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Things to do in Hamburg

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Hamburg lies at the head of the long funnel-shaped estuary of the River Elbe, which gives it its character. 

The German city is both a transportation hub and a cultural hotbed, slowly transforming into a major tourist destination.

In Hamburg, one gets to understand the old Speicherstadt and also welcome the new HafenCity.

Discover the top tourist attractions in this charming city with our list of the things to do in Hamburg.

Elbphilharmonie

Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg
Image: Elbphilharmonie.de

The Elbphilharmonie or the Elphi is a massive concert hall, located in the HafenCity quarter of Hamburg, attracting more than four million tourists every year. 

Visitors also love to know the history, check out the interiors, and enjoy the city’s 360-degree panoramic view from the building’s Plaza. 

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg
Image: Miniatur-wunderland.com

Miniatur Wunderland, which is German for ‘Miniature Wonderland’, is a tiny world with trains, busses, airports, offices, and of course, miniature people from all cultures. 

It was the most popular travel destination in Germany by the German National Tourist Board. 

Hamburg Harbor

Hamburg Harbour tour
Image: Lovelivetravel.co.uk

Hamburg harbor is a massive draw for both tourists and locals. 

From numerous viewpoints at the harbor, visitors enjoy fascinating sights, explore the water in boat tours, or go on walking tours of the historic HafenCity and Speicherstadt.

Reeperbahn

Reeperbahn and St Pauli tours
Image: Manvsglobe.com

Reeperbahn in St. Pauli district is the city’s most famous street, offering the best nightclubs, restaurants, theatres, cabarets, galleries, etc. 

This legendary nightlife mile is also home to one of Europe’s most prominent red-light districts.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg
Image: Hamburger-kunsthalle.de

Hamburg Art Gallery, locally known as Hamburger Kunsthalle, is one of the largest art museums in Germany. 

The Museum hosts seven centuries of European Art, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

St Pauli Tours

St Pauli Tours in Hamburg
Image: TheGuardian.com

St. Pauli is well-known for its distinctive fusion of culture, history, nightlife, and entertainment. 

With a colorful and complex history extending many years, St. Pauli is well-known for its world-famous Reeperbahn and unique red-light district.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour Hamburg
Image: GetYourGuide.com

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour lets you experience the best sights in the city while riding in a double-decker bus. 

You can get down at any of the sites mentioned in the itinerary according to your liking while enjoying the rest of the attractions from the comfort of your bus.

Harry Potter tour

Harry-Potter-tour-in-Hamburg
Image: NDR.de

The Harry Potter tour in Hamburg could be an exciting way to explore the city while connecting with the magical world.

This tour takes participants through key locations or sites associated with the Harry Potter universe, providing insights and information about the series.

Hamburg Boat Tours

Hamburg Boat Tours
Image: GetYourGuide.com

Hamburg Boat Tours offers a fascinating experience right in the middle of Hamburg, where the Elbe River elegantly flows through the cityscape.

Travelers seeking a close-up look into Hamburg’s soul will find these boat tours a beacon as the city reveals its rich tapestry from the water.

Hamburg Bike Tour

Hamburg Bike Tour
Image: Tripadvisor.com

The Hamburg Bike Tours take you through the city’s picturesque streets, known for their historical significance and modern attractions.

Spice Museum Hamburg

Inside Spice Museum in Hamburg
Image: Worldheritage.hamburg

The Spice Museum Hamburg, founded in 1991 by Uwe Paap, is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Opened as a small yet primitive spice museum in Richardstrasse Street, it was moved to a warehouse in the Speicherstadt warehouse district – a UNESCO world heritage site – in 1993.

Grand Hotel Travestie Show

Grand Hotel Travestie Show at Pulverfass Cabaret
Image: GetYourGuide.com

Grand Hotel Travestie Show at Pulverfass Cabaret is a thrilling spectacle in Hamburg, Germany.

Pulverfass Cabaret is a well-known performing arts theater in the city and is famous for its entertaining shows featuring musicians, drag artists, comedians, and more.

Olivia Jones Tour

Olivia Jones Tour
Image: Facebook.com(Oliviajonesbar)

Olivia Jones Tour is a series of guided tours in Hamburg, Germany, that showcase the vibrant nightlife of St. Pauli.

