The 10 best things to do in Hamburg right now

Don’t expect nature here; these boat tours are more about seeing what makes Germany’s largest port tick. With 9,000 ship calls per year, almost 300 berths, and 27 miles of wharf for seagoing vessels, the Port of Hamburg is a bustling sea superhighway. On a barge tour like the Maritime Circle line, you’ll get closer to all the container ship action. Alternatively, you could flee the constraints of land with a floating techno party on the Love Boat. If speed is your thing, try RIB Piraten, the only speedboat operator allowed inside Hamburg Harbour. On the last stretch of this tour, you’ll reach top speeds on a rigid inflatable boat that skims the waves at 60 miles an hour.

Don’t be put off by the name – ‘Fischmarkt’ is not just a market for fish. There is lots of fresh fish and seafood there if you so desire, but you’ll also find long, bustling tables full of people drinking and snacking, tons of independent shops selling clothing and jewellery, flower stalls, bric-à-brac, fruit and veg – the list goes on. Fischmarkt has been a central hub in Hamburg since around 1703 and is only open on Sunday mornings. It’s busy, but you’ll likely want to spend hours there taking it all in. You can get brunch in the auction hall next door and sometimes watch live jazz bands. 

Whether you have kids or are just a big kid yourself, Miniatur Wunderland is a must-visit. Teeny-tiny narratives unfold all over this miniature world, so keep an eye out for what’s going on. Allow at least three hours to see the whole thing – and don’t get too frustrated by the crowds of onlookers hustling for prime position. Miniatur Wunderland is home to the largest model railway in the world (at 50,000 feet), which runs through various model areas, including Hamburg, the United States, Scandinavia, Knuffingen Airport and Venice. Book in advance to skip the queues; if it’s not too busy, you can bring your dog along.

A place of pilgrimage for both creative types and the boating community, Entenwerder1 is a sun-splashed café that looks directly onto the Elbe River in the Rothenburgsort district. From picnic-style seating outside, you can watch the boats go by – or stop, as a docking point makes this an aquatic destination for hungry locals. Communal-style indoor seating is in two buildings; a boldly coloured wall installation in one and the perforated steel façade on the other make both architecturally appealing. We recommend the fish cakes and the fresh, homemade baked goods. 

Oddly enough – with the obvious exception of Portugal – Hamburg is one of few places in the world where you can really live as the Portuguese do. Spanish and Portuguese immigrants have settled in the area around Ditmar-Koel-Strasse in the Neustadt district since the ’60s and ’70s, and this scenic area is where the club kids go after a night out for a galão (espresso with steamed milk) and pastel de nata (a custard tart). Close to the harbour, it’s also where to head to satisfy a craving for fresh seafood. Try a bowl of steamed mussels from one of the dozens of restaurants offering the best Mediterranean food in the city.

Literaturhauscafé is located in a beautiful old building that dates back to 1839, but it wasn’t always this way. It previously served as a dance school and a home for girls, but it was left to deteriorate for years. Thankfully, in 1985 an anonymous philanthropist funded its restoration, and now glittering chandeliers hang from intricately stuccoed ceilings above rows of gleaming white tablecloths. Literaturhauscafé may not be the cheapest meal, but it’s perfect for a special occasion or if you want to treat yourself. Their menu consists of fresh, seasonal, and regional dishes. 

This live music club, which proudly calls itself ‘Hamburg’s loudest sauna’, has been drawing a wide array 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 the Second World War and was later transformed 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; dire financial straits have led to near-closure several times over the years. However, the band plays on, with local and international talent continuing to deliver extraordinary nights out. The 450-capacity club often sells out – so book in advance.

Hamburg’s ‘most sinful mile’ on the Reeperbahn is one of the city’s main attractions. However, with lively restaurants, bars and clubs mixed in with all the strip clubs, sex shops and brothels, this part of St Pauli is also one of the buzziest areas for eating, drinking and live music. Sex workers roam openly on the infamous Herbertstrasse, where women are forbidden (though word has it that some have slipped through with the right disguise). And around Christmas, you’ll find the city’s naughtiest Christmas market, the Santa Pauli Market, which features adult-only strip shows, live music, and an adult tent housing some rather sexy holiday gifts. Gentrification means the erotic playground part of the Reeperbahn might not be around much longer – see it while you can.

For the best retro or vintage souvenirs, head to Flohschanze, which many consider the city’s best flea market. Every Saturday, hundreds of vendors hold court at the market in the hip Schanzenviertel district near an old slaughterhouse and has an excellent view of the FC St Pauli football stadium. You can find just about everything here, from mid-century light fixtures and brass candlesticks to used bicycles, clothes, furniture and even car batteries. Though 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 aplenty.

A green-tinted muddle of basil, gin, lemon juice and sugar, the gin basil smash is a fragrant, summery drink found in bars worldwide these days. Le Lion makes the case that they invented it – this claim is boldly stated on the sign outside the speakeasy-style cocktail bar you’ll find brimming with lion accents. True or not, Le Lion is the place to find a fabulous cocktail in a sultry locale. Head to one of the upholstered bar stools on the second level, and you’ll have an excellent viewpoint from which to watch the well-heeled crowd. Small plates of food are also on hand, mostly salami and cheeses. Reservations are recommended; ring the bell to enter.