These are the unmissable things to do in Hamburg during your next trip

Ask any local, and they will tell you that the best time to visit Hamburg is during the summer months. Unless, of course, you relish the idea of dodging puddles and donning a raincoat to explore the Hamburg tourist attractions during a winter city break. The summer months tend to be dry and provide the ideal conditions for long city centre strolls, enjoying an open-air concert or even hitting the beach in nearby Blankenese, with its sophisticated and colourful houses. Use the urban and avant-garde Barceló Hamburg as your home away from home and place yourself in the heart of the city. From here, you can explore all the things to do in Hamburg. Just remember to greet people with a friendly moin, which translates as hello in Hamburg’s local slang. 

Hamburg thrives on contrasts. It’s a city where you can start your day in a hipster café, take a stroll past grand 19th-century warehouses, and end the evening on a sandy beach, sipping a local Astra beer or Fritz Cola. It is a city with enough waterfront vibes to make you forget that it has a skyline and yet, the list of things to do in Hamburg appears endless. While there is so much to see, these are the Hamburg attractions that definitely cannot be missed from your list. And, don’t forget the seasonal Christmas markets during the festive period.

The central hub of Hamburg is the area around the Rathausplatz: this is home to the major sights, ranging from the Town Hall to the Chamber of Commerce, and including the old churches of St. Petri and St. Nikolai (whose 106-metre tower affords views over the whole city). You will find Hamburg’s oldest houses (on the streets of Deichstrasse and Cremon), the Alsterarkaden (arcades), the Jungfernstieg promenade, the beautiful Hauptbahnhof or central station, and the inspiring Kunsthalle (Fine Art Museum), which houses work by artists such as Peter Paul Rubens and Andy Warhol.

Hamburg is a city blessed with many waterways. The Alster River flows through the heart of Hamburg, creating a stunning blue lake that’s as large as the entire Principality of Monaco. The Jungfernstieg Quay, located near the lake, is one of the most picturesque spots in the city. From here, visitors can board tourist boats offering various routes along the Alster and its canals, exploring lush, green banks that are surprisingly vibrant for a city of this size. For those who prefer a more active experience, kayaking on the Alster is also an option, providing a unique way to enjoy the natural beauty of Hamburg.

In contrast, the Elbe River offers a completely different maritime experience. At the Landungsbrücken piers, part of Hamburg's bustling port, visitors can explore the Alter Elbtunnel, an iconic tunnel that runs beneath the river. On emerging from the other side, you’ll be treated to fantastic panoramic views of Hamburg's skyline. The Landungsbrücken area is also home to several of the city's historic museum ships. It serves as a docking point for larger passenger vessels, making it an essential stop for anyone interested in Hamburg’s maritime heritage.

You don’t need to know your Mozart from your Bach to enjoy the classical music at Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg’s crown jewel. This significant, cultural glass concert hall has propelled Hamburg onto the international stage when it comes to live music performances and it attracts crowds of music and architecture lovers year upon year.

What’s more, its public viewing platform offers jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the city and harbour, perfect for snapping a quick Instagram picture. If you’re lucky, snag a ticket to a performance—though simply visiting the plaza is a treat in itself.

Thanks to its strategic location along the River Elbe, Hamburg is a city that has deeply forged roots in commerce and trade. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city flourished as one of Europe’s busiest ports, with industries ranging from shipbuilding and maritime trade to warehousing and manufacturing. To this day, Hamburg’s industrial heritage is an integral part of the city’s identity and juxtaposes nicely with the modern, cosmopolitan metropolis that has popped up along the river banks.

You cannot really get to know the city without having a look around its port. Hamburg is home to the second largest in Europe which was built in 1189 and occupies almost one-eighth of the city. During the nineteenth century, a complex of warehouses constructed in red brick and glass grew up near it and was extended into canals, as a kind of post-industrial Venice, a unique attraction. Now known as Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these warehouses, where once the boats unloaded their cargo, have since been converted into centres for shopping, culture and leisure. Walking along these streets is like being transported back into an age of thriving trade. Bonus points for visiting the Miniatur Wunderland here, home to the world’s largest model railway.

This is Hamburg’s oldest warehouse, dating from 1879, and a natural extension of the old quarter, the most avant-garde area of the city. The museum traces the history of the port and the city’s seafaring tradition through its 10 bridges and by means of fine-scale models. The museum spans nine decks, as if part of a ship, and spans over 3000 years of maritime history showcasing everything from model ships and historic nautical instruments to artefacts like Admiral Nelson’s letters. Test your skills at the helm with a ship simulator, a standout feature at the museum. If you are looking for a fun and factual day out for the family, this museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Hamburg’s unwavering connection with the sea.

When it comes to things to do in Hamburg, there is nothing quite like mixing with a crowd of laid-back eclectic locals and tucking into freshly caught fish at the Altona Fish Market. The best time to do this is Sunday morning when crowds of foodies gather to taste the delicious, salty goodness of freshly caught fish, seafood and other maritime artisanal fare. While you are in the neighbourhood, why not hop on board the old cargo ship, now a museum, the MS Cap San Diego, a fixture on these waters since 1961? Or for a more historical experience, jump on board the Rickmer Rickmers, a 19th-century sailing ship, now a museum.

Little ones will get just as excited about the things to do in Hamburg as adults, especially when attractions like the Miniatur Wunderland appear on the list. If you are travelling to the city with your brood and are looking for family-friendly travel options to Hamburg's main attractions, these are our pick of the best.

Miniatur Wunderland is an intriguing miniature city and, at 1,300 m2, is the largest-scale model railway in the world. But this model city also includes amusement parks, boats, ports, an airport, ski slopes, casinos, concert halls, etc. 

During the first 10 years of its life, this mega-complex has involved almost 600,000 hours of work completed by over 200 members of staff. Located in the Speicherstadt, this world-renowned model railway exhibition is a hit with children and adults alike. 

One of the best tourist places in Hamburg, Blankenese is a hillside neighbourhood on the bank of the Elbe River. When looking for stuff to do in Hamburg with kids, a trip to this charming corner of the city with its colourful houses and narrow, winding streets is a must. It is easy to feel like you are exploring a Mediterranean fishing village rather than northern Germany thanks to the sandy beaches and chilled way of life. Kids will love splashing and running amok along the shoreline while parents can rest and take in the picture-perfect views. Before heading into the city, soak up the local cafe culture, one of the activities in Hamburg that will make you fall in love with the city.

Once famous for its raucous nightlife and unconstrained hedonism, St. Pauli became known for its unmistakable red-light area which is even larger than the one in Amsterdam. Following this chequered past, the area has now been transformed into the city’s flagship of alternative culture. In the Reeperbahn, around Hans-Albers-Platz square and along Große Freiheit street, countless bars, discos, restaurants and theatres have sprung up, which should not be missed by any visitor wanting to experience the city’s livelier side. If you are on Große Freiheit and are a fan of the Beatles, you won’t want to miss the Beatles Platz, a circular plaza dedicated to the Beatles, who honed their craft in the nearby clubs during the early 1960s. The square features metal sculptures of the band members and resembles a vinyl record. This area is also the most Bohemian and artistic area, with the coolest spots and galleries as well as the gay district of St. George.