Hamburg is a city in northern Germany, ideal to visit if green areas are to your liking. Here, you will find rivers, lakes, beaches and green parks that will make your stay peaceful and pleasant. But this is just the beginning, as this German city has much more to offer, and here we will show you what you can see in Hamburg, so you won’t miss anything. No excuses!
Things to do in Hamburg
Elbe Philarmonic
It is beautiful inside and out. The architecture is also very detailed and the place has a 360 degree view in which you can see Hamburg in its true splendour. In the evenings, the view intensifies as the sun sets and paints the sky a magnificent orange. In addition to the viewpoint, you can go to see one of the plays that are performed, which are usually booked in advance for the convenience of most tourists. Because of the stalls, you can see the show from wherever you sit.
As if that were not enough, the entry to this imposing building is completely free.
Hamburg City Hall
It is one of the most photographed places in Hamburg, and for obvious reasons, since this is one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in this city. As a result it is the most visited, making this a tourist site par excellence if you want to bring out your inner photographer. The photos and views offered by this neo-Renaissance building at 112 metres tall and more than 100 metres wide, is simply unparalleled.
It is worth noting that entry is completely free, and from here you can visit the central square.
Explore Kunsthalle Museum in Hamburg
If you are going to spend several days in Hamburg, Kunsthalle is a must-see. It has many works from the German quattrocento and its collection also ranges from medieval times to contemporary art. This museum also guarantees a trip through several centuries with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Manet, Renoir, Picasso and other artists from different places and styles. A magnificent place to enjoy art without the crowds of other more famous museums.
St. Michael’s Church
If you want to see a church in Hamburg, this is definitely the place to be. The interior design resembles a concert hall, neat and elegant, with carpet decorating the whole room. It is a must see.
The main altar is truly beautiful, decorated with a monumental painting and crucifix. The tower is over 100m tall and the views of the city from the bell tower are as marvellous as the city itself. If you want to visit another church, don’t worry, there are several churches to see in Hamburg. The other one is St. Peter’s Church, which will surely surprise you as much as St. Michael’s Church.
Reach the Aussichtplattform Elbphilarminie
This free observation deck has some of the most beautiful views in all of Germany. It is a great experience you will never forget, even the way up the endless stairs under a ceiling that looks like a starry sky is fantastic.
Once at the top, the combination of glass, steel and brown tones shines through and makes it one of the most welcoming places you will see in Germany, and really, anywhere else in the world.
Chilehaus
If you pass through Hamburg and you like architecture, this is definitely a mandatory visit. Monumental, a play with perspectives, an example of architectural expressionism, along with many other things, is everything you can appreciate at Chilehaus.
This building is unique. It is impossible not to be surprised when you see it. It was built by order of an illustrious English merchant who made his fortune in Chile as a result of the War of the Pacific, which caused Peru to lose kilometers of coastline. This monument demands your attention with all its details.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Hamburg
The immensity of Hamburg and all it has on offer will make you want to travel from end to end, without missing any of its wonders. Therefore, we have made a list of destinations outside Hamburg, so you don’t miss them on your trip.
Freilichtmuseum am Kiekeberg Museum
One of the best museums you can see in Hamburg is the Kiekeberg. It is also a museum that you can touch and admire every detail up close. There is plenty to see for young and old, and in general, it is for all ages.
More than a museum, it is a journey back in time to our cultural past, with original or restored buildings and a lot of exhibits. The tractors alone are impressive from the start. Free for children and very inexpensive for adults.
It takes two hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. There are also special event days.
Travellers often recommend Willkommhöft, as it is said to always be worth a visit! It is one of the most iconic places to see on the outskirts of the city, more specifically in the Elbe. Here the ships entering or leaving the port of Hamburg are received or dismissed with their flag and national anthem.
It is a good place to have lunch, dinner or a cold beer while watching the ships. Nearby there are plenty of parking areas, and you can also walk from the S-Bahn to Wedel station. What are you waiting for?
Chill in Elbstrand Beach
It’s always a good idea to go to the beach! On this beautiful sandy beach in Hamburg, you can’t miss the stunning sunset. The atmosphere is so pleasant on the Elbe beach. Here you can also relax and enjoy a lovely walk. You can also sunbathe and listen to the water here with a beautiful view of the sun and the sea.
