The Open Road Travel

Hamburg, Germany, is a city rich in history and culture. A cosmopolitan and diverse destination with plenty to offer, Hamburg is a location I’d highly recommend adding to your travel itinerary.

With superb museums and architectural gems, plus parks and a bustling shopping district, Hamburg has something to suit all visitors.

In this article, I want to show you some of the best areas to stay in Hamburg. I will explain what they offer and why you may want to consider staying there.

So, for an unforgettable trip to this maritime German city, here’s everything you need to know.

The second-largest city in Germany, after Berlin, and 7th largest in the European Union, Hamburg is a major port city in northern Germany.

Hamburg is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River and the city’s numerous waterways and canals are crossed by around 2,500 bridges. This makes Hamburg the city with the largest number of bridges in Europe.

During WWII, large parts of the city were destroyed by bombing and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. For this reason, Hamburg feels quite modern and is home to many examples of impressive modern architecture.

However, there are still several beautiful, historic buildings that thankfully survived air raids.

Due to its proximity to the coast, Hamburg has an Oceanic climate. This means that summers are mildly warm and never too hot. It can get quite chilly in the winter months and sudden showers and winds often bluster in over the harbour throughout the year.

The warmest months in Hamburg are June, July, and August, so if you would like to explore the city in warm weather, this would be the best time to visit Hamburg.

However, as with many European cities, from the end of November, several Christmas markets go up across Hamburg. The city is magical during this period and although it can be cold, you can always warm up with a mug of hot glühwein (mulled wine).

For anyone excited by the prospect of experiencing the city during the festive season, check out our list of the best Christmas markets in Hamburg to find out what's on offer.

The best areas to stay in Hamburg will all depend on what your priorities and interests are.

While most of what is on offer in Hamburg is located around the city centre, you still have several different locations to choose from when it comes to making a decision on where to stay.

Whether you want to visit museums, go on a shopping spree, or just want to take in the sights, I’m going to list a few locations below to help you select the area that best suits you.

Situated in the city centre of Hamburg is Altstadt (not to be confused with Altona-Altstadt). The name of this area is literally "old town" in German. As you may have guessed, this inner-city district is bursting with history and iconic locations.

Altstadt is home to perhaps the most famous attraction in Hamburg, the Hamburg Rathaus. Located in the central square of the city, Rathausmarkt, the acting city hall is one of the most recognisable and historical buildings in Hamburg.

Hamburg's parliament, senate, and mayor all have their seats in this amazing Renaissance Revival building. It is open to the public, and visitors may join a guided tour or visit exhibitions inside.

The Rathausmarkt square often hosts festivals, fairs, and other events, and if you visit Hamburg during the Christmas season, you’ll get to explore the main Christmas market which is held here.

The district of Altstadt also has a collection of iconic churches for visitors to discover. The most famous of these is the church of St. Nikolai. The original main church was destroyed during the war, and now the church ruins serve as a towering memorial against war.

Inside, you can take a glass lift to a 76-metre-high viewing platform inside the spire for wonderful views of Hamburg's centre and harbour.

If museums are your thing, there is a fantastic collection of them on offer. Visitors can learn about the art and history of the area first-hand. Because of this, Altstadt is the best area to stay in Hamburg for history buffs.

Altstadt also has several cultural institutions, such as theatres and convention centres, but for something a little different, why not take a trip to Miniatur Wunderland?

This model railway and miniature airport attraction is the largest of its kind in the world, and it’s still growing.

Miniatur Wunderland is a popular point of interest that appeals to young and old alike. It is a top attraction in not just Hamburg, but Germany as a whole, so is certainly worth a visit.

Altstadt is also one of the best shopping areas in the city. The Mönkebergstrasse is one of the major shopping streets in Hamburg. It is close to the historic City Hall and home to not only large department stores but also smaller fashion boutiques.

Spitalerstrasse is another good spot for shopping. Both of these areas have a wide and diverse range of shops which are perfect for visitors to purchase souvenirs and local products.

If you just feel like taking a gentle stroll after a day of museums and shops, Altstadt is lovely for that and has several statues and plenty of fine old buildings to discover.

Stay In Altstadt If:

• You are interested in the history of Hamburg
• You enjoy shopping
• You are a fan of churches, museums, and galleries
• You want to be in the centre of the city

Set in the heart of the city, Henri Hotel is just an 8-minute stroll from Hamburg City Hall, making it the perfect location to stay in Altstadt.

The elegant, spacious studios come with free Wi-Fi, a large flat-screen TV, minibar, and hot drink facilities. All rooms feature an open bathroom concept with a separate toilet, plus upgraded studios and suites add kitchenettes, dining tables, and sitting areas.

