11 Unique Things To Do During One Day in Hamburg

Last updated: 29 July 2023

Updated June 2023. Hamburg is one of those cities in Europe, like Budapest, Krakow, and Prague, which are fast becoming the go-to destinations for UK stag parties and the desire for a very messy weekend away. There are areas in Hamburg, such as the infamous red light district of Reeperbahn, which cater to the whims of lads looking for a good time. However, this post is about the other side of Hamburg, the side which showcases 1000 years of history nestled between ornate architecture and captivating views. If you’re ready to find out some of best places to visit during one day in Hamburg then let this post be your travel guide and let’s get started!

If you’re a regular reader of Roaming Required then you probably know that I’m a self-confessed history enthusiast, as evidenced by a growing selection of posts on castles, Viking burial grounds, and 19th century tea clippers. If you love visiting a new city and exploring its history and imaging what life was like centuries ago, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy some of the below recommendations for things to do Hamburg.

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Unique Things to Do during One Day in Hamburg

If you’re planning to spend one day Hamburg (or even longer) then you’re in for an absolute treat because there’s so much to experience in this wonderful city. Below is a list of unique and cultural places that you should consider exploring during your visit, they are some of my favourite places in Hamburg.

So without further ado, let’s get this list underway.

Speicherstadt District

One of the best travel tips we can give you is when you first land in Hamburg take a walk through the historic Speicherstadt District, the largest warehouse district in the world. Now, that might not sound entirely enticing however as the below photos show, the district is ridiculously photogenic with the many red brick buildings and steel bridges.

If you want to discover the best way to explore Speicherstadt then you might be interested in out our other post on the best photo spots in the Speicherstadt district which includes photo viewpoints and maps.

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: It’s a district so it’s open all the time so go whenever you have time however if you set off early then you tend to have the whole place to yourself which makes it ideal for photos.
• Price: The best news, it’s all free

St Nikolai Memorial (St Nicholas’ Church)

One of the most sombre and moving experiences you can have in Hamburg is by visiting the St Nikolai Memorial, which dates back to the twelfth century. The remains of this beautiful church, destroyed during the Allied bombing raid in 1943, serves as a memorial “to the victims of war and persecution. 1933-1945”

There is no missing the tall spire of St Nicholas’ Church which stretches 147 metres (482 ft) into the sky, and between 1874 to 1876 it claimed the title of the tallest building in the world and today is the tallest building in Hamburg. 

The church was heavily damaged during the Second World War and today all that remains is the church tower, the spire, the crypt, and the church bells. The memorial is located in the middle of downtown Hamburg, a symbol of the city’s legacy enclosed by the modern city sprawl. It’s where the past, present and future meet.

When visiting the St Nikolai Memorial – make sure to spend some time exploring the church grounds, the observation deck, the museum located in the basement of the church. We’d recommend starting off with taking around around the church interior to read through the information boards and take a quiet moment of reflection in front of the two bronze sculptures by Hamburg sculptor Edith Breckwoldt.  

Next stop is the observation deck for views which stretch out to the horizon. The ticket office is located at the base of the church tower, below the 51 bell carillion.  Once you purchase your tickets (prices below) then take the 40 second journey to the viewing platform. The views over the city provide a unique perspective to admire just how expansive Hamburg is.

During your time on the viewing platform, take some time to read the two information boards which provide some very detailed information about St Nicholas’ Church, the lookout, and details of the Allied bombing – “Operation Gomorrah”, which took place July 25th and August 8th 1943.

The last section is the crypt which is now an underground museum which is divided into 4 main areas and the main space is the “Gomorrah 1943: The Destruction of Hamburg in the air”, which interestingly has been part of the permanent exhibit since September 2013. The museum explores the causes, consequences, and the ongoing impacts of the Second World War through displaying a collection of historical photos, various artefacts, and a lot of comprehensive  information. There’s no need for a guided tour here, you can quite easily make your way through the museum and learn a vast amount. A must visit.

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 daily (closed on Tuesdays)
• Prices:  Adults: €6, Concession: €5, Child: €4 (discounted with the Hamburg Card)
• Website 

If you’re interested in organising a self-guided historical walking tour of Hamburg then the below might be of interest

War Memorial at Dammtordamm

A visit to the War Memorial at Dammtordamm may not be on everyone’s To Visit List when looking for things to do in Hamburg. If you’re looking for something fascinating and unique then it’s definitely worth exploring because it’s an opportunity to understand the ongoing impact that World War II has on today’s world. I spent more time than I thought I would reading the plaques in the memorial and taking my time looking at each of the sculptures.

