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Things to see in Hamburg

Attractions

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The brand new Philharmonic Hall, which opened in January 2017 in the Speicherstadt area, is a lot more than just a concert venue. The modern building incorporates an historic warehouse complex, and offers a panoramic viewing platform, dining and general cultural experiences, along with a built-in hotel.

Address: , Dammtonwall 46, Hamburg, 20355
Telephone: +49 40 357 6660
Opening times: Website: http://www.elbphilharmonie.de
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Hafen Hamburg (Port of Hamburg)

Europe’s second largest port and harbour district is a busy commercial area that’s still the beating heart of the city’s affluence and economic success, and parts (notably the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus warehouse districts) have recently gained UNESCO World Heritage status. An early morning visit to the Fish Market is also a highlight. Don't miss the Hamburg Port Anniversary which is celebrated in May every year.

Address: , Speicherstadt, south of Zollkanal, Hamburg,
Telephone: +49 40 3005 1701.
Opening times: Website: http://www.hamburg-travel.com
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (Museum of Hamburg History)

Put the city in context with a visit to the fascinating Museum of Hamburg History, and follow the story of this crucial harbour town, from it origins as an early settlement to its height as a Hanseatic port, trading from the 8th century right up to the present day. Detailed scale models of Hamburg at various times during its development will also help with orientation for further exploring. Conveniently located in the city centre, but closed on Mondays.

Address: , Holstenwall 24, Hamburg, 20355
Telephone: +49 40 428 132 100.
Opening times:

Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1800.

Website: http://www.hamburgmuseum.de
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

The Reeperbahn

The St Pauli district of Hamburg used to make rope for ships but you can bet anyone still doing that here today is using it for far more ‘specialist’ reasons. This is the area containing the Reeperbahn, a half-mile strip that’s become one of the most notorious red-light districts outside Amsterdam, and one which has similarly managed to attain acceptable tourist attraction status, as curious visitors mingle with the locals and the workers here in this vibrant melange of strip-clubs, bars, erotic theatres and glass-fronted bordellos.

Address: , Reeperbahn, Hamburg,
Telephone:
Opening times: Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

St Michaelis

From humble origins, Hamburg's church developed, from 1647 onwards, into the grand edifice that today forms such a prominent city centre landmark. With its unmistakable, 132m-high (433ft) baroque tower stunningly clad in beaten copper, 'Michel' continues to form an unmistakable part of the city skyline, even though it has undergone major reconstruction three times in its history, most recently after WWII.

Address: , Englische Planke 1a, Hamburg, 20459
Telephone: +49 40 376 780.
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Website: http://www.st-michaelis.de
Admission Fees:

No (charge for tower and crypt visits)

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Miniatur Wunderland

Claimed as the world’s biggest model railway, this is a draw for adults and children alike. More than 900 model trains trundle through miniature landscapes ranging from Scandinavia to Germany, Austria and even Las Vegas, along 15km (9 miles) of trackwork. It’s constantly growing as well, the latest highlight being a scale rendition of Hamburg’s newly opened Elbe Philharmonic Hall.

Address: Speicherstadt, Kahnwieder 2-4, Block D, Hamburg, 20457
Telephone: +49 40 300 6800.
Opening times:

0930-1800 (Mon, Wed, Thur); 0930-2100 (Tue, Sat); 0930-1900 (Fri); 0830-2000 (Sun and holidays).

Website: http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Kramerwitwen-Wohnungen

Close to St. Michaelis Church, the curious can gain an insight into Hamburg life during the mid 19th century at the restored Grocers’ Institute houses, one of which has been preserved in its original condition with period furnishings. The buildings started life as housing for the widows of local shopkeepers.

Address: , Krayenkamp 10, Hamburg, 20459
Telephone: +49 40 3750 1988.
Opening times:

Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Apr-Oct); Sat-Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).

Website: http://www.kramerwitwenwohnung.de
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes

Kunsthalle

As one of Germany’s most important art museums, Hamburg’s Kunsthalle houses a wealth of work from leading German artists, including the country’s masterful yet overlooked impressionists. There’s also plenty of space devoted to two of 19th-century romanticism’s most important painters, Caspar David Friedrich and Philip Otto Runge.

