Megan Murray

As Germany’s second city, you’d think Hamburg would be a bigger name on the tourist circuit but this cultural gem is still relatively untapped – great news for those who like to be ahead of the travel curve. As one of the county’s biggest ports, the harbour is still the heartbeat of the city, and you’ll find fascinating maritime history, a 150-year-old fish market, and a whole lot more.  So water’s a big theme, but there’s also the Alster, a picturesque lake and walking route at Hamburg’s centre surrounded by cafes, hotels and boating clubs. Looking for the party? Hamburg’s nightlife is legendary (partly thanks to the Beatles’s time here). Find great bars and clubs in our Red Light District the Reeperbahn, as well as St Pauli and Sternschanze. For everything you need to know about Hamburg’s best neighbourhoods, read on, friends. Here’s exactly where to stay.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to hotels, Airbnbs and more in Hamburg Megan Murray is a writer based in Hamburg. 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. 

Hamburg is a magnificent city. There’s nowhere quite like it in Germany, which is impressive when considering the breadth of quality on offer here. Still, Hamburg stands tall above all, with its thrilling attractions, unbeatable nightlife and very human history. Packed in among all of that are some of Germany’s best eats. Hungry? Hamburg is waiting. The best restaurants in Hamburg showcase the city’s delectable diversity while paying homage to the traditional recipes of its past. If you’re into fish, you are in for a treat. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Hamburg🐟 The best restaurants in Hamburg🛏 The best hotels in Hamburg Megan Murray is a writer based in Hamburg. 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.

I’ll put my hands up: before moving to Hamburg, I was basically blind to its allure as a city break destination. Trips to Germany would more likely be taken to edgy Berlin or picturesque Munich, but therein lies Hamburg’s charm: this beautiful, historic and creative place is still relatively undiscovered – which makes it all the better for exploring. In summer, drink and paddle at the Alster lake, explore the stretch of beach along the Elbe River and visit Hamburg’s port, where its famous Fish Market has been rumbling on every Sunday for 150 years. Every neighbourhood has its own vibe, from uber-trendy Winterhude to glossy Eppendorf, but there’s plenty to get stuck into in every corner of this city. From markets to lakes and plenty of beer, here are my favourite things to do in Hamburg.  RECOMMENDED:🍲 The best restaurants in Hamburg🏨 The best hotels in Hamburg🏛️ The best attractions in Hamburg🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Hamburg Megan Murray is a writer based in Hamburg. 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.