Tourist Attractions in Hamburg

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Hamburg

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Hamburg

The free city of Hamburg was already a prosperous and independent settlement at the end of the 12th century. It had never been ruled by princes or kings, so centuries of freedom had left a deep imprint on the land. Since the Middle Ages, Hamburg has become a multicultural and cosmopolitan city. Nowadays, its squares and harbour streets continue to bustle with life.

Hamburg is very different. On the one hand – the historic centre with its picturesque town hall and Renaissance buildings, on the other – the dynamic industrial quarters of the Barn City, and on the third – the magnificent Alster Lake and large park areas within the city limits. The cultural traditions of past centuries are carefully preserved in Hamburg’s museums and galleries.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Hamburg

Hamburg Townhall

 4.7/5

4972 reviews

Majestic historic city council building decorated with statues of German emperors. Today, the Town Hall is the seat of the burgomaster. Festivals, festivals and fairs are organised all year round in the Town Hall Square. In the courtyard of the building there is an elegant fountain with a statue of the goddess of health Hygeia, built at the end of the 19th century in honour of the end of the cholera epidemic.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Port of Hamburg

 4.7/5

2044 reviews

A cargo harbour on the Elbe River, Germany’s largest port and the “German gateway to the world”. Ships and tankers from many countries dock here, and the port is the 9th busiest in the world. The length of the harbour is 46 kilometres. The harbour began to function in the XII century under the ruler Frederick I. Due to its favourable location and convenient port, Hamburg quickly became rich and by the 17th century it had become a major European transport hub.

Alster Lakes

 4.7/5

397 reviews

A lake in the centre of Hamburg, around which the city’s prestigious districts are concentrated. Luxury villas of the city’s wealthy citizens stand on the banks of the Alster. Almost 6 kilometres of coastal area has been turned into a public park. Water sports competitions are regularly organised on the lake. Those who wish can take a boat trip on the regularly running ferry and admire the surrounding scenery.

Jungfernstieg

 4.4/5

544 reviews

An alley in the historic part of Hamburg on the southern shore of Lake Alster. The Jungfernstieg was the first paved street in Germany. In past centuries, noble and wealthy families used to promenade here and show off their unmarried daughters to the public. Today, the street is an important transport hub for Hamburg, a business centre and the best place for shopping.

Open time

Reeperbahn

 3.9/5

234 reviews

Hamburg’s bohemian centre in the harbour district of St. Pauli. The street got its “frivolous” fame from the past, when the city quarters in the harbour area were considered a place of rampant vice and fornication. Nowadays, the purpose of the Reeperbahn has not changed much – it is a hub of nightclubs, entertainment venues, erotic cabaret shows and legal brothels. The unofficial name of the place is “Sin Mile”.

Open time

Hamburger Kunsthalle

 4.6/5

8694 reviews

The city art museum was established on the initiative of members of the Union of Literature Lovers. In the mid-19th century, the authorities allocated a plot of land for construction, and work began under the leadership of architects H. Schirrmacher and H. von der Hude. In 1995, another building was added to the museum to house the Gallery of Modernity. The Hamburger Kunsthalle contains works from various eras, starting from the Middle Ages.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Museum for Hamburg History

 4.4/5

2494 reviews

A museum built in the early 20th century, where you can learn a lot about the history of Hamburg. The exhibits will tell the visitor how the city turned from a small fortress into a rich and prosperous European centre of commerce. The exposition was opened thanks to the activities of the members of the historical society. There are parts of old buildings, panoramas, ship models, costumes and Europe’s largest model railway.

Open time

Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg

 4.5/5

3143 reviews

Museum of Applied Arts with a collection of 500,000 items. It is one of the most complete collections in Europe. It houses collections of textiles, furniture, and interior items made in the best factories of Italy, Belgium, and France. The museum also has antique musical instruments, rare costumes of French fashion designers, collections of porcelain and faience.

Open time

Panoptikum

 4.3/5

10419 reviews

The museum’s exhibition is based on the private waxwork collection of Hermann Weber, who was the creator of all his exhibits at the same time. The first figures were replicas of criminals and corrupt burgomasters of Hamburg. After a fire in 1943, only 19 pieces remained of the museum collection. They formed the basis of the renewed exposition. Now the museum exhibits about 120 figures of famous people.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Rickmer Rickmers

 4.6/5

3227 reviews

A former cargo barque that made long voyages across the Atlantic Ocean to Chile and also to the Far East. In the early 20th century, the ship was seized by the British forces, and after the First World War they handed it over to Portugal. In 1983, Germany bought the barque, which had been working properly all this time. The ship was restored and converted into a museum dedicated to the history of the ship and the Rickmers shipping company.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Hamburg Dungeon

 4.5/5

12167 reviews

A popular horror museum that tells in colours and faces about the “dark” periods of the city’s history: public executions, epidemics, big fires and other bleak events. Visitors can expect theatrical performances, interactive shows and absolutely creepy surroundings that make even the most indifferent uncomfortable. The museum is housed in gloomy, stylised catacombs.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Miniatur Wunderland