Address: , Glockengießerwall 1, Hamburg, 20095
Telephone: +49 40 428 131 200.
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 1000-1800 (Thurs until 2100).

Website: http://www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Planten un Blomen

In a bustling metropolis that's currently home to nearly 1.8 million people, this beautiful park right in the centre of Hamburg provides a green and leafy sanctuary for visitors and residents alike. This oasis of calm also houses Hamburg's botanical garden. It also offers restaurants and cafés.

Address: , Planten un Blomen, Hamburg, 20095
Telephone: +49 40 4285 44723.
Opening times:

Daily 0700-2000 (Jan-Mar); 0700-2200 (Apr); 0700-2300 (May-Sep); 0700-2000 (Oct-Dec).

Website: http://plantenunblomen.hamburg.de
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tierpark Hagenbeck (Hagenbeck Zoo)

It may seem a slightly dated concept these days, but Hamburg’s zoo is still well worth a visit. It’s widely regarded, since being founded in 1907, as the zoo that set the gold standard for others around the world. Hamburg’s zoo was one of the first to do away with cramped, fenced enclosures in favour of large, open paddocks. Highlights include The Eismeer, where you can watch Arctic animals, and the Tropen-Aquarium.

Address: , Lokstedter Grenzstrasse 2, Hamburg, 22527
Telephone: +49 40 530 0330.
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1630 (Jan- beginning of March), daily 0900-1800 (beginning of March-June), daily 0900-1900 (Jul-Aug); daily 0900-1800 (Sep-Oct); daily 0900-1630 (Nov-Dec).

Website: http://www.hagenbeck.de
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Hamburg Tourismus

Address: , Hauptbahnhof, Hamburg, 20355
Telephone: +49 40 3005 1701.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1000-1800.

Website: http://www.hamburg-travel.com

Hamburg’s main tourist information office is at the back of the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station), by the Kirchenallee entrance. There are also offices at the St Pauli Landungsbrücken (between piers 4 and 5) and in the airport at the new Airport Plaza (between Terminals 1 and 2).

Tourist passes

One of the best ways to get into and around Hamburg and its main attractions is with the Hamburg Card, which can be purchased at the tourist office and gives unlimited travel on all public transport in the Greater Hamburg area as well as free or reduced-price admission to many top attractions, museums and excursions.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

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Fritzhotel

Located in the Sternschanze area opposite a park and just beside the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations, this is a smart, modern and clean hotel in Hamburg that's intimate enough to have a character of its own. Its 17 single and double rooms are well proportioned, some even have balconies, and the local vicinity, which has a reputation as something of an artists' quarter, offers plenty of pleasant green spaces, cafés and bars.

Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten

Old-fashioned opulence on a regal scale. Many regard this enormous 19th-century townhouse on the edge of the Inner Alster Lake, comprising 156 rooms and 32 suites, as the best hotel in Hamburg, and consequently there's a price tag to match. Well located for shopping but a little off the beaten track for much of the city's nightlife.

CityHotel Monopol

For those who like to be in the thick of it, this cheap hotel in Hamburg is centrally positioned along the raucous Reeperbahn's nightlife mile. Fortunately, all of its 80-plus rooms are fully soundproofed, but this is certainly the perfect place to stay for the budget-conscious party crowd.

Hotel Wedina

A more intimately proportioned boutique hotel situated in a quiet residential area near Alster Lake, this Hamburg establishment's tasteful décor is more focused on comfort than cool. There's an attractive garden with a pool, Staff are friendly, and the hotel prides itself on providing sanctuary to a number of heavyweight literary guests.

Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg

Gastwerk proudly wears the mantle of being the city's first 'designer' hotel. Even those who don't speak German won't be surprised to discover that 150 years ago this grand brick building housed the city's first gasworks. Its proportions and the clever use of space in its conversion are the hotel's biggest attraction.

The Westin Hamburg

One of Hamburg's newest five star hotels, the Westin is located high up above the recently opened Elbphilharmonie concert hall complex, meaning that the views from its rooms and suites are pretty spectacular. It's also in the heart of the harbour district with all its attractions and points of interest.