Guide to Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg was known as ‘the gateway to the world’ and is Germany’s second largest city, and biggest port. Since joining the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages, it’s been a city of great wealth and influence, as well as being a Unesco World Heritage site since 2015.

Top reasons to visit Hamburg

Famous music scene, being the city that brought The Beatles to prominence

Reeperbahn - Hamburg’s notorious red-light district

Explore the bohemian, funky district of Saint Pauli

Book a hotel today in Hamburg, Germany - find your hotel deals here, as we specialise in cheap hotels in Hamburg, Germany.

Main areas of Hamburg

Hamburg is on the River Elbe at it’s confluence with the Rivers Alster and Bille.

The city centre is around the Binnenalster (Inner Alster) and Aussenalster (Outer Alster).

The islands Neuwerk, Scharhorn and Nigehorn form the Hamburg National Sea Park.

The Altes Land (Old Land region) consists of Nexuenfelde, Cranz and Finkenwerder.

Top Attractions in Hamburg

• Elbe Philharmonic Hall
• Port of Hamburg
• Reeperbahn
• Alster - Hamburg’s artificial lake
• Sternschanzenpark
• Beatles-Platz
• Hamburg Dungeon
• Bishop’s Tower

Shopping in Hamburg

The bohemian area of St Pauli is the recommended shopping area for bargains, boutiques, and eclectic or artisan shops.

• Chocolatier - Oriental Sweets
• Crafts - Yokozuna
• Suits - Herr von Eden
• Clothes - Lille/Stor
• Flea Markets (FlohMarkts)
• Maritime goods and models - Captain’s cabin
• Accessories - Kauf dich glücklich (shop yourself happy)
• Designers (Danish) - La Paloma
• Designers (Swedish) - Purple Pink
• Sportswear (Women’s)- Frauleinwunder
• Cosmetics - Mimulus Naturkosmetik
• Fashion - Anna Fuchs

Eating in Hamburg

No visit to Hamburg is complete without trying the local delicacies, such as:-

• Kuchen - cake
• currywurst - sausage with spicy sauce
• Spezi - classic soft drink, made locally with cola and orange soda
• Wiener schnitzel - thin breaded veal cutlet
• Fischbroten - sandwich made with fish and onions
• sauerkraut - sour cabbage

Recommended restaurants are Cafe Paris, Cafe May, Von der Motte, Fischereihafen-Restaurant, Cafe Leonar, Varian Hamburg 1Finanzbehorde, Die Bank, Trattoria da Enzo, Portnovo, Oberhafen-Kantine, Erika’s Eck, Vlet, Teheran and Mazza.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Hamburg

Hamburg’s has a thriving nightlife scene, especially around the St Pauli district

• Bars - Mathilde, Pony Bar, Sands Bar, Klimperkiste, Tower Bar, Die Grotte, Zwick, Barley and Malt, Bar Rossi, Mr Ape, Amphore, Roosen Bar, Shamrock Irish Bar
• Brewery/Craft Beers - Brauhaus Joh. Albrecht, Craft Beer Store, Hofbräuhaus
• Clubs - Docks, Kaiserkeller, Mojo Club, Markthalle Hamburg, Gruenspan, Logo, Angie’s, Headcrash, Funky Pussy, Baalsaal, Moondoo, Prinzenbar
• Tours - Reeperbahn 2.5 hour walking tour, St Pauli Ahoy nighttime tour
• Cocktails - Le Lion, Ciu’ Die Bar, Christiansen’s Fine Drinks and Cocktails, Reh-Bar
• Coffee - Kopiba, the Coffee Shop, Elbgold
• Live Music - Knust
• Lounge - Comet, Westcoast Lounge, Washington
• Museums - Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, Minatur Wunderland, Ballinstadt, Museum of Labour, Maritimes Museum, Planetarium, Cap San Diego, Erotic Art Museum, Chocoversum
• Theatres - Deutsches Schauspielhaus, English Theatre of Hamburg
• Music - Hamburg State Opera, Elbe Philharmonic Hall, Laisezhalle
• Art - Kunsthalle Hamburg, Deichtorhallen

Book a hotel today in Hamburg, Germany - find your hotel deals here, as we specialise in cheap hotels in Hamburg, Germany.