Germany is undoubtedly one of the best countries in Europe as it’s home to so many incredible cities that are perfect for a weekend break or a longer holiday.
Places such as Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich are all great places to visit, but today we wanted to share our love for Hamburg with you and recommend all the best things to do there.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for your upcoming trip to Hamburg, we’ve got just the list for you!
Below, you’ll find our recommendations of the 10 best free attractions in Hamburg, as well as the top paid things to do in the city.
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...
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 17th 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...
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...
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...
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...
Dating back to the 19th 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 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...
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...
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...
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 19th attire.
You’ll also find the Spice...
Discover Lubeck in a day (Day trip from Hamburg)
Private Small-Group Hamburg City Tour with a Luxury Vehicle
Discover Hamburg Walking Tour
St. Pauli and the Port of Hamburg Tour
Hop-on hop-off on the water with the Maritime Circle Line in Hamburg
Hamburg Reeperbahn Guided Pub Crawl
Guided Hamburg City Bike Tour
Hamburg Card
There are many things you can do for free in Hamburg like booking free entry into some Hamburg museums, joining locals to do some free activities and others. This allows you to have fun and relax on a budget or save for further experiences on your trip.