Germany · 3 days · 15 stops
3 days in Hamburg – a ready-made itinerary
Hamburg is shaped by water: the port, the Elbe and the Alster. Day one covers the old town and Speicherstadt, day two the port and St. Pauli, and day three the Alster and the districts to the west. Each day's stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 15 stops
- Highlights
- Hamburg City Hall, St. Michael's Church, Hamburger Kunsthalle, St. Nicholas Memorial, Speicherstadt
- Where to stay
- St. Georg, Neustadt and the Portuguese Quarter
- Getting around
- The city centre is walkable.
- Best time to go
- May to September is most pleasant, when people sit outside by the water.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Old town, Speicherstadt and HafenCity
Hamburg City Hall
The grand town hall with more than 600 rooms. Guided tours of the state rooms run several times a day.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hamburg City Hallabout 5 min on foot
St. Nicholas Memorial
The ruin of a church destroyed in the war. A lift in the tower takes you up to a viewing platform.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Nicholas Memorialabout 5 min on foot
Speicherstadt
Brick warehouses on oak piles along the canals, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Best seen from the bridges.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Speicherstadtabout 5 min on foot
Miniatur Wunderland
The world's largest model railway, with an airport and whole countries. Book a timed ticket online in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Miniatur Wunderlandabout 5 min on foot
Elbphilharmonie
The concert hall on top of an old warehouse. The Plaza with its all-round view is open without a concert ticket – get a pass at the entrance or online.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Elbphilharmonie
Day 2
The port, the Elbe and St. Pauli
St. Michael's Church
The 'Michel', Hamburg's best-known church. From the tower – there is a lift – you look out over the port and city.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Michael's Churchabout 15 min on foot
St. Pauli Piers (Landungsbrücken)
Harbour tours start here, about an hour among container ships and docks.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Pauli Piers (Landungsbrücken)right next door
Old Elbe Tunnel
A 1911 tunnel under the Elbe that you can walk through. On the far side, look back at the piers.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Old Elbe TunnelBack through the tunnel, then harbour ferry 62 from Landungsbrücken to Neumühlen/Övelgönne, about 20 minutes.
Övelgönne beach
A sandy beach on the Elbe with big ships passing right by. The Strandperle is an institution for coffee or a beer.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Övelgönne beachFerry or bus back to St. Pauli, about 25 minutes.
Reeperbahn
St. Pauli's entertainment strip with theatres, clubs and bars. Very busy and loud at weekends.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Reeperbahn
Day 3
The Alster, a park and the Schanze
Hamburger Kunsthalle
A large art museum by the main station, from Old Masters to contemporary art, including Caspar David Friedrich.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hamburger Kunsthalleabout 20 min on foot
Outer Alster
The big lake in the middle of the city. Walk part of the shore or take an Alster steamer.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Outer Alsterabout 30 min on foot
Jungfernstieg
The promenade on the Inner Alster with its fountain. Cafés under the Alster Arcades next door.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jungfernstiegabout 20 min on foot
Planten un Blomen
A large park with a Japanese garden and rose garden. Summer evenings often bring water-light shows – check first.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Planten un Blomenabout 20 min on foot
Schanzenviertel
A lively district with cafés, bars and cheap restaurants around Schulterblatt.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Schanzenviertel
Good to know
Best time to go
May to September is most pleasant, when people sit outside by the water. It rains all year, so always pack a jacket. December brings Christmas markets, but it is cold and dark early.
Getting around
The city centre is walkable. U-Bahn, S-Bahn and buses run frequently, and the harbour ferries are part of regular public transport. Buy tickets from machines or via the app. The S-Bahn reaches the main station from the airport in about 25 minutes.
Where to stay
St. Georg
Right by the main station and the Alster, with lots of hotels and restaurants. The station area itself is a bit rough.
Neustadt and the Portuguese Quarter
Between the Michel and the piers, close to the port. Good if you want fish for dinner and to be near the water.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
Hamburg: frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Hamburg?
Yes, for the port, the old town and the Alster. With more time, add Blankenese on the Elbe or a musical.
How do I get into the Elbphilharmonie?
The Plaza is open without a concert ticket. Get a pass on site or online in advance; concert tickets often sell out early.
Is the ferry a good alternative to a harbour tour?
Ferry 62 is a cheap alternative and runs on a normal public transport ticket. Only the tour gives you commentary on the port.
When is the fish market?
The fish market in Altona takes place early on Sunday mornings. Times change with the season – check before you go.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Evgenii Salganik, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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