📝 About the Author: Matthias aus Hamburg
Hamburg is an international city of world renown and beautiful. For many, “The Pearl on the Elbe” is even the most beautiful city in Germany. For me too, because there is simply so much to see and experience here that you can’t do it all in just 2 or 3 days. That’s why in this article I’ll tell you which Hamburg sights you absolutely have to see on a weekend and how you can do this as effectively and stress-free as possible with the little time you have. There are also tips on great places to stay, transportation within the city, which guided tours are worthwhile and which Hamburg delicacies you should definitely try.
This article is perfect for you if you haven’t been to Hamburg that often or even want to visit Hamburg for the first time. I will not only tell you the most important sights in Hamburg that you should definitely visit, but also give you routes that you can easily follow to visit sights that are close to each other as efficiently as possible.
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It’s that simple: Select the number of days, print out the PDF after booking or activate the City Card in the free app & show it at every attraction or on the HVV!
What if you don’t manage to see all of Hamburg’s sights? Never mind! Then just come back to Hamburg and combine your next visit with a cool Hamburg activity, an insider tip from the locals or a delicious breakfast. Of course, you can also get the right articles from me:
But enough of the introductory words. Here are the most famous Hamburg sights that everyone should definitely see at least once.
Hamburg sights on the map
All the Hamburg sights described in this article can also be found here on the map:
1. The Hamburg fish market
⏱️ Time: About 1 hour
The legendary Hamburg fish market is one of the oldest markets in Germany and a Hamburg attraction that you can only visit on Sundays. The market criers are particularly famous, trying to sell you their wares with their brusque voices and typical Fips Asmussen-style humor. Of course, you should also treat yourself to a crab roll or fish sandwich or two at the fish market.
Nothing beats the wonderful smell of fresh fish and coffee in the morning, while the seagulls screech over the Elbe and the market criers spout slogans that would make any hip marketing agency green with envy.
Matthias
Right next to the market, the historic fish auction hall is also worth a visit. In addition to fresh fish from the North Sea, there is also live music.
However, this attraction is not for late risers, as the fish market is only open in the morning, depending on the season:
- From April to October (summer season): Sunday 5:00 to 9:30 a.m.
- From November to March (winter season): Sunday 7:00 to 9:30 a.m.
If you come to the fish market at other times, you will find an empty place.
2. Jetties at Hamburg harbor & boat tour
⏱️ Time: About 30 minutes (if you don’t book a boat tour)
The Landungsbrücken are a historic part of the port of Hamburg and a symbol of the city’s maritime history. You can recognize the striking architecture of the clock tower and the green copper roofs from afar.
Steamships once docked here and even today the pontoons (floating platforms) are still a hive of activity. Opposite, the harbor cranes tower high into the air and boats, sometimes a huge freighter or a cruise ship, bob on the waves of the Elbe. You will hardly experience a more typical harbor flair than here at the Landungsbrücken anywhere else.
If you have enough time, you can also book a boat tour and discover even more of the harbor and the Elbe. Most of these tours start right here, from the Landungsbrücken. You can get a ticket at the sales stands on site. Or you can buy one online beforehand.
Here you will also find a very special boat trip where you can discover Hamburg from a different perspective: Hamburg by night: 90-minute evening harbor tour with lights
3. Old Elbe tunnel
⏱️ Time: About 30 minutes to take the elevator down, walk around a bit and back up again. If you walk to the other end and back again, plan about 1 to 2 hours.
The old Elbe tunnel is a truly special place in the Hanseatic city. Cars once drove along this 426.5 meter long tunnel to cross the Elbe underground. But today, most of it is only open to pedestrians and cyclists.
At the time of its completion in 1911, it was considered a masterpiece of engineering and was even the first large underwater tunnel in Europe. You can get down either via the stairs or via one of the 6 elevators (2 of which are for pedestrians).
4. Elbphilharmonie
⏱️ Time: 1 hour
The Elbphilharmonie, affectionately known as the Elphi by locals, is an absolute highlight that you should not miss when visiting Hamburg.
