Hamburg

S-Bahn S1 station Klein Flottbek, buses 21 and 115· Free

For a century and a half, the botanical garden was situated in the current Planten un Blomen park, where the tropical greenhouses still remain. In 1979, the botanical garden was relocated to its current place in the Klein Flottbek…

· Cheap

One of the last generation of pre-containerisation cargo ships (built in the 1960s), now semi-permanently moored halfway between Landungsbrücken and the Speicherstadt, and is the largest functional cargo museum ship in the world.

The youngest and most famous of the five is also the only baroque church. This building is not the original St. Michaelis - that one (built 1647-1669) was destroyed by a lightning strike in 1750.

For a visit take S-Bahn S3 to Station "Veddel". Leave at its southern exit, cross the bus station and the street "Veddeler Straße". Then you stand in front of it.

It was built in 1892 under the guidance of Albert Ballin to provide medical care and accommodation to migrants, who were emigrating to the United States on HAPAG ships.

· Moderate

Glockengießerwall north of Hauptbahnhof. The museum houses an important collection of paintings from the 19th century with works from Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth, Philipp Otto Runge, Caspar David Friedrich, Adolf Menzel, and modern arts.

Kehrwieder 2· Moderate

The world's largest model railway layout. The panoramas include parts of Hamburg, the Alps, the American west, South America, and a Scandinavian exhibit which features automated ships on a body of water.

In the pedestrian street there are a lot of bars and clubs - a great place to go in the evening, although it's very crowded and it may get a bit dangerous in the weekend.

The most touristy part of Hamburg's harbour, close to the metro station with the same name. Piers connected with several bridges swim on the water adapting to the tide.

Rathausmarkt 1· Cheap

Hamburg's impressive city hall was built in 1897 out of sandstone in neo-Renaissance style, including a 112-m tower. The square in front of the city hall is the Rathausmarkt, hosting many events especially in summer.

Hamburg is home to the Hamburg State Opera House, one of the leading opera houses in Germany. It holds great historical significance, as in 1678 the first public opera house in Germany was built in Hamburg at Gänsemarkt Square, which is…

Volksparkstadion, Sylvesterallee

Die Rothosen (The Red Shorts) were promoted in 2025 and play soccer in Bundesliga, the top tier. Volksparkstadion has a capacity of 57,000 for domestic games and 51,500 for internationals and occasionally hosts concerts.

The Laeiszhalle is the main classical music hall in Hamburg, with two halls: the kleiner Saal and großer Saal. You can see the schedule on their website. For online ticket purchases, use Ticket Online.

U3: St Pauli

The Kiezkicker ("Neighbourhood Kickers") were relegated in 2026 and now play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, the second tier. Millerntor-Stadion has a capacity of 29,500 and is also used for concerts.

Every year in May the harbour birthday attracts millions of people. Dozens of stands and stages, a ship parade, and changing events are organised to celebrate the cities spring of wealth. The harbour dates from 1189.

U3 to St Pauli

The Dom is one of the largest fairs in Germany. The streets of the fairground, lined on both sides with rides, amusements and food and drink stalls, are some 3.3 km long.

A low-budget alternative for a boat tour on the river Elbe. A part of Hamburg's public transport system (HVV). If you have already bought a HVV day ticket, the ride is free.

on the Isebek Canal an easy walk from Eppendorfer Buam or Klosterstern U stations

Supper Club's name doesn't give you any clues about this business. It hires canoes and all manner of other unpowered water craft by the hour. When you have finished paddling you can eat at the outdoor cafe if you wish.

S-Bahn S3 Hamburg-Neuwiedenthal

At the city (state) border and continue in to Lower Saxony, the part in Hamburg is classified as a natural park. Viewpoints offer good views over the Elbe valley all the way to Altona.

From Landungsbrücken, you can make boat tours into the harbour, available from various companies and take around an hour. Big ships provide more comfort, but smaller ships also go through the Speicherstadt. Both are well worth the money.

Reeperbahn 140

Zur Ritze is fairly easy to find. It's near the Beatlesplatz at Reeperbahn; follow the signage down a small alley to the almost legendary door. The bar is almost always open, and it's a beautiful place to sit and talk all night.

Sternstraße 125, three minutes from S-Bahn station Sternschanze in the trendy neighbourhood of Schanzenviertel. Pizzas start fresh pasta (try Pasta Mista), the meat dishes are delicious (it is right next to the…

Winterhude district

Small bar in a trendy neighbourhood that serves good drinks and has an interesting crowd of customers: some shoppers that celebrate their latest fashions, office workers that cool down, night owls that warm up, and quite few people who…

Hallerstraße (U1)

Small and quite crowded Italian restaurant in the "Grindel" district near the university. Excellent Italian classics (pizza, pasta, etc.) for reasonable money.

Walking from Landungsbrücken down the river Elbe

For Germans, it's a classic to eat bread with fish on St. Pauli Fischmarkt, especially very early in the Sunday morning (meaning 05:00 - 09:30) when visiting Hamburg.

Rathausstraße 4

Classic French bistro in a beautiful historical building. Good place to get a coffee and pastry, or enjoy a leisurely lunch. Ground floor is very loud, crowded and busy.

Neuer Jungfernstieg 9-14

Complementing the Atlantic on the other side of the Kennedybruecke as one of Hamburg's finest and oldest hotels, Vier Jahreszeiten has been overlooking the Binnenalster since the early 20th century, expanded and refurbished many times…

over the Schleussenkanal in Hammerbrook

The hotel's slightly offside location makes it accessible by car and quite cosy. The neighbourhood consists of late 20th century development over canals, which may not be the most interesting in Hamburg, but the Hammerbrook S-Bahn station…

Dammtorwall 19

One of the Swedish chain's southernmost outposts is an all-new hotel opened in 2014, with an architecturally interesting building and Scandinavian flair throughout, meaning minimalist but tasteful appointments and lots of wood.

next to the Lohmuehlenstraße U-Bahn station,

A large midscale hotel aimed at travellers staying for longer periods. Rooms have a small kitchenette and many come with extra sofa-beds. Unfortunately, the old Suite Novotel standards are far behind what more modern hotels offer.

Heiligengeistbrücke 4

Situated right on the Alsterfleet, the Steigenberger is housed in a building made to look in line with Hamburg's traditional canal architecture. Inside you will find the usual German idea of Gemuetlichkeit combined with the chain's usual…

Bugenhagenstr. 8

The Hyatt took residence in an exquisitely-decorated historic building, and provides an oasis of relaxed tranquility in the busy area neighbouring the Hauptbahnhof.