One Day In Hamburg | How To Spend 24 Hours In The City
This dynamic and contemporary harbour city is a cultural hub. Even with only one day in Hamburg it’s easy to see the best bits of the city.
The unique city is unlike most European cities, it’s not filled with fairy-tale cobbled streets leading to historic market squares. Hamburg may not always be a traveler’s first choice when visiting Germany, ideal if you are looking for somewhere offbeat.
Whilst other German cities like Berlin or Bavarian Munich often steal the spotlight, Hamburg is a hidden gem with a rich historical tapestry. From it’s UNESCO World Heritage Warehouse District to the nightlife of Reeperbahn, made famous for hosting the Beetles in their early years. This bustling city, brimming with energy and tales of the past, offers the perfect for a short yet exciting city break!
Fun Fact: Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city, with only the capital, Berlin, being bigger!
I was lucky enough to spend one day in Hamburg with my mum and sister as part of a HENterrailing (My Hen Do combined with Interrailing) adventure in 2023! We spent a week traveling and visited Bruges, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Copenhagen.
Whether you are visiting Hamburg as a weekend away or as part of a longer, Interrail adventure, it should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Fun Fact: Hamburg is one of the richest cities in Europe with around 2% of it’s population being millionaires.
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Navigation Menu
- FAQ’s
- What’s the most famous thing in Hamburg?
- Is Hamburg worth visiting?
- Is Hamburg expensive?
- Can you walk around Hamburg?
Can you see Hamburg in one day?
Whilst one day in Hamburg is not enough time to see the whole city, it is enough time to cover the main sights. Hamburg serves as a great stop on an interrailing journey with many travellers opting to spend 1 or 2 days in Hamburg.
Where is best to stay in Hamburg?
When choosing where to stay in Hamburg, it’s important to choose somewhere that works best for your travel needs. So if you have an early train the following day, you might want to consider staying close to the station.
Where we stayed
We chose accommodation slightly outside Hamburg city center for budget reasons and to make the most of our limited time in the city. The hotel was conveniently located, with easy access to the center – a 40-minute walk or a direct 14-minute U-Bahn ride from Hamburg Town Hall.
££
- Great location for commuting into town, only a short walk from S-Bahn and U-Bahn Berliner Tor Station.
- Free Wifi, bar and lounge area, luggage storage
- Optional add on breakfast buffet
How to get to Hamburg?
If you are visiting as part of a longer interrail adventure an easy way to get to Hamburg is by train. However, if you are planning to visit Hamburg for a short break on it’s own, flying might offer a more convenient and time-effective option.
Train to Hamburg?
The primary train station in Hamburg is Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. While it is possible to take a train from London to Hamburg, the journey is lengthy and involves multiple changes, especially if Hamburg is your sole destination.
We included Hamburg as part of our Interrailing journey. We took the Eurostar directly from London St Pancras International to Amsterdam, a journey lasting just under 4 hours, and then proceeded to Hamburg.
The cost of the Eurostar can vary depending on the time of year and and when you book. Generally, booking in advance tends to secure more economical fares.
Flying to Hamburg?
The nearest airport to Hamburg is Hamburg International Airport, which connects Hamburg with countries all over the world.
From the airport, public transport links are excellent, with the S1 line linking it to the city centre every 10 minutes. You can purchase tickets easily on arrival from ticket machines in the airport.
Driving to Hamburg?
If you are located in central Europe, driving to Hamburg or taking a coach is an option, but it’s essential to assess travel time, fuel costs, and the availability of parking at your accommodation. In some cases, traveling by train or plane may prove more cost-effective. Additionally, hiring a car in Hamburg may not be necessary as the city is easily navigable on foot or through public transportation.
Cruise to Hamburg?
Hamburg also has a cruise port if you are arriving for a quick stop as part of a cruise. If you dock at HafenCity then the city centre is only a short 20 minute walk away.
One Day in Hamburg | A Complete Itinerary
One Day in Hamburg is ample time to immerse yourself in the charm of this harbour city, taste some of delicious local dishes and see some of its iconic attractions.
Our one day in Hamburg itinerary below features a walking route to explore the top sights, along with enticing food recommendations and top tips.
Day 1
AM
Breakfast at Mutterland
The Binnenalster & Jungfernstieg
The Rathaus / Hamburg Town Hall
St Peter’s Church and Coffee stop
The Kontorhaus district and Chilehaus
Memorial of St Nikolai
Deichstrasse
Speicherstadt
PM
Lunch at Wildes Fräulein
HafenCity
International Maritime Museum
Elbphilharmonie
Church of St. Michael
Dinner at Restaurant Franziskaner
Breakfast at Mutterland
We started our one day in Hamburg near the main station at Mutterland Stammhaus, where they serve a hearty breakfast with lots of healthy options. They pride themselves in producing traditionally made German delicacies and even have a store and chocolate factory above.
