Hamburg
5
Day Itinerary •
Germany
Five days in Hamburg and the north gives you the full extraordinary range of Germany's greatest port city and the finest coastal landscapes in the country. Beyond the Speicherstadt and Lubeck lie the extraordinary tidal World Heritage of the Wattenmeer, the most exclusive beach in Germany on Sylt, the Danish border culture of Flensburg, the Elbe island Emigration Museum and the extraordinary riverside suburb of Blankenese. This route covers the complete northern German experience from the UNESCO harbour district and Hanseatic splendour of Lubeck through the extraordinary tidal flat walks of the Wattenmeer and the celebrity beaches of Sylt to the rum-trading history of Flensburg and the extraordinary emigration halls of the Ballinstadt museum. Five extraordinary days in the finest corner of northern Germany.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly into Hamburg (HAM)
Getting Around
HVV 7-day ticket, IC trains to Sylt and Lubeck
Budget Per Day
Approx 85 to 325 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat walking and beach
DAY 1
HAMBURG
MORNING
THE SPEICHERSTADT AND THE ELBPHILHARMONIE, THE FINEST MODERN BUILDING IN GERMANY
Hamburg's Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse complex in the world built on oak piles in the Elbe between 1883 and 1927, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most extraordinary historic waterfront district in northern Germany. The extraordinary red-brick canal warehouses now contain museums, design studios and the finest miniature world at Miniatur Wunderland. The adjacent Elbphilharmonie concert hall by Herzog de Meuron is the finest piece of contemporary architecture in Germany. Plaza entry approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE HAMBURG FISCHMARKT AND THE ST PAULI HARBOUR
The Hamburg Fischmarkt on Sunday mornings from 5am to 9.30am is the most extraordinary market in northern Germany, its extraordinary fish auction hall, the street vendors selling enormous bunches of flowers and fruit at the last minute before closing and the extraordinary atmosphere of clubbers returning from the Reeperbahn mixing with elderly locals buying breakfast making it the finest urban market experience in Germany. The harbour view from the St Pauli Landungsbrucken is extraordinary. Entry free. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE REEPERBAHN AND THE BEATLES' HAMBURG
The Reeperbahn in St Pauli is the most extraordinary entertainment district in northern Europe, the street where the Beatles played their formative residencies between 1960 and 1962 in the Indra and Kaiserkeller clubs and where John Lennon called the years that made them. The Beatlemania museum, the original Indra Club and the extraordinary Herbertstrasse are all remarkable. The Reeperbahn at midnight is entirely extraordinary. Beatles museum entry approx 18 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hamburg Chilehaus, completed in 1924, is the most extraordinary example of Brick Expressionism in Germany, its extraordinary ship's prow corner rising ten storeys above the Kontorhaus district with the finest relief sculptures and extraordinary Gothic-influenced brickwork of any 1920s office building in the world. The UNESCO-listed Kontorhaus district surrounding it contains the finest concentration of interwar commercial architecture in northern Europe. Entry to courtyard free. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Paris, Rathausmarkt Outstanding French-German breakfast at the finest belle epoque cafe in Hamburg. Extraordinary interior. | Lunch: Fischbrotenanbieter, Fischmarkt Outstanding fresh fish roll from the market stalls. The Bismarck herring roll is the finest in Hamburg. | Dinner: Haerlin, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten The finest restaurant in Hamburg. Outstanding Hamburg cuisine and extraordinary Alster views. Book ahead.
DAY 2
THE HAMBURG ALSTER AND NEIGHBOURHOODS
MORNING
THE INNER AND OUTER ALSTER LAKES AND THE HAMBURG WALKING CIRCUIT
The Aussenalster and Binnenalster at the heart of Hamburg form the most extraordinary urban lake landscape in Germany, their 164 hectares of sailing water surrounded by extraordinary villas, parkland and the five-star Hotel Atlantic giving Hamburg its extraordinary quality of life. The 7.5km circumnavigation of the Aussenalster on foot is the finest urban walk in northern Germany. The Alster boat service from Jungfernstieg covers the lake in 50 minutes. Boat approx 16 euros return. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
EPPENDORF AND OTTENSEN, THE FINEST NEIGHBOURHOODS IN HAMBURG
Eppendorf is the most extraordinary bourgeois neighbourhood in Hamburg, its extraordinary Eppendorfer Baum shopping street, the art nouveau villas behind and the extraordinary weekly market at the Isemarkt under the U-Bahn arches making it the finest neighbourhood experience in the city. Ottensen in Altona is the most extraordinary alternative neighbourhood, its extraordinary Fischerstrase food market and the Fabrik concert venue giving the finest contrast. Train/Travel: 20 min U-Bahn
AFTERNOON
THE HAFENCITY AND THE ELBPHILHARMONIE SIGHTSEEING
HafenCity is the largest inner-city urban development project in Europe, its extraordinary transformation of 157 hectares of former port land into the finest new urban district in Germany since reunification. The extraordinary International Maritime Museum in the Kaispeicher, the Oberhafen artists' quarter and the remarkable Marco-Polo-Terrassen riverside promenade are all extraordinary. The Elbphilharmonie guided tour is the finest architectural experience in Hamburg. Tour approx 15 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hamburg Planetarium in the Stadtpark is the most extraordinary planetarium in Germany, its extraordinary star shows in the former water tower and the remarkable history of the building, a Wilhelmine brick water tower converted in 1930 to the finest public planetarium in northern Europe, making it the finest hidden cultural venue in the city. The Stadtpark surrounding it with its extraordinary open-air summer concerts is remarkable. Planetarium entry approx 16 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Koppel, Eppendorf Outstanding neighbourhood breakfast at the finest independent cafe in north Hamburg. | Lunch: Nil, Eppendorf Outstanding Hamburg neighbourhood lunch at the finest bistro in Eppendorf. Local produce throughout. | Dinner: Die Bank, Neustadt The finest brasserie in Hamburg in an extraordinary former bank building. Outstanding Hamburg cuisine.
