Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Hamburg, Germany. #Top Attractions

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Explore Hamburg, Germany, this holiday! Check out our curated list of the best things to do in Hamburg, Germany, and the best places to visit in Hamburg, Germany below. Wondrous Drifter is an ambitious Web 3.0 travel startup with the potential to revolutionize the market.

Außenalster

Außenalster
Außenalster / Thomas Ulrich / Flickr

Trivia: More bridges in this city than in Amsterdam, Venice, and London combined.

Many of these pass via the rivers and canals that flow into the upper side of the city’s lake. In medieval times, the Alster river was transformed into a reservoir for the mills that occupied its banks.

The Kennedy Bridge connects the Außenalster and the smaller Binnenalster, forming one big park. Friends gather for caffeine at one of those kiosks and cafés along the tree-lined banks, and joggers come to go into their morning workout.

The Outer Alster is bordered by old trees, lush parks, and gorgeous mansions in St. Georg, Rotherbaum, and Winterhude districts. It gives it a refined, exquisite beauty. The upper lake’s canals and sluggish rivers run through Hamburg’s most wealthy neighborhoods.

When the weather’s warm, you’ll be able to hire a canoe or rowboat at Osterbekkanal to navigate the city less conventionally.

When the weather is nice, you can rent a canoe or boat at Osterbekkanal, for example, to explore the city differently.

Don’t miss seeing this breathtaking spot in Hamburg!

Address: Jungfernstieg, 20534 Hamburg

Chilehaus

Chilehaus
Chilehaus / Ștefan Jurcă / Flickr

Take a picture at your best angle in this triangle!

Two streets away from the Speicherstadt is a striking structure part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site and have been praised by many architects for 90 years.

It was one of Hamburg’s earliest high-rises (by today’s standards) and was ordered by the city’s richest man.

The Chilehaus was constructed in the early 1920s in the Brick Expressionism style, with a reinforced concrete frame with 4.8 million gray bricks. Johann Friedrich Höger designed the building, which was built for banker Henry Brarens Sloman, who made his wealth by transporting saltpeter from Chile.

The greatest picture angle is on the east side, where the nine-story wonder’s wavelike facades meet at a pointed tip on the junction of Pumpen and Burchardstraße, like the bow of a massive ship.

This is such a stunning spot to take great city pictures!

Address: Fischertwiete 2A, 20095 Hamburg, Germany

Deichtorhallen

Deichtorhallen
Deichtorhallen / Michael Behrens / Flickr

A museum dedicated to photography and contemporary arts

It is one of Europe’s largest exhibition venues, with three buildings – the House of Photography, the Hall for Contemporary Art, and the Falckenberg Collection – spread across two locations and 10,000 square meters of exhibition space.

There is an exhibition facility for art and photography in the market halls made of glass, brick, and steel constructed in the 1910s between the Hauptbahnhof and Hafencity.

From the outside, the Deichtorhallen is a wonderful sight. They were built in an industrial style during the time between Jugendstil and styles like Bauhaus and Art Deco that came after World War I.

They also constitute one of the largest European exhibition spaces that have put on landmark shows for Nobuyoshi Araki, Gilbert & George, Sarah Moon, and Antony Gormley in the last few years alone.

They are also one of Europe’s largest exhibition spaces, having hosted significant exhibitions by Gilbert & George, Nobuyoshi Araki, Sarah Moon, and Antony Gormley in the previous few years.

It is definitely a spot for museum and art lovers!

Address: Deichtorstraße 1–2, 20095 Hamburg

Dialogue in the Dark

Dialogue in the Dark
Dialogue in the Dark / Tom Page / Flickr

A museum that will change your perspective on the world.

One of many attractions worldwide, Dialogue in the Dark puts you in the shoes of a blind person and relies on your other senses to get you through the experience.

You’ll be in a small group with other blind or visually impaired people, and the guide will have your eyes covered. The museum’s appeal lies in the fact that it will put you in a position where you are vulnerable and reliant on your guide for assistance.

That immediate burst of empathy naturally spreads to other areas, precisely what the company’s founder, Andreas Heinecke, wanted to happen. He founded the museum while coping with his family’s being slain during the Holocaust.

