After the capital Berlin, Hamburg, with nearly 1.9 million inhabitants, is the second largest city in Germany.
It is also one of Germany’s federal states, bordering Schleswig-Holstein to the north and Lower Saxony to the south.
Although it is not directly on the North Sea, it is connected by the Elbe River, which has made it a commercial center for centuries and one of the country’s economic powerhouses.
Hamburg has a variety of historical sites, plenty of natural beauty, and all the big city attractions that international tourists expect.
Here are the 15 best tours in Hamburg.
1. 3 ½ hour bike tour
Despite its bustling streets and millions of inhabitants, Hamburg has plenty to offer cyclists.
On this 3½-hour guided tour, eager hawkers will be taken to many of the city’s most iconic sights, including St. Michael’s Church, Ulster Lake, City Hall and the world-famous Reeperbahn.
There are short stops at each attraction; participants will have time to ask questions, take a few photos, and have a quick drink before heading to the next stop.
Since the city is relatively flat, the tour is suitable for people of most ages and levels of physical ability.
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2. 2-hour Hamburg Port Tour
According to business statistics, the Port of Hamburg is second only to Rotterdam in terms of cargo volume. Inbound and outbound ships from all over the world are almost always buzzing with activity.
The port is primarily responsible for Germany’s economic strength and has one of the most modern overseas container facilities on the European continent.
It’s also home to fish markets, seedy stretches that cater to sailors on a whim, as well as historic attractions.
This 2-hour tour is a delightful alternative to a city tour, and leaves plenty of time to explore on your own or a two- to three-hour tour afterwards.
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3. Night Illuminations Cruise the Harbour
A night cruise around Hamburg’s harbour is the perfect way to end an active day.
As the night gets darker, the city is flooded with vibrant light, allowing you to enjoy truly extraordinary views.
The bustling container terminal is an impressive sight, the canals, the International Maritime Museum and the Marco Polo Tower – just to name a few of the attractions included.
Along the way, guests will benefit from local historical anecdotes from the guide and gain a fresh perspective on the layout of the city, as well as the history, culture and maritime business traditions.
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4. City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tickets
For those buying tickets for the hop-on hop-off city tour, exploring Hamburg on your own terms couldn’t be easier.
Hop-on hop-off tours allow savvy travelers to visit many sites that allow them to see and experience the things that interest them, while ignoring the things that don’t.
There are too many attractions to visit in one day for many guests, but year-round favourites include St. Pauli’s Pier, Miniature Wonderland, Hans Albersplatz and Reeperbahn.
Depending on the weather and how tired they are, guests can choose to stay on the bus as little or as much as possible — at least until they like something.
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5. Haunted Burger Tour
From long-lost ghost ships and medieval witches to demons and the utterly inexplicable, Hamburg is an eerie place to be after dark.
This two-hour nighttime guided tour is perfect for lovers of eccentricity and horror. It offers guests some of the city that traditional tourists don’t often experience.
Along with their guides, guests will travel to several supposedly haunted places that look completely normal during the day.
The Reeperbahn, St. Catherine’s Church and the Meniscus are all on the itinerary, but best reserved for those 12 and older.
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6. Schanzenviertel 3-Hour Food Tour
This 3-hour food tour offers English-speaking tourists a surprising number of almost unpronounceable culinary destinations and remains a popular choice for all food-related lovers.
Many of the city’s oldest neighborhoods are known for their unique cuisine. During this tour, guests will have plenty of time to explore them, meet the locals, and sample a variety of traditional and modern dishes.
Tours stop at at least five different locations, covering history, politics, and contemporary issues that most guests find interesting, such as gentrification, business and labor.
Guests are encouraged to show up with an empty stomach and an open mind.
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7. 1-hour harbour cruise
For centuries, Hamburg and other Hanseatic cities dominated much of the region’s maritime trade, and the city still has more canals, bridges and locks than almost anywhere else in Europe.
Seeing the city from the water on this 1-hour harbour cruise is a great use of precious vacation time, as it covers parts of Hamburg that those stranded on land cannot see.
Tourist highlights include the impressive bridge, the container terminal and the Speicherstadt warehouse area.
