Eliza Apperly

Once the beating heart of Hamburg counter-culture, the Sternschanze – also known as the Sternschanze or simply the ‘Schanze’ – has followed a typical gentrification trajectory over the last decade. Once the home turf of punks, artists and activists, it became the neighbourhood of choice for style-conscious media professionals who largely priced out the original residents who gave the quarter its interest and edge. Nevertheless, the Schanze remains one of the most engaging neighborhoods in Hamburg, with elegant buildings and a number of great bars, cafes, clubs, record stores, antique shops and independent boutiques. The long-contested Rote Flora squat and cultural centre is a surviving token of Schanze activism, campaigning on issues including immigration, nationalism and the privatization of public space. Where to stay in Schanzenviertel A couple of minutes from the Sternschanze S-Bahn station by foot, Fritz in Pyjama is hip, colorful and comfortable, with individually decorated rooms and studios for a good, mid-range price. It’s on a fairly busy street, so ask for a room at the back if you’re a light sleeper.  Where to eat in Schanzenviertel An all-night neighborhood institution and post-party favorite, the no-nonsense Erika’s Eck promises chilled beer and huge portions of schnitzel from 5pm to 2pm the next day, or 9am on weekends. Offering simple breakfast and lunch staples, Café unter den Linden has an old-school charm, lovely terrace and a great selection of internationa

Northeast of the Altstadt, the St Georg district spans from seedy sex-shops around Hamburg’s central station to luxury hotels and penthouse apartments overlooking the Outer Alster lake. Hamburg Pride parade kicks off here each year and the neighbourhood remains the most vibrant LGBTQ quarter in town, centered around the hundreds of buzzing bars and cafés along the Lange Reihe. St Georg is also a thriving multi-ethnic community with a number of Turkish, Indian, Irani and Afghan eateries and minimarkets along the Steindamm and around Hansaplatz square. The district is home to both the Centrum Mosque and the Mariendom, seat of the Archbishop of Hamburg, as well as the Deutsches SchauSpielHaus theatre and the Savoy, one of the best-loved cinemas in town.  Where to stay in St Georg Avoid the area directly around the station and head towards the Lange Reihe and/or the lake. The Aussen Alster hotel is neatly located between the two with a 90s style décor that’s slightly tired in the bedrooms but still fresh and elegant downstairs. It’s got a lovely sunny terrace, bicycles and even its own sailing boat available for guest use.  Where to eat in St Georg Try Cox for upper-end French cuisine and candlelight, Gao Kitchen for good value Vietnamese.  Where to drink in St Georg With a waterfront location, live piano music and many the resident celebrity, the bar at the Hotel Atlantic Kempinksi is a popular point of cocktail pilgrimage, particularly for fans of German rock legend Udo Lindenb

At various points in its history, Hamburg’s been known as many things. A harbour city, media capital, millionaire’s metropolis and anarchist hub – and occasionally all at once. Germany’s second-largest city offers an intoxicating mix of blustery North Sea winds, rollicking nightlife, rich Hanseatic history and radical politics. Hamburg’s got more bridges than Venice and basks in a crisp northern light. It’s a city defined by its proximity to water, from its Sunday morning Fischmarkt and the picturesque Strandperle beach through to the Schanzenviertel, the traditional – if now much gentrified – heart of Hamburg counter-culture. It’s a city of contrasts: of the red light thrill of the Reeperbahn and world-class cultural institutions like the Elbphilharmonie and the Hamburger Kunsthalle. So without further ado, here are the best attractions in Hamburg right now.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to what to do in Hamburg Eliza Apperly is a writer based in Germany. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

As one of the most diverse cities in Germany, Hamburg is famed for a variety of things, from its world-class Elbphilharmonie concert hall and array of art museums to the buzzing bars of the Reeperbahn and 19th-century architecture giving its vibrant neighbourhoods their characteristic historic depth. And for when you need to kick back and take a breather? Well, that's taken care of by the best Hamburg hotels. The port city has accommodation to fit any need, featuring everything from luxurious waterfront establishments and flawlessly designed boutiques to highly functional (and still rather fancy) hostels. Find out more about where to stay in Hamburg RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in HamburgThe best restaurants in HamburgThe best attractions in HamburgThe best Airbnbs in Hamburg This guide was written by Germany-based writer Eliza Apperly. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The best attractions in Munich represent everything that makes this city such a thrilling visit, from its outstanding art museums to delicious food markets. Munich is famous for its beer gardens and for good reasons, but the best things to do here will offer you plenty of distractions to keep you out of the booze tents – for a while at least.  When you come to Munich, you often come for the infamous beer scene, but leave with memories of the glistening mountain spas, musing over the vast and unique collections of Brandhorst alongside other noteworthy museums, and meandering through the sublime gardens. So, if it's the best of the best you're after – the cream of the crop, the top table – you've come to the right place because we've rounded up our favourite Munich attractions. And if you do want to explore more things beer-related, we've recommended a great contemporary organic brewery to visit.  RECOMMENDED:📍Check out the best museums in Munich🏨 Book a stay at one of the best hotels in Munich This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

