Hamburg

Travel Guide
Hamburg
This modern German city brings fascinating seafaring traditions together with excellent art galleries and a vibrant urban atmosphere.

Hamburg, or the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to give it its full name, is Germany’s second biggest city and one of the ten largest cities in Europe. It is also the largest port in the country, and the second largest in Europe, and has justly gained the title of Germany’s “Gateway to the World”. The city also has a long and proud tradition of independence, having been a sovereign state until the unification of Germany.

Despite its importance as a port, Hamburg is actually found 100 kilometres inland from the North Sea, to which it is linked by the mighty River Elbe. You can learn about the storied tradition of oceangoing and trade in Hamburg Harbour at the Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg and the Cap San Diego (a museum ship), which combine to tell this broad-ranging, captivating story.

The biggest model railway museum in the world is found at the Miniatur Wunderland, which is sure to delight young and old locomotive enthusiasts alike. Lovers of fine art will appreciate the Hamburger Kunsthalle, while those who favour contemporary art will enjoy the famous international shows and excellent permanent collection at the Deichtorhallen.

The city is criss-crossed by canals, over which span some 2,300 bridges – this is more than any other city in Europe, and there are more miles of canals here than in Amsterdam and Venice combined.

Visit Speicherstadt and the New Docklands for a view of modern Hamburg. These areas are home to stylish refurbished warehouses and impressive new angular buildings. Soak in the cutting-edge design, dine in top-class eateries and go window-shopping in chic and exclusive boutiques in the largest urban redevelopment area on the continent.

Get away from the bustle of urban life with a visit to one of the many big parks and lakes near the city centre. Head to Planten un Blomen (Plants and Flowers), and enjoy the tranquillity of its Japanese Garden. You can also rent a car or take public transport to one of the many local medieval towns.

Where to stay in Hamburg

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Hamburg City Center

4.5/5(217 area reviews)

Hamburg City Hall and Rathausmarket are top sights in Hamburg City Center, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Rathaus U-Bahn or Rodingsmarkt U-Bahn to see more sights in the area.

Hamburg City Center
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Hamburg-Mitte

2/5(1 area review)

Known for its fascinating museums and captivating waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Hamburg-Mitte. You can visit top attractions like Hamburg Cruise Center and Hamburg Wholesale Market, and jump on the metro at Veddel S-Bahn or Wilhelmsburg S-Bahn to see more of the city.

Hamburg-Mitte
Japanese Garden showing a river or creek and a park

Saint Pauli

4/5(39 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and captivating waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Saint Pauli. You can visit top attractions like Millerntor Stadium and Operettenhaus, and jump on the metro at Feldstraße Station or Feldstrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Saint Pauli
Botanical Gardens featuring a garden, an observatory and a pond

Altona

4/5(35 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Trabrennbahn Hamburg Bahrenfeld while getting to know Altona, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Othmarschen S-Bahn or Klein Flottbek S-Bahn to see more of the area.

Altona
Hamburg

HafenCity

4/5(2 area reviews)

Noted for its restaurants and waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in HafenCity. Top attractions like Hamburg Cruise Center and International Maritime Museum are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at HafenCity Universität Station or Überseequartier Station to see more of the city.

HafenCity
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Hamburg-Nord

4/5(33 area reviews)

Travellers choose Hamburg-Nord for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Alsterdorf U-Bahn or Sengelmannstrasse U-Bahn and check out top sights like Sporthalle Hamburg.

Hamburg-Nord
Ruby Lotti Hotel Hamburg
Ruby Lotti Hotel Hamburg
Düsternstraße 1-3, Hamburg
The price is S$169 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$169
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Nice location and nice property"

Reviewed on 11 Mar,2024

Ruby Lotti Hotel Hamburg
Grand Elysee Hamburg
Grand Elysee Hamburg
5 out of 5
Rothenbaumchaussee 10, Hamburg, HH
The price is S$305 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$305
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,014 reviews)
"I really enjoyed my stay. Staff were super friendly and I’m honestly have no complaints"

Reviewed on 10 Jan,2024

Grand Elysee Hamburg
Villa Viva
Villa Viva
Schultzweg 4, Hamburg, HH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$174 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$174
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Markthalle Hamburg and Museum of Arts and Crafts Hamburg ...
9/10 Wonderful! (28 reviews)
"The staff was super nice and the hotel super modern. We loved it."

Reviewed on 18 Mar,2024

Villa Viva
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Willy-Brandt-Strasse 25, Hamburg
Stay at this aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the room service in our reviews. Popular attractions German ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (981 reviews)
Great stay
"A lovely, clean and comfortable apartment hotel. The kitchen area was very well equipped, even with a washing machine. Very convenient for local attractions. Definitely use Adina apartments again."

Reviewed on 9 Jan,2024

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
Ditmar-Koel-Strasse 1, Hamburg, HH
Stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (724 reviews)
"They was heavy glue smell in hallways which was very off-putting. Thankfully smell disappeared once inside unit."

Reviewed on 11 Jan,2024

Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
numa I Fore Rooms & Apartments
numa I Fore Rooms & Apartments
Kapstadtring 1, Hamburg
Stay at this aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (585 reviews)
"Very clean, has laundry, convenience dine in condition."

Reviewed on 27 Nov,2023

numa I Fore Rooms & Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Hamburg

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
191
" "5 - Excellent 50.6631299734748%
4 - Good
158
" "4 - Good 41.90981432360743%
3 - Okay
24
" "3 - Okay 6.36604774535809%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.26525198938992045%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.7957559681697612%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Mar 2020

Love this city!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Mar 2020

For those wanting to do some sightseeing then getting a City Travel Card (TurboPass.com) is a very good idea. If you want something most unusual, Hamburg has a unique mineral/fossil gallery and shop at ‘RedGallery.com’. Well worth a visit...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Feb 2020

Lovely city, affluent, clean and safe, easy transportation and lots to see and do.

5/5 - Excellent

Leonora
14 Feb 2020

Lots of park and easy transport

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 Jan 2020

Nice city, bit cold and damp in January (probably to be expected) definitely somewhere I would visit again

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Hamburg ist immer eine Reise wert. Eine wunderschöne Stadt die perfekt Altes mit Neuem kombiniert... für Familien mit Kindern genauso wie für Paare oder Einzelreisende. Hamburg hat Flair und für jeden etwas zu bieten.