Speicherstadt’s Dialoghaus promotes a spirit of mutual respect. It fosters a sense of belonging by focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses.

Indeed, you will have a meaningful experience if you visit!

Address: Alter Wandrahm 4, 20457 Hamburg

Elbe Tunnel

Elbe Tunnel
Elbe Tunnel / Mark Michaelis / Flickr

Have you been in a tunnel that is a tourist attraction simultaneously?

When the 426-meter Elbe Tunnel opened in 1911, no one ever saw anything quite like it. It changed the life of Hamburg harbor employees commuting from the right to the left side by being 24 meters below the river.

At Landungsbrücken, the northern entrance is easy to see thanks to its bright green dome, and the tunnel’s Jugendstil architecture is part of its attractiveness.

Two tunnels run parallel to one another, one for automobiles and one for pedestrians and bikes.

If you choose to travel on foot, be sure to take steps to get a sense of how large this project is and savor the historic signage, maritime patterns, and glazed tiles along the way.

A slightly different idea for a walk: out from a southern bank of the Elbe, you can see the edge of the harbor, the “Richmer Rickmers” and “Michel,” the after going through the tunnel.

Visit and see the light at the end of this iconic tunnel!

Address: Bei den St. Pauli, Landungsbrücken 7, 20359 Hamburg

Elbphilharmonie

Elbphilharmonie
Elbphilharmonie / mjaschy / Flickr

A trip to this spot is a treat for all of your senses.

The Elbphilharmonie was officially opened in 2017, and at more than 100 meters tall, it is Hamburg’s tallest building where people live.

In spite of the project’s enormous size, the Herzog & de Meuron design retains an airy, light character that has been likened to waves, a ship’s sails, or quartz crystal.

The Plaza, a public observation deck and cafe you can visit, is located at the top of the shimmering facade, with over 1,000 curving windows.

If you’re a music fan, you owe it to yourself to see the Elbphilharmonie Orchestra perform in one of the greatest acoustically outstanding venues ever constructed, the Great Concert Hall.

There are many similarities between this hall’s design and a traditional philharmonic hall. Still, it preserves its core concept: that of an orchestra and conductor situated in the middle of an audience, and acoustics and visual perception guide the construction.

It is such an incredible spot that you can’t miss!

Address: Platz der Deutschen Einheit 20457, Hamburg

HafenCity

HafenCity
HafenCity / Michael / Flickr

Take a stroll at Europe’s largest inner-city urban development area!

HafenCity, which includes the Speicherstadt, was a waterside that was newly built in the area in 2008. It is partly built on reclaimed Elbe land and will continuously expand in the coming 15 years, providing houses for more than 1o 000 people and up to 38,000 jobs.

A considerable portion of this free port was redeveloped. The architecture outside of the heritage sector is innovative and state-of-the-art. Imagine gleaming office buildings, housing complexes, and recreational facilities, all developed with elegance and sensitivity to their riverfront site.

Hamburg’s latest landmark is the stunning Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, which was built on the grounds of an old warehouse and has become a dominant feature of the city’s skyline.

It is Europe’s most ambitious inner-city development, combining the city’s historic UNESCO sites with contemporary design.

The modern architecture of HafenCity Hamburg contrasts sharply with that of the neighboring Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district.

Explore and see for yourself the wonders of this growing metropolitan!

Address: Osakaallee 11, 20457 Hamburg

Hamburg Rathaus

Hamburg Rathaus
Hamburg Rathaus / Michaela Loheit / Flickr

You will surely be impressed by this amazing seat of government in Hamburg.

The city hall in Hamburg, built at the end of the 19th century, is one of the most inspiring structures in the world. It embodies the richness and enthusiasm of a newly united Germany.

The 133-meter-wide facade is adorned with Neo-Renaissance architecture, and the tower in the center rises to 112 meters. 

The inside has a more Historicist architecture. One of its talking points is the tower’s incredible number of rooms: 647 at the last count, with a whole new room discovered in the tower in 1971.

You could go through to the courtyard, which includes a fountain adorned with a sculpture of the goddess Hygieia. There are temporary exhibitions indoors, which are free to view, and you can also view the exhibitions outside. 

You also can pay a little fee and go on a tour that lasts for sixty minutes. 

