Choose from 28 Fun Things to Do in Northern Germany
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Elbphilharmonie
Opened in 2017, the Elbphilharmonie (Elbe Philharmonic) is a striking work of modern architecture on the banks of the Elbe River in Hamburg. Made with 1,096 individual glass panes, it houses two concert halls, as well as a hotel and residential apartments. The halls’ acoustics are considered among the best in the world.
The Basics
Aside from having a visually stunning exterior, the Elbphilharmonie maintains a diverse calendar of concerts ranging from classical to modern. With a free entrance ticket, visitors can ride the Tube, Europe’s longest and first curved escalator, to Elbphilharmonie Plaza, an observation platform with sweeping city and harbor views. Many walking and cycling tours of Hamburg—particularly its Warehouse District—now include a stop at the concert hall.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Elbphilharmonie is a must-see for music lovers and architecture buffs.
- Demand for tickets is high, so it’s a good idea to book ahead if you plan to see a show.
- While photography is permitted within the new concert hall, recording of any kind during performances is not permitted.
- The entire concert hall is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Elbphilharmonie is in Hamburg’s HafenCity neighborhood. The easiest way to get there is by taking metro line U3 to Baumwall or line U4 to Überseequartier. Buses 6 and 111 also stop nearby.
When to Get There
The Elbphilharmonie is open daily from 9am to midnight and is busiest on concert days. If visiting to see the observation plaza, stop by in the morning or early afternoon before the concert crowds arrive. Those attending a concert should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event.
The Acoustics of the Grand Hall
The 2,100-seat main concert hall at the Elbphilharmonie ranks among the most acoustically advanced in the world. The sound quality is so good in part because the hall is detached from the rest of the building, while 10,000 individually shaped gypsum fiber sound panels further soundproof the space. No one in the audience sits more than 99 feet (30 meters) from the conductor.
Address: Am Kaiserkai, Hamburg 20457, Germany
Admission: Tours: €3.00 to €5.00
From $ 21
Panoptikum
Established in 1879, Hamburg’s family-owned answer to Madame Tussauds is the oldest waxworks museum in Germany; divided into several sections, it features an entertaining romp through the world of celebrity as well as a look back over the last century or so of history. Many international stars grace the collection, from Angelina Jolie to Madonna, The Beatles to Karl Lagerfeld, while figures from the world of international politics include President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Historic displays review the dictators of the 20th century, from Hitler to Che Guevara, and there’s room full of a rather gruesome waxen medical exhibits tucked away at the rear of the museum that may startle those of a nervous disposition. Special guided tours for children aged between seven and 12 can be arranged in advance.
Practical Info
Spielbudenplatz 3. Open Mon–Fri 11am–7pm, Sat 11am–12 midnight, Sun 10am–7pm. Admission adults €6, seniors & students €5.50, children €4; free with the Hamburg Card.
Address: Spielbudenplatz 3, Hamburg 20359, Germany
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–7pm, Sat 11am–12 midnight, Sun 10am–7pm
Admission: Adults: €6; Children: €4
From $ 8
Port of Hamburg
Trade has always been Hamburg’s raison d’etre, and today the Port of Hamburg is the largest in Germany.
The sprawling port takes up more than an eighth of the city, with around 12,000 ships a year delivering and picking up goods.
A river cruise is a good way to get an idea of the port’s size and activity, or step aboard the Rickmer Rickmers windjammer to learn more about Hamburg’s rich maritime history. The nearby Cap San Diego is another museum ship well worth stepping aboard.
Practical Info
The Port of Hamburg is south of the raffish St Pauli area. River cruises leave from the St. Pauli Landungsbrucken jetties along the river.
The closest metro stop is Landungsbrucken.
Address: St. Pauli Landungsbrucken, Hamburg 20459, Germany
Admission: Free
From $ 12
Planten und Blomen Park
Hamburg is a particularly leafy city, with plenty of parklands lining the canals and waterways. One of the most popular and best loved parks is the Planten un Blomen Park in the heart of the city.
The park preserves Hamburg’s old botanic garden, along with the largest Japanese garden in Europe, a Japanese teahouse, tropical plant house and skating rink.
Children are specially well catered for at the Planten un Blomen Park, with playgrounds, theater, pony rides, miniature golf and water games. There’s a program of entertainment in summer, with clowns, magicians and acrobats.
Visitors of all ages will love the choreographed music and light shows that bring the park alive on warm summer nights.
The Planten un Blomen Park runs west from the Kennedy and Lombards bridges.
There are several metro stations rimming the perimeter, including Stephansplatz nearest the bridge.
Address: Sankt Petersburger Strasse 1, Hamburg 20095, Germany
Admission: Free
From $ 41
Hamburg Dungeon
The Hamburg Dungeon takes visitors on a 90-minute journey through 600 years of Hamburg's dark history. The dungeon has different areas with various themes based on real events in Hamburg's history, as well as two rides and 11 different shows performed in both German and English by live, professional actors. A visit to the Dungeon is a fun yet scary way to experience the things that were left out of the history books.
Gripping storytelling, special effects and rides bring the history to life in a way that will make you laugh and scream. Start your tour with the Elevator of Horror before exploring the Library of Dark History where shadowy figures tell the stories in the books. Experience the Hamburg fire of 1842, try to find your way out of the Labyrinth of the Lost, and see if you can survive the torture chamber. Encounter pirates and ghosts along the way, plus much more terror. The Hamburg Dungeon occasionally has special events for certain holidays, like Halloween and Christmas.
Practical Info
The Hamburg Dungeon is located at Kehrwieder 2 in Hamburg's Speicherstadt. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm daily, except in July and August when they are open until 7pm. Tickets are 23.95 euros at the door, but discounts are available for booking ahead online.
Address: Kehrwieder 2, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: 10am to 6pm daily; until 7 p.m. in July-Aug
Admission: 23.95 euros
From $ 12
Reeperbahn & St Pauli District
Hamburg’s alter ego is raffish St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn, forever synonymous with strip clubs and the Beatles.
The city’s red light district, the Reeperbahn is a pedestrianised street lined with clubs, brothels and sex shops. Its proximity to the port has attracted sailors for centuries, while more recently the Beatles cut their musical teeth playing the seedy clubs here back in the early 1960s.
The scene is still in-your-face but a little less brutal these days, and up-market restaurants and theaters hosting shows like Cats and the Lion King rub shoulders with the less family-friendly forms of entertainment.
Practical Info
The Reeperbahn and St. Pauli lie just north of the port on the western edge of Hamburg.
The Reeperbahn heads west from the St. Pauli underground station, all the way to the fish market at Altona.
Address: Reeperbahn, Hamburg 20359, Germany
Admission: Free
From $ 14
Speicherstadt Kaffeeroesterei
The Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei is a museum in Hamburg's Speicherstadt district. Hamburg has a long history of being an important port city and center of trade. Over the centuries this has resulted in a large district of warehouses where goods were stored. Today these warehouses have been converted into museums, most of which reflect their former purpose. The Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei is a museum about coffee and coffee roasting where visitors will find interesting information about the countless varieties of coffee.
For 200 years Hamburg was a major hub of the coffee trade. The Speicherstadt coffee roaster company was originally connected with a company in Colombia, which is where they got the coffee from. Eight times a day, you can view the coffee roasting through live demonstrations and gain insight into the workings of a coffee roasting expert. Visitors can also learn about the process of growing, harvesting, and processing the coffee beans. You can also book coffee tastings ahead of time.
Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei also has a factory shop and a cafe.
Practical Info
The Speicherstadt Kaffeeroesterei is located at Kehrwieder 5. The closest Ubahn station is Baumwall on the U3. Opening hours are 10am to 7pm daily, special hours during the holiday season.