The memorial is actually comprised of 3 separate sculptures all built during different times in Germany’s history, and that’s one aspect which makes these sculptures so fascinating – they reflect the various political and social attitudes at the time of construction. Today, the memorial serves a dual purpose, not only as a remembrance to the German people who tragically gave their lives, but also a timeline into the changing of Germany’s political and social landscape.

76th Warrior Memorial

The first, and most controversial, of the war memorials is the 76th Warrior Memorial, designed by Richard Kuohl. It was originally constructed in 1936 as a remembrance for the soldiers of the 76th Hanseatic Infantry Regiment in the First World War.  It is obviously designed to glorify Germany’s struggle for victory and the necessity for war, it’s even emblazoned with the inscription Germany Must Live Even If We Must Die.

It’s interesting to note that this WWI memorial was originally going to be torn down but it became a World War II memorial when additional plaques were added in 1957 and 1958

The Counter-Monument

After years of controversy, another memorial was created to contrast the pro-war message contained in the 1936 monument. It was called the Counter-Monument and was officially unveiled in 1986, 50 years later after the first sculpture was built.

Designed by Alfred Hrdlicka, the design incorporates many different elements including a broken swastika, a commemoration to those who lost their lives in the Hamburg Firestorm (Operation: Gomorrah), and a marble sculpture to remember the 7000 people who lost their lives in the Neuengamme concentration camp.

The Memorial to Deserters and Other Victims of the Nazi Military Judiciary

The third and most recent war memorial was designed by sculptor Volker Lang in 2015, and was officially unveiled in November 2015. The memorial honours those who were largely unrecognised and the construction was designed to take a stand against the glorification of war.

The open design of the memorial invites visitors to enter and become part of the remembrance and interestingly encourages visitors to view the other two memorials from a different perspective.

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: The war memorial is open 24 hours as it’s in a public space so just plan your visit accordingly. I went during a weekday afternoon and had the space to myself.
• Prices: Free

Rathaus (Town Hall)

When you’re searching for attractions in Hamburg it’s hard to go past the beautiful Town Hall (Rathaus) located in the heart of the city. It’s hard to believe that this ornate building is the seat of the Hamburg government, it almost looks like something out of a storybook.

The Town Hall dominates Rathausmarkt Square and is best photographed at a distance, walk as far back as you can, to fit it all in your photo. Otherwise if your phone has an ultra-wide lens then it shouldn’t cause much of an issue. I think that the Rathaus is one of those buildings which photographs well no matter the time of day and depends on what type of photo you’re after.

If you’re visiting for a weekend in Hamburg and interested in checking out the interior of this beautiful building then you’ll be pleased to know that there are tours available. Tours run daily in multiple languages but the timings may change. The English-speaking tours generally run at 11:15am, 1:15pm, and 3:15pm on published tour days. 

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: 07:00-20:00 daily
• Prices: Adults €5, Children 0-14 free (there are no other discounted tickets)
• Website 

Did you know that you will get discounted entry to the Town Hall with the Hamburg Pass? Check out the below for more detail

International Maritimes Museum

This could quite possibly be my favourite museum in Hamburg, it’s absolutely fascinating and I think I spent over 3 hours there! I suppose that isn’t a huge revelation given how much I love a good museum but I’m very happy to advise that the International Maritimes Museum delivered the goods. Given that Hamburg is a port city it shouldn’t surprise you that the city has a long and industrious maritime history and museum proudly showcases it all.

It’s hard to believe that one man is responsible for the thousands of items on display in the museum, and that man is Peter Tamm, who started his maritime collection when he was only six years old. His lifetime of collecting resulted in the incredible nautical treasures of over 1 million photographs,100,000 books, and an entire floor dedicated to the collection of 38,000 miniature ships.

I recommend setting aside a good few hours to fully explore the enormous maritime collection, it’s well worth visiting. What’s the best way to explore the museum? Well, Peter Tamm himself used to recommend visitors should start at the top and work their way down. And that’s exactly what I did on my 3 hour visit.   

