Area

Some hot spots in town where you can spend a few hours and do some sightseeing Hamburg-style.

1) Harbor/Reeperbahn – Hamburg’s main attraction, the harbor! Enjoy the subway line U3 ride from the Rathaus to Landungsbrücken, then walk along the Elbe to see the harbor including some traditional ships, restaurants, and museum. Walk a little further to the Reeperbahn, the red light district, which is tame enough during the day. The Reeperbahn is lined with some good restaurants and bars as well as shops and stores with more alternative and funny Hamburg merchandise as well as some theaters, museums, and the famous Davidwache police station. It also has, of course, many sites for more adult audiences, like the infamous Herbertstraße, which is blocked off on both sides and meant only for men to walk through! If you are in the mood for adventurous night life, visit the Reeperbahn after dark to go clubbing or just to see the neon lights and all the different kinds of people! S-bahn stop: Reeperbahn, or U-bahn: Millerntor.

2) Downtown – The impressive Rathaus in Hamburg is right next to the ritzy Alsterarkaden and Alsterhaus, ideal for luxury shopping and specialties. By walking around the corner you approach the Alster itself, a must-see lake-like body of water right downtown. Enjoy an ice cream or a coffee and walk around it, or take an Alster boat tour to discover more about Hamburg and the areas surrounding the inner and outer Alster (Binnen-/Außenalster). Walk toward the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) for the shopping district. S-bahn or U-bahn stops: Rathaus or Jungfernstieg.

3) Schanze – check out the bars and cafés, which have some great ethnic flair, as well as some cute shops! This is a more alternative/artsy area of town, as is Altona, and worth a visit for a coffee and cake and a stroll, even though a few chains are trying to mainstream the area. S-bahn or U-bahn stops: Sternschanze.

4) Stadtpark – a nice spot for a walk or jog, a beer, to soak up some green, or just to grill out. Lots of people here when the weather is nice, but lots of room too! Some activities include boating, mini golf, or a Planetarium show. Great for a day of more downtime. S-bahn stop: Alte Wöhr, or U-bahn stop: Borgweg, or Bus 179 stop: Stadtpark (Planetarium).

5) Treppenviertel / Elbchaussee – this area reminds me more of Southern Europe, with it’s more winding, small, steep passages to visit, as well as some other types of shops than you otherwise see. Take a walk or drive down the Elbchaussee to see the harbor or check out some of Hamburg’s most expensive homes. S-bahn stop: Blankenese and/or Bus 488 stop: Beckers Treppe.

Buildings

1) St. Michael’s Church (St. Michaeliskirche) – a classic European must-do: visit the main cathedral and climb the tower stairs (no taking the elevator, that’s cheating 😉 to the top! You won’t regret a thing – enjoy a spectacular 360° view of over downtown Hamburg and the harbor. It also has a crypt (no mummies, though) with tombs and information on Hamburg’s recent history. S-bahn stop: Stadthausbrücke.

2) Elbphilharmonie – Europe’s newest large concert hall and the new pride and joy of Hamburgers (really, what people from Hamburg are called)! Not only is the acoustic great if you are a classical music fan, but the view from the plaza (free!) over the harbor is amazing! U-Bahn stop: Baumwall.

3) City Hall (Rathaus) – as in most European cities, the city hall building marks the center of downtown and is often worth seeing for European architecture and history fans. Here you can go inside as well or depending in the time of year, enjoy a festival on the square in front of it. U-bahn stop: Rathaus, or S-bahn stop: Jungfernstieg.

4) Warehaus District (Speicherstadt) – a historic area of Hamburg with many small canals and old Hamburg-style brick warehouse buildings with copper roofs. An interesting walk. U-bahn stop: Baumwall.

5) St. Nicolas Church ruins (Nikolaikirche) – one of the only pieces of Old Hamburg not completely leveled in WWII. It was bombed but has been left in ruins as a memorial to the war. Worth a visit if you want to admire the juxtaposition of Gothic-style architecture right in the middle of modern office buildings, and go up the steeple for another view over town. U-bahn: Rödingsmarkt.

Spots for Nature Lovers

1) Planten un Blomen – a large park right in the middle of town, lined with landscaped flower beds that seem to have something blooming at any time of the year. Stop in the tropical domes (Tropenhäuser) to see these botanical garden type exhibits for free, maintained by the University. Enjoy a walk and an ice cream, or even some fun with the water games or a concert at the pavilion during the summer. Also don’t miss the water shows with lights in the evenings! S-Bahn: Dammtor.

2) Stadtpark – again (see above), because it’s a big draw for nature lovers. Is not as manicured as Planten un Blomen but has some great flowers too, like the Rhododenron Path. S-bahn stop: Alte Wöhr, or U-bahn stop: Borgweg, or Bus 179 stop: Stadtpark (Planetarium).

3) Ovelgönne – for a real Hamburg experience, take the public transport boat to get here! Then you can walk on the beach or amongst greenery to see how the rich live in Hamburg. Ferry stop: Ovelgönne/Neumühlen.

4) Botanical Gardens in Klein Flottbek – always worth a stroll for plant lovers. S-bahn stop: Klein Flottbek.

5) Harvestehuder Weg on the Alster – a bike/jog/pedestrian hotspot on town to get some greenery and see some ducks! You can also rent a paddle boat and enjoy the water close up, or just walk this road and enjoy people watching under a willow tree. S-bahn Dammtor, or U-bahn stop: Hallerstraße, or Bus 109 stop: Böttgerstraße or Alsterchaussee.