Address: Kehrwieder 5, Hamburg 20457, Germany
Hours: 10am to 7pm daily
From $ 27
Hamburg Altstadt
The focus of Hamburg’s Altstadt, or Old Town, is the Rathaus on the old market square. Streets leading off the square head to the classical arcades of the stock exchange, and to the old red-brick Speicherstadt warehouses lining the river.
Away from the Elbe, the Alsterarkaden has elegant shopping arcades lined with cafes.
Along the Deichstrasse you’ll see restored 18th-century homes, and the area has some lovely old churches, including St Petri, St Katherine, St Jakobi and St Nikolai.
The Altstadt is a fine area for walking, with bridges across canals, parklands, statues and fine old buildings to discover.
Practical Info
Hamburg Altstadt lies on the right bank of the Alsterfleet canal, opposite the new town.
Address: Rathausmarkt, Hamburg 20095, Germany
Admission: Free
From $ 243
Aussenalster
Aussenalster, or the Outer Alster Lake, is the larger of the two Alster lakes located in Hamburg. It was formed in the 13th century by damming the Alster River. At the time, it was outside of the city walls, which is how it became known as the Outer Alster Lake. The Inner Alster Lake was within the city walls. The lake is almost 400 acres large but no more than about eight feet deep. In order to maintain the charm and beauty of the area, it is a rule that all buildings surrounding the lake must be white and their roofs must be covered with copper.
The Outer Alster Lake is a popular place for boating activities. You can rent sail boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and rowboats at many locations. There are also several boat tours available on the lake. Many people also enjoy jogging or walking around the lake, which is about four and a half miles around. There are also parks where you can have a picnic, sunbathe, or relax in an Alsterchair. All along the shores, you can find restaurants and cafes where you can have a meal or a drink with a view of the lake.
Practical Info
The Outer Alster Lake is separated from the Inner Alster Lake by the Kennedy Bridge and the Lombard Bridge. The lake is located in the northern part of the city, north of both the Inner Alster Lake and Hamburg's main train station.
Address: Aussenalster, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: Daily
From $ 197
Miniatur Wunderland
Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany, is definitely not your everyday miniature railroad. It’s the largest miniature railroad in the world, and it’s an entire world at a perfect, small scale — one that took 500,000 working hours to create. From software-controlled fire trucks putting out fires in tiny neighborhoods to a 20-foot (6 meter) tall Swiss mountain with alpine skiers and brick tunnels with perfectly timed trains, the features of the different points of interest inside the ‘wonderland’ are not only in perfect working order, they’re filled with details that you could explore for days. Like a ‘Where’s Waldo’ book come to life, the 8 miles (13km) of tracks that wind through Miniatur Wunderland take the visitor on a tour of a tiny world that is utterly fascinating. The airport just might be the world’s most perfect flight simulator, with every possible detail in miniature. There’s a mini Grand Canyon and a mini Las Vegas. ‘Days’ in the different cities last just under an hour, and when night falls each of the city lights come on and different characters come out to play. Spoiler alert: there’s a red-light district, lovers getting frisky in a flowery meadow, and even murder scenes!
Practical Info
Miniatur Wunderland is located in Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt district. The exhibit is divided into several sections: Knuffingen (a fictitious German city), Austria and the Alps, Hamburg, Scandinavia, America, Switzerland, Italy, and the Hamburg Airport. ‘Behind the scenes’ tours lasting an hour offer a special glimpse of what goes on in the inner workings of Miniatur Wunderland.
Address: Kehrwieder 2-4/Block D, Hamburg 20457, Germany
Admission: Varies
From $ 12
Grosse Freiheit 36
Hamburg is famous for its Beatles history. It's the city where the band got their start by playing at various clubs near Reperbahn in the St. Pauli neighborhood, Hamburg's red light district. This is where they eventually gained worldwide fame. Of the many clubs they appeared at, Kaiserkeller, located at Grosse Freiheit 36, is one you can still visit today. The Beatles started playing here in late 1960 after the Indra Club closed. It was a good location for the band since it was closer to the heart of the neighborhood.
