Hamburg: The Complete Guide

Hamburg, located in the region of Hamburg (a city-state in northern Germany), is a vibrant, water-rich metropolis with a unique maritime charm. Hamburg is surrounded by Schleswig-Holstein on its north, west, and east sides and Lower Saxony to its south. The city is built around a network of canals, lakes, and the Elbe River, giving it a distinctive feel that blends urban energy with a relaxed waterfront atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks along the harbor, take boat tours, or explore the lively neighborhoods of St. Pauli and Speicherstadt, each offering a different taste of Hamburg’s dynamic character.

The city is known for its cultural depth, featuring renowned concert halls like the Elbphilharmonie, a wide array of museums, and a strong creative scene. Whether you’re browsing indie shops in the Schanzenviertel, enjoying fresh seafood at the Fish Market, or taking in the architecture along the Inner Alster Lake, Hamburg is full of contrasts that make it exciting yet easy to explore. Its open, cosmopolitan feel makes it a rewarding destination for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers.

History of Hamburg

Early Origins of Hamburg

Hamburg’s earliest roots trace back to the 9th century, when Emperor Charlemagne ordered the construction of a castle known as Hammaburg. This small fortress laid the foundation for what would eventually become an important trading settlement. Over time, the area attracted merchants and settlers due to its strategic position along the Elbe River.

Hamburg in the Middle Ages

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Hamburg gained prominence as a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful alliance of merchant cities in northern Europe. The city’s port became a key link between inland Europe and the North Sea, fostering significant economic growth. By the late Middle Ages, Hamburg had developed into one of the most influential commercial centers in the region.

Hamburg in the Early Modern Period

The Reformation and the rise of maritime trade in the 16th and 17th centuries further cemented Hamburg’s status as a free and independent city. It became a haven for religious refugees and intellectuals, boosting its cultural and economic life. Despite facing outbreaks of plague and major fires, the city continued to thrive thanks to its strong trade connections.

Hamburg in the 19th Century

The 19th century brought industrial expansion and modernization to Hamburg, including the development of a modern port and railway connections. The city played a central role in German emigration, with millions departing for the New World from its harbor. In 1842, a massive fire destroyed much of the city, but it was quickly rebuilt with modern urban planning.

Hamburg in the 20th Century

Hamburg suffered heavy bombing during World War II, which destroyed large parts of the city and port. In the postwar years, Hamburg rapidly rebuilt and emerged as a major industrial and cultural center in West Germany. The construction of the Elbphilharmonie and the redevelopment of the HafenCity marked a new era of urban renewal.

Modern-Day Hamburg

Today, Hamburg is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city known for its international trade, culture, and innovation. Its historic maritime identity blends seamlessly with modern architecture and creative industries. As a global port and Germany’s “Gateway to the World,” Hamburg continues to evolve while honoring its rich and resilient past.

Visiting Hamburg for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Hamburg on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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This complete guide to Hamburg not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Hamburg and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

City Hall Marketplace (Rathausmarkt)

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Lars Steffens

Rathausmarkt (City Hall Marketplace) is the central square in front of the grand Hamburger Rathaus and has long served as the political and social heart of the city. Framed by elegant façades, arcaded buildings, and the striking neo-Renaissance City Hall, the square is a popular meeting point for both locals and visitors. It was established after the construction of the…

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Location: Rathausmarkt, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 0.5km

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Visiting City Hall Marketplace (Rathausmarkt)

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Hamburg City Hall (Hamburger Rathaus)

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Heidas

The Hamburger Rathaus, or Hamburg City Hall, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, standing proudly in the Altstadt (Old Town) district. Completed in 1897, this neo-Renaissance masterpiece serves as the seat of both the Hamburg Parliament and Senate. The building was constructed following the Great Fire of 1842, which destroyed the original city hall, and it reflects the…

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Location: Rathausmarkt, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 0.5km

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Visiting Hamburg City Hall (Hamburger Rathaus)

Here is a complete selection of hotel options in Hamburg . Feel free to review each one and choose the stay that best suits your needs.

