Hamburg is the second-largest city and offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and modernity. The city is located on the bank of the Elbe River and invites travelers around the world to its rich maritime history and vibrant cultural offerings.
The city is famous for its iconic red-brick warehouses, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a lovely neighborhood. Whether you're exploring historic landmarks like the Rathaus (City Hall) or enjoying the green spaces of Planten un Blomen, Hamburg promises an unforgettable experience for travelers.
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While planning your trip to Hamburg, it’s important to consider that the weekend isn’t enough to enjoy all the main landmarks of Hamburg. In this blog, we will share a 4-day program to do in Hamburg.
Let’s find out the things to see in Hamburg Germany in a 4-day program.
Day: 1
HafenCity
Speicherstadt
International Maritime Museum
Chile House
As we were staying in HafenCity, we started our day exploring HafenCity.
Things to do in HafenCity in Hamburg:
HafenCity is a modern and innovative district located in the Hamburg-Mitte and is known for its contemporary architecture, cultural attractions, and scenic beauty. HafenCity is located on the Waterfront and here the spectacular modern architecture meets the old red brick warehouses.
The tour of Hafen City can start from Meßberg underground station. You can take a stroll towards Dovenfleet, St. Annen, Grasbrook Park, Überseeboulevard, and Mediterranean Marco Polo Terraces.
While having a walk, we passed by different small bridges and canals and found a blend of modern business hubs and culture centers. Another attraction is Unilever House which is located near Grasbrook Park. Überseequartier is another lively district that brings together shopping, dining, and entertainment together.
The district also has different restaurants, cafes, Hotels, and offices. There are also new apartments under construction. We have also booked a hotel in the district which makes it super convenient to walk to different attractions.
As you step into Hafen City, you're greeted by a fusion of modernity and history. The district stands as a testament to Hamburg's ability to reinvent itself while preserving its past. The journey begins at the iconic Elbphilharmonie, a marvel of design that seamlessly integrates an old warehouse with a striking glass structure. The building's Plaza offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Elbe River, the harbor, and the cityscape, making it a perfect starting point for your exploration.
It’s totally worth it to enjoy the sunset in Hafen City and take a walk in the magical streets with dime lights.
International Maritime Museum:
We were walking in the Hafencity and it started raining. What to do in Hamburg when it rains? What’s better than exploring the International Maritime Museum?
The International Maritime Museum Hamburg is a most of must-visit museum in Hamburg that depicts the 3000 years of history of the Maritime. The museum has 9 decks and exhibits a wide range of marine artifacts.
The museum is located in the Hafen City district and presents traditional boats from the Stone Age to modern-day ships. The museum also exhibits the evolution of boats on how the simple wooden boats changed into giant ships.
You can also find the whole deck with different battleships of different countries and learn about their history and contribution to different wars including World War I & II.
You can also find the medals and uniforms of different navies around the World. The museum doesn’t only have a depiction of battleships but you can also find huge commercial and passenger ships.
We started our tour with a view of the scene depicting the view of the ocean where humans are standing at the shore and ready to sail.
We were totally amazed to find the exhibition of different boats from different eras like the Phoenician galley, Roman, and Viking dragon boats, cog ships of the Hanseatic period, and the explorer’s caravels to the last of the windjammers.
During our visit, the museum wasn’t crowded so we managed to get the tickets on the spot from the ticket shop. The tour of the museum requires at least 3 hours to understand the history of Maritime and the price of the ticket to the International Maritime Museum is 15 euro per person.
Speicherstadt:
Speicherstadt is located near the International Maritime Museum, so after visiting the Maritime Museum, we started walking towards Speicherstadt. It’s a historic warehouse district and was constructed between the 19th and 20th centuries in the middle of Hamburg city.
The district has around 20 pedestrian bridges over the canal which enhances the charm of Speicherstadt. The district is also famous for different museums which we will share in the blog.
This warehouse is famous for its red-brick building and canal and is used to store valuable goods like tea, spices, and coffee. The district builds on timber pile foundations and is famous for its Neo-Gothic style. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s highly recommended to talk for a walk in the evening and enjoy the beautiful and magical view after the sunset. Speicherstadt is truly a dream for photographers like us, to capture the unique view, especially at sunset and sunrise time.
If you are also planning to visit another city in Germany, Munich should be on your list. Find out Things to do in Munich, Germany
Chile House:
The Chile House is one of the masterpieces of architecture located in the heart of Hamburg city. It's a 10-story building designed by "Fritz Höger" and presents a mix of past and today.