The impressive view of the city and the harbor from the plaza is not only breathtaking, but also free of charge. Note, however, that you will need a ticket, as the number of visitors who can access the 37-metre-high viewing platform via the large escalator at the same time is limited. You can purchase these tickets directly at the ticket offices on site, but to be on the safe side, it is advisable to book a Plaza ticket online in advance.
ℹ️ The construction work for the Elbphilharmonie concert hall lasted from 2007 to 2017 and cost around 866 million euros. That is 1025% more than the original cost estimate (77 million euros). However, the Elbphilharmonie is now considered one of the best concert halls in the world in terms of acoustics.
If you would like to find out more about the building, book an Elbphilharmonie tour with a guide (1 hour).
5. Speicherstadt
⏱️ Time: About 1 hour (without visiting a museum or tour)
The Speicherstadt is a historic warehouse complex that was built between 1883 and the late 1920s on thousands of oak piles driven deep into the ground. At low tide you can even see some of them.
🏛🌍 In 2015, the Speicherstadt and the neighboring Kontorhaus district with the Chilehaus were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The red-brick warehouses with their neo-Gothic façades are spread over several islands, which in turn are connected by countless bridges and cobblestone streets. In between, waterways and canals wind like a labyrinth in which a few boats occasionally get lost. This is probably the reason why the Speicherstadt is often referred to as the“Venice of the North“.
I sense something special as I stroll along these monumental yet delicately designed warehouses for the first time. Their red brick façades are gently reflected in the smooth water. The atmosphere is characterized by timeless grace and deeply rooted tradition. Goods from all over the world were once stored and loaded here. A hint of history hangs in the air, almost like something out of a fairy tale. The smell of coffee, spices and fresh bread from the surrounding museums, cafés and stores makes this past a little more vivid and tangible.
Matthias
My favorite place in the Speicherstadt is the Poggenmühlenbrücke, because from there you have a brilliant view of the moated castle and the warehouses. In the evening, the entire Speicherstadt is lit up in a romantic light. Especially then, the view from the bridge is brilliant. But my favorite time to visit is in the early morning hours, when it’s not so busy and sometimes the cool mist still hangs over the water.
In the Genuss Speicher, a quaint café with a roastery, you can take a look at the historic coffee store, treat yourself to a coffee and cake or store in the souvenir store.
You can also explore the Speicherstadt on foot or from the water on guided tours:
This tour offers you a very special exploration of the Speicherstadt: bus and boat in one: amphibious river and land bus ticket.
6. Miniature wonderland
⏱️ Time: At least 2-3 hours
The Miniaturwunderland is located in the middle of the Speicherstadt warehouse district and is not only one of the most popular sights in Hamburg and Germany, but also the largest model railroad in the world. As a result, the place is packed, especially at weekends. Spontaneous visits are often only possible with luck or involve long waiting times. This is because most visitors book online in advance and always specify their arrival time. At weekends, places are often only available very early in the morning.
In my opinion, it is still 100% worth a visit. I could spend the whole day here myself and I wouldn’t get bored. And I’m not even a big fan of model railroads. The layouts in Miniaturwunderland are so varied and so well designed that you can discover little stories and details everywhere.
A visit to Miniaturwunderland is like a little trip around the world, because from Italy to Rio de Janeiro to the fictitious Knuffingen, you will find numerous lovingly designed miniature worlds here. Everyone should see it at least once in their life.
Matthias
7. Chilehaus
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes
The Chilehaus is considered one of the most important buildings in the Kontorhaus district and is a key example of Brick Expressionism, an architectural style from the 1920s. The shape of the building is reminiscent of a ship and has a clinker brick façade typical of Hamburg.
ℹ️ The Chile House originally served as an office building for Chilean commercial interests and was a center for international trade and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
8. Main church St. Michaelis
⏱️ Time: 1 hour
This 132-meter-high Protestant church is often simply referred to as Hamburger Michel.
