Hamburg is a port city in Germany. It is officially known as the Free and Hanseatic city of Hamburg. The city is connected to the North Sea through the Elbe river. Even today, some of the best things to do in Hamburg can be found along the banks of this river. Historically, this city was part of the Hanseatic League and one of the free imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire. You will see memories of city’s associations with various empires in the best places to visit in Hamburg.
Owing to its strategic trade location, the city progressed rapidly in terms of economics as well as culture. Exploring art and culture are integral part of Hamburg sightseeing. The city has some of the finest art galleries, museums and cultural centers of Germany. The city also has opera houses, theaters, performance centers and many such places to explore. It also numerous cultural events concerning food, music, drama, films, fine arts and more.
On the trade and commerce side, the city’s port has had great impact on Germany as well as Europe. Many of the top things to see in Hamburg are concerning its port, maritime history and trade history. There is a submarine, a trade ship, a fire ship, shipwreck and more such interesting Hamburg attractions to explore. There are also 2 areas, namely Speicherstadt and Kontorhausvietel, have been included among UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The city has also faced several tragedies during its history. You will see scars of these tragedies like Great Fire of 1842, North Sea Flood of 1962 and Second World War bombings on many Hamburg tourist attractions.
As for fun things to do in Hamburg, you can go exploring nature around the city, go sailing in the lakes, take a cruise in the river, make your own chocolate, enjoy the nightlife and so on. It is one of the liveliest cities to explore in Germany.
Top 22 Tourist Places to Visit in Hamburg, Germany in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. Planten un Blomen
This Japanese style garden is one of the best places to visit in Hamburg for some leisure time. The garden also has a quaint little tea house to enjoy. You can easily spend an hour or so at this garden.
2. The Alster Lakes (Außenalster)
These lakes are hot-spot for some of the best things to do in Hamburg Germany. People come here for several outdoor activities like hiking, boating, picnic, sailing and more. You would need about half an hour to see these lakes.
3. Hamburger Kunsthalle
This art museum is dedicated to several masterpieces created by renowned European artists such as Caspar Friedrich, Rebeccas Horn, Gerard Richter, Georg Baselitz and so on. You would need about 2 hours to explore these museum.
4. Museum of Arts and Design (Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe)
This museum is dedicated to ancient and medieval works of art. The museum also exhibits several historical artifacts as well. For art admirers, it is one of the top things to see in Hamburg. You would need about an hour to explore this museum.
5. Church of Saint Peter (Hauptkirche St. Petri)
This church has a history going back to 1189 A.D. It is one of the most dominant building in the city. It is one of the top Hamburg tourist attractions. You would need about 30 to 45 minutes for this church.
6. City Hall (Hamburger Rathaus)
The city hall is an excellent example of 19th century Neo-classical architecture. It is one of the most beautiful Hamburg attractions. The city hall exhibits several artifacts concerning the history of the city. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this place.
7. St. Nicholas’ Church (St.-Nikolai-Kirche)
This gothic church lies in shambles today owing to bombings on the city during the second world war. It is one of the most fascinating buildings to explore during Hamburg sightseeing. You would need 30 to 45 minutes for this church.
8. St. Michael’s Church (Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis)
This is the largest protestant church in the city. It features wonderful baroque design elements. It is known for its wonderful interiors as well as beautiful architecture. You would need about half an hour from Hamburg travel for this church.
Day 2
1. Fischmarkt
This fishmarket is open only on Sunday and is situated by the river. You can also get seafood based street food items at this market. You would need about 30 minutes for this place when you visit Hamburg.
2. U-434 (U-Boot Museum)
This soviet submarine is among the most fascinating places to see in Hamburg. It serves as a museum of maritime history of the nation as well as port of the city. You would need about an hour for this submarine.
3. Reeperbahn
This street is known for several top things to do in Hamburg including shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment. You would need about an hour for this street.
4. Museum for Hamburg History (Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte)
This museum delves in the history of the city exhibiting several artifacts and stories of the city. The museum focuses on trade, port, politics and art of the city’s history. You would need about an hour for this museum.
5. Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel)
Also known as St. Pauli Elbe tunnel, is considered an engineering marvel. This pedestrian and vehicle tunnel stretches for 426 meters and is situated 24 meters beneath the surface. You would need about an hour or so for this tunnel.
