Hamburg

Alster Cruise

The obvious thing to do is to take a ride around the Alster on one of the leisure boats and enjoy the greenery and elegant buildings around it.

Atmos

Wellness with bio sauna (75°C), Finnish sauna (90°C) and outdoor sauna, indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, etc. Drinks except alcohol are included in the entrance fee. In line with the German sauna culture, facilities are to be used naked for hygiene reasons, and swimwear is not allowed. Towels, bathrobes, and slippers are provided and included in the entrance fee. With a focus on relaxation and quietness, children are not permitted.

13:00 - 04:00 daily·EUR 75

Bäderland Holthusenbad

Swimming pool. Basic entry gives access to pools and thermen (warm and cold water pools). Sauna complex for an additional fee.

Deutsches Schauspielhaus

The biggest German speech theatre looks back on a famous tradition. Gustav Gründgens, Ivan Nagel, and Peter Zadek staged highlights in German theatre history here.

Ernst-Deutsch-Theater

The Ernst-Deutsch-Theater has been an established part of the Hamburg theatre scene since 1951. Today, it is the largest privately operated playhouse in Germany.

FC St Pauli

The Kiezkicker ("Neighbourhood Kickers") were relegated in 2026 and now play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, the second tier. Millerntor-Stadion has a capacity of 29,500 and is also used for concerts.

Hamburg Planetarium

Features multiple visual shows a day, and an observation deck.

12 EUR (adult)

Hamburger SV

Die Rothosen (The Red Shorts) were promoted in 2025 and play soccer in Bundesliga, the top tier. Volksparkstadion has a capacity of 57,000 for domestic games and 51,500 for internationals and occasionally hosts concerts. In 2024 it hosted matches in the UEFA Euro Finals.

Hamburgische Staatsoper

Hamburg is home to the Hamburg State Opera House, one of the leading opera houses in Germany. It holds great historical significance, as in 1678 the first public opera house in Germany was built in Hamburg at Gänsemarkt Square, which is where the opera house is still today.

Harburger Berge

At the city (state) border and continue in to Lower Saxony, the part in Hamburg is classified as a natural park. Viewpoints offer good views over the Elbe valley all the way to Altona. One of them is at Opferberg, where according to a legend a treasure is hidden.

Laeiszhalle

The Laeiszhalle is the main classical music hall in Hamburg, with two halls: the kleiner Saal and großer Saal. You can see the schedule on their website. For online ticket purchases, use Ticket Online.

Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe

The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg has many smaller concerts — something almost every day — and is much cheaper than the Laeiszhalle. The programs range from the curator of their early keyboard instrument collection playing them and giving a spiel on the music and the instruments (in German only!) to formal concerts of renditions of Schubert's Die Winterreise. Pick up a schedule at the desk of the museum (down the street from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof).

Schmidts Tivoli

Grosses Haus

Avant-garde shows and high-class musicals. The world-famous musical Cabaret and the successful musical compendium Fifty Fifty were staged here.

St. Pauli Theater

It opened in 1841 as the Urania Theater and took its present name in 1941.

Stage Theater an der Elbe

Another musical venue. Mary Poppins is showing here until Aug 2019, then Pretty Woman will take the stage in Sep 2019.

Thalia Theater

New directors and the continuing cooperation with young important writers based on the confidence in a strong and vital company lead to international acknowledgment.

The English Theatre of Hamburg

The English Theatre of Hamburg performs from September through June, giving eight performances per week.

The Hamburg Players

Hamburg's oldest English-language theatre group giving three shows a year at the Theater in der Marschnerstraße.

The Rover Rep Theatre

At the Irish Rover. English language pub theatre under the Irish Rover at the Großneumarkt. High class professional productions in a special atmosphere.

Theater im Hafen Hamburg

Watch The Lion King here. For many Germans this is the must-do when visiting Hamburg.

HADAG Ferries

A low-budget alternative for a boat tour on the river Elbe. A part of Hamburg's public transport system (HVV). If you have already bought a HVV day ticket, the ride is free. Most tourists take ferry 62 from Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder, via Neumühlen with the museum harbour Oevelgönne. The whole ride to Finkenwerder and return takes about an hour, and on weekends with good weather this ferry will be very full. In Finkenwerder, you can continue with another ferry to Teufelsbrück (Line 64 which is also part of the HVV) or just walk around on this island, which is a quarter of Hamburg. It has nice old houses, some places to eat and a great view of the harbor business as it is close to the container terminal. Another route from Landungsbrücken is the ferry line number 72 in the Hafencity to the station Elbphilharmonie. You have a good view to the harbour with the Überseebrücke and Sandtorhöft.

Hafengeburtstag

Harbour Birthday

Every year in May the harbour birthday attracts millions of people. Dozens of stands and stages, a ship parade, and changing events are organised to celebrate the cities spring of wealth. The harbour dates from 1189. Since then, the Harbour Birthday has grown into the greatest harbour party in the world. It is generally in early May.

Hafenrundfahrten

From Landungsbrücken, you can make boat tours into the harbour, available from various companies and take around an hour. Big ships provide more comfort, but smaller ships also go through the Speicherstadt. Both are well worth the money. Inquire about English language tours.

Hamburger Dom

The Dom is one of the largest fairs in Germany. The streets of the fairground, lined on both sides with rides, amusements and food and drink stalls, are some 3.3 km long. It takes place for three separate months in spring, summer, and early winter.

Kirschblütenfest

Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival

On May 19, the Japanese community of Hamburg celebrates the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival by the Lake Alster. Enormous fireworks and a peaceful atmosphere are characteristics of this event.

Schmidt Theater

Schmidt Theater is a private theater at Spielbudenplatz. It consists of two venues, the Schmidt Theater itself and the Schmidts Tivoli (also known as Grosses Haus), which is just a stone's throw away.

Supper Club

Supper Club's name doesn't give you any clues about this business. It hires canoes and all manner of other unpowered water craft by the hour. When you have finished paddling you can eat at the outdoor cafe if you wish. A 2 hour paddle using one of their suggested itineraries through small canals and lakes takes you past some of Hamburg's most elegant homes, You will definitely want to move there after this paddle (whether you have the money to buy a mansion in northern Hamburg is beyond the scope of this entry)! The canoe hire side of the operation only takes cash and requires a passport or photo ID to be left with them as security. The ferries from the city centre to Winterhuder Fahrhaus offer great views of the Alster lakes but the Supper Club paddle is superior so you could probably skip the ferry trip if you plan to do the paddle.

CinemaxX Hamburg-Harburg

Cinema.

Club Olympus Spa & Fitness

Park Hyatt Hamburg Hotel, Bugenhagenstraße 8

Fischbeker Heide

Nature reserve.