You can take the elevator to the top and enjoy the best view over the port and the rooftops of Hamburg. Admission to the viewing platform costs €8. You can buy tickets right next to the church in the souvenir store or online here. Instead of taking the elevator, you can also use the stairs to get to the top. This is a great option because there are some interesting facts about the Michel on the intermediate floors.
ℹ️ The Michel was originally built between 1647 and 1661 and has already burned down twice. The current building dates from 1786.
If you like, you can also visit the crypt under the church for an extra €2. Here you will not only learn more about the history of the church, but you will also find the graves of prominent Hamburg personalities under the vaults and columns. The interior of the church itself, which is also very impressive, can be visited free of charge.
9. Krameramtsstuben
⏱️ Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Right next to Hamburg’s Michel, you should also take a look at the Krameramtsstuben, one of the oldest surviving parts of Hamburg. The Krameramtsstuben were built in 1620 and originally served as living quarters for the widows and orphans of merchants (so-called “Kramern”).
In the alley, you can still experience the typical Hamburg half-timbered style in real life. Admission is also free. However, there is a small museum here as well as a restaurant and souvenir stores.
10. St. Nikolai church ruins
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes
There are few cities where a ruin is a landmark. In Hamburg, however, the remains of the city’s former main church are now a historical memorial for peace and reconciliation. The church was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War. Only the tower remained standing and is still open to the public today.
The price for the 76-meter-high viewing platform is €6 and you can buy admission tickets on site or online here.
There are also 5 freely accessible works of art to discover in and around the memorial:
- Ecce Homo
- Female angel
- Examination
- Earth angel
- Brochure
11. Jungfernstieg on the Binnenalster
⏱️ Time: 1 hour (without boat tour)
The Jungfernstieg is one of the city’s most famous promenades and is lined with historic buildings such as the Alsterhaus. It is located right next to the Binnenalster, a part of the Alster that flows through Hamburg, which was created by the construction of locks and looks more like a lake than a river.
You can stroll along, store or simply sit on a bench and watch the Alster fountain bubbling up to 60 meters high.
There is also the option of taking a boat trip on the Alster. You can explore not only the Inner Alster, but also the Outer Alster with its many canals.
ℹ️ With over 2,500 bridges, Hamburg has the largest network of bridges in Europe, far more than Venice and Amsterdam combined. Quite a few of them also cross the city’s huge network of canals. Only New York has more bridges in the world.
12. Hamburg City Hall
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes (without guided tour)
Hamburg’s town hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and perhaps even one of the most beautiful town halls in Germany. The magnificent façade in the style of the North German Renaissance with clinker bricks and sandstone as well as its many figures, reliefs and decorations is particularly impressive.
You can also visit the inside of the town hall, which is no less impressive. Guided tours are available for €7. However, it is also possible to enter at least the vestibule free of charge. The Hygieia Fountain in the inner courtyard of the town hall is also impressive. It honors the Greek goddess of health Hygieia and commemorates the great cholera epidemic at the time the town hall was built.
13. Planten un Blomen
⏱️ Time: 1 hour
Planten und Blomen is the most central park in Hamburg and is known for its beautiful gardens and water features. The name comes from Low German and stands for “plants and flowers” – a very fitting name for a park.
I think it’s particularly cool that there are many different themed gardens in Planten und Blomen, all of which you can discover on a walk. My favorites are:
- the Japanese garden with teahouse,
- the rose garden, which is a highlight especially in May and June when it is in bloom, and
- the old water cascades, a kind of pond landscape and the water stairs in the center of the park.
But there is much more to discover. You can find a map of the entire park here. If you are in the park at the right time, you should definitely not miss the water games of the water light organ in the park lake. These take place twice during the day (10 to 15 minutes without light and music) and once in the evening in the dark (30 minutes with light and music).
14. Green Bunker Feldstraße
⏱️ Time: 1 hour
A bunker in the middle of the city could easily be perceived as an ugly eyesore, but in Hamburg, the old flak tower from the Second World War is an impressive example of the creative transformation of a historic concrete building into a green oasis. Between 2019 and 2024, the roof of the bunker was extensively extended and redesigned.