Things to do in Hamburg with kids
Explore the Tierprk Hagenbeck Zoo
Tierpark is the Hamburg Zoo that has all the wonderful things to see. Enjoy nature with the family and at the same time meet and pet some animals. It’s a great experience, you won’t want to miss it if you get the chance. After exploring the entire zoo, sit and relax with the family.
The best thing about this park are definitely the elephants. The penguin habitat is great because it is quite cold and they have space to swim. You can see lions up close and even when they are asleep. There are many animals and what is best is that they are not fenced in and the spaces are open,. The sea lions are great and it’s even better if you can see them when they are being fed. It is worth the price in our opinion.
Visit Miniatur-Wunderland
If you think the idea of spending a few hours in a model museum will be boring, when you enter Wunderland you will change your mind. Each environment feels like you are crossing a dimension, totally different from the previous one. The replicas of many places in the world are almost exact. It is very entertaining; great for both children and adults. In short, it is one of the best museums you can see in Hamburg.
The level of detail of the models is spectacular, with some artistic license on behalf of the creators. It is also all animated and very dynamic with buttons to activate certain animations. What stands out most among the tourists who visit it, is the airport, as it has the whole process perfectly recreated from takeoff, landing, taxiing on the runway and connection to the terminal.
Panoptikum Hamburg
This small wax museum will surprise you more than you think. Despite its size, the variety of sculptures that you will find, more than being varied, are completely beautiful and detailed. The wax figures lend themselves to an infinite number of photos that you will surely want to take.
The location is excellent, right next to Operettenhaus at Spielbudenplatz. The St. Pauli subway station is just a few minutes’ walk away. The wax figures are lovingly designed and richly detailed, although you won’t always find one that looks exactly like the original.
Heide Park
If you are looking for a place to have fun with your child or younger sibling, this place is the right one. Not only is it an amusement park, which will ensure hours and hours of fun with the little ones of the house, but it also has amazing views and easy access to the nearby lake.
It is a huge park with a lot of attractions and a giant lake in the middle of the park. This park has a pirate theme. Depending on where you stay, one way or another you can see practically everything this park has to offer.
Things to do in Hamburg in a weekend
Botanical Garden of Hamburg
As they usually are, botanical gardens are magical places. The green of nature and the blue of the sky complement each other perfectly, this garden is no exception. With peace and silence, the entrances of this garden are also open to any tourist who wants to spend some time in its surroundings, free of charge. You are free to stroll and admire what nature has to offer, in greenhouses or just sitting on the lawn.
The botanical garden of the University of Hamburg is worth seeing at any time of the year. A beautifully landscaped environment with a lot of different plants from the most diverse vegetation zones. Don’t forget to add it to your must-see sites during your stay in Hamburg.
Visit the Tropen-Aquarium Hagenbeck
If you are looking for an experience for the whole family, the Tropen Hagenbeck Aquarium is definitely the place to spend an afternoon, or a whole day, enjoying the aquatic wonders that the sea has to offer.
Definitely worth a visit! With a great facility and great view of the animals, who would want to miss a place like this? Besides providing entertainment for hours, it also has employees that will make your visit to the aquarium a biology class that you will never forget.
Ahrensburg Castle
For a short trip, the Ahrensburg Castle is a place not to be missed. For historical and artistic reasons, this place is perfect, whether to learn about the way of life of the high nobles, as well as to see the aesthetics and architecture that shapes this castle. With its small size being a large part of its charm, this castle will not take you long to walk through, but it will certainly take you a long time to forget about it.
Have fun in Wilhemsburg Island Park
If you are looking for a nice area with varied architecture, well lit even at night, this park has to be on your priority list. With a great set of playgrounds, here, you can go for a walk outdoors and breathe fresh air, while you think about taking a canoe ride, or play with the little ones in the many games that this park has to offer.
A great place for a stroll, a boat ride or just to relax. There is much to discover for children everywhere.
Things to do in Hamburg in winter
Walk around Neuer Wall
At Christmas time this street comes to life, due to its architecture, decorations and Christmas lights. It is located in the centre of the city and is the most luxurious street in Hamburg. Ideal for an evening stroll, and… why not do some shopping in the luxury clothing, jewellery and furniture stores on this street?
The stores are prestigious and international. So, if you want to shop, remember to check your wallet.
Chocoversum Chocolate Museum
A delicious experience. Where? At the chocolate museum, which is an excellent option to visit during the cold season. Here you will find different activities to do, which by the way, are very educational. You will learn about chocolate, with the exhibitions of how cocoa is developed until it is consumable or used for the preparation of chocolate, as well as the great selection of different types of chocolates that they have on display and that you can taste.
