Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city, which many are not aware of. It’s a vibrant waterfront metropolis with a great history and lively international culture. If you’re planning a visit to Hamburg it might seem a bit daunting since there’s a lot to see and do, so let’s make sure you do it efficiently. In this article, we’ll find out how many days in Hamburg is enough for you.
To experience the main activities in Hamburg within an optimum number of days we would suggest that 3 days would fit in the best highlights of the city. Read below the best things to experience in Hamburg and see what time frame works best for you.
Day 1 – Take in the best of Hamburg’s harbour
Morning: Speicherstadt and Miniatur Wunderland
Speicherstadt is a good way to start your Hamburg adventure so get yourself down to the coast in the historic warehouse district. It’s south of the main train station and is the most photographed area in the city. It is known for its red-brick buildings, picturesque canals and lots of mini islands to walk around.
Explore Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway, featuring intricate landscapes and detailed miniatures of famous global landmarks. I’d have to say this is one of the best attractions in Hamburg, the attention to detail in all of the countries is impressive so you need a couple of hours here at least. Try the VR experiences if you can they’re very immersive.
Afternoon: HafenCity and Elbphilharmonie
As part of the above area take a stroll around HafenCity, Hamburg’s modern harbour district, which has some impressive architecture on show. There are a few places on the harbour where you can grab some lunch with a waterside view.
Visit the iconic Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall that stands out a mile when travelling nearby. Even if you don’t get to a concert, the Plaza itself offers amazing panoramic views of the city so it’s worth the visit.
Evening: St. Michael’s Church and Landungsbrücken
St. Michael’s Church is a tall spire in the city of Hamburg and its Baroque architecture offers a good, historic feel. You can also climb to the top of this church for some breathtaking sunset or nighttime views.
Enjoy the rest of your evening at Landungsbrücken, the busy waterfront area. Here you could grab a nice meal, a drink and take a cruise on the water for some different perspectives of the city.
Day 2: A taste of culture, history and shopping
Morning: Kunsthalle Hamburg
If you’re looking for a bit more culture then starting your day at the Kunsthalle Hamburg is a good idea, it’s one of Germany’s premier art museums with a huge collection of European paintings from the Middle Ages to the modern day.
If that doesn’t float your boat then the city offers some good shopping options with the large stores and some local ones around the west side of the Hauptbahnhof (main train station).
Afternoon: Old Town (Altstadt) and Rathaus
Hamburg has a charming little Old Town with little narrow cobblestone streets and old buildings that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Pass by the impressive Rathaus (City Hall), which is a city masterpiece and a good photo opp. You can even go inside and take a guided tour if you have time.
Evening: Reeperbahn and Entertainment District
This is where the real entertainment starts. Enjoy a night out down the famous Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s entertainment and nightlife district. There are so many lively bars, live music venues, theatres, and just an all round vibrant atmosphere for a good time.
Day 3: History, Science, and Entertainment
Morning: St. Nikolai Memorial and Dialog im Dunkeln
Visit St. Nikolai Memorial, the remains of a church destroyed in World War II, which is now a war memorial of Hamburg.
Experience Dialog im Dunkeln, an immersive exhibition where blind guides lead visitors through various darkened areas, which brings your senses to life.
Afternoon: Take a walking tour through Hamburg
Hamburg has some great walking tours and you learn a huge amount about the city’s history if you get a guide to take you around spots of significance. There are places that were significant locations during wars and you never know what’s happened behind the scenes until somebody gives you the real background.
Evening: Planten un Blomen and Schanzenpark
Planten un Blomen is a stunning park featuring botanical gardens, water-light concerts, and lakes-a-plenty. Explore the trendy Schanzenpark area, known for its cafes, street art, and cool atmosphere.
It’s also worth shouting out that you should visit the Volksparkstadion or FC St Pauli if you happen to be in town when a football match is on and if you can get tickets. Both stadiums offer a great atmosphere and it’s an all-round good sporting experience so fit that into your itinerary if you can.
With this hand-picked 3-day itinerary, you’ll be able to experience the diversity of Hamburg, from its maritime history to its cultural attractions. You could definitely spend longer here if you wanted to fit in more but 3 days is a good average. Of course, Hamburg has plenty more to offer besides the above, but this guide provides a well-rounded set of highlights if you’re wondering how long to spend in Hamburg.