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland is officially recognised as the largest model railway in the world, sprawling across nearly 1,700 m² with over 16 km of tracks, more than 1,200 digitally-controlled trains, 300 moving cars, and approximately 290,000 miniature figures representing day‑to‑day life around the globe. The exhibition unfolds across thematic regions—from Northern Germany and Scandinavia to Italy, America, and South America—each rich in…

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Location: Miniatur Wunderland, Kehrwieder, Hamburg, Germany | Hours: Daily 09:30 to 18:00 | Price: €20 Adults | Website | Distance: 0.6km

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Visiting Miniatur Wunderland

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St. Catherine’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Katharinen)

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Magnus Manske

St. Catherine’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Katharinen) is one of Hamburg’s five principal churches and a historic beacon along the Speicherstadt waterfront. First mentioned in documents from 1256, the current triple-aisled Gothic structure was built between the 14th and mid-15th centuries, making its tower base (up to about 23 meters) the oldest surviving masonry in Hamburg still in regular use. Its…

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Location: St. Catherine Church, Katharinenkirchhof, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 0.6km

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Visiting St. Catherine’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Katharinen)

St. Peter’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Petri)

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Uwe Rohwedder

St. Peter’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Petri) is the oldest remaining parish church in Hamburg, with origins dating back to the early 11th century. Located near Mönckebergstraße in the heart of the Altstadt, it is one of the city’s five main Lutheran churches and a powerful symbol of Hamburg’s medieval and religious heritage. Though the original Romanesque structure was lost to…

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Location: Hauptkirche St. Petri - Hauptkirche St. Petri, Mönckebergstraße, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 0.7km

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Visiting St. Peter’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Petri)

City of Warehouses (Speicherstadt)

Speicherstadt—literally “City of Warehouses”—is the world’s largest contiguous warehouse complex, built between 1883 and 1927 on oak-pile foundations in what was Hamburg’s free port zone. Its neo‑Gothic red brick buildings, connected by narrow canals, bridges, and fleet waterways, once served to store goods like coffee, spices, tea, cocoa, and oriental carpets—all imported duty‑free under port regulations of the German Empire.…

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Location: Speicherstadt, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 0.8km

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Visiting City of Warehouses (Speicherstadt)

Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg’s gleaming architectural icon, rises dramatically above the Elbe River in the HafenCity district. Completed in 2016 and opened to the public in January 2017, this striking concert hall is perched atop a former brick warehouse known as the Kaispeicher A, originally built in 1963 to store cocoa, tea, and tobacco. The Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de…

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Location: Elbphilharmonie, Platz der Deutschen Einheit, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 0.9km

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Visiting Elbphilharmonie

Maritime Museum, Hamburg

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Holger.Ellgaard

Situated in the historic Kaispeicher B—a listed Quay Warehouse built in 1878–79—the museum opened to the public in June 2008. It houses the vast collection of Peter Tamm, a former Axel Springer executive from a long line of seafarers. His passion led to a treasure trove of over 40,000 ship models, more than 1 million photographs, maritime art, naval uniforms, instruments,…

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Location: International Maritime Museum Hamburg, Koreastraße, Hamburg, Germany | Hours: Daily10:00 to 18:00 | Price: €18 | Website | Distance: 1.0km

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Visiting Maritime Museum, Hamburg

Hamburger Kunsthalle

GNU Free / Daniela Kloth

The Hamburger Kunsthalle stands as one of Germany’s preeminent art museums and a cultural cornerstone of Hamburg’s cityscape. Originally established in 1869 by the Hamburg Kunstverein, the museum quickly outgrew its modest beginnings. A grand Renaissance-style building—designed by Georg Theodor Schirrmacher and Hermann von der Hude—opened between 1863 and 1869, demonstrating the city’s ambition to create a lasting art institution.…

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Location: Hamburger Kunsthalle, Glockengießerwall, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 1.3km

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Visiting Hamburger Kunsthalle

Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel)

CC BY-SA 4.0 / NielsFahrenkrog

The Alter Elbtunnel opened on September 7, 1911, after four years of ingenious engineering designed to connect the bustling Landungsbrücken piers with the shipyards and docks at Steinwerder—24 meters below the Elbe. Built in two 6‑meter‑wide tunnels stretching over 426 m, it was the first subaqueous river tunnel on the European continent. The cut-and-cover construction used compressed-air caissons—and while innovative, it…

