Hamburg Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Hamburg
Speicherstadt showing a bridge and a city
Stadtpark featuring a park
Hamburg Dungeon which includes signage
Hamburg is known Germany as the "gateway to the world" and is the largest port in the country and the second largest in Europe. The city is proud of its status as an independent city-state and on its trading history, to which the city owes much of its wealth. Today, Hamburg is known as one of the richest metropolises in Europe, along with Brussels and London.

The busy port of Hamburg is situated on the River Elbe, 100 kilometres from the North Sea. You can learn about Hamburg’s maritime past at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg and in the museum ship, Cap San Diego.

The port may be the heart of Hamburg, but the city has far more to offer, especially in the field of art and culture. Visit the massive Hamburger Kunsthalle Art Gallery and the contemporary arts centre Deichtorhallen, which holds world famous international exhibitions. With its extensive subway system, it’s easy to find your way around Hamburg. Don’t forget to visit the Miniatur Wunderland, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany.

The city centre of Hamburg is made up mostly of modern office buildings, since many of the medieval buildings were lost in the Great Fire of 1842 or during World War II, when it was bombed to rubble. Visit the Hamburger Rathaus (Town Hall), which has been painstakingly rebuilt and restored to its original 19th century state.

Stroll through warehouse district and the HafenCity, with its renovated former port warehouses and ambitious modern buildings of glass and steel. Admire the architecture, dine at the best restaurants and stroll the boutique shops for unique luxury items. This urban renewal project is currently the largest of its kind in Europe and it’s here that Hamburg shows itself embracing change and confidently moving into the future.

Near the centre you will find several large parks and lakes. Visit the Planten un Blomen park to unwind in the Japanischer Garten. Rent a car or take advantage of the fast and reliable national rail network to explore nearby historic sites.

Where to stay in Hamburg

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Hamburg City Center

4.5/5(217 area reviews)

Miniatur Wunderland and Hamburg City Hall are top sights in Hamburg City Center, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Rathaus U-Bahn or Rodingsmarkt U-Bahn to see more sights in the area.

Hamburg City Center
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Hamburg-Mitte

2/5(1 area review)

Known for its fascinating museums and captivating waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Hamburg-Mitte. You can visit top attractions like Miniatur Wunderland and Reeperbahn, and jump on the metro at Veddel S-Bahn or Wilhelmsburg S-Bahn to see more of the city.

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

Saint Pauli

4/5(39 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and captivating waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Saint Pauli. You can visit top attractions like Reeperbahn and Millerntor Stadium, and jump on the metro at Feldstraße Station or Feldstrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

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

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
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Saint Georg

4/5(170 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Saint Georg. Spend some time visiting top spots like Alster Lakes, and catch the metro at Lohmuhlenstrasse U-Bahn or South Central U-Bahn to see more of the area.

Saint Georg
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Hamburg-Nord

4/5(33 area reviews)

Travellers choose Hamburg-Nord for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Alsterdorf U-Bahn or Sengelmannstrasse U-Bahn and check out top sights like Sporthalle Hamburg.

Hamburg-Nord
Reichshof Hotel Hamburg
Reichshof Hotel Hamburg
Kirchenallee 34-36, Hamburg
The price is £117 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£117
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this boutique hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,191 reviews)
"the room was great- little tight on space"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Reichshof Hotel Hamburg
Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Kirchenallee 49, Hamburg, HH
The price is £104 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
£104
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Lovely hotel in great position
"An overnight stop with a four night stop to follow. Great position. No stairs at entrance. Lift availability to room as well as stairs. Reception area was busy with people checking in but flowed well and the reception staff were friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Ruby Lotti Hotel Hamburg
Ruby Lotti Hotel Hamburg
Düsternstraße 1-3, Hamburg
The price is £85 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£85
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Hotel conveniently located to walk to tourist attractions"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Ruby Lotti Hotel Hamburg
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the room service in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,147 reviews)
"Good location for walking around and clean"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt
Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
Ditmar-Koel-Strasse 1, Hamburg, HH
Stay at this aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and free food shopping service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (923 reviews)
"More than we expected!"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
Citadines Michel Hamburg
Citadines Michel Hamburg
Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 7, Hamburg, HH
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,561 reviews)
"Vi var fire veninder på tur til Hamburg. Hotellet ligger perfekt for sightseeing, morgenmaden er fin, og vi er alle enige om, at næste gang vi skal til Hamburg, skal vi bo her igen."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2025

Citadines Michel Hamburg
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Hamburg

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
191
5 - Excellent 51%
4 - Good
158
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
24
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love this city!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

For those wanting to do some sightseeing then getting a City Travel Card (TurboPass.com) is a very good idea. If you want something most unusual, Hamburg has a unique mineral/fossil gallery and shop at ‘RedGallery.com’. Well worth a visit...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely city, affluent, clean and safe, easy transportation and lots to see and do.

5/5 - Excellent

Leonora

Lots of park and easy transport

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice city, bit cold and damp in January (probably to be expected) definitely somewhere I would visit again

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Hamburg ist immer eine Reise wert. Eine wunderschöne Stadt die perfekt Altes mit Neuem kombiniert... für Familien mit Kindern genauso wie für Paare oder Einzelreisende. Hamburg hat Flair und für jeden etwas zu bieten.

Cities near Hamburg