Excursions in and around Hamburg: the Hanseatic City's best day trips

The green oases of the city, such as the areas around the Außenalster or the Elbe beaches, are ideal during summer. But the Hanseatic City has even more to offer in the far north: A ferry trip on the Elbe can take you to the marina in Wedel, and you can enjoy the sun on deck the whole time. Active holiday-goers will appreciate a bike tour to the mill in Wohldorf, because here you can relax on a picturesque lake in the middle of nature.

Here, you can just relax and enjoy...

The undisputed classic for excursions in Hamburg is the Außenalster. Especially the eastern bank of the Alster, with its Alsterpark in the middle of the city, provides relaxation and recreation. Formerly private gardens, this area was converted into a public park in the 1950s after the horticultural exhibition. A picnic with the whole family is especially fun here, as children have plenty of space to play. If you are travelling with friends, you should stop by in the "" on the Elbe - one of the most popular meeting places on long summer evenings. Beach parties also take place here. If you like, you can bring your own food to barbecue or simply take advantage of the local gastronomic offers.

Get to know maritime Hamburg and its surroundings

Many destinations in Hamburg and its surroundings can be explored along the Elbe. The ferry takes you quickly from the Landungsbrücken to Övelgönne, where you can eat delicious fish sandwiches or grill and chill on the beach. A little further by boat brings you to Finkenwerder and Teufelsbrück, where the beautiful Jenischpark stretches along the river banks. You can visit the small town of Wedel by bike or S-Bahn. Nearby is the ship welcoming facility Willkomm-Höft, which greets all steamers with the national anthem of their home port. In the Elbmarsch behind Wedel one can undertake long bicycle tours. The surrounding area of Hamburg offers something for every taste. Excursions in and around Hamburg can also be made along the Alster, whose source is in Henstedt-Ulzburg in the north of the city. Excursions in the nature reserve can be made by bike or canoe.

Trip by ferry

From the Landungsbrücken the Elbe ferries will take you to the other side or along the Elbe. Did you know that you can use the Elbe ferries just like the other public transport with a valid HVV ticket or the HamburgCARD! For example, you can quickly get to Övelgönne, where you can eat delicious fish sandwiches or barbecue and chill on the Elbe beach. A little further by boat you can reach Teufelsbrück via Finkenwerder, where the beautiful Jenischpark stretches along the banks of the Elbe.

A lesser known tip is the crossing to Wilhelmsburg. The ferry drops you off directly at Reiherstieg and from there you can reach cafes and restaurants on foot. Especially recommended are the burgers from Williamsburger or the sushi at SuChi, both local you will find in the Veringstraße. If you are more in the mood for coffee and cake, then you will find the Knusperkeks about 100 meters further, here you can have breakfast until late afternoon and many delicious sweet sins. After the refreshment you can continue to stroll along the water at the Veringkanal and explore the Reiherstiegsviertel, here you will find art, the old building of the honey factory and certainly you will also encounter the one or other houseboat. If you are on the road by bike or want to take the bus, then it is also worth a visit to the Inselpark or the Wildwuchs Brewery.

Did you already know? Wilhelmsburg is not only a district of Hamburg, but also the largest inland island in Europe!

Altes Land - The green lung surrounding Hamburg

It doesn't matter whether you're young or old: the Alte Land has something for everyone, because there are countless opportunities to spend leisure time. The best way to explore the orchard landscape is by bike, but a stroll along the Lühe or Elbe dikes is also fun. Historic half-timbered houses in the suburbs of Hamburg and cosy cafés invite you to stroll and linger. This area is ideal for a Sunday excursion: the Alte Land is one of the best ideas for a day trip near Hamburg.

Cycling along the Elbe

You can easily visit the small town of Wedel by bike (alternatively, of course, you can take the S-Bahn). Nearby is the ship welcoming station Willkomm-Höft, which greets all steamers with the national anthem of their home port. In the Elbmarsch behind Wedel, you can go on long bicycle tours. The surrounding area of Hamburg offers something for everyone. Excursion destinations in Hamburg and the surrounding area can also be found along the Alster River, which rises in Henstedt-Ulzburg in the north of the city.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the middle of Hamburg - This is possible in Hamburg's nature reserves.

When spring comes, you can hear the birds chirping again in the morning and the trees and bushes finally turn green again and everything starts to bloom. The weather and nature invites you to take long walks in increasingly warmer temperatures. If you think that you can't escape the hustle and bustle of the big city in the middle of Hamburg, you have never been to one of the following nature reserves. If hustle and bustle and noise get the upper hand again, then dare to take a trip to the Eppendorfer Moor, the Boberger Niederung or the Heuckenlock nature reserve in Wilhelmsburg. Here you can enjoy a little deceleration in nature and perhaps make one or two interesting discoveries. In the Eppendorfer Moor, for example, you may be lucky enough to spot a kingfisher. In the Boberger Niederung, the Boberger dunes provide a few beach vibes and invite you to play Frisbee or volleyball. The nature reserve Heuckenlock offers the best chances to stalk and observe animals, it is the most species-rich nature reserve in Hamburg.

Travelling has never been more carefree: with the Hamburg CARD plus Region, the Hamburg public transport network is open to you. No train connections, no stress, explore the metropolitan region in comfort at any time.