Day 2:
Hamburg Townhall
Alster Lakes
St. Michael's Church
Shopping district
Planten un Blomen and Wallringpark
We started our second day by exploring the Hamburg city center.
Hamburg Townhall:
Hamburger Rathaus is one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks in Germany which was constructed in the late 19th century. It's a neo-Renaissance style and has a clock tower. It also has a beautiful Inner courtyard and a beautiful interior. It has a room including the Senate Chamber and a festival hall with glass windows.
Alster Lakes:
If you are looking for things to do in Hamburg in summer, Alster Lake is a must-place and located in the Heart of Hamburg's Old town. The lake has two parts called Binnenalster (Inner Alster) and the Außenalster (Outer Alster) Binnenalster is a smaller lake surrounded by bustling streets, buildings, and lush green parks.
The lakeside has a beautiful promenade, and there are different cafes and shops located on the Lakeshore. There are also many benches where you can enjoy and enjoy the lovely view. The promenade is also popular among locals to enjoy the morning and evening jogging.
There are lots of activities like paddle boating, and cruise boating trips which you can enjoy in the summer. In winter, the lake turns into an ice-skating rink.
The Außenalster is a larger lake, which is surrounded by Alsterpark and it’s a famous spot for locals to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
There’s also an annual Alstervergnügen festival which takes place around Binnenalster and it has different food stalls, live music, and entertainment.
St. Michael's Church:
St. Michael's Church is a Baroque-style church and it's located in the heart of the city and was founded 17th century. It has a height of over 130 meters (426 feet), making it one of the tallest church towers in Germany. The tower is also famous for its Organ.
We have climbed up to the top of St. Michael's Church, It's a 360-degree observation platform and presents a breathtaking view of the city. The ticket for the tower is 16 euro and you can buy the ticket from the office next to the church. St. Michael's Church is also a cultural venue that hosts concerts, exhibitions, and events.
Shopping district:
Hamburg is not only famous for its nightlife but you can also get the ultimate shopping experience. There are many districts in the city including Mönckebergstraße, which is located in the heart of Hamburg city center. It has International and local brands and offers the ultimate shopping experience.
Another shopping avenue is Jungfernstieg which is located on the Inner Alster Lake and home to luxury boutiques. Alster Arcade is also famous for its cafes and luxury shopping along the dinner. If you looking for luxury shopping then you should visit Neuer Wall.
Karolinenviertel is famous for its vintage shopping bohemian vibes and local design. Schanzenviertel is also popular among young and creative shoppers due to its individual artistic vibes.
If you are also planning to visit the capital of Berlin, check out our blog on Explore Berlin like a True Berliner, Germany.
Planten un Blomen and Wallringpark:
Planten un Blomen is a lush green park located in the heart of Hamburg and offers a little escape for the residents from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature.
The park was established in the 19th century and one of the unique attractions of the park is its Wasserlichtkonzert which is a water fountain show with music and light.
Wallringpark is also an interconnected park and provides an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty.
Day: 3
Blankenese
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
St. Pauli Piers
Sailing Ships Museum at Hafenmuseum
Alter Elbtunnel
Hamburg Dom
Hamburg Reeperbahn
Blankenese:
We started our day by going on the trip to Blankenese as it’s a little far from our hotel. Blankenese is an amazing and elite neighborhood located in the west part of Hamburg. It looks like a charming village with beautiful picturesque houses with a waterfront view of the Elbe River.
The history of Blankenese takes back to mid ages when it was a fishing village and now it has cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and preserved landmarks.
The district has a hilly terrain with a stunning view of Elbe and provides many viewpoints. On the Elbe River Promenade, there are also cafes and restaurants. You can also enjoy the beautiful view of Blankense from the river cruise.
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Elbphilharmonie Hamburg:
After spending time in Blankenese, then we went to Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. It is one of the unique world-class concert halls located on the shore of River Elbe in Hafen City, Hamburg.
This iconic building has become a symbol of the city and is renowned for its unique design, acoustics, and cultural significance. The architecture is truly a masterpiece and a blend of Hamburg's traditional red bricks and glass. The Elbphilharmonie was opened in 2017 and became a must-visit attraction in Hamburg.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to book the concert ticket as it’s way sold already but there’s still a possibility to book a guided tour of Elbphilharmonie and the price of the tour guide is 10 Euro.
The concert hall has a Grand Hall, The Elbphilharmonie complex houses a smaller concert hall, various music education spaces, a hotel, residential apartments, restaurants, and a public plaza with panoramic views of the city and the Elbe River.
