Hamburg is a popular travel and study destination. With a plethora of unique and quirky things to do, it’s a city surely to be placed on your wishlist of places to go. Hamburg is the second-largest German city and lies in Northern Germany. From its Franzbrötchen to Reeperbahn nightlife district, there are many reasons why many people flock there. Here’s how to make the most out of Hamburg:
- Explore the city centre – Hamburg’s city centre is a must-visit on your stay in Hamburg. With beautiful architecture and green spaces, you won’t be stuck not knowing what to do. Explore the historic Rathaus (city hall) and take in its spectacular neo-Renaissance architecture, which can be especially marvelled at when lit up at night. Go for a bite to eat at the Europa Passage, where there is a Food Sky with a multitude of restaurants with cuisine from all around the world. Or, take a stroll by the Binnenalster, which has fantastic sunset views.
- Don’t miss out on the fun – For chocolate lovers out there, be sure to visit ChocoVersum, where you can learn about how chocolate came about and, more importantly, make and taste your chocolate! During Christmas, spring and the summer, go to Hamburger Dom, where there is a huge amount of fairground rides, stalls and bars. Don’t forget to go to the Christmas markets, too, such as those at Jungfernstieg, Mönckebergstraße and Ottensen, as well as the street festivals.
- See a lot of Hamburg through tours – Take a relaxing boat trip tour around the Hamburg harbour area, including the Speicherstadt and Landungsbrücken areas. Alternatively, go on a free walking tour such as one from the city centre or the St. Pauli area. There is even a Haunted History of Hamburg tour, where you can learn about the dark secrets of Hamburg and of the ghosts lurking around that you didn’t know about!
- Visit one of the many districts of Hamburg – The great thing about Hamburg is that it is not only limited to the city centre with things to do. Take a short trip from the city centre to the Altona and Ottensen areas, where you can see great views of Hamburg from the top and visit one of the many ice cream parlours or parks. Make a day trip to Blankenese, where you can visit the Treppenviertel and the beach there. Or go further out to Neuengamme to visit the concentration camp there.
- Have a taste of the nightlife – Hamburg draws crowds partly due to its bustling nightlife. At Sternschanze, there is an array of cool and alternative places to relax, such as jazz cafes, sofa bars and beer halls. There are even bars on ships by Baumwall, but be wary if you tend to get seasick! Hamburg also boasts great nightclubs and has a booming sex industry at the Reeperbahn district. With a red light district and stretch of nightclubs, you won’t be left short of things to do on a night out. Be sure to check out Beatles-Platz, too, at the Reeperbahn district. In the early morning of Sunday, go to the Hamburger Fischmarkt, filled with a market and live music performances, which will surely wake you up!
- Immerse yourself in the museums – Hamburg has a wide variety of museums. Hamburg Kunsthalle (art gallery) is one of the largest museums in the country, covering seven centuries of European art. Another must-see is Miniatur Wunderland, which is a model railway and miniature airport attraction, with cities all around the world. Or, take a trip to the Museum of Illusions, where the kid-friendly displays will leave you entertained for hours.
- Go to a park and barbecue – When the sun does come out in Hamburg, so do the people. Hamburg is extremely outdoor-friendly. Cycle around the large Stadtpark with StadtRad and see the Hamburg Planetarium. Here, there are also many designated areas to barbecue. Also, Planten un Blomen is a great area to explore, with beautiful Japanese gardens and water fountain trick displays during May-September, which will not fail to impress.
- Keep your eye out for the street art – Hamburg showcases a spectacular amount of quirky and colourful street art. In practically every district, you’ll encounter the stunning murals and wall art, dotted all around the streets. Notably, go to the Sternschanze and St. Pauli areas, as well as the Karolinenviertel.(check out ‘The Hamburg Street Art Experience’ blog post for more information).
- Take a day trip – If you’re staying for a longer period, be sure to visit the surrounding areas of Hamburg. Go to Lübeck, a city famed for its Gothic architecture and love of marzipan. Only a short journey away is also Lüneburg, renowned for being the City of Salt, with a salt factory, a large water tower and beautiful architecture unscathed by the war. Schwerin is also worth the trip, with an enchanting palace and cathedral.
Hamburg is one to visit, with something for everyone to do. The diverse and unique culture there certainly impresses and draws people to come. Danke schön – hopefully you’ll consider Hamburg as one of your next places to go!
Tips
- In terms of accommodation, Hamburg has a high number of affordable hotels, hostels and Air B n B’s available. For free accommodation, take a look at the Couchsurfers app, where fellow travellers host their homes. There are many hosts available in Hamburg.
- Hamburg is all very accessible. All the landmarks are easy to reach and are not far from one another or from the city centre. It’s very well connected by U-bahn and S-Bahn (Metro), bus and trains. The airport is only around thirty minutes from the city centre. There are a great deal of taxi services too. Night trains run throughout the weekend, whilst bus services are available during the week.
- The currency of Germany is Euros. There are many money exchanges, but be sure to steer away from ones at airports, in order to get a better exchange rate. In Germany, there is less usage of credit cards. In restaurants, bars and shops, be sure to have cash available, in case they don’t accept card payments.
- Most Germans will speak conversational English, but it is good to know some basic phrases. Bring a small phrase book or learn some online with apps such as Memrise, Quizlet or Duolingo.
- The weather in Hamburg can be unpredictable. It’s often very wet and windy during autumn and winter. It doesn’t tend to be too cold, since it’s a harbour city, but this means it is often windy. Always have an umbrella at hand. In the summer, it tends to be quite warm, so do bring sunscreen, too.
Joshua (Walking with Wanderlust)
@joshuamdenny (Instagram)
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