How to visit Hamburg in 2 or 3 days? Known for its canals and port, the city of Hamburg is the second most populous city in Germany after Berlin. Discover our TOP 15 of the best things to do and the essentials to visit so you don’t miss anything during a trip to Hamburg.
1. Explore the canals of Speicherstadt by boat
By day… Taking a boat cruise on the canals of Speicherstadt is one of the must-do activities in Hamburg. Discovering Hamburg from the waters allows you to discover all the beauties of this pretty city. If you are going to visit Hamburg, do not miss this essential activity: check the prices for a cruise on the canals of Speicherstadt.
Or at night? At night, cruises are also very interesting to do. It may even be one of the most beautiful romantic things to do in Hamburg. Find out more: available dates and times.
2. Visit the historic center of Hamburg on foot
Innenstadt. The city center of Hamburg is made up of two parts. Altstadt corresponds to the Old Town of Hamburg, while Neustadt corresponds to the New Town. Accommodation prices are higher in the Old Town.
Deichstrasse. If you are going to visit Hamburg in 2 or 3 days, come and discover this pretty street: Deichstrasse (place on Google Maps).
3. See the City Hall building
Rathaus. Built between 1886 and 1897, the town hall is one of the great must-sees to visit in Hamburg. This neo-Renaissance building is also the seat of the Hamburg City Parliament and Senate.
4. Visit St. Michael’s Church in Hamburg
Not to miss! St. Michael’s Church is one of the most splendid churches in Hamburg. On site, in addition to visiting the interior of the church, you can descend into its crypt, or climb to the top of the church to discover a beautiful view of the city of Hamburg.
5. Walk along the quays of the Alster
Alster. It is a 53 km long river that crosses Hamburg and flows into the Elbe. A walk along the Alster quays is one of the must-do activities in Hamburg.
6. Visit Hamburg’s bustling St. Pauli district
Mythical district. The St Pauli district is one of the neighborhoods to visit in Hamburg. This is where you will find many places to go out in Hamburg.
Walking tour. Discover this famous district of Hamburg with a guide. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the history of these must-see places, but also an interesting way to visit the little corners of the neighborhood so you don’t miss a thing. You can find out more here: check prices and dates for this tour.
7. Discover the Elbphilharmonie in the HafenCity district
HafenCity. The HafenCity district was born from a redevelopment project of an old part of the port of Hamburg. It is close to the historic center of Hamburg. The Elbphilharmonie is one of the most striking buildings in HafenCity.
Best areas in Hamburg. Discover our TOP of the best neighborhoods to stay in Hamburg to enjoy your trip in this blog post: Where to stay in Hamburg.
8. Going on the top of the tower of the Saint-Nicolas Church
In ruins. Only the tower of the Saint-Nicolas Church remains. Like other cities in Germany, Hamburg was bombed by Allied forces during World War II. It is now possible to climb to the top of the tower to discover a beautiful panorama of Hamburg.
Hop-on hop-off bus. If you come to visit Hamburg in 2 or 3 days, you can take the hop-on hop-off bus to make it easier for you to discover the city. These buses pass through the must-see places in Hamburg: see itineraries and fares. It is a convenient and interesting way to visit Hamburg.
9. Visit the Hamburg Botanical Garden
Bucolic stroll. Visiting Hamburg Botanical Garden (Planten un Blomen) is a must visit to do in Hamburg, if you are going to visit Hamburg in 3 days or more. It is a German botanical garden with an area of 25 hectares. This botanical garden is right next to the University of Hamburg, outside Hamburg city center (on Google Maps).
10. Taste local specialties
Here are some specialties you can taste in Hamburg.
Fishbrötchen. It is a sandwich made of fish, onions, pickles, and sauce or ketchup (learn more and see photos on Wikipedia).
Panfisch. This is a typical dish from northern Germany made with fish fillets, potatoes, bacon and a white mustard sauce.
11. Visit Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg
“Miniature wonderful world”. This is a very cool activity to do in Hamburg! Here you will experience the world as a gigantic miniature electric train network. It is impressive to see! Find all the practical information on the official Miniatur Wunderland website.
12. Visit the Kunsthalle Hamburg
Nice visit to do in Hamburg. The Hamburg Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest art museums in Germany. If you are an art lover, and you are going to visit Hamburg, this tour is a must visit. The collections are listed in chronological order from medieval works to contemporary photography.
- More about the visit: to see timetables and ticket prices for visiting the Kunsthalle Museum Hamburg.
- Place the museum on Google Maps: Glockengießerwall 5, 20095 Hamburg
13. Go to Hamburg Fish Market: Fischmarkt
Unusual! Fischmarkt is located on the quays between the Altona district and the St Pauli district (on Google Maps). This is an interesting visit to do in Hamburg. On the other hand, you should know that the fish stands close from 10am. However, some other places remain open longer.
14. Discover the unusual activity to do in Hamburg: the Hamburg Dungeon
Unusual! If you speak German, this is an unusual activity to do during a trip to Hamburg. You will discover through this visit the dark moments of the history of Hamburg, and even relive these moments. Find out more information here: The Hamburg Dungeon Tour.
15. Visit the Port of Hamburg
The Port of Hamburg is the second largest port in Europe. It is impressive to discover this port more closely. You can visit the port by boat.
How many days to visit Hamburg?
It is quite possible to visit Hamburg in 2 or 3 days. Spending a weekend in Hamburg is one of the trips to make in Europe. Hamburg is a northern city, but quite romantic. It is also an interesting city to visit with the family.
What to do in Hamburg when it rains?
Here are the best things to do on a trip to Hamburg when it rains:
- Visit Miniature Wunderland
- Taste German cuisine and local specialties
- Visit the Hamburg Kunsthalle Museum
To visit Hamburg is to visit one of the prettiest cities in Germany and Europe. Spending a weekend in Hamburg is a very good idea of the trip to do to see an amazing side of Germany.