Henri‘s Kontor Kitchen and Lounge offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a rich buffet breakfast, snacks, and drinks, and it is open 24/7.

After a long day, you can relax in the sauna or enjoy complimentary access to the fitness room while taking in the scenic views of the city.

Parking and spa services are both available for a fee.

Located on the city’s western side, St. Pauli is one of the most popular destinations in Hamburg. The neighbourhood of St. Pauli is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Hamburg for nightlife.

Surprisingly, Hamburg can be a quiet city in terms of nightlife, with several places closing by 9 or 10 pm, even on Friday and Saturday nights. However, the same cannot be said for St. Pauli.

Known around the world for its famous Reeperbahn, what’s on offer in St. Pauli is vastly different to the majority of the city.

With plenty of clubs, bars, and other entertainment specifically aimed at adults, the Reeperbahn and surrounding area is known to be the more risqué part of the city.

It is also home to one of Europe's biggest red-light districts and a few more “X-rated” forms of entertainment. For this reason, it can be a popular area for stag dos.

This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but don’t let that put you off the area, as there is plenty more to do.

If you’re in to live music, the annual Reeperbahn Festival, which takes place in September, is the ideal way to get an overview of St. Pauli’s many live music venues. For 4 days, this festival takes place on and around the Reeperbahn strip.

Europe’s largest club festival, the event boasts a broad variety of emerging artists. From heavy metal and punk to jazz and hip-hop, there’s something to appeal to all visitors.

For something a little more light-hearted, Heiligengeistfeld square in St Pauli is where Hamburg DOM, Northern Germany’s biggest funfair, is held.

This fun-filled event takes place 3 times a year in the spring, summer, and winter. If you happen to be travelling to Hamburg while the fair is on, it’s worth a visit.

Bumper cars, rollercoasters, arcades, and more, are sure to keep everyone entertained, no matter what their age. The Winter DOM is a particularly pleasant event, providing an alley of Christmas trees and stalls full of gifts, plus traditional food and mulled wine to warm you up.

Another prominent symbol of St. Pauli is its football club, FC St. Pauli. They can usually be found playing in the second tier of German football and they have a loyal and passionate fanbase, which includes many followers outside of Germany.

Lastly, St. Pauli has a museum and a few other cultural sites on offer. One of these sites being the enormous WWII bunker.

Situated right in the heart of St. Pauli, the former WWII anti-aircraft bunker dominates the skyline and serves as a reminder of the war.

These days, the historical landmark hosts all kinds of music events, and there have been discussions on developing the rooftop into a garden and the bunker itself into a hotel.

Stay In St. Pauli If:

• Nightlife is a priority on your visit
• You want to be located close to the centre of the city
• You are attending an FC St. Pauli football match
• You want to visit Hamburg DOM
  

The ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg is a beautiful, 4-star hotel, situated on St. Pauli’s famous Reeperbahn. It’s the ideal spot to enjoy a trip filled with wild nights out.

It offers spacious, stylish rooms and suites with chic furniture, plus free Wi-Fi, a flat screen TV, iPod docking station, coffeemakers, and minibars.

There's a casual cafe and bar on site. The cafe is a mix of cosy bar and classic coffee house, and is the perfect location for speciality coffees, tarts, and cakes. The cafe also serves a hearty buffet breakfast each morning, which is available for a fee.

St Pauli Underground Station is located just 150 yards away and gives a direct connection to Hamburg Central Train Station.

Other amenities at ARCOTEL Onyx include a fitness room, a sauna, and a steam room.

To the south of the city centre, on the Grasbrook island in the Elbe River, is the emerging neighbourhood of Hafencity.

This former port of the city is now considered to be Europe’s largest inner-city urban regeneration project. This means that new establishments, like hotels, offices, and shops, are continually being built.

If you would like to stay in a more relaxed environment, while being close to the centre of Hamburg, Hafencity would be an ideal area to stay.

The modern architecture of Hafencity contrasts greatly with that of the nearby Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district where the red-brick buildings stand on timber-pile foundations.

This warehouse district was built into the Elbe river between the years of 1883 and the 1920s and was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage in 2015. You can take a lovely stroll along the canals to get a good view of this historic site.

In addition to the prominent location of Hafencity, the up-and-coming neighbourhood is the best place to stay in Hamburg on a budget. As the area hasn’t yet formed a reputation, you can find some good deals.

The neighbourhood also holds an array of wonderful shops, bars, and restaurants, along with numerous attractions.

One of these popular attractions is the Internationales Maritimes Museum. If you’re in to seafaring or naval history, this museum is a must see.

It holds the world's largest private collection of maritime treasures and is located in Kaispeicher B, one of the most well-preserved former warehouses in the Speicherstadt.

