walking or jogging.

6. Hamburg's maritime side - Elbstrand,treppenviertel and Falkensteiner Ufer

Yes, Hamburg also has its own beach – the Elbstrand. It is located not far from the city center in Altona. It begins at the museum harbor and stretches along the Elbe for many kilometers to Wedel in Schleswig-Holstein. On the Elbe beach there are various opportunities to have a drink or something to eat or just relax and unwind.

The Övelgönne Elbe beach near the museum harbor is popular with Hamburg residents - but it is often overcrowded. It is also ideal to explore the Elbe beach by bike, as this entire section of the bank is many kilometers long. The staircase district and the Falkensteiner Ufer are located approximately at the level of Blankenese. The staircase district is a part of the Blankenese district, which is built on the slope towards the banks of the Elbe.

Many of the houses and villas can only be reached on foot via the more than 5000 steps in the district. The district has an almost Mediterranean impression and is therefore a popular excursion destination. Not far from the staircase district is the Falkensteiner Ufer, which stretches from Blankenese to Rissen. This is a large landscape protection area, on the shore of which there is also a section of beach. The best way to get there is by bike or by S-Bahn to Blankenese.

7. The unique Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg

The Miniatur Wunderland is located in Hafen City. The largest model railway system in the world is located on a huge area of ​​1500 square meters in the Speicherstadt. A total of 15,7 kilometers of tracks were installed in Miniatur Wunderland.

Since opening in 2001, the facility has continued to grow. The Miniatur Wunderland is now one of the most important sights in Hamburg.

8. Planten un Blomen - an oasis of calm and beauty in the heart of Hamburg

The approximately 47 hectare Planten un Blomen park is located right in the center of Hamburg near the television tower. It all started on November 6, 1821, when the park's first tree was planted using a plant tree. Planten un Blomen is an extensive green area that runs like a green lung through the center of Hamburg.

There you can discover countless plants, marvel at the colorful nighttime water light concert or simply sit and relax in the sun between a rippling pond and lots of greenery. In addition to many facilities such as playgrounds, Planten un Blomen also has a tropical greenhouse, the so-called Mediterranean terraces and a tea house in the Japanese garden. Accordingly, Planten un Blomen should definitely be on your city trip to-do list for Hamburg.

9. Stadtpark Hamburg - a green oasis with a fascinating planetarium

The Hamburg City Park is a large park northeast of the Outer Alster in the Winterhude district. The park consists of small wooded areas, large lawns, numerous cafes and winding walkways. There is also a large lake on the southeastern edge, the Stadtparksee. The large meadow in the middle of the park is called the festival meadow.

The architectural highlight of the park is certainly the planetarium. This is the park's landmark. The planetarium was originally a water tower, which was later converted into a planetarium and is now the most visited star theater in Germany. The planetarium hosts multimedia astronomical exhibitions.

10. Hagenbeck Zoo - a fascinating experience for animal lovers

No city trip to Hamburg is complete without a visit to Hagenbeck's zoo. The traditional Hagenbeck Zoo is located in the Stellingen district and was founded in 1863 by Karl Hagenbeck Senior. In 2007 the zoo was expanded to include a Hagenbeck tropical aquarium.

Hagenbeck Zoo is the only zoo in Germany that is still privately owned today. In the zoo there are a variety of animal species to discover, from elephants to orangutans and from sharks to turtles in the tropical aquarium.

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Hamburg has many facets – activities for your city trip

Of course, the countless sights in Hamburg are only one side of the coin. On the other hand, you can of course also start an incredible number of leisure activities in Hamburg that will allow you to discover the metropolis in a completely different way. Below I have a few Hamburg activities and suggestions for you that might serve as a little inspiration to discover the city from a completely different perspective.

1. Discover the diversity of Hamburg on foot

The distances in Hamburg are not that far. Accordingly, you can easily explore Hamburg on foot. Going around the Outer Alster takes around 1,2 hours and is a distance of 7,4 kilometers. The routes in the city center are also likely to be within a similar framework.

Anyone who is good on foot can easily discover the center in detail within a day. Of course, you will come across many stations along the way where you will want to stop - plan more time accordingly.

2. Hamburg from the water - harbor and Alster tours

Another good way to discover Hamburg is a harbor tour or an Alster tour. There are several commercial providers at the jetties where you can book a harbor tour. Alternatively, there is the option of using a public HVV harbor ferry, which runs like buses in the harbor.

The Alster ships, in turn, sail on the Alster and are also used as a means of transport either for tourists or as a replacement for buses. This is a great way to explore the city from the water.

3. Running through Hamburg – jogging along the Alster or in the city park

In Hamburg I can go jogging pretty well anywhere. If you like running, you can also discover the city with a relaxed run. For example, I like to jog around the Alster - one lap is 7,4 kilometers long, but can be extended as desired. You can also walk wonderfully in the city park and even jog through the forest.

However, the distances are shorter in the city park and you have to come up with a few ideas to cover more kilometers. For example, I simply run my running route in the city park twice in a row.