DAY 3
LUBECK AND THE BALTIC COAST
MORNING
LUBECK, THE QUEEN OF THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE AND THE FINEST MEDIEVAL CITY IN THE NORTH
Lubeck is the most extraordinary medieval city in northern Germany and the finest surviving Hanseatic city in Europe, its extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Altstadt on its island between the Trave and Wakenitz, the extraordinary Holstentor gate from 1478, the seven towers of the five medieval churches and the birthplace of Thomas Mann making it the finest day trip from Hamburg. Entry to Holstentor museum approx 10 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min train
MIDDAY
THE LUBECK MARZIPAN AND THE FINEST CONFECTION IN GERMANY
Lubeck's Niederegger marzipan, produced since 1806 in its extraordinary shop on the Breite Strasse opposite the Rathaus, is the finest marzipan in the world, its extraordinary range of flavours, the marzipan museum in the shop and the extraordinary array of sculpted marzipan figures making it the finest food heritage destination in northern Germany. The Lubeck Rathaus with its remarkable brick and terracotta facade is the finest Gothic civic building in Germany. Entry to shop free. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
TRAVEMUNDE AND THE FINEST BEACH RESORT ON THE BALTIC
Travemunde at the mouth of the Trave is the most extraordinary beach resort in Schleswig-Holstein, its extraordinary Baltic promenade, the extraordinary Priwall beach accessible by ferry and the remarkable four-masted sailing ship Passat moored at the harbour making it the finest afternoon destination on the western Baltic. The Baltic Sea at Travemunde in summer is the finest swimming in northern Germany. Ferry approx 2 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lubeck St Mary's Church organ loft contains the extraordinary surviving pipes of the Baroque organ that Dietrich Buxtehude played from 1668 to 1707, the instrument that Johann Sebastian Bach walked 400km from Arnstadt to hear in 1705. The extraordinary Gothic interior with the destroyed bell from the 1942 bombing preserved where it fell and the extraordinary astronomical clock are the finest in any Hanseatic church. Entry to church free, tower approx 4 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Fuhrkamp, Lubeck Outstanding northern German breakfast at the finest bakery in the Lubeck Altstadt. | Lunch: Niederegger cafe, Lubeck Outstanding marzipan-themed lunch at the finest confectionery institution in Germany. Extraordinary experience. | Dinner: Schiffergesellschaft, Lubeck The finest historic restaurant in Lubeck since 1535. Outstanding Baltic fish in the extraordinary maritime interior.