6. Rickmer Rickmers
This museum is housed in a ship which used to be a sailing firefighting ship. The museum primarily focuses on the 90 years history of this ship as it served several countries including Britain and Portugal. It one of must see in Hamburg. You would need about an hour for this ship.
7. Miniature Wonderland (Miniatur Wunderland)
This park is one of the finest Hamburg sights and consists several miniature recreations. It is also known for having the largest miniature model railway system in the entire world. You would need about 2 hours for this place.
8. Warehouse District (Speicherstadt)
This district is included among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will see several Neo-Gothic red-bricked warehouses in the district. It is one of the most historically significant places to go in Hamburg. You would need about an hour to explore this area.
Day 3
1. BallinStadt – Emigrant Museum
This museum is dedicated to Europeans who left for the Americas from the Hamburg port. It gives a great glimpse of the city’s past. You would need about an hour for this museum.
2. HafenCity
This futuristic neighbourhood has some interesting activities in Hamburg along with impressive architecture to behold. You would need at least an hour to explore this area.
3. International Maritime Museum
This museum is dedicated to the naval and port history of the city as well as the evolution of naval trade, exploration and warfare. It is one of the best places to visit in Hamburg for those interested in history. You would need about 2 hours for this museum.
4. Deichtorhallen
This iconic building is home to the museum of contemporary art and photography. It is well known among things to see in Hamburg for exhibiting works of renowned artists such as Rupprecht Mattheis, Richard Serra, Georg Baselitz, Marilyn Minter and more. You would need about an hour for this place.
5. Chocoversum by Hachez
This is a museum of chocolates, which is deeply intertwined with the history of the city. One of the most fun things to do in Hamburg is designing your own chocolate bar at this museum. You would about 2 hours for this experience.
6. Chilehaus
This 10 story building is a popular spot during Hamburg sightseeing for being an impressive example of Brick Expressionism architecture along with Gothic elements. You would need about half an hour for tour of this building.
If you are looking for more activities in Hamburg, check out the sections below. We have complied lists of places and things to do in and around the city.
Things to do in Hamburg
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Hamburg
- Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall
- Hamburger Kunsthalle
- Town Hall
- St. Michael’s Church
- International Maritime Museum
- Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe
- Deichtorhallen Museum of Contemporary Art
- St. Nikolai Memorial
- Museum of Hamburg History
- Bucerius Kunst Forum
- Chocoversum by Hachez
- Museum of Ethnology
- Hamburg Planetarium
- BallinStadt Emigration Museum
- Altonaer Museum
- Rickmer Rickmers
- U Boot Museum
- Museum of Work
- Panoptikum Wax Museum
- Ohlsdorf Cemetery
- Jenisch House
- Hamburg Archeological Museum
- Ahrensburg Palace
- Zoological Museum
- Sammlung Falckenberg
- Freilicht Museum am Kiekeberg
- Automuseum Prototype
- Ernst Barlach Haus
- Bismark Monument
- Speicherstadt Museum
- Memorial del Campo de Concentracion de Neuengamme
- Spicy’s Gerwurz Museum
- Deutsches Hafen Museum
- St. James Church
- Museum fur Bergedorf und die Vierlande
- Hamburg State Opera
- St. Catherine Church
- Hafen Oevelgonne Museum
- Galerie der Gegenwart
- Deutsches Zoll Museum
- FC St. Pauli Museum
- Museum der Illusion
- Deichtohallen Hamburg
- Schloss Reinbek
- Pinneberg Museum
- Bismark Museum in Friedrichsruh
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Hamburg
- Alster Lakes
- Wildpark Schwarze Berge
- Europaischer Fernwanderweg
- Fischberker Heide
- NSG Duvenstedter Brook
- Boberger Niederung Nature Reserve
- Holtigbaum
- Boberger Dunen
