Hamburg is Germany’s great port, with more bridges than Venice, striking new architecture and a legendary nightlife district. It feels open and breezy, with lots of water.
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
HafenCity
A dramatic concert hall on top of an old warehouse, with a free public viewing plaza.
Daily; plaza tickets are free but timed
Speicherstadt
A red-brick warehouse district, home to the world’s largest model railway.
Daily; Miniatur Wunderland opens most days
Alster
A relaxed trip around the inner lake, with villas and cafés along the shores.
Daily in season
Landungsbrücken
A boat trip around Europe’s third-largest port, with commentary and views of the docks.
Daily; several departures
Blankenese
A hillside fishing village of lanes and steps, with a sandy Elbe beach.
Open-air; cafés open daily
St Pauli
A pedestrian and cycle tunnel under the river, opened in 1911, with tiled walls and big lifts for vehicles.
Open daily; lifts run most of the day
Altstadt
A UNESCO-listed quarter of brick-expressionist warehouses, with the ship-shaped Chilehaus as its landmark.
Streets open all day
Ohlsdorf
The world’s largest park cemetery, a vast landscape of trees, ponds and sculptures, popular with walkers.
Open daily in daylight
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Alster, Hamburg
Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Hamburg, in a central location.
HafenCity, Hamburg
Rated 8.9/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Hamburg, in a central location.
St. Pauli, Hamburg
Rated 8.4/10, about 10% below typical 3★ prices in Hamburg, in a central location.
A quay-side stand for Fischbrötchen, the local fish-sandwich speciality, beside the harbour.
Known for: Fischbrötchen
Under about £15 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
A traditional Hamburg tavern serving Labskaus, a sailors’ dish, in a wood-panelled 1795 room.
Known for: Labskaus, north German cooking
About £30–50 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Groups
The historic fish-auction hall, home to the Sunday fish market with live music and breakfast.
Known for: Sunday fish market breakfast
About £15–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Groups
A Parisian-style brasserie with a stunning tiled interior in an old butcher’s shop.
Known for: French brasserie classics
About £15–30 per person
Good for Families · Groups
Hamburg · Highlights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Hamburg picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
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