We also enjoyed the view from sitting at the Westin Hotel Hamburg Elbphilharmonie.
It took us around 2 hours to explore and enjoy the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. After that, we started walking towards the St. Pauli Piers which is just next to Elbphilharmonie.
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St. Pauli Piers:
St. Pauli Pier is undoubtedly the most iconic place in Hamburg and holds significant importance in the history of Maritime. The St. Pauli Pier is located on the bank of the Elbe River and it serves as a starting and landing point for ferries and different cruises.
It has a long walking promenade along with an Elbe River waterfront and it has cafes, restaurants, and shops located with a beautiful view. During the daytime, there are often musicians playing live music which makes the place even more beautiful. It’s one of the famous spots among locals and tourists to enjoy the waterfront and the hustle and bustle of ferries and boats.
Sailing Ships Museum at Hafenmuseum:
One of the unique things to do in Hamburg is to explore the Sailing Ships Museum at Hafenmuseum. It’s nearly impossible to experience the sailing ship Museum in any other city in Germany except Hamburg.
There are several sailing ship museums and we got the chance to visit Rickmer Rickmers which is a sailing boat docked at St. Pauli Piers. The ticket of Rickmer Rickmers is available online and on the spot. It’s located near Pier 1 at St. Pauli Piers. The cost of the ticket is Euro 6.
The Rickmer Rickmers was built in 1896 as a traditional "windjammer" and used for long-distance cargo around the world. The ship was named after its owner Rickmer Clasen Rickmer, who was a famous merchant who used to transport goods such as tea, silk, and rice between Europe and Asia.
In the 20th, after the introduction of the steamship, the Rickmer Rickmers wasn’t effective so it turned into a museum ship which allowed visitors to experience the life of the sailor. We had seen the cabin of the sailor including the bedroom, kitchen, dining area, etc. We had also seen the engine and the storage area. It was truly an experience and must thing to experience in Hamburg.
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Alter Elbtunnel:
Did you ever imagine yourself walking under the water tunnel? In Hamburg, you can also experience that by crossing Alter Elbtunnel or Old Elb Tunnel. It was an ancient tunnel from 1911 which used as a way to connect the piers to the Southern Banks of the Elbe River. The tunnel is located on St. Pauli Pier and there’s a pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle route to cross the tunnel and reach the other side of the river.
Hamburg Dom:
After exploring the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, St. Pauli Piers, Sailing Ships Museum at Hafenmuseum, and Alter Elbtunnel. We went to the famous Hamburg Dom. The Hamburg Dom is a very famous traditional funfair which takes place three times a year in Hamburg. It’s located at Heiligengeistfeld in St. Pauli district (right outside of St. Pauli district U-bahn Station).
The Hamburg Dom has a vibrant environment and offers different activities like rides, games, food stalls, and live performances. The Ferris wheel is one of the top attractions to enjoy the view of the festival and city. You can also enjoy live music with food. This festival is very famous among families and friends where they enjoy the different activities.
Hamburg Reeperbahn:
Have you always heard people talk about the nightlife in Amsterdam or Berlin? Then, you should visit the Reepernbahn in Hamburg and you will forget all the cities which are famous for nightlife.
The nightlife scene is just crazy in Hamburg. The “Reeper” means Ropemaker’s district and it was famous among seamen who were looking for amusement in the city.
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Day: 4
Hamburg’s Famous Fish Market
Cruising in Hamburg
Hamburger Kunsthalle
Miniatur Wunderland
Hamburg’s Famous Fish Market:
After enjoying the nightlife at Hamburg Reeperbahn, it’s time to enjoy the most famous tradition of Hamburg which is a visit to Hamburg’s Famous Fish Market: Hamburg’s Famous Fish Market:
Whether you are a night owl or an early bird, Hamburg’s Famous Fish Market is a must for the tourist to experience on Sunday Morning. The history of Hamburg Fish Market goes back to 1703, and it’s more than 300 years since the Fish Market opened its doors to its visitors. The market used to be a hub for trading fish and other maritime goods.
Back in the 18th century, people used to visit the Fish Market after enjoying the nightlife at Reeperbahn and getting fish sandwiches and coffee from the stands. The Hamburg Fish Market is located on the bank of the Elbe River at Hamburg Altona.
You can also find Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses, and even clothing on these stalls. After taking a short rest, we went on a cruise trip.
