20 best places to visit in Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany’s vibrant maritime city, perfectly blends history, culture, and accessibility, making it an ideal European city break. Hamburg offers unique attractions, from the UNESCO-listed warehouse district to the storied Hamburg Port. Compact yet packed with culture, Hamburg boasts world-class art at the Bucerius Kunst Forum and lively Hamburg nightlife in the St. Pauli district. Ready to explore? Here are 20 of the best things to do in wonderful Hamburg.

Best places to visit in Hamburg for history

1. Hamburg's Town Hall

Start your Hamburg adventure at the impressive Town Hall, a stunning example of Neo-Renaissance architecture. This is where the Mayor and the city-state parliament make all important decisions. Though you won’t be able to explore all 647 rooms, you can still enjoy a wealth of public exhibitions.

Highlights:

Book a tour to explore one of Europe's most luxurious public halls. Your tour will also take you through the charming Alsterarkaden shopping arcades, where you can window shop like a 19th-century aristocrat.

Address and opening hours:

Rathausmarkt 1, 20095 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.

2. Speicherstadt

The Speicherstadt (meaning warehouse district) is the largest warehouse district in the world. Its buildings stand on timber-pile foundations and oak logs. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a labyrinth of red-brick buildings and scenic canals that transport visitors to Hamburg’s golden age of trade.

 Highlights:

 The best way to explore Speicherstadt is from the water. Take a 1.5-hour Harbor and Speicherstadt Day Cruise for a great introduction to the city’s history.

Meeting point:

Überseebrücke, 20459 Hamburg. Start times vary.

3. Port of Hamburg

Tour the largest trading port in Germany and soak up the waterfront atmosphere. At the St. Pauli landing bridges, you'll have a fantastic view over the Elbe. You can board a ferry or cruise, or trek under the river through the Old Elbe Tunnel.

Highlights:

The tours delve into the history and modern-day mechanics of a large operational harbor, and you can see parts of Hamburg that would be harder to access on land.

4. Cap San Diego

Explore the docked Cap San Diego, a floating piece of maritime history, also close to the St. Pauli landing bridges. This retired cargo ship, once a regular on the South American route, now serves as a fascinating museum. Get an entry ticket to the Museum Ship Cap San Diego for a glimpse into the lives of the sailors of the past.

Highlights:

Feel the hum of the machine room that keeps the ship afloat. The exhibitions below deck will give you more insights into how the ship used to operate.

Address and opening hours:

Überseebrücke, 20459 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

5. BallinStadt

Learn about Hamburg's crucial role for millions of emigrants as they left Europe for the 'New World'. Follow in their footsteps and learn their fascinating migration stories at the Emigration Museum BallinStadt.

Highlights:

Use a genealogical database to learn more about your family’s origins. Get an authentic feel for what it was like to be an emigrant on a passenger ship to America.

Address and opening hours:

Veddeler Bogen 2, 20539 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

6. Volksdorf

For a change of pace, head to the charming museum village of Volksdorf. Here, 18th-century buildings have been lovingly reconstructed, offering a glimpse into the rural life of centuries past. As you stroll the village, you might stumble upon costumed volunteers demonstrating traditional crafts or even a lively village festival. There’s even a bunch of farm animals you can pet.

Highlights:

Don't miss the bakehouse - you'll gain a whole new appreciation for your daily bread!

Address and opening hours:

Im Alten Dorfe 46 - 48, 22359 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Best places to visit in Hamburg for art

7. Bucerius Kunst Forum

With two to three temporary exhibitions every year, the Bucerius Kunst Forum always delivers something fresh. Exhibitions focus on one artist at a time, and artworks are presented in the context of the artist's life. Discover something new and exciting with every visit.

Highlights:

The museum's bookshop offers further reading and souvenirs. You can also attend talks and lectures by experts.

Address and opening hours:

Alter Wall 12, 20457 Hamburg. Open 11:00 AM-7:00 PM Saturday-Wednesday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Thursday, 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday.

8. Erotic Art Museum

Immerse yourself in sensuality at the Erotic Art Museum. Although Hamburg is famous for its open approach to sex and has a red-light district in Reeperbahn, this museum takes a more intellectual look at sex, featuring an international collection of erotic artifacts throughout history.

Highlights:

The Erotic Art Museum lets you enter a virtual reality exhibition of NFT art. Learn more about the suppression of erotic art in the past while you’re here.

Address and opening hours:

Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 79, 20359 Hamburg, Germany. Open Thursday, Friday & Monday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Weekends 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Best places to visit in Hamburg for families

9. Maritime Museum

Learn more about the ocean and its exploration at the Maritime Museum. Model ships across the museum will delight children of all ages. Learn fascinating facts about navigation at sea and marine biology.

Highlights:

Do you have what it takes to be a captain? Try steering a cargo ship into the port in the interactive ship simulator.

Address and opening hours:

Koreastraße 1, 20457 Hamburg. Open daily, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

10. Rickmer Rickmers

Step on board this beautiful sailing ship. An entry ticket to the Rickmer Rickmers lets you explore the ship and the museum below deck. Let your kids' imaginations run wild as they explore the restored crew's living and sleeping quarters.

Highlights:

For an even more exciting visit, climb the ship's masts for a fantastic harbor view.

Address and opening hours:

Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 1a, 20359 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

11. Hamburg Dungeon

Prepare for chills and thrills at the Hamburg Dungeon. This immersive experience brings Hamburg’s dark history to life through a series of actor-led shows and hair-raising rides. Come face to face with Hamburg's most notorious criminals and giggle nervously at the overzealous plague doctor.

Highlights:

Decide for yourself if ghosts are real in Maria Wächtler's haunted apartment. It’s history with a side of goosebumps!

