FREE THINGS TO DO IN Hamburg

Hamburg Harbour is one of the largest shipping ports in the world and it has an estimated average annual cargo of 145 million tonnes!

While you probably won’t be too interested in knowing all the facts about the port, Hamburg Harbour is a lovely part of the city that’s ideal for an afternoon stroll.

During the evening, you will often see colourful light projections that are cast over numerous bridges and buildings along the waterfront.

It’s a beautiful part of the city and it’s a great place to bring the kids who are sure to enjoy watching the many boats coming in and out of the port.

You’ll also find numerous stands selling all kinds of quintessentially German food so you can pick up a snack to enjoy while walking.

Address: Port of Hamburg, Germany

St Michaeliskirche, or St Michael’s Church, is one of the most famous Baroque church in Germany.

It can fit more than 2,500 worshippers inside its grand interior at any one time and the 17^th century church has an eerie, yet fascinating feel to it.

Inside the ancient crypt below the church, more than 2,425 people’s remains are buried; giving it an even more spooky and eerie atmosphere!

Make sure you spend some time admiring both the interior and exterior of St Michael’s Church, especially the 132-metre high cupola at the top of the tower which is visible from almost anywhere in Hamburg.

The church is completely free to enter, but you can make a donation if you so wish.

Address: Hamburg, Northern Germany

It’s fair to say that most places in Germany have some kind of legacy from World War II and Hamburg is no different.

The Concentration Camp Neuengamme was the largest concentration camp in North Germany at the time of the war and now serves as a memorial site for the hundreds of thousands of people who suffered there.

While it’s certainly not the most jovial free attraction in Hamburg, it is one that holds significant importance.

You can wander around the vastly sprawling grounds of Concentration Camp Neuengamme and try to comprehend the severity of the atrocities that occurred there.

Once you’ve visited the concentration camp, make sure you’ve scheduled a more light-hearted activity into your day for afterwards!

Address: Jean-Dolidier-Weg 75, 21039 Hamburg, Germany

Planten un Blomen is effectively a botanic garden combined with a fairytale-like oasis full of the most remarkable flowers, plants and trees.

It’s without a doubt one of the most naturally beautiful areas in Hamburg and it’s a place that absolutely cannot be missed during your trip.

Spend some time wandering around the Japanese garden, the sensual rose garden and the tropical greenhouse.

Make sure you don’t miss the “dancing” water fountains, Wasserspiele, which “perform” to the sounds of classical and jazz music. If you’re in Hamburg over the weekend, head to Planten un Blomen on Saturday night where you’ll also be able to watch a firework show.

Planten un Blomen makes for the perfect place in Hamburg for a romantic date afternoon while strolling through the beatific gardens.

Address: Marseiller Str., 20355 Hamburg, Germany

For younger travellers or those travelling without children, you definitely need to add the infamous Reeperbahn to your list of free things to do in Hamburg.

Reeperbahn is the most famous street in Hamburg for all the wrong reasons. It’s home to the notorious red-light district, as well as an abundance of nightclubs and entertainment centres.

While of course you will have to pay for drinks inside the bars, just simply walking down the street is a good enough way to spend some time on an evening in Hamburg.

There’s also plenty of museums to sink your teeth into that are slightly more risqué than your standard run-of-the-mill city museums, but it’s all great fun to experience this particular way of Hamburg life!

Address: Hamburger Berg 1, 20359 Hamburg, Germany

Dating back to the 19^th century, the Gängeviertel Quarter, or “Alleyway Quarter”, was a district in Hamburg where the local workers lived in timber houses in labyrinthine alleys and streets.

Today, this area in Hamburg serves as a lively corner of the city that’s renowned for its non-profit organisations of parties, concerts, music performances and art exhibits.

While it might be a slightly off the beaten track thing to do in Hamburg, it’s definitely one of the best free attractions if you’re looking to experience an alternative side to the city.

It’ll take you back in time with the derelict buildings and houses, and it shows you a piece of history preserved in time by local activists who refused to see it torn down in 2009.

Address: Valentinskamp 28A, 20355 Hamburg, Germany

The Elbe Tunnel is a 426m long underground pedestrian and vehicle tunnel in the city centre of Hamburg.

Often cited as a “technical sensation”, the tunnel sits 24m below the ground and connects central Hamburg with the docks and shipyards near the harbour.

While it might seem strange to include an underground tunnel in this list of free attractions in Hamburg, it’s actually one of the most unusual and unique activities you can enjoy in Hamburg.

Kids are sure to love walking through the tunnel and being underground for almost half a kilometre. It’s definitely one of the more different things to do in the city, but that’s what makes it so unique and enjoyable!

Address: St. Pauli 1, 20359 Hamburg, Germany

Originating all the way back in 1703, the Hamburg Fish Market is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the city for both locals and tourists.

Beginning at 5am on a Sunday morning, the Fischmarkt comes to life with hundreds of sellers and bargain hunters all trying to get the best deal.

It’s an absolutely remarkable sight to witness and of course you don’t have to be in the mood to purchase anything to enjoy the electric atmosphere!

As well as fish, there’s also ample fruit, vegetables and cheese stalls too and the famous “fish sandwiches” that are overwhelmingly full of freshly caught produce.

This particular product is popular with those rolling back from a night out in Reeperbahn!

Address: Altonaer Fischmarkt, Hamburg, Germany

Alsterarkaden, or Alster Arcades as it’s known in English, is a beautiful and historic Venetian-style arcade that sits along the waterfront in Hamburg.

It’s one of the most picturesque shopping streets in Germany, if not in the whole of Europe and it’s the perfect place to spend a couple of hours mooching around the many shops and restaurants.

The Venetian architecture of Alsterarkaden alone is enough to draw you towards its enticing shop windows, and of course if you have enough self-restraint you don’t need to purchase anything at all!

The Alster Arcades are just a three-minute walk from the Townhall and other popular tourist spots in Hamburg so you can rest assured that it’ll fit easily into your travel itinerary around the city.

Address: 20354 Hamburg, Germany

HafenCity is arguably most famously known for surrounding the Speicherstadt in the centre of Hamburg; AKA, the largest warehouse district in the world, as well as many other notable buildings and attractions.

It’s also home to the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg concert hall and almost every single building in HafenCity is donned in stunning red brick and quintessentially 19^th attire.

You’ll also find the Spice Museum and the Miniature Wunderland model railway at HafenCity, so you have a plethora of different things to explore and activities to enjoy in this harbourside district.

While you’re in the neighbourhood with the kids, make sure you stop off at the HafenCity Universität subway station where you’ll see quirky containers putting on a light show inside the station!

Address: HafenCity, 20457, Hamburg, Germany