Today the club, which is known by its address Grosse Freiheit 36, continues to host live shows and other events. Visitors come to explore the history of one of the world's most popular bands at one of the first clubs where the Beatles performed. It's also a fun place to enjoy more current music and experience Hamburg's nightlife. Nearby you can also see the Beatles Square as well as other clubs, both original and reincarnated, where the Beatles once played.
Practical Info
To reach Grosse Freiheit 36, take Sbahn line 1, 2, or 3 to the Reperbahn station and go north on Grosse Freiheit. Hours and ticket prices vary depending on the show.
Address: Große Freiheit 36, Hamburg 22767, Germany
From $ 23
Alster Lakes
The Alster Lakes—the Inner Alster (Binnenalster) and Outer Alster (Aussenalster)—are the scenic heart of Hamburg. Created when the Alster river was dammed in the 12th century, the lakes are linked to the Elbe River via a maze of canals and lined with green parks and waterfront promenades.
The Basics
Boat cruises and ferries run around the lakes in summer, affording magnificent views. Set sail on a sunset cruise and sip champagne as you watch the sunset across the lakes, or opt for a sightseeing cruise around Hamburg’s lakes and canals and admire landmarks including the Alster fountain, the Elbphilharmonie, and the HafenCity quarter.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are over 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) of public pathways around the Alster Lakes.
- Hamburg’s main Tourist Information Center is located along the Jungfernstieg on the south bank of the Inner Alster.
- The waterfront promenades are easily accessible to wheelchair users. Many boat tours are also accessible, but it’s worth checking in advance.
How to Get There
The Alster Lakes are located in Hamburg’s city center. The Kennedy and Lombard bridges divide the two lakes, while the Alsterfleet canal runs from the Binnenalster down to the Elbe. Boat cruises typically set out from the Jungfernstieg on the south bank of the Binnenalster. The closest S-Bahn station is Hamburg Jungfernstieg (S1, S2, and S3).
When to Get There
Visit in summer (June–August) to enjoy water sports around the lake and the Alstervergnügen City Festival (August), a 4-day street festival with live music, markets, and performances. In the evening hours, the banks of the Binnenalster are a popular spot for dinner or drinks.
Outdoor Activities Around the Alster Lakes
The parks along the eastern banks of the Outer Alster offer ample space for walking, jogging, and cycling, and it’s also possible to rent paddleboats and rowboats. Swimming in the lakes is not recommended, but water sports, including canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and wakeboarding, are popular.
Address: An der Alster, Hamburg 20099, Germany
Admission: Free
From $ 36
Jungfernstieg
Jungfernstieg is Hamburg's most popular shopping street, located along the Inner Alster Lake. Its name originates from an old tradition of families who would take their unmarried daughters or maidens (Jungfern) to walk around on this promenade. Jungfernstieg was also the first street in Germany to be paved with asphalt.
The stores on Jungfernstieg are mostly upscale shops where you can find high-end clothing, shoes, and jewelry. You can also find accessories, bath products, perfumes, cosmetics, and purses. There is also a spa where you can get a massage and other wellness services. Along with department stores and boutiques, there is also a wide selection of restaurants and cafes where you can stop for a meal while you're shopping.
The most traditional building in the area is the Alster Pavilion, dating back to 1799. Today there is a restaurant there called Cafe Alex where you can have a meal or a coffee while enjoying views of the Inner Alster Lake and the big fountain in the middle of the lake. Nearby is the Alster Pier where you can join a boat tour of the lake.
Practical Info
Junfernstieg is located on the south side of the Inner Alster Lake. To get there, take U-bahn line U1, U2, or U4, or S-bahn line S1, S2, or S3 to the Jungfernstieg stop.