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
• Prices: Adults €15, Concession €11, and Family Tickets between €17 – 32 
• Website 

Save time and book your tickets to my favourite museum in Hamburg below

St Michael’s Church

St Michael’s Church, simply known as Michel to locals, is one of the most enduring and popular symbols of the Hamburg. It’s the largest of church in the city and one of five Lutheran churches in Hamburg. The 132 metre tall church also boasts sensational views from the look out so it’s easy to why it’s so popular.

Speaking of popular, local intel was that if I planned to visit, I should get there early because the church gets busy. From the moment the doors opened, there was a steady stream of visitors so make sure to get there early! St Michael’s is the largest church in Hamburg not only because of its tall spire but the interior can fit 2,500 people and the crypt contains the resting place of over 2000 people.

I suggest heading to the viewpoint first to beat the crowds. The access to the viewpoint isn’t well signposted so here’s how to find it. Enter through the main church doors, purchase your tickets at the ticket window, and head behind you to see a sign for the crypt, and next to that you’ll see a door marked Lift Zum Turm.

Go through the doors and following the winding corridor and take the set of stairs up three sets of stairs and you’ll find the waiting area for the lift. You can either climb the 400 stairs or take the lift. I chose to take the lift but that was for research purposes only… As you can see, if you arrive early enough and head straight to the viewpoint you can miss the crowds.

The ride to the top of St Michael’s is quite quick and the view is all kinds of impressive. From this bird’s eye view, it’s an opportunity to point out all the places you’ve visited so far; like the Speicherstadt, International Maritimes Museum, and the Rathaus.

Once you’ve finished at the viewing platform, head downstairs to the crypt. The area is split into two parts. The outer area, accessible to all, has some relics on display and information boards in English and then the inner area which contains the burial places. It’s the inner area where you will need to show your ticket or purchase them if needed. One thing to note, the majority of signs in the inner crypt area were in German which can make things a little challenging to appreciate each of the artefacts.  

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: 9am-7:30pm (May-Sept),  6:30pm (Oct-Apr), and 5:30pm (Nov-Mar)
• Prices:
  • Tower: Adults €8, Concession €6.00
  • Crypt: Adult €6, Concession 5.00
  • Combo: Adult €10, Concession €8
  • Discount applies with the Hamburg Card
• Website 

Museum of Hamburg History

How much do you really know about Hamburg? Well, if you’re a fan of history and want to learn more about the city of Hamburg then I recommend setting aside a couple of hours to go explore the Museum of Hamburg History!

The museum is set over 3 floors and contains exhibits covering city history, the Hanseatic League, Jewish life in Hamburg (which was really interesting), life in Germany throughout the centuries. The exhibits were in both German and English which was really helpful and there’s even a space dedicated to a miniature railway!

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: 10am-5pm (6pm Sat/Sun)
• Prices: Adult €5, Children (0-17) Free
• Website

Bismarck Monument

The Bismarck Monument, located across the road from the Museum of Hamburg History, is a large statue, standing 35 metres (115 ft) high, and is dedicated to Germany’s first chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. It was designed by Johann Emil Schaudt and sculpted by Hugo Lederer and opened to the public in 1906.

Did you know that there are rumours about the existence of a series of underground tunnels located beneath the Bismarck Monument which are said to lead to a former-Nazi hideout? Since the tunnels are said to be closed, we will never know. But it is fascinating to think that located beneath the monument is secret history…

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: Any reasonable time
• Prices: Free as a bird

Elbphilharmonie

During your visit to Hamburg there’s no doubt you’ll spot an intriguing looking building, a building which resembles an ocean wave or perhaps a sail. Welcome to the Elbphilharmonie.

The Elbphilharmonie, affectionately known as the Elphi, is relatively new (compared to the other sights in the city) to the Hamburg skyline as it opened in January 2017, and considered to be a work of art. It is one of world’s largest concert halls featuring world-class acoustics. The dazzling design may capture the eye but I just loved the fact that it’s built on top of an old warehouse building plus the fact it’s also a residential building!

During your short break in Hamburg, I’d suggest going for a visit to The Plaza, a 360 degree lookout which provides wonderful across across the harbour city. You will need to book your tickets in advance and at a selected time slot (which I did the night before) and had no issues reserving a place. Tickets are only €2 each.

