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Hidden Places and Spaces

Hamburg

Cool flair in northern Germany: shops, bars and 5-star hotels between the Alster and Elbe.

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Written by Stephanie Kleinlein 09.01.2024

Discover Hidden Places in Hamburg

Hamburg has many faces: the world port with container ships, the Speicherstadt with its red brick buildings, and the Elbphilharmonie as a modern landmark. But beyond these well-known backdrops, the city reveals places even locals often overlook. In winding alleys and on small islands, stories from centuries past await, while alternative neighborhoods set new trends. A closer look reveals historic merchant houses on Deichstrasse, urban gardening projects on Elbe Island Wilhelmsburg, or the vibrant Gängeviertel with studios and cultural initiatives. These insider tips show Hamburg at its most authentic – away from the tourist crowds, yet right in the heart of the city.

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Shopping in Hamburg

As an old merchant city and world trading metropolis, Hamburg offers plenty of opportunities to spend money on great things. For example, in Alsterhaus, a long-established department store with a view of the Alster. Right next to it you will find “stop, shop and go” in Neuer Wall shopping street, where one luxury label after another shows off. Early risers will find Nordic souvenirs at Fischmarkt.

Shopping in Hamburg

This traditional store from 1912 offers the best prospects of an exclusive shopping experience over five floors and around 24,000 sqm. Including a stunning view over the Alster.

The big brands’ flagship stores line up one after the other on Neuer Wall. It is rumored that one or two Platinum Cards® have already been set on fire here.

Night owls and early birds brush shoulders for a morning pint at Hamburg harbor. Be there and take typical Hamburg delicacies and souvenirs home with you.

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Hotels in Hamburg

Anyone who suddenly gets tired on the Reeperbahn after midnight, will find plenty of opportunities for a restful sleep in Hamburg. The two top locations in the city are the Grandhotel Atlantic and the SIDE Hotel. One is a long-established diva with all the merits of a traditional hotel. The other is a modern design hotel. Gastwerk is the insider tip for all those out and about near the Elbe.

Hotels in Hamburg

Design is a must. Even in your sleep. Our recommendation for fans of modern architecture. One highlight in this 5-star hotel made of natural stone and glass is the 28-meter-high atrium.

The best hotel around. International and as typical Hamburg as possible. Cool, classy and discreet. The hotel bar is a popular meeting place for Hamburg’s celebrities and VIPs.

The hidden gem with plenty to offer near the Elbe is the ideal starting point for visiting the well-known western districts of Altona and Blankenese.

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Restaurants, cafés and bars in Hamburg

From typical North German to truly international: The Hanseatic metropolis is the capital of all fish dishes and the gateway to a variety of culinary worlds. In the restaurants, trendy cafés and bars from Altona to Eppendorf you can enjoy exciting menus, drinks and snacks as well as the sight of well-dressed Hanseatic locals.

Cafés and restaurants in Hamburg

Known from film and television: Enjoy the finest food from Hamburg’s culinary local hero Tim Mälzer. The ambience in his Bullerei matches the good taste.

Need a caffeine boost? Elbgold invites you to savor coffee ground by hand in the morning, or whatever that means to you. The hotspot for caffeine connoisseurs is located in the trendy district of Sternschanze.

Our recommendation for the evening: The popular HERITAGE Rooftop Bar is a real Hamburg highlight with lots of creative people and cocktails. And a view of the water into the bargain.

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Attractions in Hamburg

There is a great deal to explore in Germany’s second largest city. Start your weekend in HafenCity, for example, with its mix of trendsetting lifestyle and restaurants. The new landmark, the Elbphilharmonie, also impresses on the spot. Hamburg’s museums are located around the central station. In the St. Pauli district, names such as Dollhaus and Ritze leave no doubt that the nightlife starts here.

Highlights in Hamburg

Traditional shipping and future flair come together here. Explore HafenCity on foot and top off your day with a visit to the Elbphilharmonie.

Hamburg’s Deichtorhallen repeatedly excel themselves with their modern art and photography exhibitions. Even reluctant museum visitors are impressed.

Everything for an evening full of excesses, that’s what the Reeperbahn and its side streets, like Grosse Freiheit, offer: clubs, discos and bars that never close.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Highlights include Deichstrasse with its historic houses, the idyllic island of Wilhelmsburg, and the alternative Gängeviertel.

The Schanzenviertel and Karolinenviertel offer creative shops, galleries, and a lively nightlife. Ottensen impresses with its relaxed atmosphere and small cafés.

Planten un Blomen Park, the winding alleys of the Krameramtsstuben, and the Elbe Island Wilhelmsburg invite you to enjoy relaxing moments far from the city noise.

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