Hamburg Travelers Recommend

From craft beer tastings to scenic boat cruises, there’s plenty to do in Hamburg. Bike through different neighborhoods, see some street art, and venture out to the countryside—here’s how to spend three days in this northern German port city.

Day 1: City overview

Find your bearings in Hamburg with an introductory tour. For maximum flexibility and quick and easy transportation, purchase a hop-on hop-off bus pass that stops at top attractions such as St. Michael’s Church and the St. Pauli Fish Market—or go for a combo bus/boat package. Active travelers might prefer to see the Alster lakes and cycle along the Jungfernstieg promenade on a guided bike tour. Or, join a walking tour for an intimate glimpse of a neighborhood such as the Speicherstadt, HafenCity, the red-light district of Reeperbahn, or St. Pauli. 

Day 2: Culture tours and pub crawls

Discover Hamburg’s vibrant modern-day culture with a street art walking tour—follow a guide to see a variety of murals in neighborhoods such as Schanzenviertel and St. Pauli. Alternatively, connect with a local host for tips on what to do and where to go, and create a custom itinerary based on your interests. Later, embark on a sunset sailing cruise, then enjoy some local flavor on a pub crawl in Reeperbahn or a craft beer tasting in Sternschanze and St. Pauli. 

Day 3: Countryside escapes

Explore beyond Hamburg’s city limits with a day trip to the countryside. Learn about German history and culture from a guide while wandering around the 1,000-year-old town of Buxtehude and UNESCO-listed Lübeck. Tours often include landmarks such as Holsten Gate, St. Mary’s Church, the Town Hall, and Buddenbrook House.

The port city of Hamburg, Germany draws travelers with craft beers, scenic canals, and cruises. During your visit, you can check out the local street art, visit Unesco World Heritage sites, and join a local guide for a pub crawl. Here are a few ways to spend 48 hours in Hamburg. 

Day 1: Bikes, Boats, and Craft Beer

**Morning:**Start your trip with an introductory tour of the city. Move quickly between landmarks on a hop-on hop-off double decker bus, and opt for a combination ticket to add a cruise as well. Private tours by foot or by car are also available. 

**Afternoon:**Continue explore Hamburg with a guided bike tour. Cycle around the Alster Lakes, and take in the views along the Jungfernstieg promenade. Alternatively, if you didn’t take a cruise in the morning, you can spend this afternoon on a sailing tour. 

**Night:**Explore Hamburg’s vibrant nightlife with an evening tour. Choose from a variety of pub crawls and craft-beer tastings, which take place in neighborhoods all over town, from the Reeperbahn (the red light district) to Sternschanze.

Day 2: Connect with Locals

**Morning:**Get to know the city from a local’s perspective with a custom tour that lets you connect with a Hamburg host and create an itinerary based on your interests. See off-the-beaten-path landmarks, and get individualized tips on where to eat, drink, and shop. 

**Afternoon:**Learn more about the city’s culture and history with a themed tour: See the murals in the Schanzenviertel and St. Pauli districts on a street art-focused tour, or opt for a walking tour focused on the city’s Unesco World Heritage sites. 

**Night:**Get to know Hamburg’s red light district with a local guide, and learn about the neighborhood’s history and about landmarks like the St. Pauli Theater and Hans-Albers-Platz. Alternatively, see the city illuminated at night on an evening cruise. 

Travel to Hamburg, Germany for its scenic canals, historic sites, and modern architecture. If you only have one day, you can still explore local markets, go for a stroll in the city’s famous red-light district, and taste the latest German craft beers. Here are a few ways to spend 24 hours in Hamburg. 

Morning: Welcome to Hamburg

Join an introductory tour to get your bearings in Hamburg. Cover ground quickly with a ride on the hop-on hop-off double-decker bus, with stops at major landmarks across the city such as St. Michael’s Church (Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis) and the St. Pauli Fish Market. Upgrades are also available that include a cruise on the city harbor with views of the übermodern Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the Warehouse District. Other options include walking or driving city tours that move through historic neighborhoods, World War II sites, traditional markets, and Hamburg’s red-light district. 

Afternoon: Dungeons and Bike Tours

Learn about layers of Hamburg’s rich history with a visit to its dungeons, an option that’s especially appealing to kids. Book in advance to skip the lines, and go underground to this attraction where professional actors lead the way through centuries of history. Back above ground, explore different neighborhoods with a guided bike tour along the Jungfernstieg promenade, or focus in on a walking tour of a specific district that interests you, such as Speicherstadt or HafenCity. Join a local guide for a stroll along the banks of the Elbe River or to see Elbphilharmonie Plaza. 

Night: Craft Beer and Scenic Cruises

Experience the atmosphere of Hamburg after dark with an evening tour. To visit several bars and brewpubs with a ready-made party crew, choose between a craft-beer-tasting tour though the Sternschanze and Sankt Pauli neighborhoods and a pub crawl through the lively Reeperbahn red-light district. Alternatively, join a local guide for an evening stroll in St. Pauli, and learn about local history and architecture between sampling German beers. To see Hamburg illuminated at night from a different perspective, climb aboard a boat for a scenic evening cruise. 

In 1960, the Beatles came to Hamburg and started performing in St. Pauli clubs and bars. Soon they became one of the biggest bands in the world. Here are a few places to explore Hamburg’s rock ‘n’ roll history and follow in the Fab Four’s footsteps.

St. Pauli

Hamburg’s infamous red-light district is a proudly alternative neighborhood that played host to some of John Lennon, George Harrison, and the Beatles’ first gigs—when they left Liverpool for Germany. Today St. Pauli remains one of Hamburg’s most vibrant and welcoming districts.

Beatles Platz

Decades after John, Paul, George, and Ringo were in Hamburg, the city recognized their place in rock history by constructing Beatles Platz, a public square that honors the band in a unique way. Five statues in outline form stand to represent the band members. Of course, since a few members changed in those early years, the drummer’s outline could represent either Pete Best or Ringo Starr.

Reeperbahn

Running through the heart of St. Pauli, the Reeperbahn is a lively street popular among Hamburg visitors. When darkness falls over the city, neon-lit bars jostle for space among the vibrant clubs, and energetic revelers enjoy the colorful side of Hamburg’s nightlife.

Indra Club

The Beatles performed their first Hamburg gig in the Indra Club. Though it closed in 1960, it has recently reopened at its original location. The building has been remodeled, but you can still go there to enjoy a beer and see bands perform live.

Kaiserkeller

After the Indra Club closed in early October 1960, the Beatles started playing at the Kaiserkeller. They preferred the location of this venue, since it was a little closer to the action on Grosse Freiheit. Today the club continues to have live shows as well as other parties and events.