Address: Jungfernstieg, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: Daily
From $ 21
Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel)
The Old Elbe Tunnel, or Alter Elbtunnel in German, runs under the Elbe River from St. Pauli Landing Stages to Steinwerder in the Port of Hamburg. During the 1870s the port area on the south side of the river started to grow, and the number of workers who needed to cross the river twice a day to get to and from work increased dramatically. The ferries that transported people back and forth couldn't keep up with the increase, and they couldn't run in bad weather, so this became a problem. The tunnel was finally approved in 1901, and construction was completed in September 1911. The tunnel has continually been modernized over the decades.
Vehicles are carried 24 meters (79 feet) down to the tiled tunnels by vehicle lifts. Today many people still use the tunnel to get to work, however it has also been a protected monument since 2003. On its 100th anniversary, it was named Historic Landmark of Civil Engineering in Germany. Numerous film crews have shot on location here, art exhibitions have been on display, and the tunnel can also be rented out for events. Walking through the tunnel to the south side of the river will provide you with an incredible view of the port and Hamburg's skyline.
Practical Info
The Old Elbe Tunnel is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. It costs €2 for cars and motorized two-wheelers. It is free for pedestrians and cyclists.
Address: Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 5, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: Daily
From $ 230
HafenCity
HafenCity, which translates to Port City, is an area in central Hamburg that used to be part of the free port. With the decrease in the importance of the free port, the area dominated by port activities has reduced in size. The city of Hamburg is now developing this area for mixed residential and commercial use. Many of the warehouses are being replaced by apartment buildings, office buildings, hotels and shops, and it is estimated that there will be approximately 6,000 new homes and 45,000 new jobs when it is all completed. At 388 acres, HafenCity is the largest inner city development project in Europe.
Aside from the commercial and residential buildings already finished and in use, the International Maritime Museum of Hamburg has moved into HafenCity. Another big project currently underway is the construction of the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, the home of Hamburg's philharmonic orchestra. HafenCity also encompasses the historical area of Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse complex in the world. Within Speicherstadt, you will find several museums and attractions, such as the Hamburg Dungeon, Miniatur Wunderland, and the Speicherstadt Museum. There are also plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants already open in HafenCity, as well as parks and recreational areas.
Practical Info
HafenCity is located along the Elbe River. To reach this district, take the U-bahn line U4 to either the Überseequartier station or the HafenCity University station.
Address: HafenCity, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: Daily
From $ 23
Town Hall (Rathaus)
Hamburg's town hall building, or Rathaus in German, was built from 1886 to 1887, and it is located in the Altstadt, or Old Town, in central Hamburg. It was built to replace the old town hall building that burned down in 1842. It was built with an ornate neo-renaissance facade and has 647 rooms. The front of the building features an imposing clock tower and 20 statues of emperors, and the entrance hall is supported by 16 sandstone pillars painted with 68 portraits of important Hamburg citizens. The building houses the city's senate and parliament.
Guided tours of the state rooms are available daily in both English and German, and last 40 minutes. Visitors will get the chance to see tapestries, glittering chandeliers, detailed ceilings, and grand portraits while learning about the history of the building and its importance to Hamburg.
Rathausmarkt, Hamburg's main market square, is in front of the town hall building. Festivals and events take place in this square throughout the year, including the city's biggest Christmas market. The Rathaus is also located near the Inner Alster Lake.
Practical Info
The town hall building is located at Rathausmarkt 1. To reach the Rathaus, take U-bahn line U3 to the Rathaus station. Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 1 p.m. on Friday, until 5 p.m. on Saturday and until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost 4 euros.
Address: Rathausmarkt 1, Hamburg, Germany
Hours: Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 1 p.m. on Friday, until 5 p.m. on Saturday and until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission: 4 Euros
From $ 12
Church St Michaelis (Michaeliskirche)
The baroque Protestant Church of St. Michaelis (Michaeliskirche) is a Hamburg landmark. Its famous clock tower soaring above the city roofs has been a beacon for sailors since the 1680s.