With its world-renowned opera, star-studded art collections and purring BMW motors, Munich is a hub of German prosperity as much as regional Bavarian pride. Its thriving local economy and highly desirable location have made it the most expensive German city for real estate, not to mention the home of numerous extravagant hotels. But Munich need not blow your traveller’s bank. If you’d rather save your Euros for the city’s best bars, good cheer or many cultural showstoppers, these are some of the city’s best affordable hotels. Whether you opt for Altstadt affordability at the dependable Motel One, homely charms at the Laimer Hof or a classic backpackers’ haunt at the Euro Hostel, take your affordable pick and sleep cheap and well. RECOMMENDED:📍 Where to stay in Munich Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Want to be sure you're booking one of the best hotels in Munich? Choose the serene design-forward Louis Hotel, the simple yet homey Laimer Hof or the historic splendour of the Bayerischer Hof – or any other establishment in this list...  Forget Vienna. Forget Geneva. This city’s Italianate flair, mountain views and world-class art collections make it quite simply one of the most refined places you could imagine. In fact, many would argue Munich is far and away the most charming European city there is. And that’s no doubt thanks also to its phenomenal array of killer restaurants and things to do. Whether you’re in town for the opera, en route to the ski slopes or touring Munich’s mind-blowing museums and attractions, you're bound to find a superb place to spend the night.  RECOMMENDED: 🏠 The best Airbnbs in Munich💰 The best cheap hotels in Munich🚶 The best tours to do in Munich📍 Where to stay in Munich This guide was recently updated by travel and destinations expect, Huw Oliver. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Don’t let it be overshadowed by the likes of Berlin: Hamburg is a great night out in and of itself. And sure, it’s less queueing for three hours and partying until 9am, but that makes it all the better for a city break. The best thing about the nightlife here? Bars, and lots of them. Here you’ll find everything from glitzy basement cocktail dens to vinyl-spinning DJs, and plenty of local craft beer too. Ready for your Hamburg night out? Here are the city’s best bars right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Hamburg🐟 The best restaurants in Hamburg🛏 The best hotels in Hamburg Eliza Apperly is a writer based in Germany. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

If you’re headed to Munich, it’s highly likely that drinking beer is relatively high (at the top) of your list. And you won’t be disappointed: Munich is home to a whole load of seriously good places to drink. But let’s be clear, if you’re just here to drink beer, you should be taking a look at our other feature, ‘Where to drink beer in Munich’.  Where you are right now, we’re talking about all sorts of bars. Swanky cocktail bars. Outdoor beer gardens. Cosy gastropubs serving up rows and rows of cloudy-looking cask ales. Munich’s drinking culture is second to none, and it tends to serve up some pretty tasty bar snacks too. Here are the best bars in Munich, for all types of drinkers.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Munich🚂 The best day trips from Munich🍴 The best restaurants in Munich🏨 The best hotels in Munich This article was updated by Paul Wheatley, a writer based in Munich. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Munich is one of the epicentres of German culture, from fantastic beer and unforgettable weisswurst to shopping spots and bathing saunas. It’s a city that is buzzing with life, with beautiful medieval architecture and cracking museums and galleries, but one of its best features? How well connected it is.  That’s right. If you’re making the trip to Munich, you’d be crazy to miss out on some of the nearby hotspots, where you can indulge in even more beer and even more sausages. Tiny, well-preserved cities are just a quick train ride away, or go a little further to find prime spots for skiing, hiking and biking. Whatever you’re after, here are the best day trips from Munich.  RECOMMENDED:🇩🇪 The best places to visit in Germany📍 The best things to do in Munich🍺 The best places to drink beer in Munich🏺 The best museums in Munich🏛️ The most beautiful buildings in Munich Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Anyone who’s been to Venice can account for just how magical it is. Those winding streets, pizza stands and rows and rows of sand-coloured buildings will have you lost for hours, and you’ll want to go back again and again. But we will say this – on a smoking hot day in the middle of summer, with tourists everywhere you turn, that city can be a lot.  So our best tip? Check out another brilliant city nearby to make the most of your trip, whether it’s for a few nights or just for the day. If you’re looking for beautiful architecture and serene lakes, hiking spots and Renaissance gardens, there’s something for you near Venice, and it’s probably only a train ride away. Here are the best day trips from Venice.  RECOMMENDED:🇮🇹 The best places to visit in Italy🛶 The best things to do in Venice🍝 The best Venice restaurants🏘️ Where to stay in Venice🎭 The best attractions in Venice Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Should the brisk north winds leave you in the mood for a day trip out of town, you’re in luck. While big, proud Hamburg is no doubt the major North German metropolis brimming with attractions and things to do, there are several superb destinations just an hour or two from the city – not least its Hanseatic sisters of Bremen and Lübeck, and picture-perfect Lüneberg, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the country. For a dose of fresh air and forest, don’t miss the fairytale lake Schloss of Schwerin, or hire a bike and pedal through the apple, pear and cherry trees of the Altes Land, the North German answer to agri-tourism. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Hamburg🐟 The best restaurants in Hamburg🛏 The best hotels in Hamburg💡 Hamburg travel tips every first-time visitor needs to know