This is one of the incredible architectural wonders you can’t miss visiting!

Address: Rathausmarkt 1, 20095 Hamburg, Germany

Hamburger Dom

Hamburger Dom
Hamburger Dom / Eider Palmou / Flickr

A fun-filled Hamburg destination for all ages!

Heiligengeistfeld in St Pauli hosts a massive funfair and market three times a year. The duration of each Hamburger Dom is thirty days, and it occurs approximately in the months of April for the Spring DOM, August for Summer DOM, and November.

There are plenty of old-fashioned carousels that kids and young at hearts can enjoy, modern roller coasters that are truly state-of-the-art, and plenty of sideshows to keep you entertained.

Of course, the food is one of the highlights of this attraction! The fair is home to over a hundred vendors selling anything from Hamburg’s famous herring sandwiches to Currywurst to international cuisine.

Almonds roasting in the oven and other sweets like mini donuts or Schmalzkuchen and candyfloss fill the air.

The Winterdom, which dates back to the 1100s and was relocated to Heiligengeistfeld in 1893, is the oldest of the three fairs. 

Bring your family or friends with you to make your experience here more enjoyable!

Address: Heiligengeistfeld. 20359 Hamburg Germany

International Maritime Museum

 International Maritime Museum
International Maritime Museum / Fred Romero / Flickr

Discover maritime wonders inside Hamburg’s oldest and historic warehouse

Kaispeicher B, which is Speicherstadt’s oldest warehouse, stands 11 stories tall with a magnificent gabled facade.

It hosts Hamburg’s marine museum, launched in 2008, as seen from the massive propeller out front.

Peter Tamm. Chairman of Europe’s largest publishing business was the one that started the collection.

Moreover, Axel Spriner AG is the famous collector of model ships and maritime memorabilia.

If the charm of the wide sea has attracted you, you will be swept over by the maritime artifacts in the museums.

A replica of Ernest Shackleton’s lifeboat, Admiral Nelson’s letters, and an interesting 3,000-year-old kayak uncovered in Hamburg’s harbor are among the fascinating exhibits you can witness!

According to Peter Tamm, if you are unsure where to start, you should begin your exploration from the top and work your way down to the ground level. Prepare to do more than just gaze around – this contemporary museum employs an interactive approach.

For instance, the ship simulator on the first level lets you steer a 300-meter-long container ship through Rotterdam and Singapore, two of the world’s biggest ports.

Visit and explore this interesting maritime museum!

Address: Koreastraße 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany

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Jungfernstieg

Jungfernstieg
Jungfernstieg / Achim Hepp / Flickr

Have the ultimate luxury shopping in this spot!

Jungfernstieg is a coastal boulevard on the Binnenlaster in the center of Hamburg’s economic and cultural district.

The name stems from a long-standing tradition in which affluent Hanseaten families parade their unmarried daughters (Jungfern) in search of suitable bachelors.

Jungfernstieg was the first street in Berlin to be asphalted in 1838. Today, this wide and graceful boardwalk on the Binnenalster’s shoreline is one of Hamburg’s most exquisite shopping districts.

You’ll find renowned Alsterhaus and other landmark stores housed in neoclassical and historicist structures in this shopping area.

This is also where you’ll find a beautiful white arcade, erected in the mid-19th century, that lines the Kleine Alster to the side.

The glass Alsterpavilion serves coffee and pastries (Kopenhagener or Franzbrötchen) to visitors who like to enjoy the sun while overlooking the Binnenlaster’s water jet.

It’s a perfect spot to max out your cards! *wink

Address: Jungfernstieg, 20354 Hamburg

Kunsthalle Hamburg

Kunsthalle Hamburg
Kunsthalle Hamburg / Fred Romero / Flickr

Have the grandest museum experience in Bamberg!

One of Germany’s most important art collections is housed in a series of stunning structures that span the period from the Middle Ages to the present.

Between the Binnenalster and the Außenalster, you will take a short walk from the Hauptbahnhof to reach one of Germany’s largest and most comprehensive museums.

The Hamburg Kunstverein, which is a local art group, planned this museum on Glockengießerwall in 1817, but it wasn’t built until 1869.

The Hamburg Kunsthalle became a symbol of civic engagement after private contributors provided two-thirds of the costs of around 300,000 D-Mark (a huge amount of money back then!).

