Things to do

20 Amazing Things To Do In Hamburg, Germany

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Hamburg appears to be an amazing place to live and to have a thrilling vacation. A lot of good architecture and since it is a harbor city there are many good things to do.

It is the second largest city in Germany with favorable economic and recreational conditions and amazing parks. The city also has possibly the world's largest warehouse district, which is Speicherstadt, constructed solely with timber piles.

So, take a look at some of the things to do in Hamburg for a memorable stay:

1. Explore The Miniatur Wunderland

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This is one of the Hamburg places to visit that does not disappoint. You might love the attention to detail and the smallest features, like the day/night cycles and how they mimic the dusk scenery.

There are many exhibits from different countries, including Germany, Brazil, and the US. It is interactive, and everything comes to life. You will see mini humans, moving trains, and subway trains and stations.

It is also lovely to have an opening viewing where the engineers run the mechanics of the whole thing. You can easily spend more than two hours just looking at everything.

2. Stop By The Hamburg Townhall

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It is a magnificent building in the center of Hamburg. The exterior decorations and the structure of the building are wonderful. It is too big to fit into the frame in one shot.

Also known as Rathsus, it is peaceful and fun to take a short coffee break in the cafes around and watch people. The town hall is a true gem of the city, especially during the Christmas season.

There are festive markets that surround the hall which creates an enchanting atmosphere. Visitors can easily explore the building but the upper levels are restricted. Nevertheless, the charming gardens are free and add a tranquil touch to the experience.

3. Rent A Bike And Explore Hamburg

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Taking a bike for rent is among the best things to do in Hamburg. The city has a brilliant bike-sharing service known as StadtRAD which consists of over 250 stations.

Options of registration include free registration and rental of the bicycle through an application, client card, or by phone although phone rentals are sometimes not in practice. The first thirty minutes are free and then the cost is EU0.10 per minute or EU24 for the full day.

This makes it very cheap and easy to travel and use. Also, the bikes can be accessed at any time, which means you get to ride them at any time you feel like.

4. Stroll Around Alster Lake

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Some huge lakes in the center of Hamburg can be enjoyed by everyone. Dammtor and Hauptbahnhof are the nearest stations and there are lots of U-Bahn stations close by.

The main lake is massive and you might see people sailing. There are paths alongside the lakes so you can be close to the water even if you don't have sea legs. Also, look for benches to sit, relax, or simply enjoy the view.

This Hamburg Germany attractions is nice to stroll or can be circumnavigated by the hop on hop off bus classic route. The path is scenic and peaceful with a couple of road bridges. You might also see different ducks, their babies, duck couples, and ducks in the nets.

5. Walk or Bike Around Alter Elbtunnel

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This old underground tunnel allows passengers entry to both sides of the harbor. It is a pedestrian and bicycle passage. The route is free and worth things to do and see in Hamburg if you are exploring the waterfront.

It is fun to walk from one side to the other and enjoy the harbor views. The walk in the tunnel without any stop is around fifteen minutes. There are giant elevators on both sides to take you up.

Even bicycles are welcome. You need not pay any entry fee to visit this place. Overall, this is an incredible piece of transportation and architectural history that is still in active use.

6. Discover Hamburg's Nightlife

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It is a city that knows how to entertain itself to the core. The events take place in St. Pauli at the well-known Reeperbahn. This is a nightlife street since there are many bars, clubs, and other entertainment centers.

Amongst some of the coolest clubs around,d there is Grosse Freiheit 36; it invites top DJs who perform house, techno, and all kinds of electric music. For something different simply go to Sternschanze.

This trendy district is filled with art and some great unconventional pubs and clubs. All lovers of indie and electronic music have to visit the Molotow Club.

7. Climb To The Top of St. Michael's Church

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St. Michael's church is an evangelical church. It's massive, with a tower. For a fee, you can check both the tower (with an amazing view of the city) and the crypt (the basement with lots of interesting information about the church's history).

The trip to the top of the tower is a must to get a panoramic view of Hamburg. Ticket is around 8 euros. You can get the lift or walk up the stairs. If you are capable, it is best to use stairs as there is a lot of information about the tower and the pictures/displays on the way up.

The church features a distinctive design that contributes to its beauty. It has a serene and inviting atmosphere, making it a truly special place. The church accommodates concerts too.

8. Tour The Port of Hamburg

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This is a busy port area with many things to see including different types of ships and even an old U-boat. If you take a boat tour, you will be moved to parts of the port inaccessible on foot.

You will find a fish market and many restaurants nearby. The place offers a chance to discover cool history if you are into learning when you sightsee. Just a short distance from the port there is the Speicherstadt.

It is the warehouse district with its brick buildings and bridges over the canals. Another distinctive landmark is the Philharmonic building. A lot of the port has been recycled with new office buildings and some housing.

9. Wander The Planten un Blomen

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A large park on the north side of the city center that hosts several formal and informal garden areas. Enjoy wandering the paths through flower gardens, waterways a Japanese garden, and a formal rose garden.

The garden also has a large musical fountain on a pond that shows a water dance show every evening. There are also several cafes and ice cream stands scattered across the park area and an extremely large playground for children.

It is free to enter and one of the interesting things to do in Hamburg Germany. The place is also ideal for hiking and organizing a picnic while reading your favorite books.

10. Go To The Portuguese Quarter (Portugiesenviertel)

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It is one of the most charming neighborhoods in town full of Portuguese and Spanish restaurants. It is quite lively at night and the eateries are best too.

This is a good place to search for lunch or dinner and a lovely area for a stroll when the weather is mild. There are so many restaurants and tapas bars, as well as Portuguese souvenir shops that you may well think you're in the center of Lisbon.

Also, the faces and the language contribute to creating a very genuine atmosphere. The Portuguese Quarter is located in downtown Hamburg between St. Michal and Landungsbrucken. You can savor the best of cuisine from Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and more.

11. Experience The Dialog in the Dark Tour

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The museum tries to give a meaningful insight into the life of the visually impaired. The Dialogue in the Dark tour is about an hour.

You will be blinded in total darkness and perform certain tasks such as climbing over stairs, navigating through a room, ordering drinks, and getting a seat. Here you use your senses and see the daily struggles this world puts in the way of blind people.

It also makes you realize what it means to offer a barrier-free world. This is a very unique and eye-opening things to do Hamburg. At the end, with a drink in hand, you can ask questions that have come up during the tour.

12. Catch A Game At Volksparkstadion

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A huge football stadium set in a park. It can accommodate more than 50,000 fans. On a game day, the area must be swamped with people trying to get here.

It is incredible to see fans singing and supporting their clubs no matter what is happening on the pitch. You can also book a guided tour to take you around the stadium and provide information about the SV Hamburg, their fans, and the stadium itself.

Travel to the stadium on the S-Bahn from central Hamburg or on a train. The venue is a good 15-minute walk through the park. Getting back is easy; leave the ground and hop onto a shuttle bus that takes you to the S-Bahn.

13. Yacht Sailing After Work Tour of Hamburg Harbor

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The "after work" trip is a great expedition by Elbsegelei. It starts right at the tree wall and then sails relaxed down the Elbe. If the weather is fine, sunshine and enough good wind help to cruise relaxed to altitude Dockland.

Even if you have already made many harbor tours, or taken the 62 to Finkenwerder, this trip is a completely different excursion. Here you can lend a hand on board if you like. The group size is very pleasant and the skipper is just likable and funny.

The skipper may also tell a lot about Hamburg including some sailor's yarn. All in all, it is a wonderful end to the day.

14. Check Out The Internationals Maritimes Museum Hamburg

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Hamburg has many historic and modern links to the sea and one of the key institutions expressing maritime culture is the International Maritimes Museum Hamburg.