4. Hamburg from the water – canoeing and Stand Up Paddling (SUP) on the Alster

If you come to Hamburg by car, I recommend bringing your inflatable boat, SUP board or kayak with you in summer. On the Alster and the surrounding canals you can easily put your water sports equipment into the water and explore the center of the city from the water. I have already written a detailed article about SUP on the Alster, in which you can find a lot of important information about stand-up paddling on the lake.

5. With the city bike through Hamburg's vibrant city center

It's also a great idea to explore the center of Hamburg with one of the numerous rental bikes. You can easily rent a bike using the app, ride it across the city and return it at any station as you wish. Depending on the provider and tariff, sometimes even a few minutes are free.

6. Discover the diversity of Hamburg's museum landscape

Hamburg is incredibly rich in museums. Of great importance are, for example, the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Bucerius Art Forum at the town hall, the Deichtorhallen Hamburg, the International Maritime Museum, the Museum of Hamburg History, the Museum of Work and the Museum of Art and Industry, to name just a few.

7. Culinary diversity in Hamburg's restaurant scene

You can eat in an incredibly diverse variety of ways in Hamburg. From good and cheap to expensive and exquisite, there is the right restaurant for every taste. There are many tourist areas with restaurants, such as the Portuguese Quarter near the Landungsbrücken. You can eat very well and cheaply in the Schanzenviertel. There are also many opportunities to eat excellently in St. Pauli.

8. Pure relaxation – Hamburg's beach bars

There are numerous beach bars in Hamburg where you can relax in the sun with great views and a cold drink. The bars that are located directly on the Elbe and offer an unobstructed view of the harbor are particularly relaxed. Other beach bars can be found on Spielbudenplatz in St. Pauli or on the roof of the Hamburger Meile in the Mundsburg Center.

9. Picturesque surroundings - the Vier- und Marschlande and the Dove Elbe

The Vier- and Marschlande in the southeast of Hamburg are an idyllic and picturesque area located directly on the Elbe. One of the highlights here is the Dove Elbe. In the Vier- und Marschlanden there is often the opportunity to buy goods directly from the farms - such as fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs and flowers.

Travel information Hamburg

Arrival, city map, hotels, useful information

Hamburg can be easily reached from all directions. You can get to Hamburg with your own car via the A1, A7 or A24 motorway. There are excellent rail connections and a wide range of flight connections from many German cities.

How to get there

The journey to Hamburg is extremely comfortable and varied, so that you can plan your trip according to your individual preferences and needs. Thanks to the well-developed A1 motorways from Bremen/Ruhrgebiet, A7 from Hanover and A24 from Berlin, drivers can quickly and easily find their way to the Hanseatic city.

Air travelers benefit from a large number of daily flight connections from various German cities such as Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich or Stuttgart, which take you quickly and easily to Hamburg Airport. So you can decide for yourself which type of travel best suits your needs and your travel style, so that your visit to Hamburg becomes an unforgettable experience.

Hamburg city map

A good city map is the key to getting the most out of your visit to Hamburg, the fascinating port city in northern Germany.

Hotels and accommodations

In Hamburg you can choose between a number of good hotels. The most famous hotels are the Hotel Atlantic on the Outer Alster and the Hotel Vier Saisons on the Binnenalster. You can find cheaper hotels throughout the city. You can find private accommodation on AirBnb.

FAQs Hamburg – the most important questions and answers about your city trip

I've been living in Hamburg for over 15 years now, so I think I can call myself a Hamburg insider. If you visit Hamburg for the first time, I would actually focus on the typical sights - because they are worth seeing. In the second step, you can concentrate more on the insider tips for Hamburg in order to get to know the city better. I have put together the most important questions and answers about the Hanseatic city and your city trip to Hamburg for you. There should definitely be one or the other inspiration for you.

Related Articles

Many more ways to discover Hamburg

In my travel report I introduced you to some hot spots and Hamburg tips. As a travel blogger, I know a lot about my adopted home. There are many other discoveries that I didn't mention in my post. The more I think about it, the more hot spots come to mind. With this travel report you will definitely have more than enough to do for a weekend in the Hanseatic city.

Travel Report Hamburg - insider tips for the most beautiful city in the world

My detailed conclusion

Hamburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. The metropolis offers a high quality of life and many opportunities both for a city trip and for living. Everyone will find their own piece of Hamburg. Personally, I prefer the early summer days when the whole of Hamburg turns into “Little Italy” along the water and in cafés.

From [the Elbphilharmonie, Note. The editorial] from Hamburg stretches along the Elbe and can be wonderfully explored on foot. The city has many surprises to offer: beach bars on the Elbe, which are only closed in winter, a nightlife that is among the best in Europe, and numerous charming small buildings that you can discover on walks.

Lonely Planet

Do you have any other insider tips? Have you ever been to the Hanseatic city or are you planning a city trip to the far north? Share your experiences in the comments.