Hamburg travel guide: warehouses, the harbor and the Reeperbahn
Hamburg is a port city of canals, brick warehouses and a famous concert hall, with more bridges than Venice and a nightlife street on the Reeperbahn. Two days cover the harbor and the old town. A third buys a museum or a trip to the Elbe beaches. The one thing to know is the weather: bring a rain jacket in any month.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay near the Alster or the Speicherstadt, take a harbor cruise, see the Elbphilharmonie plaza and walk the warehouse district.
- Where to stay
- The Altstadt for sights, St Pauli for nightlife, Eppendorf or Sternschanze for local cafes.
- How many days
- Two to three days. Add a fourth for Lübeck or the Elbe beaches.
- Best time to go
- May to September. Winter is damp, though the Christmas markets are good.
- Book ahead
- Elbphilharmonie concerts, the Miniatur Wunderland and boat trips in summer.
- From the airport
- Hamburg airport is about 8 km north. The S1 train takes about 25 minutes to the Hauptbahnhof.
Where to stay in Hamburg, in brief
Altstadt and Neustadt
sights and first-timers
The center, with the Rathaus, the Alster and the main shops. Walkable and central. Prices are higher.
HafenCity and Speicherstadt
harbor views
A modern district beside the warehouse district and the Elbphilharmonie. Quiet at night and well placed for the harbor.
St Pauli and the Reeperbahn
nightlife
The entertainment district with bars, clubs and music venues. Loud and lively at night. Pick a side street.
Sternschanze and Eppendorf
cafes and a local feel
Neighborhoods of independent shops, cafes and bars. A short ride from the center.
Things to do in Hamburg
Elbphilharmonie plaza
A concert hall on a warehouse with a public viewing plaza. Entry to the plaza is free but needs a ticket.
a day or two ahead for the plaza, months ahead for concerts
Speicherstadt
The world's largest warehouse district, a UNESCO site of red brick and canals. Best at dusk.
Miniatur Wunderland
The world's largest model railway, with airports and cities in miniature. Very popular.
a week or two ahead
Harbour cruise
A boat tour of the port, with container ships and the shipyards. Good in any weather.
St Michael's Church (Michel)
The city's emblem, a baroque church with a tower and a view over the harbor.
Reeperbahn and St Pauli
The nightlife quarter, famous for its music clubs and the Beatles' early years. Go in the evening.
Fischmarkt
The Sunday morning fish market, which starts at 5am and runs until 9.30am.
Kunsthalle Hamburg
A major art museum near the Hauptbahnhof.
Planten un Blomen
A central park with gardens and a water light show on summer evenings.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Hamburg can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Hamburg, and which to pick- Miniatur Wunderland1 to 2 weeks ahead
Timed tickets sell out, especially on weekends.
- Elbphilharmonie concertsseveral months ahead
Concerts sell out quickly after tickets go on sale.
What to skip in Hamburg
- The Reeperbahn before dark
It is quiet and a little rough in the daytime. Go in the evening.
- Eating on the Landungsbrücken
It is priced for tourists. Walk to the Portuguese quarter or the Sternschanze.
Best time to visit Hamburg
May to September is best, with long evenings and the harbor at its liveliest. The Hafengeburtstag harbor festival is in May and the Christmas markets run through December.
Hamburg is wet and cool for much of the year. Pack a jacket in every month, even in summer.
- From the airportThe S1 takes about 25 minutes to the Hauptbahnhof.
- U-Bahn, S-Bahn and ferriesThe network is good. The harbor ferries are part of the public transport tickets.
- On footThe center and the harbor are walkable. The Reeperbahn is about 30 minutes on foot.
Hamburg in three days
- Day 1
Rathaus, Alster and the Altstadt, then the Speicherstadt and the Elbphilharmonie plaza at dusk.
- Day 2
Harbour cruise, Michel and the Reeperbahn in the evening.
- Day 3
Miniatur Wunderland, Planten un Blomen or the Kunsthalle.
Day trips from Hamburg
- LübeckA brick Hanseatic town and marzipan capital, about 45 minutes by train.
- Elbe beaches at BlankeneseA hillside village and river beach, about 40 minutes by S-Bahn and bus.
Hamburg: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Hamburg?
Two days cover the harbor and the old town. A third adds a museum or the Reeperbahn.
Where should I stay in Hamburg?
The Altstadt for sights, HafenCity for the harbor, and St Pauli for nightlife.
Is Hamburg worth visiting?
Yes, for the harbor, the warehouses and the music. It is less crowded than Berlin.
What is the best time to visit Hamburg?
May to September, though it rains in any month.
Is Hamburg expensive?
Moderately. Hotels are cheaper than in Munich, and food is reasonable.