How long should I go for?
As Germany’s second largest city, you should allow 2-3 nights to see everything that Hamburg has to offer.
Getting there:
Hamburg has 5 train stations and is therefore well connected to many other cities in Germany as well as many other major European cities. Frequent high speed trains run to and from destinations including Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Frankfurt, as well as Switzerland. Trains also run direct services to and from Copenhagen, Budapest, Aarhus, Prague, Vienna and Bratislava.
Getting around:
Hamburg is well connected by buses; buses run through the day and also at night. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn also run at most times during the day. You can buy tickets for rail and tram services from machines in the train stations, and on buses the drivers will sell tickets. The transport works on a hop on hop off basis, however officials make regular spot checks for tickets.
Also known as the ‘Gateway to Germany’, the port of Hamburg is Europe’s second largest port. Take a tour of the harbour and the Elbe or cruise around the canals of Speicherstadt. Visit the area at night time to see the world’s largest interconnect network of warehouses illuminated by over 800 spotlights and watch as this industrial area is transformed into one of the city’s most dazzling districts. Back on dry land, the harbour is home to numerous restaurants with a view of the Elbe, just a short distance from Ovelgonne beach.
Hamburg’s city hall, built in 1897, in Neo-renaissance style, is open to the public for guided tours. The City Hall is also Hamburg’s seat of Government and houses both the Chamber of Commerce and the Hamburg Stock Exchange. Near the Rathaus you will find Mönckebergstraße, one of Hamburg’s main shopping districts. Despite being home to some of Germany’s biggest brands, this tree lined shopping street provides a surprisingly relaxed shopping experience. Just in front of the City Hall you’ll find the Rathausmarkt which hosts events throughout the Summer.
The world’s largest model railway consists of nearly 1040 trains and 4110 buildings and has been growing since 2000. Across nine different themed worlds, you’ll find models of The Alps, Italy, North America and Scandinavia. In total, there are more than 269,000 figures, 4,340 buildings and 130,000 trees.
These two artificial lakes join the River Elbe and River Alster and are connected by the Kennedy and Lombard bridges. Here visitors, can enjoy a lake cruise to admire the picturesque scenery, or simply wander through the historic lanes and squares which surround the lakes. In the summer, boats, canoes, kayaks and even stand-up-paddle-boards can be hired around the Alster.
Hamburg has some of the best nightlife in Europe. The city has loads to offer and guarantees a good time with venues hosting events above ground and underground. St Pauli is the heart of Hamburg’s nightlife, here you will find everything from student bars to clubs catering to all tastes of music.
Fun bars to visit include Molly Malone Irish bar and Glanz & Gloria. For Electronic Music visit HALO or Baalsaaland and, for house music, the Underground venue Bahnhof Pauli.
The Bucerius Kunst Forum, Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Kunstverein in Hamburg and Museum for Kunst Und Gewerbe Hamburg all lay in the city centre of Hamburg. Visitors can buy a pass to visit all of the art museums.
Opened in January 2017 the Elphi is one of the largest concert halls in the world. The hall sits on top of an old warehouse and resembles a hoisted sail.