You can find their full menu here, but we would recommend the Iss Mir Lachs with beetroot stained goats cheese and a fresh cold pressed juices.
The Binnenalster
Nestled in the heart of Hamburg, the Binnenalster, established in 1250, stands as a vast body of water. Its focal point, the Alster Fountain, graces the scene with its picturesque allure, featuring a water spout that soars up to an impressive 60 meters!
The Binnenalster is the smaller of the two Alster sections, the larger being the Außenalster, covering 164 hectares. When you see the size of the Binnenalster, you will quickly realise you don’t have time to walk around the Außenalster too!
Fun Fact: The Binnenalster contains as much water as all Hamburgs’ residents consume for drinking water in one day!
Jungfernstieg
The Jungfernstieg is an important historical promenade for locals and is located on the southeast side of the Binnenalster.
Prominently positioned in front of the main shopping streets, it connects the city to the water beautifully, with many locals taking lunch breaks or meeting friends here.
Fun Fact: The Jungfernstieg got it’s name from an old family tradition, whereby every Sunday, families would parade their unmarried daughters, known as Jungfern, to potential suiters.
The Rathaus / Hamburg Town Hall
The magnificent Rathaus was completed in 1897 and is located only a short walk from the Jungfernstieg and Binnenalster. It’s detailed architecture is sure to catch your eye as you enter the main square. Hamburg’s parliament and senate assemble here but it is also open to the public if you want a peak inside!
The Rathaus is open to the public and guided tours, 7 days a week form 8am – 6pm.
Fun Fact: The Rathaus is built upon 4,000 wooden poles, to help support it on the shores of the Binnenalster.
St Peter’s Church and coffee at Die Rösterei Coffeum
St Peter or St Petri’s Church is an 11th century Church a short distance from the Rathaus and is Hamburg’s oldest church!
Visitors can climb the 544 steps up to the towers’ viewing platform for panoramic views of the city and lakes. It costs €4 to climb the tower, check here for the latest visiting hours.
Die Rösterei Coffeum, is just a short walk down the street from St Peter’s Church and is the ideal spot for a coffee stop! They have a covered outdoor seating area on the corner so it’s a great spot to people watch whilst enjoying a hot drink!
The Kontorhaus district and Chilehaus
Top Tip: If you are walking through the Kontorhaus district on a Thursday, stop by the regular market that’s held there weekly. You can find it in Burchardplatz, where you can pick up street food or fresh produce!
Speicherstadt
The Speicherstadt is a must see when visiting Hamburg and was the highlight of our trip! The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 19th century and is the world’s largest warehouse complex.
The cobbled streets and red brick gothic architecture create a romantic atmosphere, lose yourself exploring the narrow streets, bridges and islands.
International Maritime Museum
If you have time, why not pop into Hamburg’s oldest warehouse, now home to the International Maritime Museum. It opened in 2008 and is located in HafenCity on the edge of Speicherstadt.
The Museum holds a collection donated by Peter Tamm, who collected miniature ships growing up. It’s now home to over 1 million pictures, 100,000 books, and 38,000 miniature ships, as well as many other nautical exhibits, spread over 9 levels.
HafenCity and Lunch at Wildes FräuleinTasty, co
HafenCity is one of the biggest and most ambitious city developments in Europe. On completion the area will have extended Hamburg’s inner-city by 40%!
Packed with modern architecture, bustling shops and cafes, it’s the perfect spot for lunch after exploring Speicherstadt. There are plenty of places to choose from, we chose to sit outside at Wildes FräuleinTasty. They served fresh and healthy lunch options, like the tomato and mozzarella dish above.
Memorial of St Nikolai
St Nikolai Church was first built in the 12th century, but was destroyed in the Great Fire of Hamburg in 1842. After being rebuilt it was destroyed again during the summer of 1943, when heavy air raids of WW2 hit the city. The raids were known as ‘Operation Gomorrah’ and bombers used the church steeple as a guide on the city. It was never rebuilt after this and instead, turned into a memorial for the 34,000 people that lost their lives during the air raids of summer 1943.
Visitors can now ascend the steeple in a glass lift, where you can view the city from 76 metres above from a panoramic platform.
