Stay & explore Hamburg
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Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city with almost two million inhabitants. The city has a world-famous port, a rich cultural history and many beautiful old buildings characterised by numerous clinker brick facades. The Speicherstadt and the neighbouring Kontorhaus quarter have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2015.
Enjoy the city’s cosmopolitan nature, too! The St. Pauli entertainment district, including the Reeperbahn, is internationally renowned and worth a visit.
✨ Host City ambassador
Hamburg-born Patrick Esume played for two local American Football teams, the Silver Eagles and the Blue Devils, and after a spell as a coach is now commissioner of the European League of Football.
Check out the top things to see, do and eat, along with our guides on where to stay and how to budget your trip to Hamburg ⬇️
💡 Helpful tips when visiting
🗣️ Sprinkle a little Deutsch: German might not be the easiest language to learn, but a simple "Bitte" (please) and "Danke" (thank you) will go a long way with the locals.
💶 Cash matters: While debit cards are widely accepted, having some cash on hand is wise. It's especially helpful at independent eateries, bakeries and markets, where cash is still king.
🪙 Tipping etiquette: Tipping is customary in Germany. In restaurants, it's common to round up the bill, and in bars, leaving a modest tip for excellent service is appreciated.
💧 Stay hydrated: German tap water is safe and delicious. Carry a reusable bottle, allowing you to refill at public drinking fountains.
🏪 Lazy Sundays: Most shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays, so plan ahead and get your shopping done on Saturdays. Don’t worry, restaurants and attractions remain open.
Recycle like a champion ♻️
Germany takes recycling seriously – and it’s great for your wallet too!
🪙 Did you know that you pay a refundable deposit on your bottle in Germany? Simply bring them back to any supermarket to claim 25ct for every PET bottle and 8ct for every glass bottle.
🚮 Be like the Germans and sort your waste into different bins to score eco-friendly points during your stay.
👀 What to do
The “Elphi”, as Hamburg’s new landmark is affectionately called, is the city’s top attraction. Access to the Plaza on top of the building (37 metres high) is free of charge. From there, you can admire a splendid view of the city and the Elbe river.
Check out the official website | Open in Google Maps
The Port of Hamburg is more than just a distinctive landmark. Known as Germany’s gateway to the world, it’s the largest port in the country. The St. Pauli Piers (Landungsbrücken) is the main landing site in the port and is a major tourist attraction itself.
Check out the official website | Open in Google Maps
St. Michaelis Church, known as Michel, is a Lutheran building in Hamburg considered one of the most important baroque churches in northern Germany. Its impressive nave, vaulted cellar and the magnificent views from the tower are well worth a visit.
Check out the official website | Open in Google Maps
The Reeperbahn is a street in the St. Pauli district known for its lively nightlife. It’s more than just an entertainment area for tourists, as the Indra music club in Reeperbahn is where the Beatles first made their name in the early 1960s.
Check out the official website | Open in Google Maps
Interested in taking a trip around the world while in Hamburg for EURO 2024? Miniatur Wunderland in the historic Speicherstadt district is the place for you to learn more about Germany and countless other countries. It also boasts the largest model railway in the world.
Check out the official website | Open in Google Maps
🛏️ Where to stay - powered by Booking.com
Accommodation guides 🌟
We’ve partnered up with Booking.com to help you find the perfect accommodation for your budget and travel needs. Check out the location and budget guides below to find out which areas and types of accommodation are most suitable for you to stay in.
💶 Hamburg accommodation budget guide
As Germany’s second-largest city and a popular weekend destination, Hamburg offers a range of accommodation options to suit your budget. Booking as early as possible will help you get the best price and a variety of options in terms of location.
Each neighbourhood in this harbour city has something a little different to offer, and its extensive public transport system means you’re never too far away from the centre. If you’re after a cheaper stay, look for places that are less central but still close to a U-Bahn or S-Bahn station so you can easily get around.
🛏️ Hostels from €30/night*
🏘️ Rental apartments from €105/night*
🏨 Hotels from €105/night*
🏙️ Luxury hotels from €180/night*
*Rates may increase closer to the tournament. Book early for the best deals ⬇️
📍 Hamburg accommodation location guide
You’ll find a handful of hotels and apartments near the stadium to stay close to the action. Situated to the north-west of the city centre, Stellingen is a quieter and more residential area, a perfect fit for a family-friendly break from football fever!
