Travel itinerary with what to do and visit in Hamburg Germany, including sights, where to stay, how to get there, transportation and tips
As soon as we arrived from Hamburg in northern Germany, we realized that we were in a big city, very different from the medieval towns and walls that we normally include in our travel itineraries. Already showing us why the post is “the city with the largest number of bridges in Europe”, ours was arrived by one of the bridges that cross the River Elbe, overlooking one of the ports of Hamburg and in a traffic more than stopped .
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Hamburg is a city that should be better known by tourists, for its wealth and also for its sights that are very interesting and beautiful.
How to go to Hamburg in Germany
The city of Hamburg is located in the north of Germany, being the second largest city in the country and is one of the 3 city-states in Germany (the others are Berlin and Bremen).
The city of Hamburg is 286 km from Berlin and can be reached by car (approx. 3h30min) or by train (1h45min). In relation to other cities, Hamburg is 151 km from Hannover, 125 km from Bremen, 498 km from Frankfurt and, if you are in Holland (Netherlands), 465 km from Amsterdam.
Be sure to check out our travel guide posts for these cities:
- What to do in Hannover in Germany – Complete travel guide
- What to do in Bremen in Germany – Complete travel guide
Where to stay in Hamburg in Germany – Hotel and hostel tips
There is not much secret or difficulty in choosing a place to stay in Hamburg as it is very easy to get around the city. So choose a hotel that is close to a train station. It will make it a lot easier.
In any case, the most visited regions are the Altstadt, the historic and old city of Hamburg, where the Rathaus, the old city hall and the museums are located. You can also stay in Neustadt, which is where the Philharmonic is, another popular tourist spot.
We ended up staying in the Altona neighborhood, at the MEININGER Hotel Hamburg City Center, which is located close to Hamburg Altona train station. And even so, even though it is a little distant from the sights and trendy areas of the city, it was not easy to walk around. The train and S-Bahn system, an urban train, is very good and easy to use.
Unfortunately we went during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic and hotel services, such as washing machines and the kitchen, were not available.
Be sure to look for other options on the Booking.com.
Hamburg sights in Germany
As I wrote at the beginning of the publication, Hamburg is the city with the most bridges in Europe and it is natural that most of its tourist attractions are close to the channels of the river Elbe or that they are the bridges themselves.
We travel in the summer on the European continent, but there is no rule of thumb when to go to Hamburg, as all seasons offer different attractions. In winter, for example, you can visit the Christmas Market and enjoy typical German Christmas foods and drinks like Ghühwein. Your only concern should be regarding the temperature and length of the day, as the months from October to February are very cold and with few hours of sunshine.
Be sure to read our publication on the best Christmas markets in Germany.
What to do in Hamburg in Germany
For having something to do and visit around the River Elbe, the city of Hamburg is also known as Germany’s “Venice of the North“. A mandatory walk is to cross the river through the Elbe Tunnel, which passes under its waters.
In addition, Hamburg is a very rich city, economically and culturally, especially as it is the beginning of the Beatles’ worldwide success. Of course, you will find related points, such as the famous sculptures in the Beatle Platz square and the clubs they played in the Reeperbahn and Hebertstraße, a street of clubs with musical attractions for drag queens, punk music and prostitutes. There, this service is legalized and well controlled.
Other important sights of Hamburg are its churches, such as the Hauptkirche St. Michaelis, museums like the Miniatur-Wunderland, and the famous Elbphilharmonie building.
And, of course, be sure to enjoy and admire the architecture of the buildings, ports, bridges and the whole neighborhood. Despite its size, it is also a city to visit by walking or using the already famous electric scooters.
Where and what to eat in Hamburg, Germany
To eat, enjoy the options of seafood and fish, a type of cuisine very different from the rest of Germany. We suggest exploring the fish markets, in particular the Altonaer Fischmarkt.
About bars and restaurants to eat in Hamburg, we went to restaurants at Bruecke 10, at Fischmarkt already suggested, and also at Nom Vietnamese Fusion Food, a little further away, but worth visiting.
Miniatur-Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany
I could include many, many photos from our visit to Miniatur-Wunderland.
Be sure to buy your ticket with priority entrance.
The Miniatur-Wunderland, a miniature museum that shows locations from various places in Germany and the world. The details are really impressive, including even some moving scenarios, like the eruption of a volcano or the takeoff and landing of planes at Frankfurt Airport.
And it’s not just a children’s attraction, the whole family will like it, even looking for some Easter Eggs like miniatures from Pinocchio, ET, Superman, Star Wars, Píppi Meialonga (Pippi Langstrumpf) and other famous characters. Another curiosity is that the sets are built around 700 train tracks, whether in the Old West of the United States, Switzerland, Germany, England or ancient Italy.
Excursions and tours in Hamburg Germany
Find the best deals in guided tours and touristic attractions in Hamburg.
Other suggestions for travel destinations in Germany
- The best region and the best hotel to stay in Cologne in Germany
- Romantic Road in Germany – Complete travel guide
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