The most fun activity is creating your own chocolate with the ingredients of your choice, which you can take home. The tour in this chocolate museum is approximately 90 minutes, which goes by super fast!
EisArena Hamburg
Winter has its advantages, and one of them is the ice rinks, such as EisArena Hamburg, located in the centre of the city. A spacious, beautiful and inexpensive place, where you can perform activities such as curling or skating with DJ music on weekends, which makes your adventure more fun. The price is only 7 euros.
It also has a bar and a locker to leave your things. If you don’t have skates, don’t worry, renting them is very cheap! What are you waiting for to visit it?
What to eat in Hamburg?
If you thought that the places of Hamburg are the best thing about the city, it is because you have not yet tasted the food that Hamburg has to offer. With a unique cuisine, Hamburg promises to surprise you with all kinds of dishes and flavors of your choice.
Enjoy the Finkerwerder Scholle
A traditional Hamburg dish you cannot miss during your stay, especially if you love seafood. It consists of a dish of plaice cooked with bacon and shrimp, usually accompanied with french fries or salad.
It is an exquisite dish that you must try, and if you do I recommend Hamburg Fish Market, located near the port The place is spacious, clean, quiet, the service is very good. You can also find other dishes, which will also be to your liking.
Eel Soup
One of the most characteristic soups, and certainly one of the most exotic for a tourist who is not experienced with German cuisine, is the eel soup. One of the dishes that you will see the most in Hamburg, since it is a native dish there.
Its ingredients include a kilo of eel, chopped in small pieces, along with a fish broth (or meat). That will undoubtedly give it that salty and spicy touch to the soup. Also garnished with carrots, celery, parsley, a spoonful of vinegar to increase the sweet and sour acidity of the soup. The final detail: a cup of white wine and fresh pepper.
Itineraries for your trip to Hamburg
With all the places that Hamburg offers us, it is up to you to choose what to see. We recommend you to take into account the following itinerary, so you do not miss any places.
Things to do in Hamburg in 1 day
- Elbe Philarmonic
- St Michael’s Church
- Botanical Garden of Hamburg
- Hamburg City Hall
- Heide Park
Things to do in Hamburg in 2 days
- Aussichtsplattform Elbphilharmonie
- Chilehaus
- Freilichtmuseum am Kiekeberg Museum
- Tierpark Hagenbeck Zoo
- Neuer Wall
- Ahrensburg Castle
- Tropen-Aquarium Hagenbeck
Things to do in Hamburg in 3 days
- Wilhelmsburg Island Park
- Miniatur-Wunderland
- Panoptikum Hamburg
- Chocoversum Chocolate Museum
- Kunsthalle Museum of Hamburg
- EisArena Hamburg
- Willkomm-Höft
How to plan your itinerary of the places you want to see in Hamburg?
Download the passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way and according to the days and places you want to see in Hamburg.
If you want to learn more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequent questions
Travellers are required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months considering the date of entry, round trip tickets not exceeding 90 days, international medical assistance insurance, proof of economic solvency.
Also, an informal letter of invitation may be requested if you are going to reside temporarily with a family member or friend. On the other hand, if you will be staying in a hotel, you must present proof of reservation.
In Hamburg you can use the train, the bus, Uber, something similar to Uber called “moia”, it’s like a shared cab created by Volkswagen. Also, you can use electronic scooters, rental bikes and regular cabs.
In my opinion, the most economical means of transport are the rental bikes called “StadtRAD” (tourists can use it). So you have an App where you can rent the bike and you pay a one-off fee of 5 €. After that, you can use the bike up to half an hour for free.
In Hamburg there are a lot of “checkpoints” where you can find and rent the bikes and where you can deliver them when you are done with your trip. I used “StadtRAD” during the whole summer in Hamburg, because trains and buses are quite expensive – for example, the cheapest ticket costs about 2 € and only for 2-3 stations.
An additional fact is that if you use the bike for more than 1/2 hour at a time, you pay a few cents per minute. But in the centre of Hamburg you will get anywhere quite fast with a bike. There are also many roads for bicycles as there are many people using this means of transport.
The tour guide service is totally free, they do not have a fixed price. Ideally you will recognise the service of the tour guide and pay them some percentage of money. You must book the tour first for the availability of the guide.
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