The tours are led by Olivia Jones, a well-known drag queen, and her colleagues, who offer a unique perspective on the city’s red-light district.

Sex and Crime tour

Sex and Crime tour in Hamburg
Image: GetYourGuide.com

On the Sex and Crime tour in Hamburg, you can hear interesting anecdotes about the St. Pauli district and its intriguing world of sex and crime.

Streetkart Tour

Street Kart Tour in Hamburg
Image: Hamburg-Travel.com

A Streetkart Tour combines the excitement of go-karting and the adventure of sightseeing.

With a 14-horsepower kart, explore Hamburg and the surrounding countryside and learn about the city’s highlights with the Streetkart Tour.

Pulverlesque Show

Pulverlesque Show at Pulverfass Cabaret
Image: Aino.Hamburg

The Pulverlesque Show at Pulverfass Cabaret in Hamburg promises an amazing evening filled with beautiful performances and the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional cabaret.

You will get to enjoy seductive acts and engrossing entertainment in the Pulverlesque show at Pulverfass Cabaret.

Cap San Diego

Cap San Diego
Image: CapSandiego.de

The Cap San Diego in Hamburg is the sole surviving vessel among a series of six ships that contributed significantly to global trade and transportation, sailing between Hamburg and South America. 

This historic floating museum safeguards the heritage of old maritime history.

Dialoghaus

Dialoghaus Hamburg
Image: Dialog-in-hamburg.de

Dialoghaus is a haven for travelers seeking a unique blend of immersive activities and cultural enrichment.

As its name suggests, the attraction fosters communication and connection, allowing visitors to explore the outside world from the perspective of people with sensory disabilities.

Panoptikum

Panoptikum Hamburg
Image: HHGuide.de

Panoptikum Hamburg is Germany’s largest and oldest wax museum, which houses wax statues of over 120 celebrities, from historical figures to modern icons. 

Founded in 1879 by Friedrich Hermann Faerber, it has statues of royals, politicians, actors, and even fictional characters from books and films.

Bucerius Kunst Forum

Bucerius Kunst Forum
Image: Buceriuskunstforum.de

Bucerius Kunst Forum is the place to be if you wish to experience world-class art, from antique to modern pieces.

Kunst Forum hosts high-quality art exhibitions covering various genres and periods across mediums such as sculpture, painting, photography, etc.

Rickmer Rickmers

Rickmer Rickmers
Image: TripAdvisor.in

Rickmer Rickmers in Hamburg, a three-masted ship built in 1896, is one of the main attractions in Hamburg Harbour.

The ship’s name is a tribute to Rickmer Clasen Rickmer, a well-known German shipowner.

Hamburg Dungeon

Hamburg Dungeon
Image: Evj-ahrensburg.de

Hamburg Dungeon combines an eerie mix of horror and history through live shows and special effects, enthralling and educating the audience!

The history of Hamburg city is replicated in 11 interactive shows, offering you a 360-degree experience combined with exciting storytelling.

International Maritime Museum

International Maritime Museum Hamburg
Image: Imm-hamburg.de

The International Maritime Museum Hamburg (IMMH) is the world’s largest maritime museum and offers an extensive view of the maritime world and its significance. 

The Maritime Museum is also known as the Academic Institute of Shipping and Naval History for its extensive collection of maritime-related models and artworks that elaborate on nautical history.

Chocoversum

Chocoversum Hamburg
Image: Chocoversum.de

Chocoversum is an interactive chocolate museum in Hamburg where you can learn how chocolates are made from scratch and even create your own bars. 

The range of cocoa products you can explore here is plenty – from spiced to barbeque chocolates, you get to experience an array of chocolates here.

PROTOTYP Auto Museum

PROTOTYP Auto Museum
Image: Whichmuseum.co.uk

The PROTOTYP Auto Museum in Hamburg is a veritable gold mine honoring the contributions and legacies of legendary people in the automotive world.

BallinStadt Emigration Museum

BallinStadt Emigration Museum
Image: Ballinstadt.de

BallinStadt Emigration Museum is a moving emigration park and former emigration station in Hamburg, Germany. Its history dates back to the mid-19th century.

Named after Hamburg America line Director General Albert Ballin, the museum opened in 2007 and was first known as the “Emigration Museum” or “Port of Dreams.”

Sources
# Hamburg.com
# Timeout.com
# Tripadvisor.in

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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