Before embarking on my digital nomad journey, I lived in Hamburg, Germany, for a whopping eight years (with plenty of holidays and two sabbaticals sprinkled in, because my wanderlust is insatiable!). So why has it taken me so long to write a blog post about what to do there?
When people think of Germany, they usually picture Berlin, Munich, the Black Forest, or the rolling vineyards of the Rhine Valley. Hamburg – despite being Germany’s second-largest city – still flies under the radar for many international visitors. Germans, however, know exactly what a gem it is, affectionately calling it Meine Perle (“My Pearl”).
Before moving to Hamburg, I knew very little about the city. Very few of my friends had visited, and I had just been told “It’s really nice,” which isn’t exactly much to go on. Luckily, this post will be a lot more detailed and descriptive!
After spending eight years living and working in Hamburg, I’ve explored everything from historic harbour tours and hidden neighbourhoods to quirky museums, local food spots, and day trips. Whether you’re visiting Hamburg for a weekend or a longer stay, these are my favourite places to see, eat, and experience.
Updated: July 2026
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Why Visit Hamburg?
Located in northern Germany, not far from the Danish border, Hamburg was founded almost 1,000 years ago and has been one of Europe’s most important trading cities for centuries.
Unlike Berlin or Munich, Hamburg doesn’t receive the same volume of international tourists, making it a great destination if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds. While the city lacks the quaint, fairytale appearance of other German cities, that’s largely because much of Hamburg was heavily bombed during World War II and subsequently rebuilt. However, what Hamburg may lack in medieval charm, it more than makes up for with character.
The city is exceptionally green, home to sprawling parks, leafy neighbourhoods, beautiful lakes, countless canals, and more bridges than London, Venice, and Amsterdam combined (or so Hamburgers like to claim). Add in impressive architecture, tons of local and international restaurants, and one of Europe’s largest ports, and you have a city that deserves far more attention than it gets.
Perhaps most importantly, Hamburg is clean, easy to navigate, and incredibly safe, making it an excellent choice for solo travellers, couples, families, and first-time visitors to Germany.
How Many Days Do You Need in Hamburg?
I recommend spending at least three days in Hamburg. This gives you enough time to explore the harbour, wander through areas like Speicherstadt and HafenCity, visit sights like Miniatur Wunderland, enjoy a boat trip on the Alster, and experience Hamburg’s famous nightlife. If you have four or five days, you’ll also be able to take a day trip to a nearby city like Lübeck or Lüneburg (more on them later).
Best Things to Do in Hamburg
Explore Hamburg Harbour and Landungsbrücken
Located on the banks of the River Elbe, the Port of Hamburg has existed almost as long as the city itself. Officially founded in 1189, Germany’s “Gateway to the World” has been a major trading hub for centuries and remains one of the busiest ports in Europe today.
The waterfront around Landungsbrücken (St. Pauli Piers) is always buzzing with activity, particularly on weekends. Here you’ll find popular seafood restaurants like Brücke 10, beer gardens on boats, riverside bars, harbour tours, and plenty of spots to sit and watch the ships glide along the Elbe.
I recommend visiting the Rickmer Rickmers, a beautifully restored 19th-century sailing ship that now serves as a museum and exhibition space. It’s permanently moored in the harbour and for a low admission fee, you can explore the ship’s cabins, decks, and engine rooms while learning about life at sea.
If you fancy a stroll, one of my favourite viewpoints is the southern side of the river, which you can reach via the Old Elbe Tunnel. Opened in 1911, this historic tunnel runs beneath the river and offers fantastic views back towards the city skyline. Alternatively, enjoy a walk along the Niederhafen River Promenade, designed by the renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects.
If you time your visit for early May, you’ll also experience Hafengeburtstag (Hamburg Port Anniversary), one of the city’s biggest annual events. This is a major weekend-long occasion, attracting thousands of people with fireworks, concerts, parades, and other fun activities.
Visit the Elbphilharmonie
Known locally as “the Elphi”, this wave-shaped concert hall has become Hamburg’s most recognisable landmark since opening in 2017. While many locals still grumble about the Elbphilharmonie construction costs (it went obscenely over budget!), there’s no denying that the finished result is spectacular.
Try to get tickets to a concert at the Elphi to experience the impressive acoustics firsthand. If you don’t manage to book a ticket, don’t worry – you can pay to visit the public viewing platform and enjoy panoramic views across the harbour and city skyline. It’s particularly beautiful around sunset.
