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What is Hamburg known for?
- Hamburg is an important port city in northern Germany, which was established as a trading post back in the 11th century.
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What is the main tourist area in Hamburg?
- Today, much of the tourist area is concentrated around the Port of Hamburg, where you can admire a remarkable mix of old and new architectural gems, including the largest warehouse complex in the world.
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What is a must-see attraction in Hamburg?
- Hamburg is particularly proud of its beautiful Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, which is a marvel of modern design and engineering.
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How can visitors explore Hamburg if they have limited time?
- If you have limited time in the city, you can see most of the highlights by joining one of the many free walking tours on offer or taking to the water on a harbor tour.
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What can visitors do if they have more time?
- If you have more time at your disposal, there are a host of interesting attractions for you to visit.
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1. Fischmarkt (Fish Market)
Explore Hamburg’s lively Fischmarkt and savor fresh seafood early morning.
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Located at the Elbe Harbor Basin, the famous Hamburg Fischmarkt (Fish Market) attracts up to 70,000 visitors every Sunday. The name may be a bit misleading, as the Fish Market sells just about any type of food you can imagine, as well as flowers, plants, clothing and souvenirs. There is a great atmosphere at the market as touts loudly advertise their specials. Of course, there are many stalls selling prepared food which you can enjoy as you look out over the Port of Hamburg. In the adjacent Auction Hall you can enjoy live music as you eat a delicious smoked salmon roll, herring on rye or traditional German sausage.
Fischmarkt, 9 Grosse Elbstrasse, 22767 Hamburg, Germany
2. Jungfernstieg
Walk along Jungfernstieg and admire beautiful lakeside views and shops.
For a wonderful view of the city and a pleasant outdoor stroll, Hamburg locals and visitors flock to the historic Jungfernstieg promenade. The promenade runs along the edge of the Inner Alster, a large inner-city lake, which links you to some of Hamburg’s favorite shopping malls, galleries and boutique stores. As you walk along the promenade you can enjoy great views across the water and perhaps stop for a coffee and snack at the Alter Pavilion. There are many benches along the way where you can relax and watch the passing parade. If you would like to take a sightseeing tour on the lake you will find numerous ferries moored along the pavilion.
Jungfernstieg, Hamburg, Germany
3. Speicherstadt
Discover Speicherstadt’s historic canals and explore exciting museums and attractions.
Comprised of row upon row of historic buildings, the Speicherstadt (City of Warehouses) is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see attraction on your Hamburg itinerary. Built in the Port of Hamburg between 1883 and 1927, Speicherstadt is the largest warehouse district in the world. The complex is 1,5km long and is intersected by several loading canals. Built on a foundation of wooden logs, the neo-Gothic red-brick buildings are topped with decorative gables, towers and sandstone ornamentation. You can join a walking tour of the area or take a boat tour to admire the complex from the water, and learn all about the history of the complex at the Speicherstadt Museum.
Speicherstadt, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
4. Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland)
Visit Miniatur Wunderland and admire detailed miniature worlds and unusual sights.
Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland) is a favorite Hamburg attraction for both young and old. This incredible miniature railway and airport display features themed mini-countries from all over the world, including the USA, where you can visit Las Vegas, Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon. On your trip around the world you can admire thousands of railway cars, airplanes and miniature landscapes from Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland and Austria – a perfect way to see the world in a day. You can make an online booking in advance to avoid long queues and if you would like to see how the whole complex works you can join a Guided Backstage Tour. Special Children’s Guided Tours are ideal for birthday parties.
Miniatur Wunderland, Kehrwieder 2/ Block D, 20457 Hamburg, Germany, Phone: +49-40-300-68-00
5. Rathaus (City Hall)
Explore Hamburg’s Rathaus and admire its impressive architecture and history.
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The exquisite Hamburg Rathaus (City Hall) is by far one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city. Built between 1886 and 1897, the impressive building is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in history and architecture. The exterior of the building conforms to the North German Renaissance style and inside you can admire the ornate Grand Ballroom, the equally impressive Tower Hall, the Plenary Hall and the Senate Council Chamber. The Rathaus Tower is a prominent city landmark and offers excellent city views from the viewing platform. You can join a guided tour of the Rathaus which will include highlights such as the Hygeia Fountain, the bell floor and the clock floor.
Rathaus, Rathausmarkt 1, 20095 Hamburg, Germany
6. Elbphilharmonie
Look at Elbphilharmonie’s striking design and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views.
