City Trip to Hamburg

Are you planning a short trip to Hamburg? The Hanseatic city is always worth a visit. We recommend planning at least 3 days for your city trip. Ideally, 5 days is even better. If you're short on time, you can also visit Hamburg just for a weekend.

Whether you have been to Hamburg before or this is your first city trip to the Hanseatic city: a short trip to the Elbe is always worthwhile! Learn more about Hamburg and its attractions, the best city tours, and excursions in our tips. Discover insider tips and favorite spots from locals with nightlife recommendations. We'll show you what you can experience during your city trip to Hamburg.

Hamburg is a very popular destination for short trips in Northern Germany. The city offers an ideal mix of sights, museums, and the most exceptional nightlife in Germany. The "Sinful Mile" Reeperbahn in St. Pauli is known to everyone.

Hamburg Attractions

Personal Highlights for First-Time Visitors in Hamburg

Insider Tips in Hamburg

Tips & Favorite Spots from Locals

Comparison: Hamburg City Pass vs. Hamburg Card - when do you get what?

Experience Report: Which City Pass is Worth it for Hamburg?

Experience Hamburg on a City Tour

The Best Sightseeing Tours & City Tours in the Hanseatic City

Dining in Hamburg

Our Recommendations for Restaurants & Cafés

If you've never been to Hamburg, you can't miss the major attractions. Of course, Hamburg offers more than just the Elbphilharmonie, the harbor, and musicals. Here are a few tips for your first visit to Hamburg:

We advise against flying, even though Hamburg is at least a 6-hour drive from my home in Southern Germany.

Even though Hamburg is far up north, the Hanseatic city is well accessible by train or by FlixBus from all over Germany. There are often discount offers available with the train, which you should book in advance.

In Hamburg, the best and cheapest way to get from the airport to the main train station or Jungfernstieg is by taking the S1 for 3.80 euros. Once you arrive at the train station, you're already in the middle of downtown Hamburg.

Under no circumstances should you drive a car, especially during rush hour. The HVV, Hamburg's rapid transit system, is better, even though locals often complain about it. Biking is also a good option if you don't mind the chance of rain.

You can actually get around very well on foot within the city.

The public transportation network is excellently developed! You definitely don't need a car. It's better to leave it parked and explore the city on foot or use public transport for longer distances.

The HVV offers various ticket options that can be tailored to your needs. There are daypasses, and when booking via the HVV app, you even get a discount! You can also book your HVV ticket together with the Hamburg City Pass.

Extra Tip: Something I only learned in Hamburg: riding the bus. Not all neighborhoods in Hamburg are well connected to the subway network. During the week, especially at night, you'll often have to rely on buses. It works smoothly, though, and you can reach your destination quickly.

E-scooters from Emmy are also available in Hamburg. If you're already registered, you can easily rent an Emmy scooter within the usage area.

Especially in summer, it's great for a quick ride to the Elbe beach! Make sure to download the app in advance: since you need a driver's license to use it, the activation may take a little longer! The billing is either per minute or daily. Currently, it's 35 euros per day or 30 cents per minute (as of February 2024). It's more affordable than a rental car, and you'll always find a parking spot.

Important Note: The scooters hibernate in winter and rest up for the next season.

Moia is a new ride-sharing model from Volkswagen. With shuttle buses, 330 electric vehicles travel through the city. Simply register in the app and enter your starting and destination points.

Moia is cheaper than Uber; the only 'disadvantage' is that you have to get on and off at designated points. However, these stops are always near your destination. So it's a bit like taking the bus, only more convenient and flexible.

The international provider Uber is now known to most people. It's like taking a taxi via an app, only that you know in advance how much the ride will cost.

Uber operates worldwide, and you can conveniently settle everything by credit card or PayPal. The hassle of searching for change is over as cash payments are not possible!

If you sign up using this link, your first ride is free. Sign up now.

I'm usually not a fan of rental bikes. They often lack quality, and the rental process can be complicated or expensive. However, in Hamburg, there are StadtRäder from StadtRAD, and I think the principle and the bikes are fantastic. Just download the app, register, rent a bike, and ride off. StadtRAD Hamburg is part of the bike-sharing offer from the German Railway Company.

I was pleasantly surprised by StadtRAD during my last visit to Hamburg. Since the first 30 minutes are free, renting is worthwhile.

After that, billing is per minute, or you can book a day pass.

Important Note: You can only return the bikes at designated stations. Thus, wild parking is not possible, but it certainly helps the cityscape!

As always on city trips, when it comes to choosing a hotel: location is key! Hamburg is a very popular destination for city trips in Germany, and affordable hotels get booked up quickly.

If you want a good location and have cleanliness and quietness standards but also a limited budget, you should book early in Hamburg.

Since I regularly visit Hamburg (and have always done so for personal reasons), I have tested several hotels. Here are my favorites:

No hotel comes close to Motel One at Michel in terms of value for money. The only downside: you can't book spontaneously. The hotel is quite popular and often fully booked.

View and book the hotel on Booking.com

As the hostel also offers double rooms and is located in the Karo district, it's ideal for going out.

Check out the stylish hostel in St. Pauli

The 25h Hotel HafenCity is quite extraordinary. As always with 25h Hotels, great care has been taken in the individual furnishing. You can stay here without worry in the new Hafen City. I've been here several times and love the breakfast and the room designs.

Definitely an exciting place, especially for those interested in architecture and new urban development!

Check out the 25h HafenCity here

Lindner hotels are always a great choice. We have always had good experiences with the hotels, and I was completely thrilled with the Lindner Hotel am Michel in Hamburg.

Especially the location right by Michel and close to the Landungsbrücken and St. Pauli is just perfect. From here, you can easily begin your city trip.

You have short distances to all attractions and sights. If you only want to stay in the city center, you can manage everything on foot without even needing public transportation!

Do you also value fitness and wellness? Then the "Lindner fit & well" area will convince you: over 2,000 square feet plus sauna and steam bath are available for hotel guests. There are truly no wishes left unfulfilled.

Book Lindner Hotel am Michel here