Some of the best pieces in the collection you can see are altars from the Middle Ages by Master Bertram and Master Francke, paintings from the 17th century by Dutch artists like Rembrandt, masterpieces of German Romanticism by artists like P.O. Runge and C.D. Friedrich, Impressionism, classic Modernism, and international contemporary art (incl. Pop Art, Minimal, Concept Art, video art and photography).

See more of the exquisite collections by yourself!

Address: Hamburger Kunsthalle, Glockengießerwall 5, 20095 Hamburg

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland
Miniatur Wunderland / peterolthof / Flickr

What a small world!

One of the most popular things for tourists to do in Hamburg is to check out the world’s largest miniature railroad system. ​​​​​​​Located in Speicherstadt, this famous miniature world takes up an entire warehouse.

Since the early 2000s, Miniatur Wunderland has been developed in phases, similar to how HafenCity was constructed.

It all started with a model railroad that ran through scaled-down versions of Central Germany, Austria, and a conglomeration that came to be called Knuffingen. It has now been expanded to include a scale model of the airport in Knuffingen and replicas of the USA, Hamburg, Italy, and Switzerland.

A powerful computer manages the thousands of automatic moving pieces in each of these locations, from the people to the traffic. Isn’t interesting?!

The current size of this miniature world is 1000 square meters, and more locations will be added in the future.

See the cute version of the world’s most famous attractions!

Address: Kehrwieder 4, 20457 Hamburg

Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe

Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe is one of the best places to go in Hamburg, Germany

Explore one of Europe’s most important museums dedicated to the applied arts

A world-class decorative arts museum is within walking distance of the Hauptbahnhof. Situated inside a Neo-Renaissance palace, the museum opened in 1877. 

There are various levels of exhibits showcasing European, Middle Eastern, and Asian arts & crafts, interior design, and photography.

The museum’s permanent collection comprises artifacts from antiquity to the present day and temporary exhibitions focusing on modern and contemporary art movements and artists.

The galleries are vast, and there is no better place to spend a great day admiring masterfully crafted china, tapestry, sculpture, weapons, and musical instruments.

To name just a few highlights that you can find, there’s the 1900 Paris World’s Fair Glassware Exposition, 650 classical artifacts from antiquity, 18th-century haute couture, and a 1728 Christian Zell keyboard all created in the Art Nouveau/Jugendstil style.

You need to visit this spot to witness more stunning collections!

Address: Steintorplatz 1, 20099 Hamburg

Planten un Blomen

Planten un Blomen
Planten un Blomen / www.publizieren-im-netz.de / Flickr

If you got tired from walking around the city’s museums and busy streets, you could visit this spot to recharge your batteries!

Planten and Blomen, a 47-hectare urban park in Copenhagen, Denmark, would be there at the top of your list of Europe’s best urban parks.

The Old Botanical Garden is in the park’s green areas. It was started in 1821, where the city wall used to be. 

Give yourself some time to look around the five greenhouses that connect to each other: The Schaugewächshaus is the biggest. It is filled with plants from the Mediterranean, such as laurels, palms, olive trees, and eucalyptus.

Outside, the park is at its best in the summer. When the rose garden is in full bloom, the apothecary smells the best, and the colorful musical fountain adds to the magic. You can relax at the Japanese teahouse or under Mediterranean fig trees. 

This is a refreshing spot you must visit in Hamburg!

Address: Klosterwall 8, 20095 Hamburg

Speicherstadt

Speicherstadt
Speicherstadt / Martin Abegglen / Flickr

Did you know that the world’s largest warehouse complex is located in Hamburg?

Walking through the red brick canyons and crossing the canals of the Speicherstadt or City of Warehouses, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is enough to get a sense of the city’s unique character.

Others have been converted into tourist attractions or flats. In contrast, others continue to serve their original purpose of storing spices, tea, coffee, and electronic equipment and supplies.

The Speicherstadt takes on a mysterious air when night falls. 800 spotlights artistically light the red brick structures and steel bridges at that time of day.

For the whole year, you can enjoy the fantasy ambiance of lit façades, water reflections, and the savory fragrances of goods worldwide.