Located at the western tip of the Hafen City (Harbor City) the amazing Elbphilharmonie building is a prominent Hamburg landmark. Home to the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Elbphilharmonie is more than just another building it is an architectural work of art. The lower half of the structure (formerly the Kaispeicher Building) accommodates a parking garage, while the upper glass-clad building with its wave-like roof is home to two concert halls, a hotel and residential apartments. To fully appreciate this very impressive concert hall you should try and attend one of the regular concerts or join a Guided tour, which will give you a glimpse behind the scenes.
Elbphilharmonie, Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany, Phone: +49-40-35-76-66-66
7. Hagenbeck Zoo - The Arctic Ocean Exhibit
See fascinating Arctic wildlife and enjoy a fun family outing.
Hagenbeck Zoo offers visitors the chance to experience the marvels of the Arctic and Antarctic poles right in the center of the city. Their amazing Arctic Ocean exhibit took three years to build and perfectly replicates arctic conditions. You start your polar exploration as you enter the exhibit via a 750m visitor path that will lead you through the various regions of the arctic. Along the route you will see a wonderful variety of rare and endangered polar animals enjoying their very life-like habitat. Expect to see diving polar bears, fur seals, penguins, walruses and more. After you polar exploration you can move on to see all the other exhibits at this fine zoo – you probably need a full day to see everything.
Hagenbeck Zoo - The Arctic Ocean Exhibit, Lokstedter Grenzstrasse 2, 22527 Hamburg, Germany, Phone: +49-40-530-03-30
8. St. Michaelis - Saint Michael’s Church
Admire Saint Michael’s Church’s baroque beauty and panoramic city views.
The highly visible tower of Saint Michael’s Church is an iconic Hamburg landmark which is essential viewing for all architecture enthusiasts. The church you see now has been rebuilt several times since it was originally constructed in the 17th century. Almost completely destroyed by two separate fires and then heavily bombed during WWII, very little remains of the original structure. There are a few ways to learn about the history and the original architecture of St. Michaelis – you can download the MichelApp and take yourself on a self-guided tour or you can join a guided group tour. The views from the top of German’s oldest bell tower are brilliant and Night Tours are also available.
St. Michaelis, Englische Planke 1, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
9. Reeperbahn
Discover Reeperbahn’s vibrant nightlife and explore exciting clubs and attractions.
Home to Hamburg’s notorious Red Light district, the Reeperbahn is a mile-long street which is widely known as an entertainment hub. Although the street and its side streets are still dotted with risqué strip-bars and nightclubs, there are also many other regular pubs and entertainment venues. Famously, this is where the Beatles were first recognized while performing in a music club. If you are looking for something a little more elegant you can visit Hamburg’s highest restaurant Clouds, or enjoy Glanz and Gloria, a glamorous 20’s themed cocktail bar. For the full Red-Light experience you can make your way to Herbertstrasse where ladies of the night display their charms in dimly-lit windows.
Reeperbahn, Hamburg, German
10. The Hamburg Dungeon
Explore The Hamburg Dungeon and experience thrilling, unusual historical reenactments.
If you are looking for a great way to combine a history lesson with a lot of fun, a trip to The Hamburg Dungeon is just the thing for you. The Hamburg Dungeon experience brings the dark days of the city to brilliant life with 11 shows and two exciting rides. Along the way you will learn more than 600 years of history and a lot of myths and legends. Since many of the experiences or shows have a rather macabre theme, the Hamburg Dungeon recommends a minimum age of 10 years and only admits children over the age of 8 (at the parent’s discretion). Combi tickets are available for entrance to the dungeon and several other city attractions.
The Hamburg Dungeon, Kehrwieder 2, Hamburg 20457, Phone: +49-18-06-66-69-01-40
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming parks.
The Fontenay Hamburg – A luxury lakeside hotel with modern design.
Visit Planten un Blomen – Stroll through one of Hamburg’s most beautiful gardens.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and ideal for outdoor sightseeing.
25hours Hotel HafenCity – A stylish stay inspired by Hamburg’s maritime heritage.
Explore the Elbphilharmonie – Enjoy breathtaking views from Hamburg’s iconic concert hall.
Fall (September-November) – Cooler weather and cultural events.
Hotel Atlantic Hamburg – A historic and elegant hotel.
Take a harbor boat tour – See Hamburg’s famous port and Speicherstadt district.
Plan Your Trip
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