 4.8/5

82460 reviews

A fairytale city that represents the surrounding world in miniature. It includes models of German railways (with real stations), airports, Scandinavian harbours, Alpine mountains, the American continent and much more. The territory of the “wonderland” is divided into thematic sections, which depict entire states in miniature. Both children and adults will be interested to visit this unique space.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Hamburg State Opera

 4.6/5

2807 reviews

Germany’s oldest musical theatre, founded in 1678. The stage was originally intended for the general public, not just a narrow circle of noble families. Until the middle of the XVIII century the opera was located in a wooden building, in 1827 the company moved to a new building, but it was destroyed during the Second World War. It took almost ten years to rebuild the opera house.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Bismarck Monument

 3.8/5

478 reviews

A giant monument in honour of Otto von Bismarck, the outstanding chancellor of the united Germany (and later the German Empire). This politician stood at the foundations of the transformation of disparate German states and small principalities into a united and strong country. He was an honourable citizen of Hamburg, so the authorities decided to erect a worthy monument in his honour. The monument was inaugurated in 1906.

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St. Michael's Church

 4.7/5

19374 reviews

An 18th-century temple built in the Baroque style. It is considered one of the most picturesque in Hamburg. The church is crowned by a 132-metre bell tower with an impressive clock on the facade. At the top there is an observation deck with views of the Elbe, Lake Alster and Hamburg. The structure was severely damaged during World War II, so serious work had to be done to restore it.

Open time

St. Nicholas' Church

 0/5

A Lutheran church of which only the 147 metre bell tower remains. It was once a beautiful neo-Gothic church. The first building appeared in the XIII century, and in the middle of the XIX century a new building was erected in its place, which was damaged by bombing in 1943. After the war the church was not completely restored, only the tower was left. The ruins of St Nicholas Church serve as a memorial to the victims of the bloody battles.

Planetarium Hamburg

 4.3/5

2223 reviews

An impressive space theatre where projections of the starry sky are shown. The planetarium was opened in 1930 and is the oldest in Germany. The monumental historic building is equipped with modern technology, with which entire star worlds can be seen. The planetarium’s powerful projector can display several thousand stars simultaneously on the dome.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Fischmarkt Hamburg Altona

 4.5/5

975 reviews

A shopping area where you can buy fish, seafood, smoked meat, fruit, souvenirs, as well as delicious food. The market has existed since the beginning of the XVIII century. Trade here is conducted from five to ten o’clock in the morning. Tourists are brought by whole buses, skilful sellers organise exciting show-presentations in front of potential buyers. The market is worth a visit for the ambience, atmosphere and mood, even if you don’t plan to buy anything.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 5:00 – 9:30 AM

Chile House

 4.5/5

3230 reviews

An eleven-storey building of the early 20th century in the Expressionist style. The unofficial name of the building is “ship’s bow” because of its characteristic shape, resembling a ship’s cape. The Chili House was built on the order of a large trader G. Sloman, who made a fortune in the trade of Chilean saltpeter. The house was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of Hamburg’s harbour architecture.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Panik City - Udo Lindenbergs Multimedia Erlebnis & Eventlocation

 4.8/5

1308 reviews

A complex of warehouses and administrative buildings in the harbour district of Hamburg. The buildings are predominantly made of red brick. Numerous metal bridges run between them. Thanks to this industrial architecture, the harbour district has acquired a unique flavour. The barn city emerged at the end of the 19th century, when it was decided to create a free trade zone outside Hamburg.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Museum für Bergedorf und die Vierlande

 4.4/5

1061 reviews

The only castle that has survived in Hamburg. It is located in the old part of the city. It is believed that the castle was built in the 13th century, as there are written documents in which it is mentioned as a “strong house”. Nowadays, the building houses a branch of the Hamburg History Museum. It hosts exhibitions that familiarise visitors with the cultural heritage of the region.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Alter Elbtunnel

 4.7/5

33842 reviews

A 426.5 metre long underground passage under the Elbe River, connecting the port district of St. Pauli with the centre of Hamburg. It was designed and built in the early 20th century. The engineering solutions realised during construction were considered breakthrough and progressive for the time. The idea for the tunnel was born after a strike in 1896, when disgruntled harbour workers demanded a solution to the problem of unloading the harbour.

Open time

Monday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Ohlsdorf - der Park

 5/5

2 reviews

An old cemetery from the late 19th century with over 1.5 million burials on an area of almost 400 hectares. The cemetery can be travelled by car and public transport, as the length of the alleys is more than 17 km. Numerous mausoleums, chapels and memorials have been built here. There are benches and places for walking for visitors. The cemetery has long since become a landmark, and is visited by more than 2 million people a year.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tierpark Hagenbeck

 4.6/5

32977 reviews

Private zoo of the Hagenbeck family, opened in 1907. The zoo was the first in the world where natural living conditions were created for animals. More than 200 species of animals live on the territory. One of the most interesting places in the zoo is the tropical aquarium, which houses a great variety of species – from small fish and tropical insects to giant crocodiles.

Open time

Planten un Blomen

 4.8/5

21663 reviews

Botanical Garden and the “green heart” of Hamburg, a favourite place for walks and picnics in good weather. The park hosts horticultural and landscaping exhibitions, flower fairs, musical performances and art exhibitions. Plantin un Blomen is located west of Lake Alster. It comprises several garden areas united by a common concept.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM