The best things to do in Hamburg

The perfect snack for a city of sea-farers, a shrimp roll is a must in this harbor city. To find the freshest example of the North Sea crustacean on crusty bread, head to the St. Pauli Fischmarkt. Every Sunday morning the bartering kicks off bright and early from stalls on the Elbuferpromenade on the shores of the Elbe river, where barkers battle it out and locals pack up baskets of all the fixings for a fresh fish dinner. You’ll find fruit, flowers, clothing and souvenirs alongside the ocean harvest. Since the market is only steps away from the bars and clubs of the Reeperbahn, it’s often a last stop for revelers. To keep the party going, head into the fish auction hall, a recently restored 1895 building where bands play rock and jazz music.

For the best retro or vintage souvenirs, head to Flohschanze, considered by many to be the city’s best flea market. Every Saturday, hundreds of vendors hold court at the market, which is located in the hip Schanzenviertel district near an old slaughterhouse and has an excellent view of the FC St. Pauli soccer stadium. Just about everything is on offer, from Mid-Century light fixtures to brass candle sticks, used bicycles, clothes, furniture and even car batteries. While you won’t find brand new items from local retailers, that’s a good thing; it’s a flea market in the truest sense, meaning bargains are to be found. Toilets are in a trailer on site, and offer a clean experience for a small charge.

Is that a siren in the air? Oh no, a building is on fire! Here come the fire trucks… a tragedy in Miniatur Wunderland unfolds. In this exhibit, which draws 1.3 million visitors a year, a tiny world is spread out over 1,350 square feet. For more than 16 years, the minds behind Miniatur Wunderland have been building an international journey that goes from America to Germany, Scandinavia, Austria, and now Italy (which opened in 2016). The exhibit is home to the world’s largest model train display (50,000 feet) as well as 385,000 LEDs which glow when the world switches from day to night—this happens every 15 minutes. Don’t miss the journey through history on the entrance floor; while the audio headsets are only in German, English subtitles are visible on the screens inside displays. Tickets are reasonably priced, and there are discounts for children, those with disabilities and senior citizens. Book them in advance through the online reservation system to skip the wait.

This live music club, which proudly calls itself “Hamburg’s loudest sauna,” has been attracting a wide variety of bands and musicians since 1974—making it one of the city’s oldest and most beloved music institutions. The venue was built as a furniture store after World War II, before its transformation into a student restaurant with cheap food and the occasional concert. Slowly, the concerts took over. The 40 years of Das Logo’s existence have not been easy; financial dire straits have led to near-closure several times over the years. However, the band plays on—on a 26-by-13 foot stage—and both local and international talent continue to deliver memorable evenings. With a maximum capacity of 450 people, the club is often sold out to music enthusiasts from Hamburg and beyond.