BallinStadt — Emigrant Museum Hamburg

It's a captivating story — the tale of BallinStadt, the 'Emigration City', where millions of people found a safe haven before embarking on their journey to the New World in search of a better life. The museum chronicles the great European migration to America from 1850 to 1934. Here, you can explore the various emigration stations throughout the centuries. Across 14 themed rooms, the museum recounts the stories of emigration to the New World across four eras. In the family research centre, you can trace your ancestors in Hamburg: you have access to the digitised version of the unique Hamburg passenger lists.

• Web:

  www.ballinstadt.de/en

• E-mail:

  info@ballinstadt.de

• Address:

  BallinStadt Auswanderermuseum, Veddeler Bogen 2, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 31 97 91 60

• Opening hours:

  March through October: Tue–Sun 10am–6pm. November through February: Tue–Sun 10am–4:40pm. Mon closed.

• Subway:

  S3 Station Veddel (BallinStadt)

Bucerius Kunst Forum

Located in the heart of Hamburg next to the Town Hall, the Bucerius Kunst Forum exhibits art from ancient to modern times in four rotating exhibitions each year. A visit is an absolute must for art lovers. The concept of the Kunst Forum is based on reinventing the familiar to allow art lovers and novices alike to discover new interrelationships. Since its foundation in 2002, the Bucerius Kunst Forum has become one of the leading exhibition houses in northern Germany. A unique, modern exhibition space was created in the historic building of the former Reichsbank.

• Web:

  www.buceriuskunstforum.de/en

• E-mail:

  info@buceriuskunstforum.de

• Address:

  Rathausmarkt 2, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 360 99 60

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–7pm, Thu until 9pm

• Subway:

  All subway trains going to Jungernstieg and Rathaus

Chocoversum

Chocoversum is Hamburg's sweetest museum, in the heart of Germany's chocolate capital. Uncover the secrets of the world's finest chocolates with all your senses. A guide will take you on a 90-minute journey from the cocoa tree to freshly wrapped chocolates. Witness historic machines in action and savour a taste at every production step. To top it off, you'll even create your own bar of chocolate.

• Web:

  chocoversum.de/en

• Address:

  Meßberg 1, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 41 91 2300

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–6pm

• Subway:

  U1 Haltestelle Meßberg

Deichtorhallen

For contemporary art and photography, head over to Deichtorhallen, located in two former market halls built between 1911 and 1914. Spanning 5,600 square metres, it's the largest art space in Europe.

• Web:

  www.deichtorhallen.de/en

• E-mail:

  besucherbuero@deichtorhallen.de

• Address:

  Deichtorstrasse 1, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 32 10 30

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 11am–6pm, Mon closed. Every first Thu of the month 11am–9pm

• Subway:

  Steinstraße U1 or Central Station

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The Elbphilharmonie is the new landmark of the metropolis on the waterfront. With the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg forges its path as a port city and a city of music, once again demonstrating that the city is shaping its future based on contrast. The spectacular building contains three concert halls with a diverse music programme, a comprehensive music education programme, a hotel, as well as the Plaza — a public viewing platform at a height of 37 metres that offers an amazing view of the city. If you are a modern architecture nerd, you simply must take the extremely popular guided tour that tells you all about the building's construction and history.

• Web:

  www.elbphilharmonie.de/en

• Address:

  Platz der Deutschen Einheit 2, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 357 666 0

• Subway:

  Subway U3, exit Baumwall

Hagenbeck Zoo — the Wild Side of Hamburg

Discover Hamburg's Hagenbeck Zoo. In a park of 19 hectares you can find more than 1,850 animals from all over the world including Germany’s only walrus family. Guests experience an expedition around the equator at the Tropical World Adventure Aquarium, where you can find more than 14,300 animals of 300 species.

• Web:

  www.hagenbeck.de

• Address:

  Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 53 00 33 0

• Opening hours:

  Daily from 9am. Closing time changes with the seasons

• Subway:

  U2 Hagenbecks Tierpark

Affordable Art Fair

The Affordable Art Fair Hamburg features 80 local, national, and international galleries showcasing a vast array of contemporary art. Discover fresh new talents alongside well-known names, with the curated Emerging Artist Exhibition making it easy to spot the up-and-coming stars of the future.

• Web:

  affordableartfair.com/fairs/hamburg

• E-mail:

  anfragen@affordableartfair.de

• Address:

  Hamburg Messe & Congress Center, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 533 070 510

• Opening hours:

  One weekend in mid-Novermber

• Subway:

  Entrance East: S11, S21, S31 to Bahnhof Dammtor or U1 to Stephansplatz; Entrance West: S11, S21, S31, U3 to Sternschanze; Entrance South: U2 to Messehallen

Altonale

With more than 500,000 visitors, Altonale has established itself as one of the most popular cultural events in north Germany. Every year, Altonale develops new ideas and offers for its visitors. The festival is subdivided into art altonale, literature altonale, theatre altonale, film altonale and music altonale. The events are held in unusual places all over Altona.

• Web:

  www.altonale.de

• Address:

  Bahrenfelder Straße, Hamburg

• Opening hours:

  Usually takes place in the end of May to early June

Elbjazz Festival

Elbjazz festival is one of the international festivals in Hamburg since 2010. About 50 musical acts of all varieties of jazz and related genres take place in front of the unique scenery of the Hamburg harbour. The festival stages are always located in unconventional yet distinctly jazzy venues like shipyards and old freight ships.