DAY 4
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN AND THE NORTH SEA COAST
MORNING
THE WATTENMEER NATIONAL PARK, THE FINEST TIDAL LANDSCAPE IN THE WORLD
The Schleswig-Holstein Wattenmeer National Park is the finest tidal flat landscape in the world, its extraordinary 4,400 square kilometre UNESCO World Heritage expanse of mudflats, salt marshes and tidal channels containing the largest continuous intertidal zone in the world. The guided mudflat walking tours from Cuxhaven or Buesum give the extraordinary experience of walking on the sea floor between islands. Guided tour approx 12 euros. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours train
MIDDAY
SYLT, THE MOST EXCLUSIVE ISLAND IN GERMANY
Sylt is the most extraordinary and exclusive island in Germany, its extraordinary 40km of Atlantic beach dunes, the celebrity village of Kampen with the finest Michelin-starred restaurants per capita in the country and the extraordinary Ellenbogen double spit at the northern tip accessible only on foot making it the finest island in the North Sea. The Hindenburgdamm railway crossing from the mainland is extraordinary in itself. Sylt return by train approx 30 euros. Train/Travel: Train to mainland
AFTERNOON
FLENSBURG AND THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SMALL CITY IN SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN
Flensburg on the Danish border is the most extraordinary and least known small city in Germany, its extraordinary collection of merchants' courtyards from the 17th and 18th centuries, the finest rum distilling tradition in northern Europe at the Flensburger Rum distillery and the remarkable Danish minority culture giving it a character entirely unlike any other German city. The Nordermarkt is the finest historic square in Schleswig-Holstein. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Rotes Kliff at Kampen on Sylt is the most extraordinary coastal cliff in Germany, a 20-metre red clay cliff above the North Sea beach accessible by the finest clifftop walk in Schleswig-Holstein. The extraordinary Uwe-Dune viewpoint at 52 metres is the highest point on Sylt. The sunset from the Rotes Kliff over the North Sea with the extraordinary light on the red clay is one of the finest natural spectacles in northern Germany. The walk along the cliff from Kampen to List is extraordinary. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Strandsalon, Husum Outstanding North Sea breakfast facing the extraordinary tidal harbour of the grey city. | Lunch: Strandkiosk, Sylt Outstanding North Sea crab and shrimp rolls on the extraordinary Atlantic beach at Westerland. | Dinner: Piet Henningsen, Flensburg Outstanding Schleswig-Holstein food at the finest restaurant in the border city.
DAY 5
THE HAMBURG HARBOUR AND ELBE ISLANDS
MORNING
THE HAMBURG HARBOUR TOUR AND THE ELBE TUNNEL
The Hamburg harbour is the third largest port in Europe and the finest working port accessible to tourists in Germany, its extraordinary fleet of container ships, the extraordinary old Elbe Tunnel from 1911 with its wooden escalators and the harbour tour boats giving the finest industrial waterscape experience in northern Germany. The extraordinary Blohm und Voss dry docks are visible from the harbour. Harbour tour approx 18 euros. Elbe Tunnel entry free. Train/Travel: 30 min S-Bahn
MIDDAY
VEDDEL AND THE BALLINSTADT EMIGRATION MUSEUM
The Ballinstadt Emigration Museum on the Elbe island of Veddel occupies the extraordinary surviving emigration halls where 5 million Europeans passed through Hamburg between 1850 and 1939 on their way to America. The extraordinary personal stories, the hall of names searchable database and the remarkable period emigration hall atmosphere give the finest museum experience in Hamburg outside the Speicherstadt. Entry approx 13 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min S-Bahn
AFTERNOON
BLANKENESE AND THE EXTRAORDINARY ELBE RIVER SUBURB
Blankenese is the most extraordinary riverside suburb in Germany, its extraordinary network of 58 named staircase alleys climbing the Suellberg hill through the finest collection of 19th-century villas in northern Germany above the extraordinary Elbe panorama. The Suellberg gives the finest view of the Elbe from Hamburg to the North Sea. The extraordinary beach at Blankenese below the hill is the finest river bathing spot in Hamburg. Suellberg entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Rickmer Rickmers museum ship moored at the Landungsbrucken in St Pauli is the most extraordinary museum vessel in Germany, a three-masted windjammer launched in 1896 that sailed the China trade routes and survived two world wars before becoming the finest floating museum in Hamburg harbour. The extraordinary original navigation instruments, the captain's quarters and the engine room machinery are all accessible. Entry approx 7 euros. The view from the main mast over the harbour is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bremer Ratskeller, Hamburg Outstanding harbour-side breakfast. The finest smoked eel on toast in Hamburg. | Lunch: Ballinstadt cafe Outstanding museum cafe lunch. Local Hamburg fare at the extraordinary emigration hall. | Dinner: Landhaus Scherrer, Ottensen The finest traditional Hamburg restaurant. Outstanding North Sea sole and local Labskaus. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Hamburg, Nights 1 to 3 25hours Hotel HafenCity or Hotel Atlantic. Approx 100 to 300 euros per night. Lubeck, Night 4 Hotel Anno 1216 or Radisson Blu. Approx 80 to 180 euros per night. Sylt or Flensburg, Night 5 Hotel Miramar Sylt or Hotel Flensburg. Approx 80 to 250 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Sylt in July: the most exclusive beach in Germany. Rent a Strandkorb basket chair for the day on the Atlantic.
2. Wattenmeer mudflat walk: wear clothes that can get muddy. The tidal flat experience is extraordinary and wet.
3. Blankenese staircase alleys: take the S-Bahn to Blankenese and walk the 58 Treppen lanes up to the Suellberg.
4. Ballinstadt Emigration Museum: search your own family in the hall of names database. Extraordinary resource.
5. Flensburg rum: the Flensburger Rum distillery has produced Caribbean rum since
1755. Tasting room open daily.
6. Lubeck Holstentor at dusk: the gate lit at night reflected in the Trave is the finest image in northern Germany.
Total Budget
85 to 320 EUR/day