Explore HafenCity and Speicherstadt
One of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe, HafenCity is a sprawling area filled with striking modern architecture, museums, restaurants, parks, bars, and public spaces. Even if architecture isn’t normally your thing, it’s hard not to be impressed by some of the buildings here.
Many visitors don’t realise that HafenCity also includes Speicherstadt, Hamburg’s historic warehouse district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area couldn’t be more different from modern HafenCity. Instead of glass towers and contemporary design, you’ll find rows of imposing red-brick warehouses, picturesque canals, cobbled streets, and wrought-iron bridges like the Köhlbrandbrücke.
Built between 1883 and 1927, Speicherstadt remains the largest warehouse district in the world constructed on timber-pile foundations. It’s also home to some of Hamburg’s most popular attractions like Miniatur Wunderland and the Hamburg Dungeon.
Connect with Your Inner Child at Miniatur Wunderland
I know what you’re thinking… a giant model railway museum doesn’t exactly scream a “must-see attraction.” However, trust me, this is one not to miss.
Located in Speicherstadt, Miniatur Wunderland is one of the most popular attractions in all of Germany. Spread across multiple floors, this enormous exhibition features intricately detailed miniature versions of countries and regions around the world, including Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Scandinavia, and the United States.
The level of detail is genuinely amazing, and taken at the right angle, photos of the models could pass for the real thing. Tiny cars drive along roads, funfair rides whizz around at teeny tiny fairs, container ships float on water, cruise ships sail through miniature harbours, and there’s a functioning airport with planes taking off and landing (including the Millennium Falcon!). Music festivals, football matches, mountain villages, and entire cities have been recreated down to the smallest detail.
The exhibitions even transition between day and night, causing thousands of tiny streetlights, car headlights, and building lights to turn on simultaneously. It’s wonderfully weird and whimsical, and appeals to people of all ages. The creators have hidden hundreds of jokes, pop culture references, and risqué scenes throughout the displays, so keep your eyes peeled.
Because it’s so popular, I strongly recommend booking tickets in advance, especially during weekends, school holidays, and the Christmas season.
- Opening times: Open 365 days a year typically from 9am-6pm. Check times at the official website before visiting, though.
- Admission: €20 adults, €12.50 children under 16, free entry for small children.
Enjoy Hamburg’s Many Waterways
Hamburg is a city built around water. Between the River Elbe, the Alster lakes, canals, and even a handful of beaches, there are lots of ways to experience the city from the water.
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, you’ll notice the locals making a beeline for the water. Sailing boats glide along the city’s lakes, and the canals fill with stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and swan-shaped pedal boats. Rental companies like Supper Club, AlsterSURFER and Boat Rental Pieper can be found across the city, with prices typically ranging from €10–20 per hour depending on the vessel. There are also some canal-side bars where you can buy beers directly from your boat!
Boat tours are another way to experience the waterways of Hamburg. There are several different routes available, including harbour cruises through the port and Speicherstadt, and around the Alster lakes and canals. Tours are mainly in German but English audio guides are sometimes available – check on the website before booking.
One of the best budget-friendly alternatives is simply using Hamburg’s public ferries. Many visitors don’t realise that ferry journeys are included in standard HVV public transport tickets. You can hop on at Landungsbrücken and cruise along the Elbe for the price of a normal bus or train ticket. A particularly scenic route takes you from Landungsbrücken harbour to Övelgönne Museum Harbour, where you’ll find cosy cafés, a small beach, and some of Hamburg’s most desirable riverside homes to admire and covet.
Explore Hamburg’s Altstadt and Neustadt
Hamburg’s city centre is divided into two main districts: Altstadt (Old Town) and Neustadt (New Town). Despite the name, neither feels particularly ancient compared to many other European cities, as the area was largely rebuilt after World War II. However, there are still plenty of historic landmarks and beautiful buildings here.
In Altstadt, you’ll find the magnificent Rathaus (City Hall), one of the most impressive civic buildings in Germany. Built in the late 19th century, its ornate façade and grand interiors are well worth admiring. You can join a 45-60 minute guided tour (available in English or German) to gain access to the ceremonial halls, the Parliament chamber, and the historic banquet rooms. The main hall and the courtyard with the Hygieia fountain are accessible without a tour.
