There are a lot of things to do in Hamburg, but the following 10 + 5 + 1 attractions are the ones you don’t want to miss when visiting our city.
Plus 1? – Yes! Since November 2016 you can visit the Elbphilharmonie Hall Plaza and enjoy at a height of 37 metres a breathtaking 360° view of the city and the harbour.
Of course there are many, many other important buildings, places and events. And that’s why our guides will tell you everything about things to do during our Hamburg city tours.
Our 15 recommendations are:
1. Reeperbahn
When we talk “Reeperbahn” we usually mean the whole Red Light District of St. Pauli that the locals also call it “Kiez”.
The picture shows the Reeperbahn during the day but it really comes to life at night.
From bars to strip clubs to sex shops to restaurants to musical or theatre, you will find everything in terms of entertainment here, serious or sleezy or sinful, it’ s your choice.
Join our Red Light District Tour or book a private tour for you or your group and discover the craziest part of Hamburg!
2. Michel
One of the things to do in Hamburg is definitely to visit St. Michaelis or the Michel, as the people of Hamburg lovingly call it, is one of the main churches of the city of Hamburg and its No. 1 historic landmark.
The “Michel” Website will tell you that St. Michaelis is one of the most important neo-baroque churches in northern Germany and despite its size, it’s the “church in the village”.
The Michel is famous for its concerts and the view from the tower is extraordinary. The church is open at least eight hours a day.
3. Speicherstadt / Warehouse District
The warehouse district is the largest storage complex in the world that is built on oak pillars.
It is a protected landmark and home of one of the biggest storage areas for oriental carpets in the world.
It still houses some goods like coffee, tea or spices but the main attractions are some fine restaurants, coffee or tea bars or the Miniature Wonderland and the Hamburg Dungeon, among other attractive places to go.
The unusual architecture and the setting between the canals makes it a unique quarter of Hamburg, not to be missed. On a private Warehouse District Tour you will get all the information about this historical monument.
4. Alster
Hamburg is a city that is dominated by water.
We have the Elbe, the Alster and the Bille.
The Alster is a river that spreads its canals all over Hamburg.
In the center of the city we have the two Alster lakes and several canals all of which can be visited by boat. The Alster swans are famous for Hamburg as they are a sign for wealth and prosperity.
5. Fischmarkt / Fish Market
The Hamburg Fish Market is legendary.
Ideally you spend the whole night on the Reeperbahn and then visit the Fish Market which starts at 5 am in the summer (March to November) and 7 am in the winter.
It closes at 9:30 am but during those few hours you will have maximum fun with live bands, market stands and booths (not only fish but also vegetables, fruits, plants, crafts, crazy things, etc.).
If you show up towards the end of the market you might be lucky and get some bargains.
6. Rathaus / Townhall
One of the main sites is the beautiful townhall of Hamburg, a masterpiece of architecture, a must see.
Book our Hamburg City Tour and learn about the story behind this impressive building.
7. Planten un Blomen
This is a true oasis in the midst of the big city.
Ideal if you want to take a break or if you are interested in flowers, plants and trees.
We have a Japanese Garden, a Herb Garden, a Rose Garden and many more.
Visit the tropical plants or play with your kids on various playgrounds, listen to the evening water-light concert (dates and times of the water-light-concerts in 2023) or exercise on our in-line-skating rink (ice skating in the winter).
Or just relax somewhere on the lawn or in one of the cafés.
8. The Zoo
If you are interested in going to the zoo, best to click on the Hagenbeck’s Tierpark website.
9. Miniature Wonderland
The Miniature Wonderland exhibition features the largest model railway in the world. It spans over different model continents and is still growing.
For more information about the Miniature Wonderland click here.
10. Harbor
A must of the things to do in Hamburg is to visit the Hamburg harbor.
Hamburg without its harbor would be like a fish roll without fish.
It is the second largest sea port in Europe after Rotterdam and the 3rd largest container port.
11. Planetarium / Observatory
If you’d prefer to look at some stars inside a building rather than outside in the open sky, you can go to the Hamburg Observatory, located in Hamburg’s most popular park, the “Stadtpark“.
They also offer virtual journeys, concerts and poetry.
12. Dockland
The Dockland is one of Hamburg’s out-of-the-ordinary buildings.
This office building designed by star architect Hadi Theherani features a terrasse on the roof that is open to the public.
13. Open Air Concerts
Over the summer Hamburg offers a wide range of open air concerts starring famous musicians and bands. Location is the lovely Stadtpark stage in Hamburg’s central park.
14. Blankenese
Among the plenty of things to do in Hamburg, this is probably one you don’t want to miss.
This is one of the most beautiful districts in Hamburg. Located right on the river Elbe this former fisher town has preserved its charm and quaintness.
Definitely worth visiting. Book a Blankenese Tour and find out more.
15. St. Nikolai
The ruins of St. Nikolai Church are Hamburg’s anti-war memorial. Visit the ruins and the exhibition.
Pictures from above: Alsterfleet: Reinhold Kiss, Reeperbahn: Katharina Wieland Müller, Michel: Thorsten Jutzie, Speicherstadt: Antje Wulf, Alster: Bernd Sterzl, Fischmarkt: Waltraud Strobl, Rathaus: Bernd Sterzl, Planten un Blomen: Bernd Sterzl, Miniatur Wunderland: Örnii, Hafen: Marlies Schwerzin, Planetarium: hamburg-fotos-bilder.de, Dockland: Bernd Sterzl, Open Air Concerts: Paul-Georg Meister, Blankenese: Marlis Dülsen, Nikolaikirche: Lisa Schwarz, alle pixelio.de