We know that Hamburg's versatile beauty could never be contained in a single day. But if you're just on a business trip or a stopover, the best way to see as much of Hamburg as possible in a short time is to start with this checklist and one of the numerous guided tours through the city, along the River Elbe or on the Alster lakes.
1. City Bus Tour
If you want to see Hamburg's most important sights in a short span of time, we recommend going on a classic city tour on a double-decker bus. This will give you a good overview of Hamburg's main attractions in one to two hours without even having to walk yourself sore.
There are also hop on/hop off tours that are especially practical, allowing you to get on and off at numerous stops so you can decide for yourself which spots you would like to spend a little more time exploring.
Tip: the bus line 111 takes you on a half-hour journey from Elbbrücken to Altona, passing 16 Hamburg sights along the way – for no more than the usual local public transport fare!
Getting There
Hamburg Main Station, exit: Kirchenallee
St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
2. Port of Hamburg & Harbour Boat Trip
The S and U train stop Landungsbrücken is located directly at the Landungsbrücken piers and very close to the Old Elbe Tunnel. Exit here for a wonderful view from the top of the stop, and then jump directly on a harbour boat trip through the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district UNESCO world heritage site and then towards the large container ports.
Please note: Boat trips through the Speicherstadt canals are dependent on the tides, so they can only be made with small barges, or not at all if the tide is too low. Skippers may decide shortly before or during the trip whether it is possible to navigate through the Speicherstadt.
Tip: Holders of a HamburgCARD or a corresponding HVV ticket can use the seven different ferries that operate on the River Elbe and call at various stops in the port area. Embark on a journey and discover Hamburg from a different perspective! The trip on ferry line 62 from Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder is particularly beautiful.
Getting There
S1, S3 trains to Landungsbrücken
U3 trains to Landungsbrücken
3. St. Pauli Fish Market
The St. Pauli Fish Market by the Elbe quayside is one of Hamburg's major tourist attractions. Every Sunday morning, the place is full of market cries, as vendors go all out to sell products such as fish and meats, fruit and vegetables, dairy products and other commodities. The Fish Market is located within walking distance of the famous Reeperbahn strip and opens at 5 a.m. on Sundays (7 a.m. in winter). Unfortunately, the fun is over by 9:30 a.m., so get up early – or simply stay up all night!
Tip: Right in the middle of it all, there is the Fischauktionshalle (lit.: ‘fish auction hall’), where you can listen to live music while having breakfast until 12 p.m.
Getting There
Bus line 111 to Fischauktionshalle
Ferry line 62 to Altona (Fischauktionshalle)
S1, S3 trains to Reeperbahn
4. Alster Lakes & Jungfernstieg
The Inner Alster lake and the famous Jungfernstieg are located right in the heart of the city. Enjoy shopping around Hamburg's most famous promenade or take a leisurely stroll along the Alster lake while taking in the beautiful and majestic architecture. If you prefer lush greenery and a broader view of the water, a walk along the banks of the Outer Alster lake is highly recommended.
Tip: If you want to save a little time but still experience the charm of the Alster banks, why not go on an Alster boat trip around the lake?
Getting There
S1, S3 trains to Jungfernstieg
U1, U2, U4 trains to Jungfernstieg
U3 trains to Rathaus
5. St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's Church, affectionately called ‘Michel’ by Hamburg locals, is one of Hamburg's most iconic landmarks. Even though St. Peter's Church and the St. Nicholas Memorial are technically taller, St. Michael's still ranks 13th in the list of the highest churches in the world. And the Michel's interior is particularly spectacular: the nave houses five organs, and the vaulted cellar and all the information on St. Michael's eventful history can keep visitors busy for hours.
Tip: Take the lift to the observation deck 100 metres above the city and enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of Hamburg and the port. The observation deck is also open after dark, which makes for an even more breathtaking view.
Getting There
S1, S3 trains to Stadthausbrücke
Bus lines 16, 17 to Michaeliskirche
U3 trains to Baumwall
6. Reeperbahn
The Reeperbahn strip in the lively and colourful district of St. Pauli is a hot contender for the title of World's Most Notorious Mile. It goes without saying that the Reeperbahn can't be missed on a visit to Hamburg – and that it's best to visit it after dark. During the day, the Reeperbahn is less spectacular, but there are still plenty of great restaurants and cafés in the surrounding area, as well as the Panoptikum wax museum.
Tip: Join on a guided tour with Olivia Jones and her family – they will let you in on the dirty little secrets of the former red light district. And there are many other guided tours with their own unique focal points as well!
Getting There
S1, S3 trains to Reeperbahn
U3 trains to St. Pauli
7. Schanzenviertel/Karoviertel Quarters
Life is in full bloom off the trodden paths in the Schanzenviertel quarters. Plenty of bars, restaurants, cafés and bistros to suit every taste and craving can be found around lively Schulterblatt plaza. And for those about to shop, Karoviertel salutes you with its abundance of little fashion boutiques and record stores, craft beer and specialty coffee shops, and of course its buzzing and colourful flea markets.
Tip: Don't miss out on breakfast at one of the charming cafés around Schanzenviertel/Karoviertel. Brunching here has become a beloved ritual among Hamburg residents!
Getting There
S2, S5, U3 trains to Sternschanze
U3 trains to Feldstraße
U2 trains to Messehallen
Bus lines 3, 17 to Feldstraße
8. HafenCity & Speicherstadt Warehouses
A walk through the Speicherstadt warehouse district and the newly developed HafenCity quarters is a must for every trip to Hamburg – and not just because the Speicherstadt was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The unique atmosphere created by the modern HafenCity architecture and the historic red-brick buildings of the Speicherstadt still manages to enchant even long-established Hamburg residents.
Tip: The Miniatur Wunderland and the Hamburg Dungeon are among Hamburg's most popular attractions and are located right next to each other in the Speicherstadt.
Getting There
U1 trains to Meßberg
U3 trains to Baumwall
U4 trains to Überseequartier
9. Rathaus City Hall & Shopping
Hamburg is particularly popular in the region for its shopping destinations. For many, the first port of call is Mönckebergstraße street with its large fashion outlets, well-known brand shops and the Europa Passage shopping centre. Still hungry for more? Visit the Alsterarkaden and Neuer Wall shopping streets for luxury and high fashion shopping.
Mönckebergstraße stretches from the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof central railway station all the way to the impressive City Hall standing proud in Rathausmarkt square. In fact, it's one of the most iconic government buildings in Germany, and as it's a public building, visitors are welcome to enter and marvel at the beautiful interior or even take a guided tour through the assembly halls.
Tip: Even on a tight budget, a short trip to Hamburg can be a lot of fun, as there are numerous activities that don't cost a penny.
Getting There
All S and U trains to Hauptbahnhof
S1, S3, U1, U2, U4 trains to Jungfernstieg
U3 trains to Mönckebergsraße or Rathaus
Bus lines 3, 4, 5, 19 to Rathausmarkt
10. Bars, Cafés & Restaurants
Where to go for lunch and dinner? Where to have the best coffee and most exquisite cocktails? In a metropolis like Hamburg, there are, of course, lots and lots of good restaurants, cosy cafés and trendy bars. Whether you're interested in traditional north German dishes, are a fan of Mediterranean, fusion, or even vegan cuisine, Hamburg has enough choice to last a lifetime.
Tip: Many cosy and high-quality places for food and beverages in the suburban neighbourhoods are just a short train ride from the city centre.