Nearby is the striking Chilehaus, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Brick Expressionist architecture anywhere in the world. Its distinctive shape resembles the bow of a ship and has become one of Hamburg’s most photographed buildings. From there, you could visit Mönckebergstraße, the city’s main shopping street for some retail therapy, or stroll to the quaint Deichstraße. As one of the oldest surviving streets in Hamburg, it’s lined with charming historic houses that provide a glimpse into what the city looked like before the destruction of World War II.
Across the canals in Neustadt, you’ll find a slightly more elegant atmosphere. This is a great place to enjoy a coffee overlooking the Inner Alster Lake, browse luxury boutiques along Neuer Wall, or pay a visit to the Brahms Museum, housed in a reconstructed Hamburg townhouse in the Komponistenquartier (Composers’ Quarter). Even if shopping or classical music aren’t your thing, this area is lovely to wander through and offers some of the city’s prettiest waterfront views.
Visit St. Michael’s Church
Ask a local to name Hamburg’s most famous church and chances are they’ll say St. Michael’s, affectionately known as “Michel”. With its distinctive copper spire rising 132 metres above the city, St. Michael’s is one of Hamburg’s most recognisable landmarks.
The church itself is beautiful, with a bright white interior, impressive organ, and ornate decorations. However, the real reason to visit is the viewing platform. After climbing (or taking the lift) to the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best panoramic views in Hamburg. On a clear day, you can see the harbour, Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt, Alster lakes, and much of the city beyond. For entry times and prices, check the official website.
Learn About Hamburg’s Wartime History at St. Nicholas’ Memorial
Hamburg has no shortage of beautiful churches, but if you’re only going to visit one, I’d suggest making it Hauptkirche Sankt Nikolai. Originally built in the 19th century, St. Nicholas’ Church was once the tallest building in the world, briefly holding the title from 1874 until 1876.
During Operation Gomorrah in the summer of 1943, the church was largely destroyed during the devastating Allied bombing campaign that left much of Hamburg in ruins and some 40,000 people dead. Today, the church acts as an anti-war memorial and houses a museum charting its history, with a focus on WWII.
The underground museum does an excellent job of explaining the events leading up to the bombings, and their impact on Hamburg’s residents. I also recommend taking the glass lift to the viewing platform near the top of the surviving tower. From here, you’ll get fantastic views across Hamburg and can look at photographs which show the scale of destruction Hamburg suffered during that fateful summer.
- Opening times: Daily (except Tuesdays), 10am-6pm.
- Admission: €6 adults, €4 children
Relax in Hamburg’s Parks and Green Spaces
One of the things I love most about Hamburg is how green it is. No matter where I am in the city, there always seems to be a park, canal, lake, or patch of woodland nearby where you can escape the bustle of city life.
Planten un Blomen
My favourite park in Hamburg is, without a doubt, Planten un Blomen. Located right in the city centre, this beautifully landscaped park feels like an oasis hidden among the busy roads and office buildings.
You’ll find Japanese gardens, tea houses, rose gardens, greenhouses with tropical plants, cafés, playgrounds, a bandstand for live performances, and even a miniature golf course. During the summer months, the park’s famous free water-light concerts attract crowds of locals and visitors alike, gathering to enjoy the combination of colourful lights, music, and dancing fountains.
Stadtpark
If you’re staying in the eastern part of the city, Hamburg’s Stadtpark is well worth visiting. Covering more than 140 hectares, it’s one of the largest urban parks in Germany and a favourite gathering place for locals on sunny days.
Here you’ll find picnic lawns, cycling paths, a lake, a planetarium, playgrounds, and even an outdoor swimming area. I used to live just minutes from the park and it was my go-to place during the summer, when half of Hamburg seemed to descend upon the park armed with blankets, barbecue supplies, and cold beers.
Ohlsdorf Cemetery
Visiting a cemetery might not be what you’d expect from a city guide, but this enormous cemetery is one of the most peaceful and picturesque places in Hamburg. It is absolutely massive – the largest rural cemetery in the world and one of the largest cemeteries in Europe, covering a whopping 391 hectares.
There are lakes, forests, sculptures, chapels, mausoleums, landscaped gardens, and countless peaceful pathways to explore. It’s home to around 1.5 million burials, including politicians, artists, scientists, and other notable German figures. Even if you have no particular interest in cemeteries, it is a great spot for a stroll, or a bike ride as there are many wide, open roads running through it.
Experience Hamburg’s Nightlife
From peaceful cemeteries to the polar opposite… St Pauli is the loud, chaotic hub of Hamburg’s nightlife. At the heart of the district lies the Reeperbahn, a one-kilometre stretch of neon lights, music venues, bars, clubs, theatres, restaurants, sex shops, and the city’s infamous red-light district.
