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, 20355Telephone: +49 40 357 6660
Opening times: Website: http://www.elbphilharmonie.de
Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: 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: YesUNESCO: 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, 20355Telephone: +49 40 428 132 100.
Opening times:
Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.hamburgmuseum.deAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: 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: YesUNESCO: 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, 20459Telephone: +49 40 376 780.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.st-michaelis.deAdmission Fees:
No (charge for tower and crypt visits)
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: 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, 20457Telephone: +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.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: 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, 20459Telephone: +49 40 3750 1988.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Apr-Oct); Sat-Sun 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).
Website: http://www.kramerwitwenwohnung.deAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: 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, 20095Telephone: +49 40 428 131 200.
Opening times:
Tues-Sun 1000-1800 (Thurs until 2100).
Website: http://www.hamburger-kunsthalle.deAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: 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, 20095Telephone: +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.deAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: 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, 22527Telephone: +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.deAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Hamburg Tourismus
Address: , Hauptbahnhof, Hamburg, 20355Telephone: +49 40 3005 1701.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.hamburg-travel.comHamburg’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.
