Things to do in Hamburg

Hamburg is a diverse and entertaining city with plenty to see and do, ranging from world-class museums, wonderful art galleries and an upbeat nightlife to excellent restaurants and first-class shopping. Also popular with tourists is the notorious Reeperbahn red-light district.

Many of the things to see and do in Hamburg revolve around its famous harbour. Every Sunday morning, the banks of the Elbe River are swamped with tourists at the Hamburg Fish Market, soaking up the lively atmosphere and bartering for the freshest produce. Speicherstadt, Hamburg's warehouse complex, is the largest in the world built on wooden foundations and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can admire the Gothic Revival architecture and visit Miniature Wonderland, the world's largest model train system.

There are many beautiful gardens and parks in the city too. Perhaps the best of these is Planten un Blomen. Visitors looking for a break from museums and activities can stroll through the tropical greenhouse and Japanese garden, or catch a concert on the lawns in the summer months. Travellers can delve into Hamburg's past at the Museum of Hamburg History, or enjoy the extensive collection and themed exhibitions of the Hamburg Kunsthalle.

Hamburg is also conveniently located for excursions to nearby attractions. Some of the best day-trip destinations are the quaint towns of Blankenese, Lubeck and Hameln, all of which offer great sightseeing opportunities. The island of Sylt, Germany's most northern point, is also extremely popular and a great spot for coastal weekend getaways.

A Hamburg holiday offers something for everyone, from children who will revel in attractions such as the world's largest model railway to raucous groups of young travellers heading for the risque streets of the Reeperbahn.

Hamburg Warehouse Complex photo

Hamburg Warehouse Complex

The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with Gothic gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world, such as t…

Hamburger Kunsthalle photo

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's mission is to educate the public rather than showcas…

Blankenese photo

Blankenese

The quaint and affluent town of Blankenese sits upon the banks of the Elbe River, and is adored for its pre-war villas, gorgeous hotels and stunning views. Visitors can explore nar…

The Hamburg Museum photo

The Hamburg Museum

The Hamburg Museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of t…

Sylt photo

Sylt

The island of Sylt boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. In recent years, it has become the seasi…

Hameln photo

Hameln

Hameln is the setting of the Pied Piper fairytale, and its old town centre is filled with reconstructed Renaissance buildings and wood-frame houses that bring the legend to life. S…

Lübeck photo

Lübeck

Not only was Lübeck home to Nobel Prize winners Willy Brandt and Thomas Mann, it's also a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century. A UNESCO World He…

Planten un Blomen photo

Planten un Blomen

In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees, with colourful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to relax in. Visitors stroll around the Japanese gar…

St Michaelis Church photo

St Michaelis Church

St Michaelis began as a humble church in 1647, eventually expanding to become the grand building which today is one of Hamburg's most recognisable landmarks. Visitors can take tour…

Miniatur Wunderland photo

Miniatur Wunderland

Train enthusiasts will love Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg but so will almost everybody else. With more than 4,000 square metres of floor space, there is much to admire in the tiny…

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