This list of places to visit in Hamburg Essentials will help you to visit one of the most important and active cities in Germany, which we are sure, will surprise you.
Destroyed almost completely during World War II, Hamburg was reborn from its ashes to become a thriving city and full of attractive places for visitors, among which its historic center stands out with the Town Hall square as the epicenter, the green areas, the artificial lakes and rivers, the harbor area, the neighborhoods, museums and cultural centers, which make Hamburg one of the most visited German cities.
Based on our experience in the time we spent in this city during our trip to Bremen and Hamburg, we have made a selection of what we believe are the 10 must-see places in Hamburg. We start!
1. Hamburg City Hall
The Town Hall, located in the magnificent monumental square of Rathausplatz, is one of the most essential places to visit in Hamburg. Opened in 1897, after a fire destroyed the previous town hall, this neo-Renaissance building was built during the most prosperous era of the city, a moment that is fully reflected in its incredible facade, the 112-meter-high tower and an interior that mixes several styles, and where daily guided tours are made that run through some interior rooms.
A good option to learn more about the history of the city is to book a free tour with a guide in Spanish. Free! or this private tour.
Both options start at the Town Hall Square and tour the most interesting places in the city.
Hamburg City Hall
2. Deichstrasse Street
Deichstrasse street, full of old story houses, with Dutch-style facades built from the 17th to the 19th century and located on the banks of the Nikolaifleet canal, is one of the most beautiful in the city and another of the places to see in Hamburg.
Located between the church of San Nicolás and the port, today we can say that fortunately, many of the houses resisted the bombings of World War II and although others have been rebuilt, that does not take away charm or sensation while You walk it, to move a few centuries ago.
On the other side of the canal is Cremon Street, another of the streets you cannot miss in Hamburg.
Deichstrasse Street
3. Speicherstadt
Although Hamburg has no sea, the great rivers like the Elbe, the canals and artificial lakes have turned it into a seafaring city and the second largest port in Europe, in which the Speicherstadt area stands out, in the port district called Hafen City, which is an old unloading and storage area of the city, which has undergone a radical change thanks to a large urban project.
In addition, this neighborhood is famous for having the largest warehouse area in the world, for which it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where the Gothic-style red brick warehouses stand out, which can be enjoyed even more while touring in Barca its narrow canals, which have undoubtedly made this area one of the biggest tourist attractions and places to visit in Hamburg.
A good option to get to know this area is to book this tour through the Speicherstadt and HafenCity with a guide in Spanish.
Speicherstadt, one of the places to visit in Hamburg
4. Church of San Miguel
The Church of St. Michael, the most important baroque church in northern Germany, is one of the symbols and another of the places to see in Hamburg.
This church stands out for its high 132 meter tower with magnificent views of the port, the Elbe river and the city center, which also has the largest bell tower in Germany. Before entering the church do not forget to look up to see a copper image of the Archangel Michael before entering inside where you can see up to five organs and a crypt.
San Miguel's Church
5. Alster Lake, one of the places to see in Hamburg
Thanks to the Alster River, which crosses Hamburg through the historic center, two artificial lakes have been formed in Hamburg: the Binnenalster and the Aussenalster, known in conjunction with the name of the Alster Lake.
Binnenalster or inner Alster, is the closest to the Town Hall Square, has a fountain in the middle and you will see numerous ducks and swans while walking along the lake shore. The Aussenalster, separated from the Binnenalster by two bridges, is the fun area where you can take a boat or canoe ride, go cycling or have a picnic accompanied by a large German beer in its green area.
Alster Lake, one of the places to see in Hamburg
Our recommended hotel in Hamburg
Hotel Fürst Bismarck, located opposite the central station and a 5-minute walk from the historic center, is one of the best accommodation options in Hamburg. It also has a good quality / price ratio, 24 hour reception, a varied and quality breakfast and they give you tickets for free public transport in the city.
6. Krameramtswohnungen
Krameramtswohnungen, located near the Church of San Miguel, is one of the most beautiful corners and another one of the places to visit in Hamburg. In this small alley there are beautiful 17th-century houses where small merchants resided and it is also a good place to remember Hamburg before the Second World War, and you can even visit a house with period furniture !.
Krameramtswohnungen
7. St. Pauli Neighborhood
St. Pauli, one of the most famous and largest red light districts in Europe, surpassing even that of Amsterdam, is the most lively and another of the places to see in Hamburg. Its most famous street is Reeperbahn, known as "the mile of sin" from the Red Light District, although around Hans-Albers-Plat Square and Herbertstrasse and Grosse Freiheit streets, much of the city's nightlife is also concentrated.
St. Pauli has been transforming over the years and more and more modern premises have emerged in the form of bars, restaurants, theaters, which have become an area for all audiences and the favorite to spend a fun night . One of the most curious anecdotes in the neighborhood is that the Beatles played in several clubs in this neighborhood before becoming famous.
A good option to know the history of the neighborhood and not miss anything is to book this tour through the Red Light District and the port with a guide in Spanish.
Sankt Pauli Neighborhood
8. Plant a Blomen
Plant a Blomen, "Plants and flowers", it is a huge park and botanical garden located near the city center. This green lung of Hamburg has several prominent areas such as the Japanese garden, which mixes flowers and trees with water, tropical plants, a large lake, water games for children and even a bar for a good beer.
It is a perfect place to take a relaxing walk and take advantage of a sunny day to lay in one of its hammocks.
Plant a Blomen
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Elba Philharmonic and the Miniatur-Wunderland Museum
The Elba Philharmonic and the Miniatur-Wunderland Museum, located very close to each other in the port area, are two of the most interesting places to visit in Hamburg.
The Philharmonic of Elba, is a concert hall that stands out for the incredible architecture of its building and has become the emblem of the new Hamburg. If you have no chance to go to any concert, its acoustics are impressive, you can enter the large terrace with panoramic views of the harbor for free.
In the Miniatur-Wunderland Museum you will feel Gulliver for a day, when you walk through the largest miniature railway facility in the world while traveling through countries and continents through miniature trains, which will leave you speechless with the incredible models that faithfully reproduce some of its wonders
Elba Philharmonic
10. Fischmarkt
If you visit Hamburg on a Sunday you cannot miss the most famous market in the city, the Fischmarkt. This popular fish market that opens at 5 in the morning in summer, is perfect to combine with a party night in the nearby Red Light District or to get up early.
In the market you will find fish, fruit, plants, clothes, at a good price, in addition to a unique environment, which already justifies your visit. The only drawback is that the stalls close at 9:30 in the morning, although you can always enter the fish market building for coffee or hot chocolate and have breakfast while listening to live music.
Help us complete the list of 10 places to see in Hamburg, adding your recommendation in the comments.
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The best flight deals to Hamburg here
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10 essential tips for traveling to Germany
Rent your car in Germany at the best price here
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
