Hamburg
Germany
Backpacking Hamburg
Information on Hamburg, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Hamburg is a historical port city that dates back to the 9th century AD and is as diverse as it gets since it has been in direct contact with the world for a long time. The diversity is reflected in the city’s culinary landscape and you can find a variety of ethnic or cultural dishes all over the city. Hamburg is also known for having the best nightlife in the world. If you’re after a drink or two then head to the Sternschanze quarter or for a wild night out head to St. Pauli district, luckily both areas are right next to each other. Sternschanze is home to several bars while the crowd here is more local and the atmosphere rather chill. Here you’ll find more people enjoying a beer on the sidewalk on a warm summers evening than in a club. St. Pauli is the center of Hamburg’s bustling nightlife and is home to the Reeperbahn, which is also known as Germany’s most sinful mile and the red light district. There is no shortage of green spaces in Hamburg. Some parks include old bunker’s covered in graffiti and other’s on the Elbe river known for old shipwrecks. There are three rivers running through the city: the Elbe, the Alster, and the Bille. Because of that, Hamburg is full of canals, more than Amsterdam and Venice combined. Hamburg has more bridges than any other city in Europe, with an estimated number of 2,500 within city limits. These bridges and canals are one of the city’s highlights, so make sure you take the time to go on a stroll from the Alster down to HafenCity. Along this route, you’ll some really impressive buildings, including the only remaining piece of Hamburg’s old harbour quarter on Deich St. Take in the beautiful, historic canals and seaside. Make sure to visit the legendary fish market, and do as the locals do by heading there around 5 am after a night out on the town.
Must See
Hamburg Harbor - One of the must see places in Hamburg is the harbor. Go for a walk in the sun while watching ocean worthy ships floating by. Have a look at some souvenirs and listen to old sailors playing accordion. There are many nice restaurants and bars with views of the Elbe river and harbor.
Elbphilharmonie Viewing Platform - Located at the Elbphilharmonie Plaza. The concert hall has a free viewing platform on the 8th floor 37 meters above ground level, you can enjoy a great 360° panorama view of the harbor and the city.
Houses on Deichstraße - The houses of the street Deichstraße are some of the last buildings here before the years 1842. The fire, that destroyed most of Hamburg in that year, didn’t reach Deichstraße.
Must Do
Harbor Trip On a Public Ferry - Hop on a ferry for some fresh air while relaxing and enjoying the view from the top deck. You can hop on and off at each stop. The public ferry will take you along a few sights like the fish market in Altona, the Dockland with a great viewing platform, the museum harbor and the beaches.
Party Boat - Discover the Hamburg harbor in summer on a party boat. The DJs are sure to get the party started and dance parties moving.
Elbstrand - The Elbe beach is a cool spot in spring or summer to chill in the sand till late, have a picnic or a drink and a snack in one of the beach cafés. On summer days, it’s one of Hamburg’s main attractions for locals.
Nightlife
Hamburg has some of the best nightlife in the world with tons to offer that can’t be found anywhere else. The Reeperbahn is the main street and entertainment district in Hamburg's St. Pauli district, one of the two centers of Hamburg's nightlife (the other being Sternschanze) and also the city's major red-light district. If you want to go clubbing head to dance music mainstays such as Halo Club, for classic house music; Bahnhof Pauli, an underground train station club; Baalsaal, which boasts a huge sound system with insane house and techno music; or Fundbureau, an old cellar under a railway bridge. If bars are more your thing, check out Molly Malone, the go-to Irish pub in St. Pauli. Hamburg is super safe and locals are welcoming to tourists as well so it’s easy to meet new people in the city on a night out. Hamburg’s nightlife area is small so you can walk to many places!
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