Discover the Best Things to Do in Hamburg, No Matter When You Visit

With its dynamic waterfront districts, richly varied architecture, abundant parkland, and numerous rivers and canals crossed by multiple bridges, Hamburg is one of Europe's most enthralling destinations. Since gaining medieval membership to the Hanseatic League, the city has developed into a mercantile powerhouse and Germany's second metropolis, based around its expansive thriving harbour and international port. From St Michael's Church with its towering spire and the magnificent Hamburg Town Hall's opulent interiors to the Landungsbrücken harbour promenade, landmark 19th-century Speicherstadt warehouse complex and a host of world-class museums, the city is home to a diverse wealth of attractions. Not to mention dynamic nightlife and dining scenes! Our list of the top things to do in Hamburg can help you discover the best of this wonderful city.

On a cluster of islands in the Elbe River, the Speicherstadt, which literally means 'warehouse city', is one of the world's largest complexes of port warehouses. Originally built during the late 19th and early 20th century, the vast red-brick Gothic Revival development crowned by eye-catching turrets and linked by a network of narrow tidal canals makes up one of the city's most iconic attractions. Explore the UNESCO-listed district's maze of streets and bridges on foot to discover the cafés, restaurants and museums that now occupy many of the buildings. Or to truly appreciate the architectural detail, get out on the water with a canal barge tour, many of which depart from the landing stages at St Pauli.

Good to know: For an enthralling insight on the history of the Speicherstadt, pay a visit to the Speicherstadt Museum. Am Sandtorkai 36, 20457 Hamburg. Open March to October: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. November to February: Mon-Sun 10am-5pm. Admission €5, reduced €3.50, students €2.50, children under 6 years old free.

Adjacent to the Speicherstadt, standing ten stories high in the Kontorhaus district, the Chilehaus is a prime example of Expressionism in architecture. Undoubtedly one of the most distinctive buildings in the city, it was named after the country where the wealthy Hamburg businessman who commissioned it had made his fortune. Constructed from 1922-1924, the monumental structure is built to resemble an ocean liner. Stretching along Burchardstaße and Pumpenstraße, its long sides lined with thousands of windows enclose stately inner courtyards. Stand at the junction of the two streets and look up to fully appreciate the astonishing prow-like point created by one of the most uncommonly acute angles to be seen in brick-built architecture. 

Standing proudly in the historic heart of the Aldstadt since 1897, Hamburg Town Hall is a magnificent sandstone edifice bearing witness to the city's prosperity, wealth and Hanseatic League membership. A majestic tower rises above its ornately adorned façade, behind which a grand vaulted hallway leads to numerous lavishly appointed staterooms and an expansive ballroom hung with three ostentatious chandeliers. The building also houses the city's senate and parliament chambers.

Good to know: The only way to visit the Town Hall's opulent interiors is with a guided tour. To book, call the information hotline on +49 (0) 40 428 3124.

Journey up 200 metres to the top of the round tower—the higher of the two. From the open-air observation deck, you can pick out more places to visit around Frankfurt. One floor below at Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge, sublime Michelin-starred cooking is made even more memorable by the spectacular views. To complete your visit, don’t miss the contemporary art pieces in the Main Tower foyer.

Main Tower

• Neue Mainzer Straße 52-58, 60311 Frankfurt
• Transport: 5-minute walk from Frankfurt (Main) Taunusanlage S-Bahn station
• Opening hours vary during winter and summer, with the last ascent of the day 45 minutes before the observation deck closes

​One of the great attractions of travel is trying local delicacies. Ready to discover the essence of Hamburg cuisine? Then head out in search of traditional dishes that are loved by its residents. The classic Hamburg quick bite is the fish sandwich – fried, breaded, pickled herring served with onions in a crispy bread bun – simple and delicious. You find them all over town, but savour some of the best fishbrötchen at Brücke 10 on the Landungsbrücken (landing stages). Meanwhile, meat eaters should make a beeline to the relaxed Imbiss bei Schorsch takeaway to sample another local delicacy – currywurst. Freshly fried pork sausage is served slathered in spicy tomato sauce and sprinkled with curry powder – don't leave Hamburg without trying one. And when you're craving a sweet treat, Hamburg's answer is the franzbrötchen. Similar to cinnamon rolls, these delightful French-inspired pastries are perfect accompanied by a cup of coffee. Die kleine konditorei patisserie bakes some of the most delectable in the city.

A Hamburg tradition since 1703, the St Pauli Fish Market takes place early every Sunday morning and is an absolute must-see on your trip to the city. Attracting thousands of locals and visitors from dawn onwards, it's definitely worth getting up early for! Anything and everything is traded here, from bric-a-brac and fresh fruits to potted plants and shellfish. Unrestrained market criers hawk their goods at ear-splitting volume while live bands entertain the crowds with German pop numbers or jazz in the century-old Fish Auction Hall. The first people start to arrive at 5am, some of whom directly from Saturday night out on the Reeperbahn. Tuck into a hearty breakfast of fish sandwiches, bratwurst and pretzels accompanied by a steaming hot coffee, or an ice cold beer – whichever floats your boat.

Good to know: Always one of the best things to do in Hamburg on Sunday, from 1 April to 31 October the Fish Market is open from 5am to 9:30am. From 1 November to 31 March it still takes place every Sunday, but later, with opening hours from 7am to 9:30am.

A longstanding feature of the city skyline and navigation point for ships sailing up the Elbe River, St Michael's is the largest and best known church in Hamburg. Originally dating from the 17th century, the present church building is the third (having previously been destroyed first by lightning, then by fire) and was completed in 1912. Its Baroque white and gold interior houses one of the largest church organs in Germany, but “Michel” is most famous for its 132-metre high, copper-covered spire. Climb up the 452 bell tower steps, or take the elevator, to the viewing platform. At a height of 106 metres, enjoy the breeze as you take in a sweeping panorama of the city, ships in the harbour and the surrounding countryside.

Good to know: Visit after dark to experience “Nachtmichel” – breathtaking views of the city lit up at night, accompanied by classical music and a soft drink. The church is not open for visitors when services are taking place – check the website before visiting.

On a fine day, a visit to the Altonaer Balkon is a cool thing to do in Hamburg. Lying next to the harbour around 27 metres above the Elbe, the expansive landscaped park offers impressive sweeping views of the ferry terminal and striking Dockland Office Building, the container port and distinctive Köhlbrand Bridge. The park's popular 1968 bronze sculpture by Gerhard Brandes depicting three fishermen looking out towards the river with arms outstretched reflects the city's maritime tradition. Enjoy a stroll under the trees and a picnic on the grass, or take a seat on a bench and relax as you watch the shipping traffic passing along the river.

Throughout three distinctive buildings a short walk from Central Station, the Hamburg Kunsthalle showcases art spanning 800 years from one of Germany's most important collections. Tracing the development of European art from the Middle Ages to the present, highlights include 17th-century Dutch paintings by Old Masters such as Rembrandt and outstanding 19th-century works by French artists including Manet and Monet. Visit the white sandstone cube housing the Gallery of Contemporary Art for exceptional paintings created since the '60s by artists like Gerhard Richter and David Hockney. The Kunsthalle also stages an inspirational programme of temporary exhibitions.

Glockengießerwall 5, 20095 Hamburg. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, Thu until 9pm. Admission €16, reduced €8, children and young people under 18 years old free, Hamburg CARD discount €11, family tickets €14-€28.

For a fun and fascinating 90-minute journey through the delicious world of chocolate, your destination is Chocoversum. Engaging guides take groups of around a dozen visitors through every stage of the production process from bean to bar. Discover where in the world the best cocoa beans are grown and how they are used to make the delectable chocolate that most of us love. You even get to make your own chocolate bar complete with your favourite toppings. It cools in the fridge while you're on the tour and you pick it up at the end – sweet!

Good to know: Tours starting at specific times are offered in both English and German. Book online in advance to ensure you get on a tour. Meßberg 1, 20095 Hamburg. Open daily 10am-6pm.

Connected directly to the North Sea by the Elbe River, Hamburg Harbour is the source of life in the city. Gain an insight on its growth into the second largest port in Europe on a fascinating harbour boat tour with a well-informed guide. Starting from the Landungsbrücken cruise terminal, plentiful tours on modern passenger boats or traditional barges help you appreciate the scale of the port. Passing by huge ships, container terminals, and the spectacular Elbphilharmonie concert hall in the HafenCity development, a harbour tour is one of the most fun things to do in Hamburg for all the family. 

Good to know: With a handy Hamburg CARD, which can be bought easily around the city or online in advance, you can enjoy harbour tour discounts from many providers.

Occupying an entire Speicherstadt former warehouse building, Miniatur Wunderland is a must-see on your visit and one of the top things to do in Hamburg. Home to an ever-expanding accumulation of sprawling, fastidiously scaled-down cities and landscapes, the attraction includes the largest model railway in the world, as well as its biggest miniature airport. Fall under the museum's spell as you watch numerous trains continuously chugging through countryside, planes taking off and landing with regularity, and countless Lilliputian figures carrying out a plethora of activities, as day turns to night every 12 minutes. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours here.

Good to know: Skip the queue by purchasing tickets in advance on the Wunderland website. Kehrwieder 2/Block D, 20457 Hamburg. Admission €20, discounted €17, children under 16 years old €12.50, children shorter than 1 metre free.

A city sustained and shaped by water, Hamburg also benefits from an abundance of parkland. Stretching along the northwest shore of Outer Alster lake, Alsterpark is a verdant expanse that makes for a wonderful family outing on sunny days. Always one of the best free things to do in Hamburg, relish a relaxing stroll under plentiful mature oak and maple trees as you take in sweeping lake views and admire the much-loved Alster swans. For active fun, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards are available for hire at a number of spots. Or simply spread out a blanket, enjoy a picnic and soak up the sun amid idyllic surroundings.

For your trip, you may be wondering, is two days in Hamburg enough? With so many experiences to savour, we would say it's better to spend three days to really make the most of your visit.

Alternatively, cross the Iron Footbridge and walk west along the river for around 10 minutes until you reach the Städel Museum, one of the most important art museums in Germany, with works spanning 700 years. If the mood takes you, cap off your Sunday with a drink at a nearby spot like naïv (Fahrgasse 4), where the staff pour artisanal beers made by craft breweries around Germany and the world.

On a peninsula in Hamburg Harbour, the landmark Elbphilharmonie concert hall spectacularly brings together outstanding architecture, remarkable acoustics and a magnificent location. Built on top of a '60s red-brick warehouse, the stunning glass-fronted structure's undulating roof stands 108 metres high and its facade of gleaming curved panels shimmers with harbour, sky and river reflections. Treat yourself to an unforgettable night of live performance enhanced by exquisite acoustics in one of three concert halls inside. World-class programmes encompass innovative classical music from the resident NDR Elbphilharmonie and Ensemble Resonanz orchestras, alongside pop, electronica and jazz.  

Before the show, take the curved 82-metre long escalator up to the Plaza viewing platform. At a height of 37 metres, a balcony around the building's outer edge offers 360° views of the harbour and HafenCity. Looking for a cosy hotel nearby? The stylish 25hours Hotel Hamburg HafenCity is less than a 15-minute walk away.

Good to know: Avoid queuing to visit the Plaza by booking tickets for a specific time and date in advance for €3 on the Elbphilharmonie website.

No visit to Hamburg is truly complete without a night out on the notorious Reeperbahn, the city's pulsing nightlife and red-light district in St Pauli. Gaudy and neon-lit, the strip clubs and sex shops on Hamburg's 'sinful mile' coexist with numerous upbeat restaurants, bars and nightclubs, making a visit to the area one of the best things to do in Hamburg at night. Sip a tequila cocktail at the stylish Chug Club or catch a live band or DJ set at one of many music clubs like Mojo, enjoying responsibly as you soak up the vibrant nightlife. The Beatles enhanced Hamburg's music legacy with pre-fame, early '60s club residencies here. Fab Four fans can retrace their steps at (much-altered) venues including Grosse Freiheit 36 and the Indra. 

So, take a stroll from your Hamburg hotel, enjoy a drink at Strandpauli overlooking the harbour, and head off to see where the evening takes you.