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Location: Alter Elbtunnel, Bei den Sankt Pauli-Landungsbrücken, Hamburg, Germany | Distance: 1.4km

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Visiting Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel)

A day trip from Hamburg offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around Hamburg provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary. If you are looking to rent a car in Germany I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Lüneburg

Lüneburg, situated in the Lower Saxony region, is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends medieval charm with contemporary vibrancy. The city's well-preserved architecture, characterized by red-brick Gothic buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, invites visitors to explore its rich heritage. Strolling through the historic Old Town, one can admire landmarks such as the Am Sande square, lined with impressive gabled houses,…

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Visiting Lüneburg

Lübeck

Lübeck, located in the region of Schleswig-Holstein, is a charming city known for its medieval architecture, riverside ambiance, and cultural flair. Its beautifully preserved Altstadt (Old Town), encircled by water, is filled with narrow lanes, brick Gothic churches, and merchant houses that give it a timeless feel. The city is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore on foot…

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Visiting Lübeck

Plön

Plön, located in the region of Schleswig-Holstein, is a peaceful lakeside town surrounded by natural beauty and charming architecture. The town sits beside the expansive Großer Plöner See, making it a perfect destination for travelers who enjoy boating, hiking, or simply relaxing by the water. With its castle perched above the lake and tree-lined promenades, Plön offers a scenic escape…

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Visiting Plön

Kiel

Kiel, located in the region of Schleswig-Holstein, is a lively coastal city best known for its maritime flair and connection to the Baltic Sea. As the terminus of the Kiel Canal and home to Germany's largest sailing event, Kiel Week, the city buzzes with nautical energy. Visitors can enjoy waterfront promenades, harbor cruises, and fresh seafood right by the bustling…

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Visiting Kiel

Schwerin

Schwerin, located in the region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is a town that feels like a storybook brought to life. Surrounded by lakes and graced with elegant architecture, it offers a peaceful, almost regal atmosphere that's perfect for a relaxing visit. The highlight for most visitors is the stunning Schwerin Castle, perched on its own island and framed by manicured gardens…

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Visiting Schwerin

Bremen

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jürgen Howaldt

Bremen is a city in northern Germany, located on the Weser River. It is the capital of the state of Bremen, which is made up of two cities, Bremen and Bremerhaven. Bremen has a rich history and is known for its Hanseatic heritage, as well as its role as a major port city. It has a population of around 570,000…

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Visiting Bremen

Celle

Celle, located in the Bremen & Lower Saxony region, is a delightful town that effortlessly combines fairytale architecture with a relaxed, walkable atmosphere. Its Old Town is filled with over 400 meticulously preserved half-timbered houses, creating one of the most charming historic centers in Germany. Strolling through the narrow streets, visitors will discover boutique shops, cozy cafés, and inviting squares…

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Visiting Celle

Wismar

Wismar, located in the region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is a charming town that offers visitors a mix of medieval architecture and vibrant coastal culture. The city's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with picturesque cobbled streets, impressive brick Gothic buildings, and scenic squares. A stroll through this historic district will bring you past highlights such as the…

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Visiting Wismar

Schleswig

Schleswig, located in the region of Schleswig-Holstein, is a peaceful town full of lakeside charm, cultural heritage, and scenic views. Nestled on the banks of the Schlei fjord, it offers a perfect mix of nature and small-town atmosphere, making it ideal for a relaxing visit. Visitors can enjoy strolls along the water, take a boat ride on the fjord, or…

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Visiting Schleswig

Hannover

Hannover, located in the Bremen & Lower Saxony region, is a dynamic city that balances green spaces with urban energy. It’s a great destination for travelers who enjoy a mix of cultural attractions and outdoor experiences. The Herrenhausen Gardens are a standout, with their baroque design, fountains, and seasonal flower displays offering a peaceful escape within the city. Nearby, the…

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Visiting Hannover