Top 10 Hamburg Tourist Attraction Recommendations

Hamburg City Hall

Hamburg City Hall, the pride of the city, is one of the most impressive parliament and government buildings in Germany and was built in the new Renaissance style from 1886 to 1897. Located in the central area between the Alster Lake and the Elbe River, it houses 650 rooms, and is even larger than Buckingham Palace. With a luxurious 112-meter-wide gate, 112-meter-tall turret, and copper roof, the entire tri-wing granite and sandstone building looks huge and magnificent. Located on the edge of the city hall square are 20 bronze statues of the kings and emperors of the German Empire, spanning from Charles the Great until Francis II.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/best-of-hamburg/town-hall/

Jungfernstieg

For many Hamburg locals and tourists, Jungfernstieg is the heart of the city, for it connects the Alster Lake and the surrounding shops and scenic spots. Jungfernstieg lies on the bank of the Alster Lake, where there is the oldest shopping corridor in Hamburg. The one that can represent the Hanseatic city’s grace is the shopping corridor inside Hamburger Hof. Located beside Jungfernstieg is a traditional upscale department store---Alsterhaus, which combines tradition and modernity, and has the world famous brands. In addition, you can also take a rest on Jungfernstieg, while enjoying the afternoon tea, beautiful scenery of the lake, and ancient Hamburg City Hall.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/best-of-hamburg/jungfernstieg/

Hamburg Elbphilharmonie

Located at the western tip of HafenCity is the new landmark of Hamburg---Elbphilharmonie, which is located on the bank of the rippling Elbe River. Built on top of the red brick wall warehouse, once used for storing cocoa, is an irregular 100-meter-tall glass structure building. It was designed by Herzog and de Meuron, both from a Swiss architecture firm. The core of it is a world-class music hall, where there are 2,100 seats. Its opening provides a great stage for the classical music in Hamburg’s blood and the world’s new music stars. Under the wave-shaped rooftop are two different sizes of music halls, a hotel, many private apartments, and the Elbphilharmonie Plaza, a public viewing area, and all of them are inside the Elbphilharmonie.

https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/elbphilharmonie

HafenCity and UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Warehouse District, Kontorhaus District with Chile House

HafenCity is Hamburg’s newly planned urban area, where the modern urban area and the old buildings gather and give off fascinating charms. In Hamburg, you will not find another area like HafenCity. With historical red brick wall warehouse buildings and modern glass wall buildings, HafenCity congregates the old and new elements of Hamburg. HafenCity is adjacent to the city center, located on the bank of the Elbe. Not only can you see unique buildings, but you can also take a tour of a traditional port district and many other types of museums. In addition, restaurants, cafes, and spacious terraces will also be built along the river. HafenCity is the largest city planning and building project within a city in the world. Its appearance changes daily and you can find new architectural highlights as well as all kinds of exhibitions in the city. By visiting the Magellan-Terrassen Square or on the Marco Polo Terraces, you will be experiencing the unique charms of HafenCity. At the Magellan-Terrassen Square, tourists will see the Hamburg landmark Elbphilharmonie, and appreciate its unique architectural style. The Elbphilharmonie is located at the western tip of HafenCity, and it is the newly built music hall in Hamburg.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/hamburg-maritime/hafencity/

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Warehouse District and Kontorhaus District with Chile House

In 2015, Hamburg Warehouse District, as the world’s largest storage complex, was listed by the UNESCO among the World Heritage Sites. Tourists can have a poetic beautiful view at the world-class port: the Wilhelmine Gothic red brick buildings have unique gabbles and little doors, and their reflections in the river look exceptionally mesmerizing. Standing on the central line of the Warehouse District buildings and the river to appreciate the scenery is a special experience. The buildings, with just one meter of space between each other, are arranged in rows on the Elbe riverbank. In addition to the above architectural characteristics, Warehouse District also features many museums, such as the Hamburg Miniature Wonderland, which every tourist visiting Hamburg must go to. It is the world’s largest railway model museum, and also the most popular attraction in Germany. Its carefully designed landscapes and details give people a lasting impression.