So, the museum is housed in one of the oldest warehouses in Hamburg and it is good to recommend it to anybody interested in the sea. It covers ten stories each with a specific theme starting with the adventures of Columbus and ending with modern-day search and navigation systems.

You can study sailor's outfits, weapons, and medals, or admire the magnificent maritime art. One of them is the sphere with nearly one million Lego pieces, aimed at creating the view of the Queen Mary 2 model ship.

15. Attend Performances At Schmidt Tivoli

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The Tivoli is a theater located in St Pauli neighborhood. All the programs being held here are entertaining, the prices are reasonable and they have programs for children as well.

Even if you visit the venue with a group of 12 people for a midnight show, it will not disappoint. The foyer bar is large enough to accommodate plenty of people before the show begins.

When you enter the seating area, you can directly order drinks at your seat. If you are lucky with your timing, your visit will coincide with an occasional live music session held in the bar.

16. A Day Trip To Hagenbeck Zoo

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Don't let yourself be fooled by the outside appearance and the location that looks like it is in the middle of the city. The zoo is an oasis and you could easily spend more than a couple hours.

The top things that are noticed are the care and the great condition of the animals. Most of the time while visiting a zoo, we leave with a bit of disappointment due to the way animals are being kept.

But Hagenbeck stands out through excellence in their approach towards the natural habitats of all the animals in their zoo. The aquarium is another huge surprise. It is worth buying the combined ticket for the Tierpark and Aquarium if you have the time to see them both.

17. Roam Around Speicherstadt

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It is in the old part of Hamburg harking back to when it was a major trading port. Many of these have been repurposed including the Hamburg Dungeon and Miniatur Wunderland which is a must-see activity.

The Opera House is nearby and there are lots of canals to cross on old bridges. Some of these have nice statues as well. The area is nice to explore on foot and it is not too far from the city centre or the waterfront.

There are lots of waterways between the old, mostly refurbished, red brick warehouses and buildings. You can walk from Rathaus down to the beautiful and huge red brick buildings. Take a camera and appreciate the German architecture and general atmosphere of the region.

18. Shop At Altonaer Fischmarkt

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A fish market that takes up a lot of real estate along the harbor. This is a must-visit if you are in Hamburg on a Sunday morning.

Besides fish, the market has a huge number of outdoor stalls selling food, drinks, and nick-nacks. The highlight is the delicious fish offerings. You might also come across a plant auction store where they were selling beautiful plants at amazing bargains.

The market entertains all kinds of crowds. If you are a party animal you can enjoy in the Fischmarkt party hall and then drink some freshly brewed coffee and walk the street. Go early to enjoy the chocolates and fruits auction and late for good discounts.

19. Spend An Enjoyable Afternoon At Panik City

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If you want to feel the free spirit of one straight-hearted musician who shows his true self to the audience then come in and enjoy. Treat yourself to a 90-minute virtual Udo Lindenberg experince.

Whether you are a Udo-hard-chore fan or occasionally listen to his music, everyone will walk fulfilled and enriched from the Panic City. Not a single second feels boring; you are actively a part of the leadership experince.

You can pay a visit to the Udo living room, the recording studio where you sing and dance with Udo as a crowing achievement. You can also be on stage with Udo in multimedia fashion with 360-degree vision.

20. Get Creative At Chocoversum

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At Chocoversum, it is so much fun learning about the transformation of cocoa from bean to chocolate step by step. The interactive presentations at the museum are especially enjoyable for the kids.

Kids will love participating in the chocolate-making process and have a lot of fun decorating their chocolates. A tour guide makes the experince even more special with her warm and engaging way of explaining everything.

You also get lots of tasting opportunities and make sure you budget for the shop at the end. There are little trollies to take around. Make use of the lockers and coat rail before going on the tour. The rooms are quite warm and crowded.