The copper dome and gold clock of St. Michaelis’ 132-meter (433-foot) tower rises above a network of tiny alleys known as the Krameramtswohnungen, lined with half-timbered almshouses from the 17th century.
Take a guided tour of the tower for views over the port of Hamburg from the observation platform, and visit the crypt for a historic tour.
Practical Info
The Church of St. Michaelis is near the Alsterfllet canal in the old section of Hamburg. The closest metro stop is Rodingsmarkt.
Address: Sulldorfer Kirchenweg 191, Hamburg 22589, Germany
Hours: November to April: Daily from 10am - 5:30pm, May to October: Daily from 9am - 7:30pm
Admission: €3.50
From $ 12
St Pauli Piers
The impressive St Pauli Landungsbrücken (St Pauli Piers) is one of Hamburg's most popular attractions. Built in 1907, the 2,257-foot (688-meter) landungsbrücke (“pier”) is composed of several floating pontoons, which are accessible from land by 10 movable bridges. Once mooring points for large passenger steamships, today the pontoons are mostly used by sightseeing boats. The structure also features two towers of differing heights, plus several copper domes.
The Landungsbrücken is located in Hamburg’s St Pauli district, between the lower harbor and the fish market, on the banks of the Elbe river. It forms a central transportation hub, with streetcar (S-Bahn), underground train (U-Bahn), and ferry stations all stopping here. It’s also a major tourist magnet, with numerous restaurants and departure points for harbor cruises. (A boat tour is considered the best way to see Hamburg.) With the water on one side, and colorful souvenir shops and quaint fish restaurants serving North Sea shrimp on the other side, it’s easy to forget that you are walking on a floating platform.
Practical Info
The piers are located in the St Pauli area of Hamburg, between the lower harbor and the Fischmarkt (Fish Market), on the banks of the Elbe river. At the western end of the Landungsbrücken, there’s an entrance to the Old Elbe tunnel. The eastern end of the structure is marked by the Pegelturm (water level tower). Halfway up the tower, there is a water level indicator built into the wall, which indicates the current stage of the tides.
Address: St. Pauli, Hamburg 20359, Germany
From $ 23
Beatles-Platz
The city of Hamburg played a big part in Beatles history. The famous band made it big in Hamburg and spent their early days playing at a variety of clubs in Hamburg's St. Pauli neighborhood. In 2001 a radio program manager proposed the idea of having a square to honor the band's importance in Hamburg's history. Beatles Platz was finally finished in 2008.
The square has five metal silhouette statues to represent each musician who was at one point a member of the band: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, Ringo Starr, and Pete Best. The drummer statue represents both Ringo Starr and Pete Best, who was the drummer before Ringo. Visitors often stand in the life-sized silhouettes and pretend they are part of the band. The square is actually circular with a 95-foot diameter and was paved black to look like a vinyl record. There are also steel bands with the names of around 70 Beatles songs engraved on them.
Practical Info
Beatles-Platz is located at the intersection of Reeperbahn and Grosse Freiheit. To get there take the S1, S2, or S3 to the Reeperbahn station.
Address: Reeperbahn & Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg 20359, Germany
From $ 16
Altona Fish Market (Fischmarkt)
Perhaps one of Hamburg's most unusual attractions is the Altona Fish Market (Fischmarkt), held every Sunday morning, rain or shine. Along with the spoils of the sea, travelers find all manner of goods for sale at this lively slice of Hamburg life.
Stalls selling souvenirs, clothing, flowers, fresh produce and plenty of food and drink are set up along the Elbe riverbank, and fun free entertainment is provided by the bellowing stallholders, oompah bands and buskers.
Practical Info
The Altona Fish Market is held every Sunday on the riverbank, south of the Reeperbahn. If it's raining, visitors can head indoors to the Fish Auction Hall for sausages, beer and live music. Travelers should arrive early, as the market closes around 10 a.m.
Address: Altona-Altdstadt, Hamburg 22767, Germany
Hours: Every Sunday
Admission: Free
From $ 14