Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Hamburg, Germany! Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany, and the wealthiest. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Hamburg, Germany.
Hate #1: Not a Fairytale German Town
What most people picture when they think of Germany – half-timbered houses, lederhosen, and giant beers – is actually Bavarian Germany. Hamburg is nothing like that. Nearly all of Hamburg was destroyed in the war, so it’s all been rebuilt in relatively recent history. While there are some historic buildings in Hamburg like the Town Hall, the city is mostly very modern. This can be a let-down if you are expecting old-world Germany.
Hate #2: The Reeperbahn District
One of the things that Hamburg is most famous for is the Reeperbahn District; essentially Hamburg’s Red Light District. It is the definition of seedy, with strip clubs located upstairs from McDonald’s. However, there are also major theaters here, so it’s not all seedy, but you may find yourself passing through here and feel a bit uncomfortable. It’s easy enough to avoid if you want to.
Hate #3: Hamburg Weather
Weather in Hamburg is fast-changing. Being a port city not far from the sea, the weather changes quickly and it can go from a warm, sunny day to a cold, rainy day in no time at all. Make sure you always have a jacket and umbrella, or layered clothes to keep you comfortable in any weather.
Hate #4: Hamburg Winter
If you visit Hamburg in winter, from October through April, a lot of the boat tours are not running. Touring the port by boat is one of the best things to do in Hamburg, so you may miss out on some of these experiences by visiting Hamburg in winter.
Hate #5: Hamburg is Expensive
Since Hamburg is one of the wealthiest cities in Germany, it’s also one of the most expensive cities in Germany. Eating out in Hamburg, as well as Hamburg accommodation, is going to cost more than other German cities, like Berlin. A budget traveler can still get by in Hamburg, but it’s not necessarily a budget destination.
Love #1: Water Around Hamburg
Hamburg is surrounded by water, which is always a great thing for travelers. Whether you visit the port to see Harbor City or take a port tour, there is water everywhere around Hamburg. You can also easily reach some great beaches on a quick train trip from Hamburg. It’s also really cool to see how the port has influenced the city and the culture of Hamburg. You’ll notice a distinctly different culture than other German cities which are a bit more closed off.
Love #2: Hamburg Nightlife
Back to the Reeperbahn, it doesn’t have to be a “hate” if you are looking for great nightlife. Sure, there’s a seedy side, but there’s a ton of nightlife, both in the Reeperbahn and in other districts of Hamburg. Hamburg is actually where the Beatles started playing, and you can still visit some of the clubs where they played early on. You can get really good quality drinks at a fair (not cheap) price. In addition to nightclubs, there are theaters, the opera, ballet, and many other things to do in Hamburg at night.
Love #3: Day Trips from Hamburg
While there isn’t a lot of “Old World” Germany to see in Hamburg, there are a lot of great day trips from Hamburg, where you can see historic villages only an hour away. I have four favorite day trips from Hamburg. Luebeck is 45 minutes by train and has a ton of history, including the third-largest church in Germany. Lueneburg is only 35 minutes by train, where you can see the old salt mines and the Old Town. Bremen is a bit larger city an hour from Hamburg, and Hannover is also about an hour from Hamburg. For a taste of Eastern Germany, you can go to Schwerin and visit the castle. While there are many great things to do in Hamburg, it also makes a great home base for exploring northern Germany.
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Love #4: Things to Do in Hamburg
Hamburg has one of the coolest town halls in Europe. The Kunsthalle, or Art Museum, has a great collection that includes Rubens and Warhol. There are tons of churches to explore, like the St. Michaels Church. Miniatur Wunderland is the largest model train museum in the world and a fun place to visit with kids. Hamburg is so much more than the port and businesses.
Love #5: Hamburg Residents
While a lot of Germans tend to be cold and standoffish, the people of Hamburg are very open and welcoming. Being a port city with international business, they seem to be more open to new cultures and travelers from all over the world. It’s a very different vibe and the people are really great to get to know.
Hamburg is a really cool city in Germany, very different from other German towns you may have visited. The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Hamburg. Want more travel tips for Germany? Check out these other blog posts: