DanckTravel

When Taylor Swift announced her Eras Tour concert dates in Hamburg, we knew it was finally the perfect excuse to make our way there. Since our family is German, we had been to Germany many times, but had never made it this far north. In total, we were there for 3-4 days, exploring the museums, sipping beer, and crossing the many bridges (fun fact: Hamburg has more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined). It’s a destination that I’d highly recommend to those interested in visiting Germany, couples looking for a romantic getaway and solo travelers.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the city — Hamburg is a port city located in Northern Germany and is often called the “Little Venice” of Germany. Hamburg is a perfect city to explore, with beautiful architecture and a rich history. Keep reading to find out more.

How to Get to Hamburg

Getting to Hamburg is fairly simple. If you are coming from Germany, you can take the train, plane, or even a drive. My sister and I flew into Frankfurt and then took the high-speed rail here. Flying direct is probably easiest (but that will depend on your airport).

You can also catch a flight to this city if you are a European or American visiting Germany. Alternatively, you can take a boat, since Hamburg is on the water. My German grandparents will actually often come to the United States via a cruiseliner and these often depart from Hamburg or nearby.

If you’ve always dreamed of driving on the Autobahn and travel into a different airport, this could be your chance! However the high-speed rail (ICE) is often faster than a car. You also won’t need a car once in Hamburg, because the public transportation is so good.

Sites and Attractions in Hamburg

We loved exploring Hamburg and found it very easy to get around with the train. Below are some of our recommendations to explore:

Take a Boat Tour

Hamburg is really well known for its bodies of water. If the weather is nice, we would highly recommend doing a boat tour. There are several places to catch a boat from, including the Elbe and Outer Alster.

The Elbe connects directly to the North Sea and passes through many of the historic sites. The Outer Alster is more relaxed and is full of sailing boats. We took a boat ride on the Outer Alster, which was really relaxing. It was a small ride and we talked about the amazing Taylor Swift during our cruise (Turns out we had a few Swifties on board). This was perfect for us, but if you are more into history or want to use the boat cruise to see the historical sites, you’ll likely enjoy one located on the Elbe.

SDanck relaxing on sailboat.

Enjoy a Free Walking Tour

If you are wondering how people afford to travel or you are looking to travel cheaply throughout Europe, free walking tours are the best way to do this! While I didn’t do this in Hamburg, I’ve done these free walking tours in a number of cities and they are really fun. Just be sure to bring some cash for a tip! Here is a free walking tour you can check out.

Also, Hamburg is just really beautiful anyway, so I recommend just taking a walk around to explore (even if you don’t do a walking tour). My sister and I walked around for hours, exploring the many bridges and the waterfront. It was a great way to see some of the sites.

Go Underground in the Old Elbe Tunnel

The Old Elbe Tunnel is an underground tunnel that connects the port to the Landungsbrücke Piers. You will either have to take a series of steps to the bottom or a giant elevator. What’s really cool is that you can even bring your bike into the tunnel. The temperature is also much cooler in the tunnel, making it a great way to excape the heat.

An added benefit is that it connects directly to Landungsbrücke, making it an easy way to cross the canals.

Check out Landungsbrücken Piers

The Landungsbrücken Piers is easy to identify by its green towers and location along the Elbe. Created in 1839, the Landungsbrücken Piers also serves as a hub for boats and sightseeing tours. You can also catch a show at the Elbphilharmonie.

Explore Speicherstadt

Hamburg joined Germany in 1871. However, it was able to handle regulations surrounding taxes and customs until 1881. 

The city then had until 1888 to build new facilities for storage, resulting in the warehouses in Speicherstadt being built. Despite this rigid timeline, only one warehouse was constructed in time. Due to World War I, the remaining wouldn’t be finished until 1927.

Today, Speicherstadt is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts a number of museums and tourist locations, including the Dungeons and Minatur Wunderland. Be sure to also take a photo at Wasserschloss (Water Castle), which is the most popular spot for tourist pictures in this part of tow.

Learn Some History at The Dungeons

The Dungeons was such a wild experience. This was part historical museum, part haunted house, and part amusement park. We really enjoyed learning about the spooky history of Hamburg, but the amusement rides were really cool and unexpected.

The last stop involved a “prison break”. In this scenario, you are strapped into something that shoots you in the air, but as you see the “path to freedom”, you are immediately dropped back down. The ride isn’t very tall, but was a cool way to enter to tour.

Most of their tours are in German, but they do have at least one English tour per day.

Check out Model Trains at Minatur Wunderland

Minatur Wunderland is well known for its model trains and attention to detail. With nearly 300,000 figurines populating vast countrysides and recreated cities, there is a lot to explore in this museum. There is even a miniature airport and a LED lights that create day and night for the “residents” of these towns.

Explore Local Breweries 

Germay is weill known for its beer, so be sure to check out some of the local breweries. Popular choices include Ratsherren Brauerei, Landgang Brauerei, and Buddelship Brauerei.

Pro Tip: It’s legal to drink in Germany outside, so you can grab beers at the local breweries and have a picnic in one of the parks.

Visit the Christmas Market

While we were there in the summer, this list would not be complete without suggesting you visit the Christmas market in the wintertime.

Germany has beautiful Christmas markets and Hamburg is no exception. In fact, Hamburg has a variety of markets to explore, including their more traditional and historic Christmas market, as well as their St. Pauli Christmas market.

What Food is Hamburg Known For?

It’s such a fun part of travel to try to the local food. Hamburg boasts several local cuisines, including the following:

Fischbrötchen

Fischbrötchen literally translates to “fish bread”. It’s a sandwich that typically consists of fried fish and toppings.

Franzbrötchen

Franzbrötchen is a sweet pastry, that resembles a cinnamon roll.

Labkaus

This meal combines several ingredients including mashed potatoes and corned beed. It will also often include egg and fish.

Final Thoughts

Hamburg is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors. Whether it be exploring the Elbe River or checking out historic museums, there is a lot to see. Anything we missed? Leave it in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hamburg Best Known For?

Hamburg is often referred to as the “Little Venice” of Germany. It is best known for its ports, the Elbe River and stunning architecture. It also has a rich history

Do I Need a Car in Hamburg?

No. Hamburg, Germany has an extensive network involving public transportation, making it easy to get around the city. Alternatively, you can rent a bike.

When is the Best Time to Visit Hamburg?

The summertime is generally considered the best time to visit the city in terms of weather. However, Hamburg does have festivals and their Christmas market, which are worth checking out. Alternatively, if you plan on visiting the rest of the country, you may need to evaluate when the best time to visit Germany is. This will largely depend on your preferences (skiing, hiking, Oktoberfest) and what you are looking to do.