- Pulvermuhlentiech Lake
- See im Gorssen Moor
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Hamburg
- Miniatur Wunderland
- Tierpark Hagenbeck
- Planten un Blomen
- Hamburg Dungeon
- Jungfernsteig Boulevard
- Cap San Diego
- Heide Park Resort
- Binnenalster
- Stadtpark
- Dialogue House
- Tropen Aquarium Hagenback
- Jenisch Park
- Ojendorfer See
- Park Fiction
- Heinrich Hertz Tower
- Old Botanical Garden
- Loki Schmidt Garden Botanical
- Altonaer Volkspark
- Stintfang Vineyard
- Millerntowache Park
- Arriba Waterpark
- Polizeikkommissariat 15
- Water Art Elbinsel Kaltehofe
Shopping in Hamburg
- Rathausmarket
- Spitalerstrasse
- Neuer Wall
- Colonnaden Street
- Europa Passage
- Alsterarkaden
- Monckeberg Strasse
- Jungfernsteig
Beaches in Hamburg
- Elbstrand Beach
- Boberger See Beach
Offbeat Places & Adventure Activities to Do in Hamburg
- Boat Cruise
- Sailing
- Bike Tour
- Hiking
Sightseeing in Hamburg
- Reeperbahn
- Alter Elbtunnel
- Chilehaus
- Alster Canal
- Treppenviertel Blankenese
- Deichstrasse
- Monckeberg Strasse
- Beatles Platz
- Alsterarkaden
- Pont de Kohlbrand
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Hamburg
- Fischereihafen
- Jellyfish
- Henssler & Henssler
- Vienna
- M Eatery
- Heldenplatz
- Marend
- The Bird
- La Plat du Jor
- Frau Moller
- L’Orient
- Balz und Balz
- Erika’s Eck
- Simbiosa
- Cafe Paris
- Brucke 10
Custom Tours Package in Hamburg
How to Reach Hamburg?
By Air
The most convenient option for Hamburg travel is by air. The largest one is the Hamburg-Fuhlsbuttel Airport. You can get direct flights from Athens, Dublin, Moscow, Riga, Paris, Vienna, Istanbul, Bucharest, Brussels, London, La Palma, Rhodes, Edinburgh, Salzburg, Manchester, Dubai, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beirut, Budapest, Munich, Nice, Zurich, Naples, Prague, Reykjavik, Venice, Helsinki, Lisbon and many more. You can get buses and cabs to get around the city from the airport.
By Road
You can get direct trains to visit Hamburg from several European cities like Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Cologne, Copenhagen, Budapest, Prague, Vienna and many more. The bus routes can get you to Hamburg from several cities and towns in Germany. You can also reach the city by bus from cities of neighbouring countries.
If you are planning to reach Hamburg by road, you should head for routes A1, A7, A23 or A24.
By Water
There are several places connected to Hamburg by water routes including port cities of Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden and Russia. There are also transatlantic boats connecting Hamburg with New York City in the USA.
Image Reference
- Planten un Blomen – hl_1001 / Flickr
- The Alster Lakes (Außenalster) – txmx 2 / Flickr
- Hamburger Kunsthalle – Jorge Franganillo / Flickr
- Museum of Arts and Design (Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe) – Nightflyer / Wikimedia Commons
- Church of Saint Peter (Hauptkirche St. Petri) – Carandoom / Flickr
- City Hall (Hamburger Rathaus) – SofieLayla Thal / PixaBay
- St. Nicholas’ Church (St.-Nikolai-Kirche) – Mark Michaelis / Flickr
- St. Michael’s Church (Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis) – starrs / PixaBay
- Fischmarkt – Fred Romero / Flickr
- U-434 (U-Boot Museum) – Kevin Hackert / Flickr
- Reeperbahn – Jorge Franganillo / Flickr
- Museum for Hamburg History (Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte) – Can Pac Swire / Flickr
- Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel) – Chris Frenzel / PixaBay
- Rickmer Rickmers – Michael Hagn / PixaBay
- Miniature Wonderland (Miniatur Wunderland) – Viola ‘ / PixaBay
- Warehouse District (Speicherstadt) – Karsten Bergmann / PixaBay
- BallinStadt – Emigrant Museum – Holger.Ellgaard / Wikimedia Commons
- HafenCity – liggraphy / PixaBay
- International Maritime Museum – Karsten Bergmann / PixaBay
- Deichtorhallen – Wolfgang Staudt / Flickr
- Chocoversum by Hachez – Michael / Flickr
- Chilehaus – Phil Beard / Flickr
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