While the area has a somewhat seedy reputation, I’ve always found it safe. You need to keep an eye on your belongings (as you should in any crowded area in a city), but you might be surprised to see a wide range of visitors on the Reeperbahn, with tourists, locals, students, office workers, and the occasional stag or hen party all sharing the same streets.
Even if clubbing isn’t your thing, it’s worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. The Beatles famously played here before achieving international fame, and live music remains a huge part of the district’s identity today. However, don’t just limit yourself to the Reeperbahn’s main strip. Some of Hamburg’s best bars are hidden away on St Pauli’s side streets or tucked into neighbouring districts. A few I recommend to get the party started are Drip bar, Chug club, Cloud bar, Möwe Sturzflug, and Clockers.
Whether you’re looking for expertly crafted cocktails, rooftop views, live music, or somewhere to dance until sunrise, you’ll find it here. And, in typical Hamburg fashion, you may well lose track of time and end up going back to your accommodation far later than planned.
Explore Sternschanze and Karolinenviertel
If you want to visit one neighbourhood in Hamburg which really represents the character and energy of the city, head to Sternschanze. Known simply as “Schanze” by locals, this neighbourhood is bohemian, creative, independent, and a little rough around the edges.
I suggest spending an afternoon wandering through the side streets, browsing the vintage shops, sipping coffee in one of the many cafés, and admiring the ever-changing street art. Then return in the evening when the bars and restaurants begin to fill up. It’s one of the city’s most multicultural districts, which means you’ll find delicious food from all over the world.
Take a Walking or Bike Tour
One of the best ways to get beneath the surface of Hamburg is by joining a guided tour. While the city has the usual hop-on-hop-off buses, I think walking and cycling tours provide a much more interesting perspective.
During my time in Hamburg, I joined this street art tour with Alternative Hamburg and really enjoyed it. The guide explained the stories behind many of the murals and installations, while also sharing insights into Hamburg’s history, politics, and local culture. Alternative Hamburg also offers beer-tasting tours, cycling tours and street art workshops where you can create your own masterpieces!
Robin and the Tour Guides do daily walking tours in the historical city centre – St Pauli, the harbour and the Reeperbahn (in English, German and Spanish) – and weekly beer-tasting tours in English. If you’d rather explore on two wheels, HH City Cycles does bike tours in English or German in various neighbourhoods.
Sample Traditional Hamburg Food
Hamburg is an incredibly international city, and you’ll find everything from Vietnamese street food to excellent Turkish restaurants and Michelin-starred dining. That said, I always think it’s worth trying a few local specialities. While you can find restaurants serving up schnitzel and pork knuckle, I suggest trying Northern German cuisine, which tends to be hearty, simple, and heavily influenced by the sea.
- Fischbrötchen – This classic fish sandwich consists of a crusty bread roll filled with seafood, onions, pickles, lettuce, and remoulade sauce. My personal favourite is Bismarck herring – a tangy pickled herring fillet that pairs surprisingly well with the fresh bread. Just make sure you have some mints handy afterwards!
- Labskaus – This traditional sailors’ meal consists of corned beef, potatoes, onions, and beetroot, usually served with pickled gherkins, herring, and a fried egg. Admittedly, it isn’t the most photogenic dish you’ll ever encounter, but fortunately it tastes far better than it looks. If you’d like to try it, Restaurant Schoppenhauer is a pleasant spot that also serves a variety of other regional Hamburg specialities.
- Franzbrötchen – I cannot express how much I love these flaky, buttery, caramelised pastries, flavoured with cinnamon and sugar, which sit somewhere between a croissant and a cinnamon roll. You’ll find them in bakeries throughout the city, but Franz & Friends is a great place to sample different varieties, including versions topped with chocolate sprinkles, chopped nuts, Nutella, and jam. You can even try Franzbrötchen-flavoured ice cream at Luicella’s, one of Hamburg’s best-known ice cream parlours.
- Finkenwerder Scholle – Named after the Hamburg district of Finkenwerder, this traditional fish dish consists of pan-fried plaice topped with crispy bacon and served alongside fried potatoes. It may sound like an unusual combination, but the salty bacon works surprisingly well with the delicate flavour of the fish.
