In a nutshell
- Beyond its well-known highlights, Hamburg has some seriously cool off-the-beaten-path spots that most visitors never find.
- Our top pick is the Ohlsdorf Cemetery — the world’s largest park cemetery and a wonderfully peaceful place to escape the city buzz.
- Traveling with kids? The ship welcoming station at Willkomm-Höft in Wedel is a real treat: massive vessels sail past while an announcer shares all the fascinating details about them.
- Soccer romantics will feel right at home at an Altona 93 match — one of Germany’s oldest stadiums and a world away from the corporate stadium experience.
You’ve already taken ten harbor cruises and could navigate the Elbphilharmonie blindfolded? Then it’s time for some real Hamburg insider tips!
We spend a weekend in Hamburg on a regular basis and keep discovering cool things to do there. In this article, we’re sharing our 11 favorite off-the-beaten-path picks for Hamburg: from our favorite flea market to the best Franzbrötchen in the city.
Karoviertel
Lively, quirky, and colorful: what was once a working-class neighborhood is now one of Hamburg’s most interesting districts.
The Karolinenviertel, affectionately nicknamed Karoviertel by locals, is a small part of the trendy Sankt Pauli neighborhood.
We especially recommend two things here: shopping and brunch. The Karoviertel has small, independent stores instead of big chains — we love that!
Around every corner you’ll find cool boutiques and stylish cafés. Our favorites are Glore, a sustainable clothing store, Gretchens Villa with incredibly delicious cake, and Teikei Café for excellent coffee.
Our tip: Start your tour on Marktstraße — that’s where you’ll find most of the shops. From there you can take detours down smaller side streets.
Eppendorf und Winterhude
Eppendorf and Winterhude are two neighborhoods in northern Hamburg along the Outer Alster, and they rank among Hamburg’s more upscale areas. There are mainly two things to find here: lots of green space and beautiful old buildings with bay windows, turrets, stucco, and all kinds of charming details.
Winterhude is larger and is home to the Stadtpark, the green lung of Hamburg. You’ll find many wonderful cafés and restaurants here. You can also climb up to the observation deck at the planetarium and enjoy a fantastic panorama over the city.
In Eppendorf there’s the Haynpark: many Hamburgers come here on weekends for a picnic and watch the white swans swimming on the Eppendorfer Mühlenteich. The area around Eppendorfer Landstraße is also great for shopping.
We love both neighborhoods for strolling and unwinding in nature. They’re a bit outside the city center, but that also means far fewer tourists on the streets and in the parks.
Ohlsdorfer Friedhof
A cemetery as a Hamburg insider tip? Yes, really! The Ohlsdorf Cemetery (Google Maps) is as large as 566 soccer fields, making it the largest park cemetery in the world. That alone makes it worth a visit.
On top of that, it’s not just a cemetery — it’s also something of a park. That’s largely because Hamburg’s Stadtpark didn’t yet exist when the cemetery was built, so it was intended to serve as a place of rest and reflection in nature as well.
Among ponds, pine forests, winding paths, and an abundance of colorful flowers, you can get a little distance from the city. There’s even a geo app for the cemetery that fills you in on the graves of famous Hamburgers like Helmut Schmidt.
Important: This probably goes without saying, but please behave respectfully at the cemetery.
Falkensteiner Ufer
Been to Hamburg a few times already and the classic Hamburg sights like the Elbe Beach, the port, and the usual suspects are old news to you? For Hamburg insiders, we have the Falkensteiner Ufer (Google Maps) up our sleeve.
This stretch along the Elbe is a bit outside the city center and you can reach it by car, on a bike ride, or by HVV ferry.
Once you’re there, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the North Sea: white sand, blue water, and in summer a few hardy souls always swimming in the Elbe. Behind the beach is the Waldpark Falkenstein, which is great for hiking.
By the way: The Falkensteiner Ufer is said to offer the most beautiful view of the Elbe. Whether that’s really true is best discovered for yourself.
Schiffsbegrüßungsanlage Willkomm-Höft
To watch ships, most Hamburg visitors head to the port, of course. But we also highly recommend the ship welcoming station at Willkomm-Höft in Wedel (Google Maps).
