Hamburg
Visited in July 2008
At a glance
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- Germany
- Population
- 1.9 million
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- Hamburg (HAM)
- Coordinates
- 53.55°N, 10.00°E
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Hamburg is Germany's second city and one of Europe's busiest ports, a wealthy, watery place of canals, lakes and container ships. Red-brick warehouses line the canals, and the glittering Elbphilharmonie concert hall rises above the harbour.
It has a famously rough edge too, in the bars and music clubs of St Pauli where the Beatles played their early gigs. Between the harbour, the Alster lakes and lively neighbourhoods, it is a city to explore by ferry, bike and on foot.
Things to see
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Photo: Evgenii Salganik, CC BY 4.0 Elbphilharmonie
Ride the long curved escalator to the public plaza for wide views over the harbour.
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Photo: Thomas Wolf , www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0 Speicherstadt
The world's largest warehouse district, red-brick buildings rising straight out of the canals.
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Photo: Bildersindtoll, CC BY-SA 4.0 Miniatur Wunderland
An enormous and detailed model railway world, more fun than it sounds; book ahead.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 St Michael's Church
Hamburg's landmark baroque church, with a tower you can climb for views over the port.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Arnoldius, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rathaus
The ornate neo-Renaissance town hall, with guided tours of its grand rooms.
Things to do
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Photo: Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose , CC BY-SA 4.0 Harbour ferry
Ride a public HADAG ferry from Landungsbrücken past docks and container ships.
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Photo: Digital olm, CC0 Sunday Fischmarkt
Get up early for the fish market and live music in the old auction hall at dawn.
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Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0 Around the Alster
Walk, cycle or paddle round the Outer Alster lake, lined with villas, rowing clubs and cafés.
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Photo: Frank Nocke, CC BY 3.0 Reeperbahn nights
Neon-lit bars, live music and late-night clubs in the St Pauli district.
Where to stay
Altstadt and Neustadt
Central, near the Rathaus, shops and canals.
Hotels in Altstadt and NeustadtSt Pauli
Lively and close to the harbour, best for nightlife.
Hotels in St PauliSternschanze
Alternative district with cafés, bars and independent shops.
Hotels in SternschanzeSt Georg
Near the main station and the Alster, with plenty of hotels.
Hotels in St Georg
Getting around
U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses and harbour ferries run on one ticket system. Bikes are a good way to explore the lakes and canals.
The S-Bahn runs from the airport to the main station in about 25 minutes.
When to go
May to September has the warmest weather and outdoor life by the water. Winter is cold, damp and windy, but the Christmas markets are cheerful.
Plan your trip to Hamburg
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.