What’s the vibe? It was several years late on completion and ran ten times over budget, but strains to patience and purse strings were largely forgiven ever since Hamburgers were able to swoon up at the ‘ElPhi.’ On a peninsula of the Elbe river, the Herzog & de Meuron-designed building combines the red-brick Kaispeicher, formerly Hamburg’s biggest warehouse, with a soaring, glass-fronted structure on top. What can I do there? As well as its three concert venues, the building accommodates a hotel, residential apartments and various eateries – as well as being the star of Hamburg’s skyline. There’s often fierce competition for concert tickets, but the public access ‘Plaza’ viewing platform allows for both an impression of the building’s interior and 360-degree view of the city and harbour. There are also guided tours outside of performance hours, available to book online or at the ticket office. Time Out tip If you want to keep things more spontaneous, just swing by and admire from the outside; with its roof contoured like wave crests and its façade of 1,000 curving window panels reflecting the sky, sunlight and water, much of ElPhi’s impact is exterior; as hefty as an Atlantic liner, as aqueous and shimmering as the sea. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025.  📍 Discover the best attractions in Hamburg

What is it? Hamburg Fischmarkt has been kicking about for some time, doing brisk, fishy business since 1703, with raucous criers promising all the bargains and bawdy banter you could wish for. Is it worth visiting? Depending on how late last night was, or whether you went to bed at all, an early morning visit to the Sunday Fischmarkt is a legendary Hamburg experience. Of course, there’s fish in abundance—smoked, fresh, pickled—alongside plenty of flowers, fruit, vegetables, second-hand fare and even livestock. What else can I do there? For the unwearied Reeperbahn reveller, the neighbouring Fischauktionshalle promises to keep the party flowing with beer and live rock bands. For those looking for a more restorative breakfast, there are plenty of nearby cafés. The Fischmarkt is open from 5am in summer, 7am in winter, and closes at 9:30am throughout the year. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Hungry? Discover the best restaurants in Hamburg

Sample Hamburg’s cinnamon-dusted answer to the croissant at award-winning bakery, Kleine Konditiorei. The Franzbrötchen at this classic Hamburg bakery are award-winning morsels of sugar and cinnamon deliciousness. Pair one with a coffee for a perfect early morning fix, and perhaps pick up some superb fresh breads while you’re there; the Karottenbrötchen (carrot bun) and Mehrkornbrötchen (wholegrain bun) come particularly recommended. Kleine Konditiorei has four branches, all in the Eimsbüttel district.   Time Out tip: Taste too good to leave in Hamburg? German home baking brand Janolade does a ready-made Hamburger Franzbrötchen mix.

The restaurant at the Atlantic Kempinksi, Hamburg’s most famous luxury hotel, was first established to cater to first-class passengers setting off on transatlantic liners. Their in-house recipe dates back to the early 20th century, when top chef Franz Pfordte took over the hotel’s culinary helm, and its many famous fans include Rod Stewart, who declared it the best lobster soup in the world. Time Out tip: Fancy an aperitif? The Art Deco Atlantic Bar is one of Hamburg’s ultimate see-and-be-seen nightspots.