Address and opening hours:

Kehrwieder 2, 20457 Hamburg. Open 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Sunday-Friday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Saturday.

12. Planten un Blomen Park

After all that excitement, you might need a calming break in nature. Visit Planten un Blomen for a relaxing picnic amid the aptly named 'plants and flowers'. Let the kids go wild in the playground while you sit back with a good book. As soon as the temperatures drop, there is an ice skating rink, which is a popular winter attraction.

Highlights:

The pharmacist’s garden has a great selection of medicinal herbs. In the Japanese garden, you can also watch a traditional tea ceremony.

Address and opening hours:

Marseiller Promenade, 20355 Hamburg. May - September 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM. October - March 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM. April 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM.

13. Chocoversum

Chocolate is universally loved, naturally making the Chocoversum one of the best places to visit in Hamburg. Take your family on a guided tour of the Chocoversum for a whole day of delicious sweets. Follow the production chain and take a sample at every step – just to ensure the quality, of course.

Highlights:

Make personalized chocolate bars and let the kids choose and arrange their own toppings.

Address:

Meßberg 1, 20095 Hamburg. Start times vary.

14. Niendorfer Gehege

When the kids are getting tired of playing around the harbor, take a short break from the city. Spend a day hiking around the Niendorfer enclosure wildlife park to spot deer and other forest animals.

Highlights:

Let the kids explore the park on a pony ride. Make sure you bring some carrots to feed your delightful companions.

Address and opening hours:

Niendorfer Gehege, 22453 Hamburg. Open 24 hours.

Best places to visit in Hamburg for culture

15. Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie is one of Hamburg's most iconic architectural attractions. The building beautifully illustrates the transition from the city’s historical roots to modern times. Pick your favorite concert from the schedule to get the most out of the stunning acoustics.

Highlights:

Go on an Elbphilharmonie Plaza Guided Tour to take the longest escalator in Europe. The plaza is one of the best viewpoints in the entire city.

Address and opening hours:

Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457 Hamburg. Performance and tour times vary.

16. Pulverfass Cabaret

Visit the Pulverfass Cabaret for a taste of Hamburg's vibrant nightlife scene. Have a delicious dinner while you enjoy the extravagant show. With live singing and dancers in flamboyant costumes, this will undoubtedly make for an unforgettable night.

Highlights:

Enjoy varied and entertaining queer variety shows full of colors and enchanting entertainment.

Address and opening hours:

Reeperbahn 147, 20359 Hamburg. Performance times vary.

17. Reeperbahn

For even more colorful evening entertainment, you must visit Reeperbahn. It's easy to get overwhelmed in this district full of bars and nightclubs. Luckily, the local heroes and drag queens are happy to guide you.

Highlights:

Get an authentic experience of St. Pauli on a visit to Olivia Jones' costume room, or take a peek inside a sex shop.

Address:

Reeperbahn, Hamburg.

18. Dialogue House

For a truly unique and thought-provoking experience, visit the Dialogue House. This innovative museum offers visitors the chance to experience life from the perspective of visually and hearing-impaired individuals.

Guided by individuals with these impairments, you’ll navigate everyday scenarios in complete darkness or silence. It's an eye-opening experience that will change how you perceive the world.

Highlights:

Learn some sign language basics and find out how to cross a busy street without looking.

Address and opening hours:

Alter Wandrahm 5, 20457 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

19. Ohlsdorf Cemetery

Hamburg is home to the fourth-largest cemetery in the world: Ohlsdorf. Find the final resting places of many of Hamburg's notable citizens or stop by the memorials. The cemetery has beautiful gardens, so it's the perfect place to take a stroll.

Highlights:

Discover all the hidden angel statues on an Ohlsdorf Cemetery Self-guided Angel Walk and learn some fun facts along the way.

Address and opening hours:

Fuhlsbüttler Str. 756, 22337 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM.

20. Alster Lakes

The Alster Lakes in the city center are ideal for a gentle walk at the end of a long day’s sightseeing. Find a peaceful spot in the parks along the lakeshore to watch the sunset. The lakes are surrounded by magnificent buildings for amazing photo opportunities.

Highlights:

Go on a relaxing cruise or try water sports on the lakes. You'll get stunning views of the city from the water.

Address:

20148 Hamburg.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Hamburg?

To see the most important sights in Hamburg, you should spend at least a weekend in the city. If you want to explore the famous landmarks in more detail and take a few day trips, then you should plan for 1-2 weeks.

What is the best time of year to visit Hamburg?

With a mild climate all year round, there isn't a best time to visit Hamburg. The summer is ideal for enjoying more time outdoors and relaxing in the city's many nature parks. In spring, you'll be able to celebrate the friendship between Hamburg and Japan with the cherry blossom festival. You can visit the Christmas market in winter and see the city's beautiful holiday decorations.

How do I get around Hamburg?

There are many ways to get around Hamburg. If you want to avoid walking, you can take the U-Bahn or the S-Bahn through the entire city. You can also reach many places by ferry across the lakes. The boat rides will give you the additional benefit of amazing views.

What are the best neighborhoods to visit in Hamburg?

There are many great neighborhoods to visit in Hamburg, all of them unique. The old town offers many of the city's most impressive landmarks. For evening entertainment and bars, you must try the famous Reeperbahn. St Pauli is great for eating some of the best food in Hamburg.

What are the best places to go shopping in Hamburg?

Hamburg is great for shopping. If you want to spend the whole day browsing, check out the Europa Passage, Hamburg's most impressive shopping center. For luxury shopping, stroll through the Alsterarkaden by the Alster Lakes. If you want something more typically Hamburg, visit the Fischmarkt on Sunday.