Top things to do in Hamburg

Historical, trendy and vibrant. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany after Berlin. A perfect destination for both business and tourism. Whether its underground art or miniature worlds, parks full of fun or a morning fish market to start the day right, there’s no shortage of options when deciding what to do in Hamburg. 

As one of Europe’s largest ports there is an internationally eclectic feel to the city that still manages to hold onto its strong German traditions. Over recent years the city has flourished in its appeal to tourists from around the world and stands proud as one of the continent’s hottest spots for a weekend break. And you can get even more from your time there by following these insider tips with the top things to do in Hamburg.

1. Soak up the Fischmarkt vibe

For a true sense of the tradition of this port city, one of the best things to do is exploring the Hamburger Fischmarkt. The market has been a bustling trading focal point since it opened early in the 18th century and although seafood may be the highlight, there’s a flurry of activity from vendors of all types of items ranging from rare antiques to freshly picked flowers. 

The key to a visit here though is not to pick up a bargain, although you will almost certainly not be able to resist at least one, but to soak up the tradition and culture of a bygone era.

2.Visit the Port

One of our favorite things to do in this city is to head to the nearby canals and waterways, which have given Hamburg the nickname ‘Venice of the North’. This port with 800 years of history is among the largest in the world and is the second largest in Europe. 

Nearby you’ll find the Merchants District, with its characteristic red brick architecture and stately buildings. One of the most emblematic attraction is the Elba Philharmonic, built on the foundation of an old port warehouse.

3.. Explore the Historic Center

The historic center or Altstadt is filled with lively streets, large buildings and some of the tallest churches in Europe. They’re covered with copper sheets that have acquired a green color over time. In half an hour, you can see its nooks and hidden corners. Nearby, overlooking the Binnenalster Lake, is the Hamburg City Hall (Rathaus) which was built at the end of the 19th century. There you can walk through the bustle of shops, galleries, museums, restaurants …

4. Sky views from St. Michaelis Kirche

Another iconic symbol of Hamburg is the baroque church of St. Michaelis Kirche. The city’s most famous church has gone through various reincarnations following lightning damage, a great fire and then World War II bombing but now stands proudly as a reconstructed replica. 

Hosting Germany’s largest clock tower, it reaches over 100 meters into the sky and the viewing platform there gives breath-taking panoramas over the city, the port area and the Alster lakes. For added effect, twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, a watchman plays a trumpet solo from the platform. Certainly worth timing it right.

5. Walking in a Miniatur Wunderland

Although targeted at the younger generation, the magical world created in Miniatur Wunderland is one of the most exciting things to do in Hamburg for people of any age. You can reach it in about 15 minutes on the subway and one of the immediate exhibits you’ll see is, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest model railway system in the world. 

It really is impressive. Watch as visiting children, many local Hamburgers, press the countless buttons available to them allowing interactions with all the goings on of a modern world: airports, fire emergencies, space station and even a chocolate factory are all functional. It’s even divided into time zones that reflect the changes from day into night, sunrises to sunsets, the only difference, of course, is that they’re all in miniature.

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6. Deep culture in the Elbtunnel

A tunnel may not sound too appealing, but the Alter Elbtunnel is an experience worth the visit. And don’t just take my word for it. Several film and music video directors have chosen this space as the perfect backdrop for their mini masterpieces. 

Built in the early 20th century it sits around 24 meters below the water of the River Elbe and with its decorative walls giving tiled pictures of not only marine life but also imagery from the fishing industry as well as some less-obviously linked, there is a real quirky feel that always gives the impression of it being a special place to stand. So much more than just a connecting tunnel between downtown Hamburg and the docks, it’s also part of the route of one of the world’s few underground marathons.

7. Operettenhaus presents live musicals in trendy district

The musical scene in Hamburg is quickly becoming legendary and with areas like the Reeperbahn and Schanzenviertel fun is never hard to come by. Our tip to enjoy Hamburg as a local, though, offers something just a little different, and that is a memorable night at the Stage Operettenhaus, which sits within the Reeperbahn. 

It’s where the world-famous British group The Beatles honed their talents at playing live and offers up musicals such as Mamma Mia, Aladdin and a successful sequel to The Phantom of the Opera among many more contemporary German performances. Fancy a classy night out with the option of a beverage in one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Europe afterwards? This could be the ideal ticket for you.

8. Plans for families

If you’re visiting Hamburg with the family, there are plenty of plans to do with the little ones, like a visit to the fantastic Hamburg Zoo, where the children can hand feed the elephants, admire the lions and tigers and enjoy the impressive underwater scenery of the Aquarium. The Zoo opened in 1907 and is one of a kind; there are no cages and the animals freely roam in open enclosures surrounded by moats. 