It’s all about the harbour views and hearty Fischbrötchen at this Elbe-side locale. If you don’t make it to the Sunday morning Fischmarkt, your next best bet for a classic fish sandwich is Brücke 10, a bright and nautical little locale neatly perched on the Elbe and specializing in all things fish. It’s a little pricier than your regular market stall, but worth it for the great harbour views and the sizeable, salty portions. Pair with an ice-cold Astra and sit outside if the sun’s out. Time Out tip: Hop on public Ferry #62 from the nearby Landungsbrücken for the best-priced tour around the harbour.

For a classic Currywurst fix, Hamburgers swear by Imbiss bei Schorsch, a minute, cult locale in the St.Pauli district. Little more than a hole-in-the-wall, it makes up for its limited space (and almost non-existent seating) with big, sizzling spicy sausage flavours and its hearty in-house potato salad, which replaces the more common Currywurst accompaniment of chips. Time Out tip: Less sure about the spice? Then simply order yourself the Bratwurst (fried sausage).

Competition is strong, but many Hamburgers insist that Köz Urfa does simply the best Turkish food in town. The bustling and brightly-lit neighbourhood joint right by Hamburg-Altona station delivers huge portions and succulent flavours, with fast, friendly service. You can take your food to go, or sit down and settle into a vast Döner Teller (platter), complete with rice, salad, and veggies. There’s also a good run of vegetarian dishes. Time Out tip: Note that Köz Urfa does not serve alcohol.

On Hamburg’s most historic street, the Deichstrasße, Kartoffelkeller is a cosy, unfussy place which makes a great choice for a simple, warming winter lunch. As the name suggests, it embraces all possible ways of cooking potato: soup, dumplings, pan-fried rösti or baked in foil with a choice of toppings, from mushroom sauce to smoked salmon with a honey, dill and mushroom dressing. There are also seasonal specials, including kale dishes in winter and tender white asparagus (Spargel) in spring. End things on a sweet note with the Rote Grütze for dessert. Time Out tip: Do take a wander down the Deichstraße and admire some of the oldest surviving buildings in Hamburg.

Fritz im Pyjama upgrades the hostel concept bigtime. Its “budget boutique” lodgings include single, double and triple rooms, each compact in size but seriously generous on light, comfort and classy design credentials—think smooth wooden floorboards and crisp white bed linens, offset by statement wallpaper. The hotel sits in the heart of the Sternschanze, once a hotbed of activism and dissent, now neighborhood of choice for stylish students, media professionals and many visitors to the city. Fritz does not have an in-house dining area, but there are breakfast options in the mini-bar and plenty of cafes and eateries nearby.

With a superb riverside location on the oh-so lovely and leafy Elbchaussee, the Louis C. Jacob combines classic Hanseatic hospitality with contemporary luxury. There’s no hip concept here, simply understated elegance, utmost comfort and outstanding dining in the hotel’s chandeliered, Michelin-starred Jacob Restaurant. The rooms—from superior doubles to the extravagant ballroom suite—are all spacious and light, with pristine beds, wooden flooring, natural stone bathrooms and either an Elbe or garden view. For extra cultural cache, book ahead for the Max Liebermann room, where the famous German modernist painter stayed and painted the hotel’s picturesque lime tree terrace. Part of the hotel’s exclusivity is its peaceful location beyond the city centre, but you’re only a 20-minute ride into town by bus, with car hire and limousine services also available.

If there’s one Hamburg hotel that’s had long-standing international renown, it’s the five-star Atlantic Kempinksi. With its lakeside location and run in celebrity guests, including long-term resident Udo Lindenberg, it’s the kind of hotel that tourist buses pass by for a glimpse of glamour and fame. The place was built for first-class passengers about to board Atlantic liners and though some of its color and texture combinations are a little cumbersome by today’s aesthetics, the Atlantic still exudes upper-cut refinement, from its sweeping central staircase to Italian marble bathrooms. The buffet breakfast includes champagne, while the Atlantic Restaurant specializes in Mediterranean dishes and seafood, with staples including lobster soup, sole meunière and steak tartar.

SIDE enjoys a great central location near the Inner Alster lake, particularly convenient for the city’s upmarket shopping streets, and walking distance from both the Altstadt and HafenCity. Behind the hotel’s box-like facade lie 178 minimalist-chic bedrooms kitted out by Milanese designer Mattheo Thun, combining dark wood, soothing touches of blue and green and lots of crisp white bed linen. The hotel’s top line in facilities includes a pristine sauna and jacuzzi, decent-sized pool, spa treatments, a gym and nine conference rooms for business travelers. The eighth-floor sky lounge with adjoining roof terrace and great views is particularly suited for larger meetings and events while the [m]eatery (yep, that’s what it’s called) evening bar and restaurant is a carnivore’s wonderland.