Holiday Nerd

Hamburg is Germany’s great northern port city — industrial, maritime and creative. Sitting on the River Elbe, close to the North Sea, it’s a city of canals, warehouses, shipyards, and unexpectedly elegant neighbourhoods.

Often overlooked in favour of Berlin or Munich, Hamburg makes a brilliant standalone weekend break or an easy addition to a wider Germany or northern Europe itinerary. It’s less touristy, more understated, and feels unapologetically like a working city.

Why Visit Hamburg?

• One of Europe’s largest ports with a strong maritime identity
• Beautiful canals and waterways (more than Venice)
• World-class museums and cultural attractions
• Excellent food scene, especially seafood
• Lively nightlife and music history
• Efficient, easy-to-navigate public transport
• A great balance of culture, history, and everyday city life

It’s not a flashy city, but it’s fascinating and authentic.

Getting There

Hamburg has a well-connected international airport (HAM) with direct flights from many major European cities and regular connections from the UK.

Getting into the city is refreshingly simple:

• S-Bahn (S1) runs directly from the airport to the city centre
• Journey time: ~25 minutes
• Trains are frequent, clean, and easy to use

Hamburg is also a major rail hub:

• Hamburg Hauptbahnhof connects the city to Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Copenhagen, and beyond
• High-speed ICE trains make it ideal for combining with other German cities

Once you’re in Hamburg, you won’t need a car.

Where to Stay

Hamburg offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to budget chains and stylish apartments.

Popular options include:

• Major hotel chains – Reliable choices across the city
• Budget hotels – Premier Inn, Motel One, and similar operators are well represented
• Independent hotels & serviced apartments – Especially in neighbourhoods like St Pauli, Sternschanze, and HafenCity

Best areas to base yourself:

• Sternschanze – Trendy, relaxed, excellent cafés and bars
• Altstadt / Neustadt – Central and convenient for sightseeing
• HafenCity – Modern, scenic, close to the Elbphilharmonie
• St Pauli – Lively, edgy, great nightlife

What to See & Do

Harbour & Canal Boat Tour

A boat tour is one of the best ways to understand Hamburg. The city’s scale, history, and identity all revolve around the water.

Options range from:

• Short canal cruises through the historic warehouse district
• Longer harbour tours past container terminals and shipyards

It’s surprisingly interesting even if you don’t think you’re “into boats”.

Elbphilharmonie

Hamburg’s most iconic modern landmark.

• Free to visit (concert tickets are separate)
• You must reserve a free ticket to access the public viewing plaza
• Offers fantastic panoramic views over the harbour and city

Even if you don’t attend a concert, it’s absolutely worth visiting.

Miniatur Wunderland

One of Europe’s most popular attractions — and oddly, one many people haven’t heard of.

This is not just model trains.

Miniatur Wunderland is a vast, meticulously detailed miniature world featuring:

• Cities, countryside, mountains, and coastlines
• Fully functioning airports with taking-off and landing planes
• A miniature Monaco Grand Prix circuit
• Day-to-night lighting cycles every few minutes

It’s genuinely fascinating for adults and children alike.

It does get busy, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.

Speicherstadt & HafenCity

The historic Speicherstadt warehouse district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — red-brick buildings, canals, and bridges that are especially atmospheric at dusk.

Right next door, HafenCity shows Hamburg’s modern side, with contemporary architecture, museums, and waterfront walks.

St Pauli & The Reeperbahn

Hamburg’s most famous (and infamous) area.

• Once rough-and-ready, now a mix of nightlife, music venues, bars, and grit
• The Beatles famously played here early in their career
• Still lively, still edgy, but far more mainstream than its reputation suggests

Worth seeing — especially in the evening — even if you’re not there to party.

Practical Information

• Currency: Euro (€)
• Language: German (English widely spoken)
• Payment: Cards accepted almost everywhere, but small cash can still be useful
• Getting around: Excellent public transport — U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, ferries
• Safety: Very safe, even at night in most areas
• Weather: Can be changeable — pack layers and a light waterproof

Best Time to Visit Hamburg

• Spring & Summer (May–September): The best time to visit. Longer days, outdoor dining, boat tours, festivals, and a lively waterfront.
• Autumn: Cooler and atmospheric, with fewer tourists and a cosy café culture.
• Winter: Cold but atmospheric. Hamburg’s Christmas markets are traditional rather than spectacular — not Germany’s best, but authentic and charming, with mulled wine, roasted nuts, and a local feel.

Food & Drink in Hamburg

Hamburg’s food scene reflects its port-city roots.

Things to try:

• Fischbrötchen – Fresh fish rolls from harbour stalls
• Seafood – Especially around the port and fish market
• Labskaus – A traditional northern German sailor’s dish (acquired taste)
• International cuisine – Excellent Turkish, Italian, and modern German dining

Coffee culture is strong, and the bar scene is varied — from craft beer to old-school harbour pubs.

48 Hours in Hamburg: The Perfect Itinerary

Day 1: Water & Culture

Morning

• Arrive and explore the city centre
• Canal or harbour boat tour

Lunch

• Seafood near the harbour or Speicherstadt

Afternoon

• Visit Miniatur Wunderland
• Walk through Speicherstadt and HafenCity
• Visit the Elbphilharmonie viewing platform

Evening

• Dinner in St Pauli or Sternschanze
• Optional drinks around the Reeperbahn

Day 2: Neighbourhoods & Views

Morning

• Coffee and stroll around Sternschanze or Ottensen

Late Morning

• Visit a museum or harbour walk
• Explore local shops and markets

Lunch

• Casual café or waterfront restaurant

Afternoon

• Final sightseeing or relaxed shopping
• Easy trip back to the airport or onward by train

Final Thoughts

Hamburg isn’t a postcard city — and that’s exactly its strength. It’s real, working, creative, and quietly confident.

If you like cities with personality, history, and a strong sense of place — without overwhelming crowds — Hamburg delivers. It rewards curiosity, works brilliantly for a long weekend, and often ends up being a pleasant surprise.