Looking for fresh produce? You'll find plenty of it at the outdoor markets on the streets and squares of Hamburg. Every neighbourhood has at least one weekly market where locals can stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread — and perhaps some chit chat with the neighbours. Most markets take place several days a week in the mornings and early afternoon, though some are open throughout the day. Here are some of Hamburg’s most beautiful outdoor markets that you should know about.
Isemarkt
With each row covering 600 meters, the Isemarkt market is not only one of Germany’s largest but also most beautiful and well-known weekly outdoor markets. Hosting 200 retail stalls, this market is set up twice a week below the picturesque Hochbahn archs bridging the Hoheluftbrücke and Eppendorfer Baum U3 stations, providing shelter for grocery shoppers and passers-by even on not-so-fair days.
The Isemarkt offers a huge variety of staples from local farmers, but its refined selections in specialty goods and delicatessen stalls are also a great attraction for regulars and tourists alike. Whether you’re looking for fine olive oils or dried fruit, exotic spices or all sorts of organic foods, the Isemarkt outdoor marker is always worth a visit!
Opening times: Tuesdays and Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Goldbek Market
Located at the top of the banks of the peaceful Goldbek canal, the Goldbek market is small, but oh my! Here the residents of the Winterhude neighbourhoods come together to collect their weekly supply of groceries harvested from the fields and orchards surrounding Hamburg.
Many of the visitors during the week are regulars, so apart from the sales talk you can hear all sorts of the week’s chitchat. And on Saturdays, people from all parts of Hamburg come here to go shopping, have a snack at the stalls and enjoy some entertainment before going for a walk and taking a time out in the nearby Stadtpark.
Opening times: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Turmweg Market
A stone’s throw from the banks of the Alster, the Turmweg outdoor market offers much more than just fruit and vegetables to its trusty clientele. Ever since the 1960s, the 35 vendors have been spanning Turmweg from just under the St. Johannis church up to the busy Rothenbaumchaussee, turning this quiet street into a once-a-week must-see attraction.
During lunchtime, the market is crowded with university students and businesspeople from the surrounding shops and offices grocery shopping and getting their energy up for the last bit of the week. That’s why next to fine cheese and fruit stands you can also find a great number of artisan food, pastry and coffee stalls, complete with all the sweet, savoury and vegetarian snack stalls to satisfy any craving.
Opening times: Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Volksdorf Market
Conveniently located at the U1 underground train stop U-Volksdorf, the traditional Volksdorf outdoor market has up to 100 stalls offering a wide range of produce and products twice a week.
Start out with regional fruit and vegetables, browse along stands of smoked fish and colourful flowers and before you even notice it, you’ll be shopping for fresh pasta, jams and jellies and even home-made clothing and accessories. Luckily, there are more than enough stalls for a quick break over a coffee or snack so you can continue your weekly shopping tour with vigour.
Opening times: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Spritzenplatz Market
An outdoor market as cultural melting pot: At the small market at Spritzenplatz in Altona, many traditional grocery vendors are met with sellers offering specialties and delicacies from Anatolia and other middle eastern regions.
One of the many examples of the benefits from cultural exchange and interaction, this market is located right at the heart of the bustling, multicultural scene of the Ottensen neighbourhood. Try out new foods and spices and take a tasty break before heading off to explore the surrounding shops and cafés.
Opening times: Tuesdays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Wednesdays 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Pauli Night Market
For those prone to oversleeping and missing the regular morning markets, the St. Pauli night market is the perfect solution: every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m. on the well-known Spielbudenplatz, vendors offer fresh and often locally and sustainably produced goods to late risers, after-work shoppers and theatre-goers alike.
Brightly lit and colourful and with the occasional live-music act, the market is typical of the buzzing St. Pauli neighbourhood. Time flies while grocery shopping and chit-chatting with neighbours, so many stalls have tasty made-to-order snacks ready to refuel shoppers when the sun sets. And with the wide selection of refreshments from one of the pop-up cocktail bars, it’s easy to round off the late shopping day and go full-circle in the notorious Reeperbahn bars.
Opening times: Wednesdays 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. (or even later during the summer months)
St. Pauli Fish Market
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without the famous St. Pauli Fish Market. Where early birds meet night owls and market barkers drown each other out to attract customers’ attention, a stunning 70,000 visitors gather each Sunday at this popular attraction known the world over.
But it’s also noteworthy that between all the buzz of live-music acts and lively banter, fish isn’t the only thing that is bartered over: lots of stalls with fresh fruit, vegetables and other locally harvested produce keep many locals well-stocked through the week. Keep your eyes open for great deals on food, spices and other delicacies before taking in some fresh air along with a harbourside coffee and breakfast.
Opening times: Sundays 5 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. in summer; 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. in winter
