Historische Speicherstadt Hamburg mit Wasserwegen und roten Backsteingebäuden bei Sonnenschein.
© AdobeStock / powell83

Welcome to Hamburg

Historic, maritime and diverse The cultural city of Hamburg welcomes you

With its flair and maritime charm, Hamburg impresses every visitor anew! Start your Hamburg excursion by exploring the city's top sights. Discover Hamburg's maritime highlights and get close to Hamburg's history. Whether it's culture, culinary delights or shopping, Hamburg is unbelievably diverse.

Karte Europas mit Hamburg im Zentrum und Entfernungen zu Großstädten wie Paris, Amsterdam und Kopenhagen.
© HHT

Hamburg is well located in Europe. It is very easy to connect different cities and plan a vacation with city highlights of other countries.

Hamburg Highlights

Hamburgs unique shape is defined by its setting on the banks of the Elbe River and the Alster Lake. The massive Hamburg harbour, the historic Town Hall, the UNESCO World Heritage Speicherstadt and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall are the city's most iconic tourist attractions.

The city is made for a perfect city trip:  strolling along the Elbe's sandy beaches, exploring the world's largest model railway at Miniatur Wunderland, or shopping in the city centre are must-dos.

© mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Spahrbier

BallinStadt Find your European roots in the Emigration Museum

The emigrant museum BallinStadt in Hamburg shows in its exhibition the emigration history, this living conditions, experiences during their journeys and the unique Hamburg passenger lists.

Find your European roots in the Emigration Museum
© mediaserver.hamburg.de / CooperCopter

Hamburg's landmark on the Waterfront Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie is truly a building of superlatives and has set itself the goal of becoming one of the ten best concert halls in the world. Surrounded by three sides of water, the spectacular building houses also a public viewing Plaza with a breathtaking and unbeatable 360° panoramic view over the entire city and harbour.

Elbphilharmonie
Rathaus Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Jörg Modrow

CITY AREA PORTRAIT Town Hall & City Centre

The historic core of the Altstadt (German for Old Town) district is shaped by traditional buildings such as the Hamburg city hall and the chamber of commerce, the alleyways and bridges which stretch out all the way to the HafenCity district. In the Neustadt district district between Laeiszhalle and Jungfernstieg with elegant promenades, fashion stores and gallery owners – overlooking the Alster.

Town Hall & City Centre

Get inspired More important sights in Hamburg

Miniatur Wunderland

One of the most popular sights in Germany - located directly in the UNESCO Speicherstadt warehouse district on the waterfront

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Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Jörg Modrow

St. Michael's Church

Hamburg's most famous church: at a height of 106 metres, it offers a fabulous view over Hamburg and the port

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St. Michaelis Kirche Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / ThisIsJulia Photography

Kontorhaus Quarter

The Kontorhaus district was built in the 1920s and 1930s and represents classic Hamburg brick expressionism

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Chilehaus Kontorhausviertel
© Mediaserver Hamburg / ThisIsJulia Photography

Traditional Fish Market

Legendary and a must for every visitor: Hamburg's most traditional market since 1703

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Fischmarkt am Hamburger Hafen
© Mediaserver Hamburg / ThisIsJulia Photography

Reeperbahn

Hot spot for live music and a unique party culture from nightclubs to sparkling shows and colourful musicals

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Reeperbahn Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Konstantin Beck

Alster Lake in the City Centre

The smaller part of the Alster lake is characteristically recognisable by the Alster fountain and is perfect for a walk

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Binnenalster mit Kirschblüten in Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Jörg Modrow

Thats why. Hamburg.

Music and museums From Beatles to opera: Culture is part of Hamburg's DNA

Centuries of culture have shaped Hamburg as a city. Here, you can find the German state opera with many popular Italian operas. In the St. Pauli district, The Beatles had their first concerts before reaching world fame. Famous exhibitions can be visited in our diverse museums. Find out more about cultural highlights beyond language and in English language in our overview.

 

© mediaserver.hamburg.de / Jörg Modrow

A Milestone in Pop Music The Beatles in Hamburg

In the matter of two years, five young lads from Liverpool transformed into the most famous pop band of the 1960s: the Beatles! It was in the live music clubs of St Pauli that the Beatles developed their distinctive style and laid the foundations for their world career

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The Beatles in Hamburg
Ausstellungsraum der Hamburger Kunsthalle mit Gemälden alter Meister in eleganter Rundpräsentation
© Hamburger Kunsthalle / Foto: Kay Riechers

Artistic highlights Art & Exhibitions

A visit to one of Hamburg’s museums involves rare old pieces on display in our magnificent buildings, but you’ll also find a number of smaller, owner-operated galleries, as well as contemporary art, pop up installations, street art and collections aimed specifically at the littlest visitors.

Art & Exhibitions
Red auditorium and balconies of the Hamburg State Opera illuminated in bright, festive light
© Mediaserver Hamburg / gem. Nutzungsbedingungen des HMG-Mediaserverslicensed for Hamburg Marketing GmbH

Culture in English Cultural highlights for our international guests

Our international guests can fully embrace Hamburg's cultural diversity. From theatre and classical music to museums and exhibitions, our cultural institutions offer a wide range of activities in English.

Cultural highlights for our international guests

The maritime city in Northern Germany in a nutshell Fun Facts about Hamburg

Hamburg is a city of superlatives and surprises, ready to charm visitors with its exceptional flair and diverse offerings. Here are some of the fascinating highlights that make Hamburg truly unique:

A City Shaped by Water

Hamburg's deep connection with water defines its character. From the bustling port on the River Elbe to the to the calm Alster lakes, water is a constant presence throughout Hamburg and part of the city's identity.

Bridges Galore

Hamburg is one of the most bridge-rich cities in the world, boasting over 2,500 bridges—outnumbering even Amsterdam and Venice combined! With around 8% of the city covered by water, it's no wonder Hamburg needs so many crossings.

A Cultural Haven

With over 120 museums and theatres, Hamburg is a cultural hub. Whether it's contemporary art or maritime history, there's something for everyone.

A Heavyweight Marvel

The Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg's iconic concert hall, is an architectural marvel weighing an impressive 200,000 tons—roughly 20 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.

The Beatles’ First Stage

Before taking the world by storm, the Beatles honed their craft in Hamburg. Walk in their footsteps on a Beatles tour and see where it all began.

Green at Heart

Around 72% of Hamburg’s area is covered by green spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in the world. And just beyond the city lies the “Altes Land,” Europe’s largest contiguous fruit-growing region.

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