Now over 23,000 plants dangle above the rooftops of St. Pauli. And since many evergreen species such as cypresses, junipers and pines were also used here, the bunker appears green even in winter.
The best thing is that admission to the roof of the bunker is free and from the top you have a great view of the FC St. Pauli stadium and the skyline of the Hanseatic city. Inside there are a few stores and restaurants, such as the restaurant “La Sala” and the restaurant “Karo&Paul”, which is run by the well-known TV chef Frank Rosin. There is also a hotel, the REVERB by Hard Rock.
15. Reeperbahn – The famous Red Light District
⏱️ Time: all night
The Reeperbahn is probably the most notorious party mile in Germany and needs no further explanation. There are various clubs, bars and one or two sinful establishments here.
ℹ️ The Reeperbahn was originally built in the 17th century as a rope road where ropes were made for shipping. The name “Reeperbahn” is derived from the word “Reeper”, which means “rope maker”.
If you want to find out more facts like these, but also more about the sinful history of the Reeperbahn, then it’s best to take a guided tour with a local:
Hamburger Berg
Hamburger Berg is a side street off the Reeperbahn and there are numerous bars in a row right next to each other. My favorites are Berg4, Barbarabar and Rosi’s Bar, but the others are also good alternatives. The legendary pubs “zum Goldenen Handschuh” and the “Elbschlosskeller” are also located in this street.
Herbertstrasse
Herbertstraße is a disreputable part of Hamburg’s Reeperbahn. It is just one alley, but only men are allowed to walk through it. Why is that? You can probably already guess.
16. Portuguese Quarter
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes to stroll around (longer if you want to eat something)
The Portuguese Quarter is located between Landungsbrücken and the port of Hamburg and was created in the 17th century when Portuguese and Spanish sailors and traders settled in Hamburg. Today, it is best known for its many Portuguese restaurants. Do you fancy seafood, bacalhau, pastéis de nata or a ruby red port wine? Then you’ve always come to the right place.
17. Staircase district in Blankenese (“Treppenviertel”)
⏱️ Time: 2 – 3 hours if you want to walk through the neighborhood
Blankenese is known for its many expensive villas right on the beach on the banks of the Elbe, where the city’s wealthy live. This area of Blankenese is also known as the “staircase district” because there are so many stairs from the beach to the top. Cozy cafés and inviting restaurants are hidden in between.
18. Sternschanze district
⏱️ Time: 1 – 2 hours
Sternschanze is one of the hipper and more alternative districts in Hamburg, very popular for going out at the weekend and especially frequented by younger generations. It is also often simply called “Schanze” or “Schanzenviertel”.
The Red Flora, a historic building that was occupied by activists in the 1980s and has been a cultural center and event venue ever since, is very well known here.
There are numerous cool restaurants, bars and clubs in the district where you can rave the night away. The following are particularly well-known:
- Goldfish bowl
- Cat
- Sofa bar
- House 73
- PALLAS
- Old girl Ratsherrn brewery inn
- Grandma’s pharmacy
- Berlin fraudsters
Routes on foot: along the most important Hamburg sights
As promised at the beginning of the article, I’ll give you 2 routes for a weekend in Hamburg, each of which you can do perfectly in one day and which will take you to as many of Hamburg’s most important sights as possible.
Both tours are packed with highlights, which is why I have always included the times. However, these are only estimates and depending on your pace and desire, you can also plan longer or shorter for individual sections of the route. Just bear in mind that guided tours or boat tours always start at certain times, which can vary depending on the provider. If you have already booked these in advance, you should plan your route accordingly so that you are there on time.
I have chosen the Hotel Hafen Hamburg as my starting point, as it is very centrally located. But you can also easily reach the starting points of the routes from all the other hotels recommended here.
Hamburg Route 1 (Saturday): City center, Alster, parks and Reeperbahn
- 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: First thing in the morning is a visit to Hamburg’s Michel, where you can get a first impression of Hamburg. Afterwards, take a quick look at the Krameramtsstuben and admire the typical half-timbered houses.