An absolute treat for Hamburger parents is the huge park of Planten un Blomen, which can keep all the family entertained for hours with daily returns often requested by the younger members. It’s just 10 minutes by foot from the NH Collection Hamburg City and full of amusement to meet all tastes. As well as just enjoying the ample green space, there are attractive playgrounds for kids to burn up energy and a challenging mini-golf course to pit one against the other in a fun environment. 

Creating objects in a pottery workshop is not something you can do every day and can be appreciated by all age groups and then for the more recent additions to the family there’s a puppet theater for endless delight. Keeping the interest in the park fresh sees changes across the year with, for example, a stunning Japanese garden through the summer and an ice rink around Christmas.

9.The cuisine of Hamburg

Exploring the gastronomy is one of the most essential things to do in Hamburg. For an informal meeting, Bullerei, in the Sternschanze District, is one of the best-known restaurants in the city. Housed in an old but remodeled building, the restaurant offers a gastronomic proposal combining innovation in flavor and presentation of its traditional dishes. In addition, it has a terrace where you can enjoy sunny days and Summer and Spring nights.

La Sepia is located in this same neighborhood. You can try the local fish there at a competitive price, in its wooden chairs and banks. It’s been serving fish and seafood for two decades and stands out for its hamburgers made with these same ingredients. It has an open kitchen and you can also visit its aquarium.

If you prefer a more formal restaurant, we suggest Parlament. It’s menu mixes German tradition with international cuisine. Located in the heart of Hamburg next to the Town Hall or Rathaus, it’s an exquisite place for cuisine with original flavors and presentation.

10.Nightlife in Hamburg

After your working hours, if you are looking for a drink, Gröninger Braukeller is a tavern in the historic center, that makes its own beer. In Reeperbahn, you can find Meanie Bar, a nice and informal place with a bohemian touch where you can enjoy cheap drinks and good music. 

Christiansens Fine Drinks & Cocktails, a modern bar with one of the best selection of drinks of the city with a medium price, is also nearby. The city’s nightlife can be found in the St. Pauli neighborhood, full of flashy nightclubs, bars and restaurants. One of the best known is Zur Ritze; in its basement you can visit the boxing club where Mike Tyson and the Klitschko brothers were trained. 

And close by on Reeperbahn street – the so-called ‘red light district’ of Hamburg – you can enjoy drinks and fun in the heart of the city in spots like Halo, Club Hamburg, China Lounge or Thomas Read.

11.Shopping in Hamburg

If your rather spend your free time shopping in Hamburg, you can’t miss the Karoviertel district. It has several little stores and workshops that sell their unique items or display their craft. For a less traditional atmosphere check out the district of Sternschanze, where you can complete your stroll by making a stop at one of the trendy cafes and restaurants that abound in its streets.

Now, the commercial area par excellence of the city is in the center. On streets like Mönckebergstrasse there are department stores, shopping centers, galleries and shops housed in historic buildings. Another of the most popular streets is Spitalerstrasse, where you can find trendy international clothing stores as well as jewelers, bookstores and cafés. For luxury brands you have to head to the Jungdernstieg walk.

12. Stroll through the HafenCity district

The famous city quarter oozes history and shows an interesting contrast between the old and the new. Did you know that the city is Europe’s most important development project? Since 2008, this urban regeneration project focuses on turning the existing old warehouses into residential areas, shops, hotels and office buildings. Our tip? Take a stroll along the waterways and enjoy the UNESCO buildings, such as the Speicherstadt, the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, the International Maritime Museum of Hamburg, and the numerous bridges. Visiting this place at night will give you a perfect sight of the ships’ and city lights reflecting on the water.

13. Visit the main museums of the city

There are many galleries and museums in Hamburg where you can learn all about the Hamburg’s wonderful history, like the International Maritime Museum, with a variety of exhibits and displays that will take you on a trip through the city’s past and the relationship between humanity and the sea. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll have the chance to learn how chocolate is produced (and then try some) at the Chocoversum Museum, they even let you make your own chocolate! The Miniatur Wunderland Museum is a must for the little ones and adults alike. Want to visit 15 different areas around the world in a couple hours? It’s not impossible thanks to the great mini-cities models, you’ll utterly love its details and quirks! 

You shouldn’t have any doubts by now, Hamburg is definitely a place to visit. Alone, with friends, with that special someone or with the family. There are interesting and fun things to do in Hamburg for everyone!

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About Ricardo Carvalho

In Hamburg we say “Moin”! My name is Ricardo Carvalho and I'm a “Hamburg Jung” (Hamburg boy) with Portuguese roots. I was born here, and I live in and love Hamburg.
In order to share my enthusiasm for the city, I started training as a hotel specialist at the NH Hamburg Altona in 2007, and moved to the NH Collection Hamburg City in 2015.
With the philosophy of the NH Collection brand as well as the special service Guest Relations offers I have found my perfect job! I am always happy to show my guests the most beautiful city in the world and enjoy making their visit to Hamburg as memorable as possible.