Here’s a fun fact for you, did you know that the Elphie contains over 1000 curved window panels which turns the building into a giant crystal as it captures and reflect the sunlight?

When you arrive for your visit, you can simply walk to the entry points and scan your QR code (from your email confirmation) and gain access. Now comes the really cool bit, on your way to The Plaza and the viewing platform you will take a curved escalator! I know this may not sound too exciting but I loved it!

Once you arrive at The Plaza, head outside to the platform and enjoy the views. Hold onto your phone or camera because it’s windy up there.

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: 09:00-00:00 daily (check website for special events)
• Prices: Individual or small groups up to 6 people for a visit to the Plaza: €2 each
• Website

If you’re interested in taking a guided tour of the remarkable Elbphilharmonie and learning all about it then check out the below to book your tickets

Chilehaus

Does the idea of visiting a building constructed in the shape of a passenger ship grab your attention? If so, you need to make sure you add a visit to the Chilehaus in Hamburg. This recommendation is courtesy of Gary from Our World For You who suggested if I had one day in Hamburg then I should go visit the Chilehaus because he thought I’d really enjoy it and boy was Gary right!

Built in the early 1920’s, the enormous 30,400 sq metre Chilehaus is considered to be a major work of expressionist architecture. Stand in front of this treasured landmark and marvel at it’s magnificent facade. Interesting fact! The Chilehaus was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

Built with millions of Oldenburg dark bricks, the appearance of the Chilehaus is striking but when viewed from the east is when the building demands your full attention. Only then does the Chilehaus have the appearance of a passenger ship! Take a walk around the entire building because the it really is beautiful with its deep-coloured brickwork, courtyard open roof, and pillar stonework.

One interesting fact is that the Chilehaus was designed for Henry B Sloman, a shipping magnate, originally from Hamburg before leaving to make his fortune abroad. Upon his return to Hamburg, Sloman wanted to gift something to his hometown. The gift was the Chilehaus, named after the country he traded with to make his fortune.

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: The best view is the Pumpen and Burchardstrasse. This is where you can see the Chilehaus come to life
• Prices: It’s free
• Website

If the Chilehaus impresses you then you might be interested in a 2 hour guided tour of Hamburg’s historic Old Town

Elbtunnel

Who doesn’t love crossing a river? Whether that’s by a Hamburg boat tour, tandem canoe, solo paddleboard….or perhaps even walking? Yes, that’s right! One thing you should do when your spending time in Hamburg to head to the Elbtunnel and cross the river by foot.

The Elbtunnel, or Old Elbe Tunnel, first opened on 7 September 1911 and is 426 metres (1398 ft) long and runs beneath the Elbe river. Unlike the Greenwich Foot Tunnel in London which is accessible by pedestrian and cyclists only, the Elbtunnel is a vehicle tunnel too! Although the traffic is mostly pedestrian, I was shocked to learn that over 300,000 cars travel through the 6m (20 ft) wide tunnel a year?!

It doesn’t matter if you’re crossing the river because you have things to do on the other side of the city or if you’re just crossing for the sake of crossing it (which is exactly what I did…) I don’t about you but there’s something really cool about walking through an underwater tunnel.

To access the tunnel, you will need to take one of four lifts the 24 metres (83 ft) to the tunnel floor. The lift doesn’t take long and once you arrive on the ground, there’s only one direction to go – forward. Depending on the time of day you visit will determine the crowds so I’d suggest either going early or late afternoon.

I visited on a Sunday mid-afternoon and there were plenty of people walking the tunnel but not enough to spoil my fun. Walk on the path, walk on the road, or walk backwards, no matter how to do it just make sure you take a moment and marvel at this feat of engineering. Oh and keep an eye open for the chance to take some Instagram worthy photos too.

The Essentials

• Opening Hours: Pedestrian and cycle access is open 24 hours. Cars at specific times
• Prices: My favourite price, Free!
• Website

Final Thoughts

There’s so much to experience over the course of 2 or 3 days in Hamburg that you’ll have no shortage of things to do! There’s more to the city than just a boozey weekend away, there’s so much history, culture, and beautiful views to explore so put your walking shoes on and make the most of it. Happy Travels.

Are you looking for other things to do in Hamburg? Try some of these bestsellers