Located right on the Elbe and Alster rivers, Hamburg is a city of converging culture, diverse influences, and expanding opportunity. An increasingly popular destination in Germany, it’s renowned as a thriving port, financial center, and cultural and creative melting pot. Essential sightseeing stops include city hall, the harbor promenade, and the Speicherstadt—the old warehouse district, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the St. Pauli quarter, you’ll find the Reeperbahn area, home to a vibrant nightlife scene. Tours explore its rich musical history as the proving ground of the Beatles, as well as its present-day reputation as the largest red-light district in Europe. The city doesn’t seem to do anything by halves: HafenCity is the biggest urban development project on the whole continent. Visitors looking for more traditional attractions can enjoy relaxed walks along the café-laden Schanze neighborhood; the first zoo to feature enclosures without bars; and classic attractions such as the Laeiszhalle concert venue and St. Michael's Church. You can also take tours of the city’s copious street art, drink your way through its impressive beer scene, or get a little exercise by opting for a bike tour. With more than 200 theaters, museums, and music venues—plus its array of festivals—Hamburg offers travelers plenty of opportunities to let loose with a side of culture.
Hamburg sets a lovely holiday scene in December, with Christmas markets, twinkling lights, and the “Märchenschiffe” (fairy tale–themed ships) on Inner Alster Lake. Autumn is equally lovely, with fewer crowds and fall foliage to make up for the cooler temperatures—there’s also Oktoberfest in late September and early October.
Attractions 31 | Tours 235 | Reviews 4,553 |
Nope, not hamburgers. Hamburg is best-known for its harbor—the UNESCO-designated Speicherstadt, a can't-miss maze of 19th-century warehouses and canals—and its unrivaled nightlife. This is where The Beatles' career took off, after all.
...MoreStroll along 19th-century Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the River Elbe. Climb up 453 stairs to the top of St. Michaelis Church; stop by the Fischmarkt for street food (running since 1703); take in neo-Renaissance Hamburg City Hall; and walk the neon-lit streets of Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s nightlife-rich neighborhood.
...MoreYes. Though many see Berlin as Germany’s eccentric arts hub, the creative pulse beats hardest in Hamburg. With hundreds of museums, theatres, and music venues, culture geeks are spoiled. As a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire and a member of the Hanseatic League, history buffs win, too.
...MoreThe 300-year-old Fish Market is a Sunday draw from 5am to 9am—grab brunch on the second-floor balcony. Retail therapy abounds at the Venetian-inspired Alsterarkaden, or take a budget-friendly harbor wander and nosh on a fischbrötchen (fish sandwich). Don't miss Planten un Blomen park and UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt on the Elbe River.
...MoreYes. Hamburg has some of the best nightlife in the world. The scene centers around the St. Pauli neighborhood, encompassing Reeperbahn and Hamburg’s red-light district. Find everything from old-school sailors’ hangouts to cocktail joints and music venues featuring house DJs to live jazz. For an alternative vibe, hit up nearby Sternschanze.
...MoreYes. In general, Hamburg is quite safe. But like in any big city, exercise caution in areas like train stations and along the nightlife-heavy Reeperbahn. Note that women and minors are not allowed along Herbertstraße, the city’s red-light district.
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