From Stellingen, you can opt for a 25-minute walk to the stadium or use public transport. It’ll take you approximately 30 minutes by public transport to join the Fan Zone in Heiligengeistfeld.
Heiligengeistfeld will be transformed into the ultimate gathering spot for fans to watch live match screenings within easy reach of food and drink stalls. There are plenty of accommodation options in nearby St. Pauli, but you can also consider Sternschanze and Karolinenviertel, which are a short walk from the Reeperbahn. These neighbourhoods offer an alternative party vibe, with plenty of bars and late-night snack shops.
Sternschanze is a 20-minute walk from Fan Zone Heiligengeistfeld, while Karolinenviertel is only 10 minutes away on foot.
If you’re travelling to Hamburg by train, consider staying in St. Georg, located to the east of Hamburg Central Station. This vibrant neighbourhood is known for its design shops and art museums like the Kunsthalle Hamburg. The luxury hotels overlooking Alster Lake offer a more refined experience, and in your downtime between matches, you can take a stroll along the main shopping street of Lange Reihe. St. Georg is also popular amongst the city’s LGBTQI+ community and you’ll find many establishments championing diversity.
Volksparkstadion Hamburg is 40 minutes away by public transport, while the trip to the Fan Zone Heiligengeistfeld will take 20 minutes.
To truly experience the city, stay in one of the many centrally located hotels in the Altstadt (Old Town) or Neustadt (New Town), where old and new architecture blend to form a distinct skyline. You can visit traditional landmarks like the Hamburg Town Hall or take in views of the canal from the Alster Arcade. Adjacent to the Altstadt, the harbourside HafenCity is another location option and is famous for the “Elphi” and UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt warehouse district.
From the centre, you can reach Volksparkstadion Hamburg by public transport within 45 minutes and can walk to the Fan Zone Heiligengeistfeld in approximately 25 minutes.
Hamburg is renowned for its nightlife, which means you’ll be spoilt for choice if you want to keep the celebrations going after a match. A selection of hotels, hostels and apartments line the Reeperbahn – party center of the St. Pauli district. As the sun sets, the area comes alive with neon signs and a buzz from all the bars, pubs and clubs. Hit up a local sports bar to grab a pint with fellow football fans!
St. Pauli is 40 minutes from the stadium via public transport, and the Fan Zone Heiligengeistfeld is just around the corner.
🍴 What to eat & drink
Take some time to explore the local culinary scene during EURO 2024 and taste some of the delicacies from northern Germany listed below. If you’re looking for a restaurant, check out the restaurant guide on the official Hamburg website to find the ideal place for you.
For many people in Hamburg, a day starts with a Franzbrötchen - a small, sweet pastry. There's a wide range of options for all tastes: with raisins, pumpkin seeds, chocolate, apple, etc.
Due to its proximity to water, Hamburg has plenty of fish to offer. If you are on the go, buy yourself a Fischbrötchen, a sandwich made with fish and onions, and sometimes with remoulade and pickles.
Known as Hamburg’s speciality dish, Labskaus consists of mashed and boiled potatoes, cured meat, preserved herring, onions, beetroot and a fried egg. You can find different variations of Labskaus, some including fish and some without.
This traditional dish from Hamburg is a must when visiting the city. It includes roasted potatoes, fried or boiled fish, and a mustard sauce thickened with flour.
Was the currywurst invented in Berlin or Hamburg? There’s still an ongoing debate today, but regardless both Berliners and Hamburgers agree that currywurst is a delicious street food!
Very popular in northern Germany, Rote Grütze is made by cooking a mixture of red berries with sugar. It has a similar texture to pudding and is often served with cold milk, vanilla sauce or ice cream.
🌃 If you’re interested in trying out local drinks, head to Reeperbahn, the main destination when it comes to nightlife. Exciting bars and pubs can also be found in Schanze, St. Georg and Altona.
🏳️🌈 Hamburg’s friendly and open vibe makes it a great destination for LGBTQI+ visitors. Check out more information on the best LGBTQI+ spots in Hamburg. If you’re staying in the area after EURO 2024, Christopher Street Day will take place in the city centre on 3 August 2024.
ℹ️ ️Tourist and emergency info
With the abundance of things to see and do in the city, make sure to read Hamburg’s official tourism page for regular updates and ideas when planning your trip.
Local emergency services 🚨
Sometimes, unforeseen accidents happen. We want you to stay safe in Hamburg, so if you are involved in an emergency of any kind, immediately dial 112, the European emergency number free of charge to receive assistance from police, fire or ambulance service.