- Currywurst – While Berlin may claim to be the spiritual home of currywurst, Hamburgers are equally fond of this classic German fast-food dish. Currywurst consists of sliced sausage smothered in a mildly spicy curry ketchup sauce and is typically served with chips or a bread roll. It’s cheap, filling, and perfect when you need a quick bite between attractions – or after a night out in St. Pauli.
- Pannfisch – Originally created as a way to use up leftover fish, Pannfisch has become one of Hamburg’s most beloved comfort foods. The dish consists of pan-fried fish pieces served with fried potatoes and a rich mustard sauce. It’s a staple on the menus of many traditional Hamburg restaurants and is a great choice if you’re looking for something hearty after a day of sightseeing.
Take a Day Trip from Hamburg
If you’re based in Hamburg and fancy a day trip, there are plenty of fantastic places you can reach easily by train – no car needed. Depending on your interests, you can explore the medieval Old Town of Lübeck, the colourful streets of Lüneburg, picturesque Blankenese, fairytale-like Schwerin Castle or the historic cities of Bremen and Flensburg. You can also escape to the Baltic Coast, wander around pretty lakeside towns like Mölln and Plön, or even make the longer journey to Berlin.
I’ve put together a complete guide to the best day trips from Hamburg by train, including journey times, how to get there and the best things to see and do in each destination.
Where to Stay in Hamburg
My husband and I lived in seven different neighbourhoods during our eight years in Hamburg (yes, you read that right!) so I consider myself to be quite an expert when it comes to the city’s districts.
The best area for you will depend on what kind of trip you’re planning, but here are the neighbourhoods I’d recommend for first-time visitors.
Neustadt (Best for Sightseeing)
This central neighbourhood places you within walking distance of many of the city’s main attractions, including the Rathaus, Inner Alster, St. Michael’s Church, Speicherstadt, and HafenCity.
While it is not the most local, residential part of the city, there are plenty of hotels to choose from, excellent public transport connections, and a good selection of restaurants and cafés. You’ll be close to the action without being surrounded by crowds of tourists at all hours.
HafenCity (Best for Modern Hotels and Waterfront Views)
If sleek architecture and waterfront views are your thing, HafenCity could be a good option. Many of Hamburg’s newer hotels are located here, and you’ll be within easy walking distance of attractions such as the Elbphilharmonie, Miniatur Wunderland, and Speicherstadt.
The only downside is that, like many modern redevelopment districts around the world, HafenCity can feel a little quiet and lacking in atmosphere once the office workers go home. Personally, I’d rather visit HafenCity than stay there, but many travellers enjoy the convenience and modern facilities.
Sternschanze (Best for Food and Local Vibes)
As mentioned earlier, Sternschanze is one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods. It’s full of independent cafés, excellent restaurants, craft beer bars, street art, boutique shops, and a lively, multicultural atmosphere.
You’ll still have good transport links to Hamburg’s main attractions, but you’ll also get to experience the city beyond the typical tourist trail. If you are feeling fancy you could book a room at Mövenpick Hamburg in Schanzenpark, a stylish hotel built into a former water tower.
St. Pauli (Best for Nightlife)
If your ideal city break involves staying out until 3 am and then wandering back to your hotel on foot, St. Pauli is the place for you. While the Reeperbahn itself can be noisy, there are plenty of quieter side streets where you can stay without sacrificing sleep entirely. St. Pauli is also conveniently located between the harbour and Sternschanze, making it a convenient base for sightseeing.
St. Georg (Best for Transport Connections)
Located next to Hamburg Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), St. Georg is one of the most convenient areas in the city. It’s also Hamburg’s LGBTQ+ district and has a welcoming, diverse atmosphere – especially along Lange Reihe, where cafés, restaurants, bakeries, and independent shops line the street. From here, it’s only a short walk to the Alster lakes and many of Hamburg’s main attractions.
One thing to note: the immediate area around the central station can feel a bit gritty after dark, as it’s a gathering spot for homeless people and those struggling with addiction. While generally safe, it’s not the most relaxing atmosphere for a city break. Staying a few streets away from the station will give you a far more pleasant experience.
Eimsbüttel (Best for a Longer Stay)
If you’re spending more than a few days in Hamburg and want to experience local life, consider staying in Eimsbüttel. This is one of Hamburg’s most popular residential neighbourhoods and feels far removed from the tourist crowds.
You’ll find leafy streets, independent cafés, delicious bakeries, cosy bars, and some fantastic restaurants. The trade-off is that you’ll need to rely slightly more on public transport to reach some of the major attractions. However, you’ll get a better sense of everyday life in Hamburg.