If the tide is okay, you can take small barges through the narrow canals to enjoy the architecture. A tour of the canals on a historic barge like this one is something you’ll never forget. 

You can’t say you’ve been to Hamburg without exploring this famous destination!

Address: Speicherstadt, 20457 Hamburg, Germany

St Michael’s Church

St Michael's Church
St Michael’s Church / bongo vongo / Flickr

Pay your respects at Hamburg’s largest church.

The most well-known Baroque church in northern Germany has been through a lot. The design dates back to the seventeenth century; the dark cupola that crowns the tower, which is 132 meters tall, can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

It was destroyed by lightning in 1750, and it burned down again in 1906. It was rebuilt from scratch around the year 1912. Surprisingly, World War II didn’t damage St. Michael’s Church, and it was already fixed by the mid-20th century.

Tourists could climb the 106-meter observation deck to witness the stunning scenery of the harbor and be amazed by how big the building is. 

Inside, there is room for more than 2,000 people to worship. The large crypt from the 17th century holds 2,425 remains, including Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, a composer and is the 2nd son of Joseph Sebastian.

Make sure to add this spot to your list of places in Hamburg!

Address: Englische Planke 1, 20459 Hamburg

St Pauli

St Pauli
St Pauli / Jorge Franganillo / Flickr

If you come to St. Pauli expecting a clean business district, you will surprise.

Just east of the city center, down to the Elbe, St Pauli is a rough neighborhood with lots of graffiti and neon lights.

The Reeperbahn is well-known, and its brothels, prostitutes, and strip clubs barely need to be mentioned.

But you might never have more great time on a night out on this street, no matter what kind of music you like. St. Pauli is a great place for young people to live because it has a rebellious and creative vibe.

If you are a Beatles fan, you will love and enjoy a self-guided tour.

In the early 1960s, Fab Four played at Kaiserkeller/Große Freiheit 36, Indra, and Moondoo, all of which are still open somehow. Paul McCartney ran up a big bill at Gretel & Alfons that he never paid off.

It’s an unusual spot to visit, but hey! It’s nice to try something new!

Address: St Pauli, Hamburg, Germany

Tierpark Hagenbeck

Tierpark Hagenbeck
Tierpark Hagenbeck / Thomas Naas / Flickr

You might be hesitant to visit this zoo because of your endearing love for the animals, but no worries, Hamburg genuinely cares for them!

Carl Hagenbeck and his son, who started the zoo, came up with the idea for the Panorama Exhibit.

This interesting exhibit replicated the animals’ natural habitats using moats as a natural barricade. This made it easier for visitors to see what was going on.

Moreover, the zoo is located on a 24-hectare land of the famous Planten en Blomen. The walking path in this destination is over six kilometers long.

510 different species can be found in the park, including Asian elephants, impalas, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, orangutans, ostriches, lions, and alpacas.

And over half of this park’s animal species may be found in the aquarium, which is comprised of terrariums and a total of 29 distinct tanks filled with either freshwater or saltwater.

It’s such a nice spot to visit and appreciate different fauna creatures! 

Address: Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, 22527 Hamburg, Germany

Treppenviertel Blankenese

Treppenviertel Blankenese
Treppenviertel Blankenese / calvinbasti / Flickr

A postcard-worthy spot in Hamburg!

This quiet little charming spot in the westernmost part of Hamburg is a sharp contrast to the busy center of the Hanseatic city.

The name “Treppenviertel” means “Stairs Quarter,” which is where this neighborhood gets its charm.

The neighborhood is a maze of sharp, winding alleyways, bordered by lovely whitewashed homes and connected by stairways, undisturbed by the war.

Tours of the Trepperviertel will take you past houses in the Wilhelminian designs and the chapel by the market square. They will also take you through green spaces and up and down plenty of stairs to count as your exercise for the day.

There are more than 5,000 steps on these stairs, do not be shocked if your fascination gets the better of you and you end up walking them all.

You could also go to Easter the Blankenese, one of the locations along the river where enormous campfires are held.

Visit and explore this pretty spot in Hamburg!

Do you need any more convincing that Hamburg, Germany is worth a visit? Hop over to why visit Hamburg, Germany, at least once in your lifetime here.

Address: Am Hang 9, 22587 Hamburg, Germany

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