• Web:

  elbjazz.de/en

Fleetinsel Christmas Market

Between Stadthausbrücke and Rödingsmarkt is a clever mixture of Hanseatic tradition and a modern attitude to life. The proximity to the harbour and the direct connection to the Alster lend the Fleet Christmas market a very special maritime atmosphere. The delicious Christmas specialities or a contemplative glass of mulled wine with friends or family can help you forget the hustle and bustle of the pre-Christmas season — in the peaceful tranquillity of a renovated square, without the street noise and glaring lights. Stands with gift items are also an invitation to take a stroll. Meanwhile, the younger visitors can have fun on the children's carousel.

• Web:

  www.hamburg-travel.com/see-explore/events/christmas-market-on-the-fleetinsel

• Address:

  Heiligengeistbrücke, Hamburg

Hamburg Cruise Days

Three days full of maritime mood, sensual pleasures and entertainment — many large cruise ships are calling at Hamburg during the Hamburg Cruise Days. During these days the harbour is a world of experience and invites its visitors to explore maritime markets, shopping, fashion, design, sports and relaxation, activities for children, music, entertainment and culinary delights prepared by top restaurateurs in town.

• Web:

  www.hamburgcruisedays.de/en

• Address:

  HafenCity Hamburg

• Subway:

  Subway U3, exit Baumwall; Subway U4, exit Überseequartier

Hamburg Cyclassics

For one day the traffic stands still for the two-wheelers, leading the participants along the most beautiful corners of the Hanseatic city and the metropolitan region. The Hamburg Cyclassics is a professional cycling race of the highest category UCI World Tour in Germany. Cheering spectators ensure a festive atmosphere along the Elbe and Alster rivers. At the Rathausmarkt and at the Jungfernstieg, a colourful information and supporting program will be offered during the Cyclassics.

• Web:

  www.cyclassics-hamburg.de/en

• E-mail:

  cyclassicshamburg@ironman.com

• Opening hours:

  Takes place in late August

Alster Lakes

Covering over 160 hectares, the Inner and Outer Alster Lakes are located right in the city centre, surrounded by cafes, parks, and walking paths, with an abundance of oaks and chestnut trees for nature lovers. Ideal for renting a canoe, pedal boat, rowing boat, or sailboat to stay active. The area is enhanced by sculptures both on land and in the lake. Vast bodies of water are often best enjoyed during the golden hour and aboard a boat. Gather a small group of friends and book a one-hour sailboat ride at sunset.

• Web:

  www.hamburg-travel.com/discover-hamburg/areas/all-around-the-alster

• Address:

  Harvestehude

• Subway:

  Jungfernstieg, U1, U2, S1, S3

Bike Tours around Hamburg

Explore Hamburg with a guided bike tour! It's an enjoyable and dynamic method to familiarise yourself with the city's diverse districts. Opt for city bikes, cruisers, kick bikes, or mountain bikes, and set out solo or with a group — all year round. It's the perfect way to swiftly see the city and access spots unreachable by bus.

• Web:

  www.hamburg-travel.com/experience/hamburg-tours/hamburg-by-bicycle

Blankenese — the Pearl of the Elbe

One of Germany's most beautiful hiking trails runs along the banks of the Elbe to Blankenese. The former fishing village is now a prosperous suburb to the west of Hamburg, located right on the Elbe. Picturesque lanes, winding stairs and houses standing close together: with its Mediterranean feel, the Blankenese Treppenviertel is reminiscent of a resort on the Riviera. Blankeneser Bahnhofstraße is like a small city in itself, with its church, weekly market, many well-stocked shops, restaurants and ice cream parlours.

• Web:

  www.hamburg.com/residents/neighbourhoods/11750234/blankenese

• Address:

  Blankenese, Hamburg

Boat Trips around the Harbor & Speicherstadt

Discover the Port of Hamburg and the Speicherstadt (the Historic Warehouse Complex) on what is typical for Hamburg — a boat! Small barges, historical steamboats and modern passenger ships take you to the most interesting parts of the harbour area within an hour or two. You can take the Maritime Circle Line, a hop-on hop-off tour which connects Hamburg's maritime cultural attractions.

• Web:

  www.hamburg-travel.com/see-explore/round-trips-tours/harbour-round-trips

• Address:

  Popular departure point: Landungsbrücken, Steinwerder 10, Hamburg

• Subway:

  U3 Landungsbrücken

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

The Plaza serves as the focal point of the Elbphilharmonie, bridging the warehouse and the new building. The public viewing platform offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and port from 37 metres above ground. Accessing it is an experience in itself, with an 80-metre-long, gently curved escalator transporting visitors through the structure. An outdoor walkway encircles the entire building, providing a unique perspective.

• Web:

  www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/plaza

• E-mail:

  info@elbphilharmonie.de

• Address:

  Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, Hamburg

• Phone:

  +49 40 357 66666

• Subway:

  Subway U3, exit Baumwall

Follow the Steps of the Beatles

In the early 1960s, the Beatles laid the groundwork for their illustrious career in Hamburg's St Pauli neighbourhood, the city's famous red-light district. Embark on a 'Beatles Tour' for a unique chance to trace the footsteps of the 'Fab Four' through St Pauli.

• Web:

  tayloronatrip.com/beatles-in-hamburg-germany

• Address:

  Beatles-Platz, Reeperbahn 174, Hamburg