Here you can take part in a genuine Hamburg shipping tradition: every ship that passes through on the Elbe heading into or out of the port of Hamburg is greeted or bid farewell with flags, the national anthem, and a greeting in the ship’s home language.
Especially with kids in Hamburg, it’s a huge spectacle when the massive container ships sail past and the announcer shares cool facts about their size, origin, and cargo.
On nice days you can sit right by the Elbe, and on rainy days there’s a great fish restaurant, the Schulauer Fährhaus, which offers an excellent view from inside.
Our tip: The ship welcoming station is only a ten-minute drive from our #4, the Falkensteiner Ufer. The two pair together perfectly.
Bomb Hugger von Banksy
If you walk through the Steinwegpassage (Google Maps) in downtown Hamburg, you’ll spot a graffiti on a column of a little girl hugging a bomb — the Bomb Hugger, as it’s known.
We might have written it off as just another piece of street art, but this work has genuine cult status. British artist Banksy is a true icon in the street art scene.
The graffiti means so much to Hamburgers that it was even professionally restored after someone had spray-painted over it.
By the way: a prankster copied the piece on a neighboring column and wrote “Fake” beneath the original. So don’t get confused!
Banksy’s Bomb Hugger: for us, definitely one of the best secret spots in Hamburg.
Die andere Elbseite
You haven’t truly been to Hamburg until you’ve walked through the Old Elbe Tunnel (Google Maps).
The tunnel opened in 1911 — how many cars must have driven through it over the years? Today the Old Elbe Tunnel is mostly used by cyclists and pedestrians, though cars can still drive through it too.
A must, of course, is a cool perspective photo inside this seemingly endless tube! It’s no wonder the Old Elbe Tunnel is one of the most popular photo spots in Hamburg.
Once you’re on the other side, you can take in the view of Hamburg from “the other side of the Elbe” — yes, that’s actually what the spot is called.
Our tip: It’s especially beautiful here in the evening — that’s when you can watch the sunset over Hamburg.
Altona 93: Hamburg Insidertipp für Fußball-Fans
Watching soccer is a popular activity for many Hamburgers and visitors alike as part of things to do in Hamburg.
But whether you go to an HSV game or a match at any other modern stadium, the differences have largely disappeared. The newer venues all look too much alike, and a top-flight game today is a fully organized, corporate event with little to set it apart.
If you’re an incurable soccer romantic, go see Altona 93. The club plays at the Adolf-Jäger-Kampfbahn (Google Maps), the second-oldest stadium in Germany. Time has simply stood still here. Sadly, that won’t last forever — the stadium is set to be demolished soon.
You can find information about upcoming games on the Altona 93 website. Tickets can be purchased right at the stadium — it definitely won’t sell out.
Besonderes Hamburg Musical: Kiezmusical Heiße Ecke
Heiße Ecke has grown into a Hamburg musical institution and holds its own easily against big names like The Lion King.
At the Schmidt Tivoli theater right on the Reeperbahn, the story unfolds of one night at the Heiße Ecke currywurst stand. It’s about the lost souls who drift around the Reeperbahn and the little stories of a perfectly ordinary night on Hamburg’s Kiez.
Funny costumes, authentic characters, and plenty of earworm potential! Heiße Ecke may no longer be a total secret, but it’s so quintessentially Hamburg that it absolutely belongs on our list of the best Hamburg insider tips.
Schanzenflohmarkt im Karoviertel
There’s no better place to browse, rummage, and haggle than the Schanzenflohmarkt (Google Maps) in the Karolinenviertel. We know some great flea markets from Berlin (check out our favorite Berlin flea markets), but the Flohschanze is something special.
From old guitars to ship lanterns and vintage vinyl records, you’ll find just about everything, and amid all the junk you can uncover real treasures.
But there’s one thing the locals take very seriously at the Flohschanze: only used items are sold here — new goods have no place at the Schanzenflohmarkt.
The market runs every Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Around the flea market there are also some cool boutiques and cafés if you feel like wandering a little further.
