What are the best things to do in Hamburg?

When people think of Germany, they often think of cities like Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt. Even though those cities are great, many visitors to Germany seem to forget about the picturesque city of Hamburg. With its unique location, proximity to the North Sea and vibrant culture, the city of Hamburg has plenty to offer visitors, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. From unique & stylish bars and clubs offering an eclectic mix of music, art, and food to beautiful architecture & culture to explore – Hamburg has everything you need for a memorable trip.

So, what are the best things to do in Hamburg?

Hamburg is a bustling city with plenty of attractions worthy of exploration. Whether you’re looking for something fun and energetic or something more peaceful and cultural, you’ll find it in Hamburg.

1. Tour the Harbour

Hamburg is a port city, and one of its main attractions is taking a tour of its impressive harbour. The Old Town district, which sits along the Elbe River, is an excellent place to start. Here, you can take a tour of the harbour by boat and see some incredible sights. The most famous being the Haifischbecken (shark basin). This unique part of the harbour was in development during WWII and was the original site for the creation of the German warship Alster II. The tour also passes over parts of Hamburg that were greatly affected by bombing raids during WWII.

For those looking for more educational tours, there are plenty of them available in Hamburg. tours old traditional sailing ships, there’s something in Hamburg for everyone. All of these tours provide a lot of insight into how the city has evolved over time and provide a unique perspective into what makes it such a great place for travelers to visit.

Alternatively, there’s plenty of opportunities available to rent a kayak or SUP (stand-up paddleboard) and explore some of the canals and inlets around the city. This is a great way to get up close and personal with all of the impressive architecture on display, as well as exploring parts of the harbour that would otherwise be inaccessible by boat.

2. Take a Cruise on the Alster Lake

The Alster Lake is one of the most scenic attractions in Hamburg. It spreads out over an area of around twenty square kilometers and is surrounded by plenty of parks and gardens. Taking a cruise along this impressive lake is a great way to take in all the culture and grandeur that Hamburg has to offer. There are plenty of boat companies out there offering cruises such as this one, each tailored for different experience levels and interests.

During the warmer months it is also possible to rent out small boats for self-guided tours around the lake. For passionate photography enthusiasts there is plenty to see as many areas around the lake are heavily forested. You will come across picturesque lakeshores which look out over some incredible views of Hamburg’s cityscape.

3. Visit Miniatur Wunderland

Hamburg is home to the world’s largest model railway. Miniatur Wunderland has been running since 2001 and is one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions – hosting more than one million visitors each year. The model railway spans multiple rooms, each depicting different parts of Germany and around Europe. It’s an incredible sight to behold, with meticulous detail and intricate displays that have to be seen to be believed.

The model railway also constitutes some engineering masterpieces – with waterfalls, bridges, elevators and roads all making an appearance throughout the layout. Miniatur Wunderland offers tourists an incredible insight into Germany’s landscapes, landmarks and historical events – all through miniature models. You could easily spend hours wandering around Germany in miniature – just make sure you get your tickets early as tickets do sell out quickly during peak times!

4. Relax at one of Hamburg’s many parks

One of the best things about Hamburg is its abundance of green spaces and parks – places where visitors can relax and enjoy some peace and tranquillity away from all the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Stadtpark is the city’s most famous park but nearby Planten un Blomen is an underrated hidden gem where many locals go to relax on sunny days. Here you can take a relaxing walk through flower-covered pathways and admire some beautiful centuries-old trees while listening to live music performers taking advantage of Stadt Park’s open air bandstands (on certain days). Planten un Blomen is also home to some excellent cultural events throughout the year including a light display show at night (Unity Illumination), a Japanese Japan Garden and a huge playground for kids across two levels with slides and climbing activities.

5. Visit Reeperbahn

No visit to Hamburg would be complete without taking a stroll through Reeperbahn – Hamburg’s famous red-light district and one of Europe’s most infamous nightlife areas. Here you can visit some incredible nightclubs such as Club 8° or Molos Food & Music Hall where you can expect some tasty food and great vibes while listening to some amazing live music events throughout the year. The area also offers plenty of other entertainment options such as bowling, karaoke bars, pubs and restaurants serving up some traditional German cuisine. Reeperbahn is certainly not for everyone – but if you’re looking for a unique way to experience Hamburg at night then this is definitely somewhere worth checking out!

6. Sample some traditional German food and drink

Hamburg has no shortage of traditional German restaurants where visitors can sample local dishes such as Labskaus (a potato-based dish) or Currywurst (minced pork sausage covered with curry sauce). Hamburg is also known for its fish dishes, so make sure to try those out wherever possible!

When it comes to drinks there’s no shortage of local brews available in many bars around town – perfect for washing down whatever German dishes you end up sampling while exploring Hamburg!

7. Take a Hamburg: Private Premium Pub Crawl, Exploring the City’s Unique Hidden Pubs

Lastly, if you’re looking for an unbeatable experience while in Hamburg – why not explore its unique hidden pubs from an expert guide? A Hamburg Private Premium Pub Crawl with GetYourGuide is definitely one for your list – allowing visitors to explore the best pubs off the beaten path that only a local would know about! This late night tour offers something different from any other tour – showing off landmarks uncommonly seen by tourists, as well as evening entertainment stopping at some of the city’s best bars with local music, beer tastings & pup crawl trivia in comfortable air-conditioned coach buses – perfect for getting around no matter what time of day it is! Of course – don’t forget to avail yourself of Germany’s famous hospitality – treating yourself & your traveling companions to one too many beers in friendly atmosphere with an expert guide lightening up your party fun with plenty humor & stories along the way! It’s not just an excursion but rather an adventure – perfecting rounding off your time in Hamburg!

So, there you have it: these are all great ideas for things to do while in Hamburg! Whether you’re looking for something peaceful and cultural or some wild nightlife action, there’s something in Hamburg for everyone – so make sure you check it out for yourself!