Hamburg

Travel Guide

Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Hamburg
Speicherstadt showing a city and a bridge
Stadtpark showing a garden
Hamburg Dungeon which includes signage
This modern port city is known for its maritime traditions, art galleries and converted warehouse districts filled with restaurants, bars and boutique shops.

Calling itself Germany’s Gateway to the World, Hamburg is the country's biggest port and the second largest in Europe. It is proud of its status as an independent city-state and of its mercantile background, which created much of the city's wealth. Today Hamburg is known for being one of the richest metropolitan areas in Europe, along with Brussels and London.

Located on the River Elbe, Hamburg’s busy port is 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the North Sea. Hamburg Harbor today is home to the International Maritime Museum Hamburg and the museum ship Cap San Diego, which jointly tell the story of Hamburg’s maritime history.

Although the port may be the heart of Hamburg, the city offers many additional features, particularly in the areas of culture and the arts. Visit the vast Hamburger Kunsthalle art gallery and the Deichtorhallen center for contemporary art, which hosts world-renowned international exhibitions. Use Hamburg’s extensive subway system to navigate between museums and galleries, which you’ll find throughout the city. Don’t miss the Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland), one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany.

Hamburg’s city center now contains mostly modern office buildings, as many of its medieval buildings were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1842 or reduced to rubble during World War II. Seek out the Hamburg Rathaus, or Town Hall, which was painstakingly rebuilt and restored to its original 19th-century condition.

Walk around the Speicherstadt and New Docklands areas, where you’ll find renovated former port warehouses and ambitious modern glass-and-steel structures. Admire the architecture, dine at upscale restaurants and shop for one-of-a-kind and luxury items at boutiques. These areas of urban redevelopment, currently the largest such project in Europe, show modern Hamburg at its best, embracing change and moving confidently into the future.

A short distance from the center you can find several large parks and lakes. Visit the Planten un Blomen (Plants and Flowers) park to spend time in the tranquil Japanese Garden. Rent a car or catch Germany’s fast and reliable national train network to explore nearby historic towns.

Where to stay in Hamburg

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Hamburg City Center

4.5/5(217 area reviews)

Hamburg City Hall and Rathausmarket 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 Hamburg Cruise Center and Hamburg Wholesale Market, and jump on the metro at Veddel S-Bahn or Wilhelmsburg S-Bahn to see more of the city.

Hamburg-Mitte
Japanese Garden which includes a river or creek and a garden

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 Millerntor Stadium and Panopikum, and jump on the metro at Feldstraße Station or Feldstrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Saint Pauli
St. Catherine\'s Church featuring 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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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
Botanical Gardens featuring a garden, an observatory and a pond

Altona

4/5(35 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Trabrennbahn Hamburg Bahrenfeld while getting to know Altona, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Othmarschen S-Bahn or Klein Flottbek S-Bahn to see more of the area.

Altona
Reichshof Hotel Hamburg

Reichshof Hotel Hamburg

Kirchenallee 34-36, Hamburg
The price is HK$1,311 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
HK$1,311
HK$1,403 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this boutique hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,250 reviews)
"The hotel was fantastic. My whole family enjoyed their stay and meeting for breakfast downstairs was great. The hotel is in proximity to a lot of fun things to do in the city and the train was nearby. My family and I will stay here again on our next trip."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Reichshof Hotel Hamburg
Hotel Fürst Bismarck

Hotel Fürst Bismarck

Kirchenallee 49, Hamburg, HH
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,023 reviews)
"Nice hotel. Convient location, across the street from the train, sightseeing buses also stop right out front."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Hotel Fürst Bismarck
Hotel Atlantic Hamburg, Autograph Collection

Hotel Atlantic Hamburg, Autograph Collection

5 out of 5
An der Alster 72-79, Hamburg
The price is HK$1,828 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
HK$1,828
HK$1,956 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"The hotel is very classic manner and has historical bacground, everything was fine."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Hotel Atlantic Hamburg, Autograph Collection
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the room service in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,171 reviews)
Excellent Stay
"We were very impressed with this Hotel. It had everything going for it. Great location, wonderful staff, fully functional room, including washing machine, ironing board etc. we loved it and could not fault. Breakfast was excellent. Would strongly recommend. Thanks Adina."

Reviewed on 20 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 WiFi, parking (surcharge), and free grocery shopping service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (932 reviews)
"Very nice location surrounded by lots of restaurants and shops. Very comfortable room with high quality items. The only issue was nobody informed us about self check in. Also the front door has issue to open with our room key which we resolved it with front desk after 3 days."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Clipper Boardinghouse – Hamburg-Michel
Citadines Michel Hamburg

Citadines Michel Hamburg

Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 7, Hamburg, HH
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Hamburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,572 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 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.

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