Kontorhaus District is also an area where buildings are densely constructed. At the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century, a business district comprised of red brick buildings was created, such as the world famous Chile House, which is among the typical representatives.

Warehouse District and Kontorhaus District intensively show the surprising wealth that the Hanseatic League businessmen have created. The Wilhelmine red brick buildings are very impressive, and that is one of the places you must visit when you travel to Hamburg.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/historic-hamburg/unesco-world-heritage/

The Alster

Located east of the city hall, the Alster is the paradise of tourists, sailboat lovers and shoppers.

Around the lake, tourists can taste delicacies and enjoy shopping, in addition to experiencing the romantic and port style of Hamburg---the northern German metropolis. Tourists can sit down and relax at the cafes or restaurants along the Outer Alster Lake to appreciate the luxurious villas and the lush flower gardens; enjoy the fun of buying luxurious products at the shopping mall beside Jungfernstieg; or jump onto a steam boat to cruise the 160-hectare lake and taste the charms of quietness. Large areas of water and greenery make Hamburg a livable city.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/best-of-hamburg/all-about-the-alster/

Hamburg Miniature Wonderland

The Hamburg Miniature Wonderland features the world’s largest railway model, covering an area of 1,300 square meters, and it is also the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. More than 800 trains keep rushing through day and night in the miniature wonderland where the United States, the Scandinavian Peninsula, Italy, and Switzerland have been modeled in. Tourists can experience a miniature travel of the entire world, and they can also come to the little world by using the varied buttons. You can push the button to help Hamburger Sport Verein (HSV) shoot the ball at the football gate, and use windmills to change the environment of the miniature world. Inside the wonderland, even a helicopter can take off.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/culture-in-hamburg/culture-from-a-to-z/miniatur-wunderland/

Port of Hamburg

The Port of Hamburg is not only a port; it is also one of the largest tourist attractions in Hamburg due to its advantageous location. The Port of Hamburg is the heart of Hamburg, where visitors can experience the different charming of the city, a passion for sailing. The Port of Hamburg is the second largest seaport in Europe and one of the nine largest container ports in the world. About 13,000 ships from all over the world dock here every year, including well-known luxury cruise ships. Visitors can take a stroll through the lakeside boulevard or the pier at the Baumwall district to experience the unique port view. People can also take a motorboat to enjoy the beautiful views of the Port of Hamburg from the River Elbe: huge container ships and small yachts. In addition, visitors can also travel between major museums by boat.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/hamburg-maritime/port-of-hamburg/

St. Michael's Church

The 132-meter-tall St. Michael's Church, colloquially called Michel, is considered to be one of the finest Hanseatic Protestant baroque churches in north Germany. This iconic building attracts more than one million visitors every year. Not only can visitor enjoy an excellent panoramic view over the city in the 82-meter-tall tower platform in the church, but they can also enter the nave of the church to pray. Aside from the orchestra, choir and the “Trinity” band, St. Michael's Church is also known for its 300-year-old tower music. Every day in the Church, three pipe organs are played, and the bell chorus sounds.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/culture-in-hamburg/culture-from-a-to-z/the-michel/

The Reeperbahn and St. Pauli

Inside one of the largest entertainment areas of Europe, the only problem is that you have not imagined enough; there is nothing that isn’t possible. The street where the 100-meter-long ropes used on ships were once placed is now lined with beer houses, bars, nightclubs, cafes, clubs, snack restaurants, and all kinds of entertainment venues. The Reeperbahn is also called "The most glamorous mile in the world," and is a famous entertainment area in Hamburg. Indeed, those who like other types of entertainment activities can also spend their night at Hamburg’s opera houses, and drama rooms.

http://www.hamburg-travel.com/attractions/best-of-hamburg/st.-pauli-reeperbahn/