🗣 Not “Moin, Moin”, not “Moinsen”, but simply “Moin”. Nothing more. That’s how you greet each other in Hamburg, no matter what time of day.
- 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Continue to the St. Nikolai memorial, where you can see what was once the tallest church tower in the world. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there from the Michel.
- 11:00 – 12:00: Continue to Hamburg City Hall, which you can see inside and out. On the way you can get a coffee and a Franzbrötchen in the city center, through which you have to walk to the town hall, e.g. in the Zimt & Zucker Café.
- 12:00 – 12:45: Right next to the Rathausplatz is the Jungfernstieg, which you walk along once to look at the expensive products in the shop windows and enjoy the view of the Alster fountain on the Binnenalster.
- 12:45 – 14:45: Of course, a quick look at the Inner Alster is not enough for you and you have booked a cruise on the Alster. You also explore the Outer Alster and the many canals around it.
- 14:45 – 16:00: Walk along the Colonnaden from Jungfernstieg to Planten un Blomen in about 10 minutes. There you can stroll through the various themed gardens and enjoy the view of the greenery.
- 16:00 – 17:00: You haven’t had enough green yet, so you climb the green bunker on Feldstraße, which is just a few minutes’ walk from Planten un Blomen. From the top, you can once again enjoy the view over Hamburg.
- 17:00 – 18:30: Time to eat something. How good that the Schanzenviertel with its many hip restaurants is right next door (about a 10-minute walk).
- 18:30 – 21:00: From the Schanzenviertel you walk about 20 to 30 minutes to Beatles-Platz on the Reeperbahn, where many of the guided tours start, including those of the Kiezjungs, which you have of course booked in advance.
- 21:00 to open end: of course you have to experience the Reeperbahn at night. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the sinful mile and check out the bars on Hamburger Berg, Große Freiheit and Hans-Albers-Platz. But be careful: the Reeperbahn has swallowed many a visitor to Hamburg and only spit them out days later. And you also have to get up early the next day ;)
Hamburg Route 2 (Sunday): Elbe, harbor, Speicherstadt & Kontorviertel
- Sometime between 5:00 – 9:00 a.m.: As you have booked a great hotel near the Elbe, such as the Hotel Hafen Hamburg, you are not far from the fish market. There you can treat yourself to a typical Hamburg breakfast with a delicious fish roll and coffee. Please note, however, that the fish market is only open on Sundays. Alternatively, you can of course have breakfast at the hotel.
- 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.: From the fish market, it’s a relaxed 15 to 20-minute walk to the Landungsbrücken, where the old Elbe tunnel begins. Here you take the elevator down into the depths, cross the Elbe and enjoy the view on the other side of the Elbe.
- 11:00 – 13:00: Back again, you can relax with a bag of chips or fish sandwiches at the docks before your boat tour to Blankenese starts (alternatively, you can also book any other tour).
- 13:00 – 14:30: Continue along the Jan Fedder Promenade to the Elbphilharmonie concert hall (approx. 20 – 30 minutes on foot). There you can visit the free viewing platform and watch the hustle and bustle of the harbor. In between, you can also take a short detour to the Portuguese Quarter, which is located between the Landungsbrücken and the Elbphilharmonie. There you can also grab a bite to eat or just a coffee, for example in the “Milch” store.
- 14:30 – 16:00: Next, stroll through the time-honored warehouses in the Speicherstadt, treat yourself to a coffee and cake on the way and take photos of the moated castle.
- 16:00 – 17:00: You leave the Speicherstadt via the Wandrahmsteg and walk on to the Chilehaus. There are also a few stores where you are sure to find a Hamburg souvenir or two.
- From 17:00: You have to get home again somehow. But you can get to the main station quite quickly from the Chilehaus.
Transportation in Hamburg
Although I gave you routes on foot in the previous section, sometimes you can’t avoid getting from A to B by car. Fortunately, there are many options in Hamburg. Public transportation in the Hanseatic city works very well.
