Hamburg is a city of very different people. It has one of the biggest harbours in Europe, which brings the trade, goods, and also prostitution. On the other hand, it is a very alternative city, which has a high anti-fascism population. The city has some unique sights, by overlooking the harbour and the alternative lifestyle. It has more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice, so be aware of a lot of water! Keep reading if you want to know what sights you need to visit when in Hamburg.

1. Have a party at the Reeperbahn

This is absolutely not my highlight of Hamburg, but Hamburg without the Reeperbahn is not Hamburg. This is the area where prostitutes are but mostly many bars. Go party for one evening (which is absolutely enough) and have a good time. At the end of the street, there is a statue of the Beatles, which is nice. 

Price: Free, except that the bars are pretty expensive.

Tourist occurrence: Very high

How much time needed: One evening or part of the evening.

2. Make a boat trip to the Harbour

The harbour of Hamburg is a very cool one. It is the number 3 biggest harbour in Europe, and it is huge. The cool part of the harbour is that it is easily visible from many parts of the city. You can take a lovely boat trip passing all attributes of the harbour and passing immense ships. Most boat tours also visit other parts of town and are a must-do in Hamburg as a tourist.

Price: Free to look, but between € 15,- and € 40,- depending on duration and location to visit. 

Tourist occurrence: High

How much time needed: Different durations, but around one hour.

3. Have a rest in Planten un Blomen

Planten un Blomen is a lovely city park in Hamburg. The park means 'plants and trees', and there are many different ones. There are tropical plants, a Japanese garden, and many monuments. Have a relax, maybe even a picnic in the park after exploring the rest of the city. 

Price: Free

Tourist occurrence: Low

How much time needed: 1-3 hours

4. Be amazed in Speicherstadt

Speicherstadt is one of the biggest highlights of the city. There are huge warehouses, which gives it a cool, raw atmosphere. Many boat tours which visit the harbour (see highlight 2) also head here. There is much water here, which is very cool. There are also some squares with some restaurants, and the interesting maritime museum is located here. You cannot miss this highlight in Hamburg. Walk around and go for a boat ride. 

Price: Free, besides the boat ride

Tourist occurrence: Low

How much time needed: 2-3 hours

5. Admire the gorgeous Rathaus

The most gorgeous building in the city is the Hamburger Rathaus, the parliament of the province. Especially the green roof is very impressive. The building was built at the end of the nineteenth century and surprisingly survived the Second World War without any damage. This is one of the absolute must-sees in Hamburg.

Price: I did not go in, but a guided tour costs € 5,-, but admiring from outside is free!

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How much time needed: 15 minutes, when not going inside.

6. Have a visit to the new Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie is one of the new buildings in the city, and you can visit a concert, but you can also see the interesting inside. It is way more modern than most concert halls, as it was opened in 2017. Outside you have a fantastic view over the city and the great harbour. 

Price: Per concert is it different, but a visit is free. You will need to book a time slot in advance.

Tourist occurrence: Medium

How much time needed: 1 hour or so.

7. Cross the Elbe with the Old Elbe Tunnel

There is an interesting sight in Hamburg. You can bike or walk the mighty river Elbe with the Old Elbe Tunnel, which is underneath the river. You will first take a lift down, walk the 426 metres and take the lift up. You will find yourself on the side of the harbour, and you will have a lovely view of the city. 

Price: Free

Tourist occurrence: Very low

How much time needed: 1 hour

8. Have a drink at Strandpauli

Strandpauli is one of the most trendy spots in Hamburg. It is a beach club which overlooks the harbour. The drinks are pretty expensive, but the atmosphere makes it worth it. There are different areas and places where they play music. This is a hotspot, so be early on a warm day to ensure your spot. 

Price: Free, but the drinks and food are not.

Tourist occurrence: High

How much time needed: 2-3 hours

The numbers correspond with the numbers in the map.

Things that I have not done, but could be cool

• Fischmarkt Hamburg, unfortunately closed during covid. Fish market with music in the morning
• Hamburg Miniatur Wunderland, especially for kids.

Final thoughts

Hamburg is a surprising city, as it has various things to do. The sights are very different from each other, and that makes it very interesting. The city has the pure parts, such as the Speicherstadt and the harbour, but also some alternative sights like Elbphilharmonie and StrandPauli. This is one of the coolest cities in the country. 

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