Three thousand years’ worth of maritime history is on display throughout the 10 floors of the museum and visitors can view an enormous collection of ship models, paintings, and numerous nautical devices.

The exhibition offers something for those of all tastes and age groups, plus guided tours are offered as well.

There are a few other notable attractions in the area too, including the old port. This makes a fantastic stop for anyone interested in traditional boats and, if you’d like, you can even book tickets to sail on one.

Another significant attraction in the area is the Elbphilharmonie. The Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall has unquestionably become Hamburg's architectural and cultural landmark since it opened in 2017 and is among the largest concert halls in the world.

The building complex even houses a luxury hotel, along with a restaurant and 45 exclusive private apartments. Even if you are not attending an event at the concert hall, it is well worth seeing while staying in the city.

Stay In Hafencity If:

• You are attending an event at, or want to see, the Elbphilharmonie
• You are travelling on a budget
• You want river views
• You are interested in boats or naval history
  

This 4-star, waterfront hotel offers spacious, modern rooms fitted with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar, coffeemaker, and private bathroom, plus some rooms boast balconies with river views.

The historic Speicherstadt is around a 10-minute walk from the accommodation and just outside the hotel is a subway station, which means easy access to other parts of the city.

There is an on-site restaurant with a casual atmosphere and a terrace, plus a beer garden. The extensive breakfast menu offers continental, a buffet, or vegetarian options.

If you are travelling with children, there is a ship-themed play and climbing area available for them to use.

JUFA Hotel has a 24-hour front desk and, if you’re using a car while in Hamburg, secured parking is available for a fee.

North from Hafencity is the neighbourhood of St. Georg. Situated on the bank of Aussenalster lake, this location provides some of the most beautiful views in Hamburg.

The Hamburg Hauptbahnhof railway station and Hamburg Central Bus Station are both located here and have regular long-distance buses and trains in and out of the city. This makes St. Georg an ideal spot for anyone travelling into Hamburg via either of those means.

The area is only a short walk into the city centre, which allows you to explore some of the more local areas as well as the popular attractions. This can give you a much better representation of Hamburg as a whole.

For this reason, St. Georg is the best area to stay in Hamburg for first time visitors.

St Georg is a lively, colourful neighbourhood, with tons of galleries, restaurants, and bars. The area is rich in diversity and is not only multicultural, with a strong middle-eastern presence, but it is also a long-running LGBT district.

The LGBT community has been most active and vibrant in and around the Lange Reihe Street. Here you’ll see plenty of restaurants and shops flying the rainbow flag, plus tons of gay bars and cafes.

The Steindamm shopping street in St. Georg is a busy road lined with Middle Eastern restaurants and minimarkets, along with a large mosque. Many of the shops and eateries here are run by members of Hamburg’s middle eastern communities.

As mentioned before, St. Georg is situated on the Aussenalster lake. This stunning expanse of water is commonly used for recreational activities such as sailing, boating, and fishing.

Enjoy the views of this lovely lake while having a drink or bite to eat at one of the many waterfront cafes or restaurants.

You can sail around the lake in a public sightseeing boat or even rent a private boat from one of the many kiosks around the lake. But if you’d prefer to be by the water rather than on it, you can enjoy a relaxing walk along the green banks of the lake while taking in the views.

St. Georg also features some of the best value accommodation in the city. You can get so much more for your money, so the area can be a good choice if you’re travelling on a budget.

With the city centre being a 20-minute walk along the shore of the lake, the neighbourhood offers visitors quick and easy access into the heart of the city.

Stay In St. Georg If:

•  You want to remain near the station
• It’s your first time in Hamburg
• You are travelling on a budget
• You want to be close enough to iconic attractions
• You are part of the middle eastern or LGBT communities
  

This beautiful hotel is located on a quiet street and offers stunning lake views, friendly staff, and an amazing price.

Lange Reihe’s many shops, restaurants, and bars can be reached on foot from the hotel, while the bus and railway station are both under 20 minutes away.

The Art Nouveau style hotel features modern rooms with minibars, en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a TV. Suites in Relaxa Hotel provide additional sitting areas and some rooms have a small balcony.

There are 2 on-site restaurants with lake views. The restaurant and bar "Lower Deck” offers regional and seasonal dishes, while "Alster Charme” offers a rich and varied breakfast buffet or light lunch.

Hamburg is a fantastic city to visit, and one which will give visitors plenty to explore while they’re there. While many of the attractions are located close by to one another, there are still things spread further afield that will appeal to different types of people.

Hopefully, this article has given you a clearer view of the best areas to stay in Hamburg when you decide to plan your own trip. All that’s left for you to do is go and get everything booked, so you can look forward to experiencing it all yourself.