Getting Around Hamburg
Public Transport
One of the things Hamburg does well is public transport. The city has an extensive network of U-Bahn (underground trains), S-Bahn (overground trains), buses, ferries, and regional trains that make it easy to get around without a car. Single tickets range from around €2 to €3.60 depending on the zones you enter, with all day passes running at around €7. Tickets are slightly cheaper if you use the HVV app (this app is also useful to plan journeys).
Hamburg Airport (HAM) is located just 11 kilometres north of the city centre, and the easiest way to reach Hamburg’s central station is by taking the S1 suburban train, which leaves directly from the airport’s train station. Trains run every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes late at night, with the journey taking about 25 minutes. A single ticket costs around €3.60, and the service operates from early morning until shortly after midnight. If you arrive when the train isn’t running, you can also take the 606 night bus, which connects the airport with Rathausmarkt in the city centre.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminals and usually cost between €25 and €35 to reach the city centre, depending on traffic and the exact destination. Uber operates in Hamburg but because of strict local regulations, the app will only link you to registered, local taxis rather than private vehicles. Uber is definitely more expensive in Hamburg than other cities, so most locals use FreeNow or Taxi 211 211 to book traditional cabs.
For a more eco-friendly alternative, Hamburg has MOIA, an electric car-pooling service. Booked via an app, MOIA vehicles pick up passengers at designated stops and drop them off close to their destination. It’s generally cheaper than a taxi, though less direct, and works best if you’re staying near a U-Bahn station or main square.
If you’re spending a week or more in Germany and plan on taking multiple day trips, the Deutschland ticket can be excellent value for money. It provides unlimited travel on local and regional public transport throughout the country for a fixed monthly fee. Just remember the Deutschland ticket does not cover high-speed ICE trains.
Explore Hamburg by Bike
Hamburg is one of Germany’s most cycle-friendly cities. Dedicated cycle lanes are common, drivers are generally respectful, and much of the city is relatively flat.
Visitors can rent bikes through the city’s bike-sharing system Stadtrad, which has stations across Hamburg. It’s affordable, easy to use, and allows you to explore neighbourhoods that many tourists never see. Every bike journey is free for the first 30 minutes. After that, you pay a measly 8 cents a minute, and can rent a bike for 24 hours for only €12.
Best Time to Visit Hamburg
I’m going to be honest with you – Hamburg’s weather can be very volatile. No matter what time of year you visit, I’d recommend bringing both sunglasses and an umbrella.
The best months to visit are generally between May and September. During this time, temperatures are milder, the parks are lush and green, there’s less rain, outdoor cafés are busy, and the city feels at its most sociable and vibrant. Summer is also the best time for boat trips, waterfront bars, outdoor festivals, and relaxing by the Alster lakes.
December is another fantastic time to visit. Hamburg has numerous Christmas markets, ranging from traditional markets in the city centre to quirky alternatives in St. Pauli and Sternschanze. If you haven’t experienced a German Christmas market before, they are absolutely worth the hype.
I would avoid visiting from January to March. The winter feels endlessly grey and bleak, it is really cold and frequently rains and snows. I moved to Hamburg from Rome in January and it was really tough. Seasonal depression smacked me in the face and I wanted to get straight back on the plane and go back to bel Italia! Luckily my husband and I stuck it out and once the spring arrived, we felt much more settled and optimistic!
I hope this guide has given you plenty of ideas for what to do in Hamburg. It’s a city that will always hold a special place in my heart. It welcomed my husband and me after the fallout of Brexit, kept us safe during those strange pandemic years, gave me a fully remote job that now allows me to write this from a beachside town in Southeast Asia, and introduced me to Franzbrötchen – for which I will be eternally grateful.
Planning a trip to Germany? Check out my other German blog posts which include the Rhine valley, the Moselle Valley, Nuremberg, and much more.
Ciao for now
Izzie, the Curious Sparrow
A nice write-up about Hamburg 🙂 Glad to see all those cranes and scaffolds are gone. The Altstadt looked like a huge construction site during my visit last year.
Thanks! The photos were taken across eight years living in Hamburg, and I don’t think I experienced one month there without seeing some construction work in the city! Some projects seem never-ending… I don’t know who is funding them but they must have very deep pockets.
I think they are just slow 🙂 I remember there was a balcony near my apartment that needed to be fixed. But it took half a year. I don’t know why it took so long to renovate a simple balcony. And that house was not even in a protected area or something.