Hamburg's green Oases
As the city with the second most inhabitants in Germany, Hamburg is a real urban jungle. However, about 70% of the city on the Elbe is actually green - so Hamburg is rightly called the green metropolis by the water. In addition to classic top sights like Planten un Blomen, the Stadtpark or the banks of the Alster, there are several other green corners with potential to be your new favourite place. Hamburg's many green spaces invite you to go for walks, bike rides or day trips. We have picked out 11 green places for a trip to nature in Hamburg and the surrounding area.
1.Isebekkanal
The Isebekkanal runs for three kilometres through the Hamburg districts of Eppendorf and Eimsbüttel. The body of water is frequented by rubber dinghies, stand-up paddle boards and canoes, especially on warm days. The canal is densely overgrown and lined with green strips. On the many small bridges you have a wonderful view of the greenery and the colourful hustle and bustle on the water. The path along the water from the Eppendorfer Baum stop in the direction of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ufer is perfect for a long walk.
Our tip: There are many charming, owner-run cafés and shops to be discovered in the area around the Isebekkanal. There's always something going on at Little Amsterdam, where you can enjoy warm summer nights with snacks and refreshing drinks overlooking the water. Fancy a great coffee? You'll also find it near the canal at Ujote Espresso. Perfect to accompany your walk!
Isebek-Ufer
Address
Kaiser-Friedrich-Ufer
20253 Hamburg
City area
Eimsbüttel & Eppendorf2.Am Weiher
In the district of Eimsbüttel you will find a true green oasis in the urban jungle. Surrounded by beautiful old buildings between Ottersbekallee and Gärtnerstraße is a small park with a duck pond. You can enjoy the enchanted atmosphere on the park benches, while walking or having a snack in the café by the pond.
Eimsbütteler Park "Am Weiher"
Address
Am Weiher 10
20255 Eimsbüttel
City area
Eimsbüttel & Eppendorf3.Loki-Schmidt-Garten
The Loki Schmidt Garden is the botanical garden of the University of Hamburg and a popular destination for families and people seeking recreation. In addition to the tropical greenhouses in Planten un Blomen (currently closed), there is also an outdoor area in Klein Flottbek. Here the plants are presented according to theme and origin. So in one and a half hours you can go through the desert, via North and South America to Japan and China, all the way to the Alps. The park is freely accessible and invites you to linger with its benches. Perfect for exploring plants, reading books and relaxing.
Loki-Schmidt-Garten
Address
Ohnhorststraße
22609 Hamburg
City area
Blankenese & Elbe outskirts4.Waterpark Dove-Elbe
Are you looking for a place to swim, chill and barbecue? Then the Dove-Elbe Water Park is the place for you. The former gravel extraction area is now a nature-friendly leisure and water sports facility. With many lawns, wooden pontoons and sandy paths, the area in the east of Hamburg is the perfect place to relax. Had enough chilling out? Rent a canoe or kayak on site and discover the surroundings in a sporty way from the water. You want to splash around with your four-legged friend in the summer? No problem, there are several bathing spots for dogs on site.
Water experience on Bille Dove and Gose Elbe
Address
Heinrich-Osterath-Straße 256
21037 Hamburg
City area
Hamburg East5.Cemetery Ohlsdorf
Perhaps a somewhat unconventional green place at first glance - in fact, Ohlsdorf Cemetery is the largest park cemetery in the world. Here in the north of Hamburg, you can walk the quiet path around the cemetery between gravesites and geese and around Lake Bramfeld. The park, which is rich in species, is home to a wide variety of animals such as water turtles, bats and deer, as well as 450 species of woody plants. Have you got a bit of time with you? Then go in search of the graves of important Hamburg personalities such as comedian Heinz Erhardt or Helmut and Loki Schmidt. In the Garden of Women, space is given to female personalities who have left their mark on Hamburg. Want to find out more? In summer there are guided tours and several open-air museums. The cemetery even has its own app to help you explore the green space.
Ohlsdorf Friedhof
Address
Fuhlsbüttler Straße 756
22337 Hamburg
City area
Hamburg North6.Altonaer Balkon
At the Altona Balcony, you can look out over the Elbe from about 27 metres above the water, from the container port to the Köhler Bridge to the old port terminal. You can enjoy this panoramic view comfortably from benches or from the park's extensive green space - including ship gazing! Located in Altona-Altstadt, the Altonaer Balkon connects the Elbuferwanderweg with Fischmarkt and the Neu-Altona green area. This is also a great place for a picnic.
Altona Balkon
Address
Klopstockstraße
22765 Hamburg
City area
Altona & Ottensen7.Eppendorfer Moor
The nature reserve between Eppendorf and Groß Borstel is home to a lowland moor in the middle of a wooded area with a lake. After peat cutting at the beginning of the 20th century, the area was renaturalised in 1982. The moor is a habitat for 35 species of breeding birds and a green oasis not only for a wide variety of species. In spring, you can discover the bird life in the moor during NABU's "What's singing there? You can also explore the area by bike or take a circular walk with a view of the Groß Borstel moor.
Eppendorfer Moor
Address
22453 Groß Borstel
City area
Eimsbüttel & Eppendorf8.Leuchtfeuer Bunthaus
The Bunthaus beacon is also known as Bunthäuser Spitze. From the almost seven-metre-high Wilhelmsburg landmark you have a great view of the Elbe. At the Bunthäuser Spitze, the North and South Elbe flow together and form an inland delta. You can reach the lighthouse by bike or on the circular hiking trail through the surrounding nature reserves.
Leuchtfeuer Bunthaus
Address
Leuchtturm
21109 Hamburg
City area
Wilhelmsburg & Veddel9.Falkensteiner Ufer
In the district of Blankenese you will find the perfect place for holiday feelings. At the city beach with white sand on the Falkenstein shore, you'll feel like you're on holiday by the sea. Here you can unwind with a view of the Elbe or explore the lovingly designed parks along the seven-kilometre-long hiking trail. Directly on the beach is the Elbecamp campsite, whose Café Lüküs provides you with snacks and drinks. Here in the west of Hamburg, there's enough space for everyone: families with their own things to dig in, dog owners, shipwatchers and couples.
Falkensteiner Beach
Address
Falkensteiner Ufer
22587 Hamburg
City area
Blankenese & Elbe outskirts10.Elbinsel Kaltehofe
Enjoying nature and learning about the history of Hamburg's water supply at the same time - this is only possible on the Elbe island of Kaltehofe on the Norderelbe. The foundation is both an imposing industrial monument and a multifaceted nature park. There is much to discover here: The species-rich flora and fauna, the nature discovery trail and also the industrial architecture. On weekends there are open guided tours of the water art exhibition. The nature and environmental education stations are suitable for children and the accompanying café invites you to linger with coffee and cake.
Wasserkunst Elbinsel Kaltehofe
Address
Kaltehofe-Hauptdeich 7
20539 Hamburg
City area
Hamburg Eastyour discounts
Reduced admission when taking part in the open guided tours as part of the current programme. Guided tours usually take place at weekends. Please check the current programme on the website.
11.Discover the forest rain-safe
It's raining in Hamburg but you still want to go outdoors? At the Wälderhaus Wilhelmsburg you can experience Hamburg's forests from indoors. The Science Center Forest is dedicated to the exciting question: "What is a forest? You can explore the biological diversity of the forest at around 35 microscopy and exploration stations, watch exciting films in the Kobelkino and discover over 200 types of wood in the forest laboratory. This will whet your appetite for the next forest walk!
Science Center Wald im Wälderhaus
Address
Am Inselpark
21109 Hamburg