Hamburg

Travel Guide

Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Hamburg showing a bay or harbor
Speicherstadt featuring a bridge and a city
Stadtpark showing a park
Hamburg Dungeon showing signage

This modern port city is known for its maritime traditions, art galleries and converted warehouse districts filled with restaurants, bars and boutique shops.

Calling itself Germany’s Gateway to the World, Hamburg is the country's biggest port and the second largest in Europe. It is proud of its status as an independent city-state and of its mercantile background, which created much of the city's wealth. Today Hamburg is known for being one of the richest metropolitan areas in Europe, along with Brussels and London.

Located on the River Elbe, Hamburg’s busy port is 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the North Sea. Hamburg Harbor today is home to the International Maritime Museum Hamburg and the museum ship Cap San Diego, which jointly tell the story of Hamburg’s maritime history.

Although the port may be the heart of Hamburg, the city offers many additional features, particularly in the areas of culture and the arts. Visit the vast Hamburger Kunsthalle art gallery and the Deichtorhallen center for contemporary art, which hosts world-renowned international exhibitions. Use Hamburg’s extensive subway system to navigate between museums and galleries, which you’ll find throughout the city. Don’t miss the Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland), one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany.

Hamburg’s city center now contains mostly modern office buildings, as many of its medieval buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1842 or reduced to rubble during World War II. Seek out the Hamburg Rathaus, or Town Hall, which was painstakingly rebuilt and restored to its original 19th-century condition.

Walk around the Speicherstadt and New Docklands areas, where you’ll find renovated former port warehouses and ambitious modern glass-and-steel structures. Admire the architecture, dine at upscale restaurants and shop for one-of-a-kind and luxury items at boutiques. These areas of urban redevelopment, currently the largest such project in Europe, show modern Hamburg at its best, embracing change and moving confidently into the future.

A short distance from the center you can find several large parks and lakes. Visit the Planten un Blomen (Plants and Flowers) park to spend time in the tranquil Japanese Garden. Rent a car or catch Germany’s fast and reliable national train network to explore nearby historic towns.

Where to stay in Hamburg

Hamburg City Center which includes a city, heritage architecture and night scenes

Hamburg City Center

4.5/5(215 area reviews)

Imposing Renaissance Revival structures like Hamburg Rathaus and three main churches, St. Jacobi, St. Katharinen, and St. Petri, adorn this district. Explore museums like Hamburg Kunsthalle and enjoy performances at Thalia Theater.

Hamburg City Center
Hamburg City Center which includes a city, heritage architecture and night scenes

Hamburg-Mitte

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Discover Hamburg-Mitte's bustling urban center, home to the historic Altstadt, Neustadt, and HafenCity districts. Enjoy the green oasis of Planten un Blomen park, and easily navigate with the city's rapid transit system.

Hamburg-Mitte
Japanese Garden showing a river or creek and a garden

Saint Pauli

4/5(35 area reviews)

Experience the lively atmosphere of St. Pauli, Hamburg's entertainment hub, featuring musicals, theaters, bars, and clubs in the "sinful mile." Explore iconic landmarks like Beatles-Platz square and Hans-Albers-Platz near Reeperbahn.

Saint Pauli
St. Catherine\'s Church which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Altstadt Hamburg

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Altstadt Hamburg. Spend some time visiting top spots like Moenckebergstrasse, and catch the metro at Messberg U-Bahn or Meßberg Station to see more of the area.

Altstadt Hamburg
Winterhude showing a park

Hamburg-Nord

4/5(54 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Sporthalle Hamburg and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Hamburg-Nord. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Alsterdorf U-Bahn or Sengelmannstrasse U-Bahn.

Hamburg-Nord
Wow. The beauty of spring right in the green space on an intersection on a busy Hamburg street. Discovered while cycling through the city.

Saint Georg

4/5(169 area reviews)

Central location and vibrant nightlife define St. Georg, offering street cafés, shops, and theaters like Deutsches Schauspielhaus and Ohnsorg-Theater. Explore St. Mary's Cathedral and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, with easy access to public transport.

Saint Georg
Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg

Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg

4.5 out of 5
Congressplatz 2, Hamburg, HH
$144 nightly
The price is $154 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$154 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,122 reviews)
"2 dage i Hamburg på vej fraferie. Fint, god placering i forhold til midtby , kan gå til meget og ellers er der s og u bahn lige ved hotel. Eneste ulempe kan høre togene som standser, hvinen på skinnerne gennem dagen"

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg
Hotel Fürst Bismarck

Hotel Fürst Bismarck

Kirchenallee 49, Hamburg, HH
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Older classic hotel with high ceilings and old world charm. Lovely decor. Surprised we could open the window with no protective screen. Sabina and Roche both pleasant, personable and helpful. A nice stay very convenient to train station with great dining options."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Hamburg Marriott Hotel

Hamburg Marriott Hotel

ABC Strasse 52, Hamburg, HH
$184 nightly
The price is $197 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$197 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"A good quality Marriott right in the center."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Hamburg Marriott Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt

Willy-Brandt-Strasse 25, Hamburg
Stay at this aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the room service in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,192 reviews)
"The room was very modern and comfortable. Love the apartment amenities! Perfect location to get around town and take public transport. The staff were also very nice and they let us access the room early!"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Michel

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Michel

4 out of 5
Neuer Steinweg 26, Hamburg, HH
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Friendly and helpful staff. Good location."

Reviewed on Aug 6, 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Michel
Numa Hamburg Fore

Numa Hamburg Fore

Kapstadtring 1, Hamburg
Stay at this aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (710 reviews)
Terrific place to stay when visiting Hamburg
"We really enjoyed our stay at this property. It was close to the places we wanted to visit. Very easy to get to with a little bit of walking to the local train station. We wanted a kitchen and got a lovely one that was well outfitted for our needs. The layout of the little efficiency apartment was ..."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Numa Hamburg Fore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Hamburg

Like most large European cities, Hamburg has a fantastic public transportation system that makes car rental unnecessary. All the city’s buses, trains and ferries are run by HVV, so the system is completely integrated. Buy a single ticket to cover your travel across all modes of transportation. You will probably use the S-Bahn (overground rail network) and U-Bahn (underground rail network) the most. Visit the Hamburg Transport Association Opens in a new window website.Browse Hamburg rental cars.

Best time to visit

Hamburg has a clear seasonal pattern, with warm summers, cold winters and cool springs and falls. If sunshine is your priority, visit between May and August, when daytime temperatures will be in the mid 60s F (16 C). Spring and fall offer pleasant weather. Brave the cold to visit in December and you will be rewarded with Christmas markets and festive cheer, but bring your warmest clothes.

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