Tour boats include shady sun decks and ample indoor seating for those who prefer cold drinks and air conditioning over sun and sea breezes.
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8. Follow in the footsteps of the Olivia Reeperbahn Tour
According to those who have experienced it, Hamburg’s Reeperbahn neighborhood is similar to Las Vegas, only more cheesy and glitzy.
It’s also a super concentrated pocket that makes the burger what it is, so it’s a must-see for the adventurous and uninhibited.
The area has it all – from shabby cocktail bars and drag shows to iconic football pitches and cabaret venues.
While it’s usually the exclusive domain of the young and crazy, this 2.5-hour tour also has its fair share of older tourists, so if you fall into the latter category, consider stepping out of your comfort zone.
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9. Hamburg Harbour Light Cruise
As the sun sets behind the skyline, Hamburg’s harbour is engulfed in a myriad of lights, making it especially stunning.
In fact, the lights of the port and container terminal are so bright that they add an aura to the city, making the skyline stand out against the night sky.
This evening tour lasts 90 minutes and includes a captivating historical narration from the captain’s guide along the way.
Attractions to visit vary slightly by tide and season, and some special tours are regularly offered, so check their schedules before booking a tour.
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10. Sex and crime in St. Pauli
Hamburg’s St. Pauli district has a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest neighborhoods in the city.
It’s a delightful mix of gangsters, strip clubs, show bars and world-class boxer training facilities.
On this two-hour tour, guests will experience a side of the city that is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Led by their guides, participants will learn about competing gangs vying for control of the area, the colorful criminals who used to prowl the streets of the red light district, and visit some of the city’s most exclusive clubs.
The tour begins and ends at a location in the heart of Hamburg.
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11. HafenCity 3-Hour Food Tour and Elbe Philharmonic Visit
Even by the standards of a great-value combo tour, this 3-hour HafenCity food and Elbe Philharmonic selection is a gem.
This tour combines food, history, culture and elements of the city’s strong and bustling economy into one streamlined itinerary.
Brief introduction and food tasting in HafenCity.
Guests will also visit the warehouse complex, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ride the longest escalator in the country, and enjoy panoramic views of the vast city and harbour below.
At the Elbe Philharmonic, you and your group will learn about famous music venues before continuing on to the final stage of the tour.
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12. Admission to Panoptikum Wax Museum
Guided tours are a great option for travelers looking to make the most of their time, but some attractions don’t warrant the extra cost of an on-site guide.
Panoptikum Waxworks is the oldest facility of its kind in the country. It features over 100 lifelike celebrities, politicians, villains, royalty and historically important figures from around the world.
Each exhibit is accompanied by an explanation of the people you see. Therefore, having a guide on a journey isn’t much use.
Audio guides are available in multiple languages, or a local professional if you’re interested.
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13. 1 ½ hour Chocoversum Tour
For countless generations, German chocolatiers have been producing some of the world’s most sought-after sweets.
This excursion to the Chocoversum Museum is not only fun and unique, but also engaging and educational, perfect for people of all ages.
It’s an interactive experience, which means guests can see and learn about the chocolate-making process from start to finish, and they’ll have the opportunity to participate if they so choose.
Entrance fees and multiple samples are included, and at the end of the tour, each guest gets their own chocolate bar.
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14. Guided AIDA cruise with lunch
For many international travelers, the idea of being crammed into a small cabin on a crowded cruise ship for days on end isn’t too appealing.
But for those who still want to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of these magnificent ships, this AIDA cruise will be a great way to spend three hours.
AIDA’s cruise ships are known for their extensive facilities and fun activities, and are designed for young travelers.
Guests will see parts of the ship that are normally off-limits and gain insider insight into how everything works.
The tour includes a buffet-style lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.
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15. St. Pauli Night Tour
Love beer and beer?
Would rather rub shoulders with homeless, sailors, pimps and criminals than bored tourists?
If so, read on, because this whirlwind night tour of Hamburg’s St. Pauli region has you named.
Along with their guide, guests will follow in the footsteps of famous tourists – like the Beatles – who decide to spend a ghetto in one of the city’s most sinful neighborhoods.
Funny stories of debauchery and stupidity abound; in one of the city’s famous attractions, you’ll admire and watch people while listening to them in all their glory.
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