Buses, S-Bahn and U-Bahn
Hamburg has a very well-developed public transport network. It’s best to get the HVV app(Hamburger Verkehrsverbund) and use it to book a day ticket. This costs €7.80 per person and allows you to use all 3 modes of transport in zones A and B for the whole day and plan your routes. Zones A & B are sufficient for everything in Hamburg.
You can find the network and tariff plans here.
For a few euros more, you can also get the Hamburg Card. This is like an HVV day ticket but also has lots of discounts for sights, tours, museums and musicals.
Here you can get the Hamburg City Card.
Moia – Ride pooling
Moia is a means of transportation that only exists in Hamburg. It is a ride-pooling service that allows you to travel with other people in one of the golden yellow VW buses available throughout the city. This is environmentally friendly and also cheaper than a cab.
To use Moia, you need the app and an account. Then simply set your start and finish points and wait for your Moia to arrive.
Bicycle
With StadtRAD, Hamburg has its own bike rental system. It allows you to rent bikes easily and conveniently. You have to register once (also possible directly via the app) and select a tariff (e.g. the Light tariff). You then use the app to search for available bikes in your area. You only pay €0.1 per minute ride. You can return the bikes to any StadtRAD station.
With certain tariffs, you pay nothing if you drive for less than 30 minutes, but have an annual fee of €5.
The best accommodation for your city trip in Hamburg
A successful city trip always includes great accommodation that is as centrally located as possible and offers plenty of comfort so that you can recover from the sometimes quite strenuous sightseeing.
Here I recommend my favorite hotels in Hamburg, which in my opinion offer exactly that.
Hotel Hafen Hamburg: This traditional hotel is located directly above the Landungsbrücken and you can reach many of Hamburg’s sights on foot. The hotel has a tower bar from which you have a great view and offers Hanseatic cuisine in its Port restaurant.
REVERB by Hard Rock: This new 4-star hotel is located high up in the green Feldbunker and therefore not only offers a great view over St. Pauli, but also has a great location between Sternschanze, Reeperbahn and the city center.
Superbude Hamburg St Pauli: Located in St. Pauli right next to Sternschanze, this hotel is perfect if you want to explore the Schanzenviertel and Hamburg’s neighborhood. The hostel vibe concept of the Superbude is to offer a mix of modern design, community feeling and affordable prices.
Tortue Hamburg: This chic boutique hotel is located in the heart of the city center, very centrally between Jungfernstieg and Hamburg’s Michel, and is in the higher price range. It offers 5 bars and 3 restaurants.
The Nikolai Hotel Hamburg – Leonardo Limited Edition: The Nikolai Hotel is located right next to the Speicherstadt warehouse district in a former Kontorhaus. The atrium with its glass roof is particularly cool here.
The best Hamburg treats
Of course, the Hanseatic city also has its very own dishes, drinks and sweets that you shouldn’t miss when you visit. In a city with a harbor, fish naturally plays a very important role here.
Labskaus – This traditional sailor’s dish made from cured beef, beet, onions and potatoes tastes better than it looks.
Fish sandwiches – These are available everywhere in Hamburg, topped with various types of fish from matjes to herring and crabs, but they are freshest at the fish market.
Eel soup – Despite the name, this rich and aromatic soup does not always contain eel. Sometimes it also contains other types of fish.
Kohl und Pinkel – During the kale season in winter, you can get this dish with kale and the special sausage made from minced pork just about anywhere. It is usually served with potatoes.
Franzbrötchen – Reminiscent of a flattened croissant, but with yeast dough and cinnamon and sugar.
Hamburger bacon – This is not real bacon, but a cube-shaped sweet.
Fritz Cola & Limonade – These colas and lemonades, which are now available everywhere in Germany, originally come from Hamburg.
Beer – The best-known beers from Hamburg breweries are Astra, Ratsherrn, Landgang, Überquell and of course Holsten
As you can see, Hamburg has a lot to offer? Which of Hamburg’s sights is your favorite? Write it in a comment.
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