Deichstrasse
Hamburg’s oldest street, Deichstrasse is all that remains from the great fire of 1842, which destroyed large parts of the city. The timber framed houses that line the street survived and are now all that remains of the city’s previous life.
Take time to walk down the street, explore side alleys down to the canal or have a drink in one of the many cafes / restaurants that now call Deichstrasse home.
Fun Fact: There are many rumours on how the fire started. Some say it started in the cigar factory and other suggest it was set on purpose in order to rebuild and expand Hamburg.
Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie concert hall was opened in 2017, so is a fairly new sight in Hamburg. It’s not far from HafenCity and you can reach it along some of the raised walkways. The polished glass exterior reflects the surrounding harbour and sunset lighting is a magical time to visit!
The Elbphilharmonie also includes the world’s longest curved escalator (arched not spiral), which takes you up to the panoramic viewing platform.
If you have time during your visit you can see what’s on and book tickets here.
Church of St. Michael
The Baroque Church of St. Michael is Hamburg’s largest church and is home to Germany’s largest clock bell. Make time to go inside as it has a stunning intricately decorated gold interior. If you hadn’t gotten enough of Hamburg’s viewing platforms St Michael’s church has yet another breath-taking panoramic viewing platform.
Due to lighting strike, fire and WW2 bombing, the church has been rebuilt and repaired several times, today it’s detailed as one of Germany’s most beautiful churches.
Dinner at Restaurant Franziskaner
Cosy up in this traditional Bavarian tavern style restaurant and tuck into some hearty food. The wooden clad interior makes for an inviting and warm atmosphere, and the perfect place to refuel after a long day. It’s in a great central location and you can find their menu here. We would recommend the sausage, sauerkraut and mashed potato and warm apple strudel for dessert.
Alternative – Dinner at Restaurant Parlament
If you fancy something a little different, how about dinner in Parlament? Yes, you can eat dinner in the restaurant (spelt Parlament) in the basement of the Rathaus, where Hamburg’s Parliament meet!
It’s a great place to try one of Hamburg’s delicacies, Rollmops, which are pickled herring fillets rolled up, often around a savoury filling. Off the menu we would recommend the Original Laskaus Hamburg Style, which is a traditional sailor dish consisting of, fried egg, rollmops, gherkin and beetroot.
If you have more time check out some of these places…
- Old Elbtunnel
- St. Pauli Landing Bridges
- Hamburg Boat Tour
- Kunsthalle Hamburg
- Reeperbahn & Beatles Square
- Miniatur Wunderland
FAQ's
Hopefully one day in Hamburg itinerary has inspired you to take the leap and explore this German city. You might still have a few unanswered questions and that’s ok! We’ve got you covered, listed below are some of the most common FAQ’s.
What's the most famous thing in Hamburg?
Hamburg is famous for it’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Speicherstadt, a 19th century warehouse district and vibrant waterfront. Not only is it famous for it’s architecture and harbour but also it’s unique music scene, most famously, The Beatles began their career here in the early 1960’s.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Hamburg has around 2,500 bridges, that’s more bridges than Venice, Amsterdam and London combined!
Is Hamburg worth visiting?
Yes, Hamburg is definitely worth visiting. The vibrant harbour city is rich in history and a foodies paradise, complete with UNESCO 19th century industrial district. Hamburg should be on everyone’s European bucket list and is in an ideal place for a stop on an interrail adventure.
Is Hamburg expensive?
In short, yes Hamburg is expensive. It’s not the most expensive city in Europe but it is one of the most expensive cities in Germany. This is because Hamburg is a business hub and wealthy port city, which increases the cost of living and therefore cost to visit.
A main course meal in Hamburg would cost you ~€15-18. We would recommend budgeting around €60 – 100 per person per day, depending on where you plan to eat, how you travel and hotel costs.
For one day in Hamburg you really don’t have to spend a lot, as you don’t necessarily have the time to go into all the attractions, the biggest spend is most likely going to be accommodation.
Can you walk around Hamburg?
Yes, Hamburg is a really pedestrian friendly city but it’s still a big city with all the top sights spread fairly far apart in some cases. If you only have one day in Hamburg then it might be a good idea to consider using some public transport to save energy in-between sights.
Public transport in Hamburg is both budget friendly and easy to use, and with the network of transport available you can get almost anywhere in the city quickly and easily. They have the U-Bahn, S-Bahn and buses, as well as taxis, bikes and electric scooters.
Thanks for reading!
Fancy spending a day in Hamburg? We hope our 24 Hours in Hamburg post has you inspired to get booking your next German city break.
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Eve and Nick