Cruising in Hamburg:
Hamburg city has a tremendous river bank and harbor. If you are looking for What to do in Hamburg cruise port. Then, good news for you! There are different river cruises offered by different companies. Normally, it’s possible to find the cruise tour ticket on the spot from St. Pauli Pier from Bridge 1 but on-spot tickets are a little more expensive than Online tickets which you can book in advance.
Whatever the tour you booked, it’s highly recommended to reach the Pier at least 20 minutes before your departure time as sometimes, it’s time-consuming to find the right pier from where your boat is leaving.
In our case, we had to walk all the way from Pier 1 to Pier 9 as our boat was leaving from Pier 9. If you aren’t sure about your pier, you can also check from the ticket office by showing your ticket.
Here are a few different options to Cruise in Hamburg & Check out more details on the website.
If you want to enjoy the view of the harbor and city, it’s recommended to go for a 2-hour harbor tour XXL. We also took this cruise and the price of the ticket was Euro 27. Our boat took us to Blankenese and returned to Pier, We went to been river side where there were different container ships. It was a live guided tour but it was in German. You can also order snacks and drinks on the boat.
After having a 2-hour cruise, we wanted to enjoy the arts and culture and we landed at Hamburger Kunsthalle.
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Hamburger Kunsthalle:
The Hamburger Kunsthalle is a must-visit in Hamburg if you are passionate about Art. The museum building is a neoclassic style and has undergone an expansion.
It has three main sections focusing on Old Masterpieces from the Mid-ages to the 19th century and creating a work from artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Rubens, and Titian. is a prominent art museum located in Hamburg, Germany.
The other section has a collection from the 19th century and a painting by artists Caspar David Friedrich, Max Liebermann, and Edgar Degas. The third section has a Gallery of Contemporary Art and it has paintings, sculptures, installations, and multimedia pieces.
Miniatur Wunderland:
During the summer, Wunderland is open from 7 am to 1 am. In our case, we purchased late-night tickets for 10:30 p.m. to enjoy a less crowded experience.
Have you ever been transported to the World of Miniatures? In Hamburg, you can embark on a journey to explore Miniatur Wunderland.
Wunderland showcases the world's largest miniature railway model. It features miniature models of various countries, cities, and towns, including Central Germany, Knuffingen, Knuffingen Airport, Hamburg, Scandinavia, Italy, Venice, USA, Austria, Switzerland, Monaco, Rio de Janeiro, and Patagonia.
The exhibit is located on the third and fourth floors, with the fourth floor containing more countries. Each section has been crafted with incredible creativity and detail that will leave you in admiration.
Although it's difficult to pinpoint a favorite part in Wunderland, we were particularly enchanted by Knuffingen Airport, where scenes of planes landing and taking off unfold. Wunderland also simulates day and night scenes by adjusting the exhibit's lighting. It's an interactive exhibition, allowing you to press buttons and observe various lighting and scenes.
Miniatur Wunderland is consistently crowded with visitors, making it nearly impossible to get same-day admission. Therefore, based on our experience, we recommend purchasing tickets at least one week in advance. This will give you the flexibility to choose a time slot that suits your schedule. Visit the website to buy tickets online and avoid the long queues for purchasing tickets on-site.
Additionally, you can partake in a VR experience at Miniatur Wunderland, but you will need to purchase an additional ticket.
Pro Tip: Furthermore, you can explore different combination deals with Miniatur Wunderland, such as a combo ticket for both the Miniature Exhibit and a Boat Cruise Trip. These types of tickets cost significantly less than purchasing separate tickets for each activity. Visit the Miniatur Wunderland website to learn more about Combo tickets.
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Ending Note:
Even after spending 4 days, we didn’t have enough time to explore all the main attractions. These are a few suggestions, which you can also explore the following:
Tierpark Hagenbeck:
Tierpark Hagenbeck is a renowned zoo and has a collection of animals from elephants to penguins. It is a true Hamburg gem and is one of the iconic places as the harbor, Michel, and Elbphilharmonie.
With over 1,400 animals from around the world, the zoo has lush gardens that offer a unique experience. The animals roam around freely in the zoo.
High-Speed Ferry to Heligoland:
You can also take a high-speed ferry to Heligoland from Hamburg and when you leave the mainland, the fresh sea breeze hits your face as you enter the sandstone formation of blue water.
There are also lots of things to do in Hamburg during Christmas such as the Christmas Market, and Ice skating.
Hop-on-Hop-off bus:
If you don’t have enough time to explore the city, and looking for things to do in Hamburg in one day, you should also get a Hop-on-Hop-off bus for a day and explore the city.