Die besten Restaurants und Cafés in Hamburg
Hamburg is packed with great restaurants, cafés, and bars. We’ve happily worked our way through them for you and are now sharing our absolute favorites — including tips for the best Franzbrötchen in Hamburg!
Our favorite restaurants in Hamburg
- Mamalicious: A huge serving of delicious vegan pancakes, your choice of blueberry or mixed fruit with whipped cream. Yum!
- Underdocks: A variety of fish sandwiches as well as fish and chips. We also love the industrial style of the place.
- SomeDimSum: Dim sum worth seeking out! These are small Asian dumplings, either grilled or steamed.
- Andronaco: An Italian restaurant with a self-service concept. At the Italian grocery store next door you can pick up treats to take home.
- Happenpappen: Delicious and vegan — bowls, burgers, and salads in all kinds of variations.
- Holy Taco: At Holy Taco on the Reeperbahn you’ll find the best tacos and the best Mexican street food in the city.
- Salt and Silver: Two restaurants in one — Levantine-inspired and Latin American. A little on the pricier side, but absolutely outstanding. The menu is a mix of everything the two founders brought back from their travels around the world.
- Burgerlich: Really great burgers! The location at Gänsemarkt has a play area for kids and is very family-friendly.
Our favorite cafés in Hamburg
- Elbgold: A huge selection of coffee varieties! On nice days you can sit in the courtyard and soak up the sun.
- Playground: An unassuming café near the Reeperbahn. In our opinion, this is where you’ll find the best coffee in Hamburg — plus delicious cheesecake.
- NordCoast Roastery: Located right in the Speicherstadt and a great spot for breakfast. You can also buy coffee beans as a souvenir.
- Eclair Au Café: A French café with the biggest Franzbrötchen in the city. The best of a croissant and a Franzbrötchen combined.
- Törnqvist: A small, minimalist spot with outstanding coffee! If you snag a window seat, you can watch the hustle and bustle at Stern!
- Luicella’s: Hamburg’s best ice cream, with creative flavors like maple syrup and Franzbrötchen. There’s usually a short line, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Where can you find the best Franzbrötchen?
- Konditorei Wiedenroth: Not too dry, not too sweet, and not too heavy on the cinnamon — pure Franzbrötchen heaven!
- Kleine Konditorei: In addition to the classic, they also offer Franzbrötchen with pistachio, apple, or streusel.
- Junge Bäckerei: A bit mainstream, but tried and true. A Franzbrötchen from Junge Bäckerei is always a solid choice.
Extra-Insidertipp: Sex and Crime Tour
When people think of city tours, they usually picture typical sightseeing trips to the Elbphilharmonie and the like. But it doesn’t have to be that way — there are some truly special walking tours through Hamburg that show you a completely new side of the city. Our pick is the Sex and Crime Tour through Sankt Pauli.
The tour takes you to Hamburg’s red-light district, where you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about the sex trade and the criminal underbelly of the city.
Your guide will take you to the legendary Kiez bar “Zur Ritze”, tell you how women can get into the Herbertstraße, and reveal where Mike Tyson once trained. And what exactly are the Nutella Gang and GMBH?
Book the Sex and Crime Tour through Sankt Pauli
Unsere Hoteltipps für Hamburg
Already been to Hamburg and just looking for something new? Or is this your first time in the Hanseatic city and you want to make your stay even better with a special boutique hotel? Here, to wrap things up, are our top three Hamburg hotel picks.
Henri Hotel: A beautiful boutique hotel with handcrafted furniture in the heart of Hamburg. A sauna and fitness room are a nice bonus.
25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt: One of Hamburg’s most sought-after design hotels. Located in HafenCity, just steps from the Elbphilharmonie and Speicherstadt.
Superbude Hotel St. Pauli: An affordable hotel with the wildest style in Hamburg. The location near the Reeperbahn is perfect for younger travelers who want to go out.
Nothing quite right yet? Then check out our article on the most beautiful boutique and luxury hotels in Hamburg, where you’ll find plenty more recommendations.
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