15 Incredible Things to do in Hamburg in 2 days

Hamburg was on our bucket list of places to visit for so long. Finally, we spent two days in Hamburg during the Reeperbahn Festival, enjoying the crazy city in Northern Germany.

We have crafted an interesting itinerary of Hamburg in two days to inspire you to explore this modern city’s canals and streets with an industrial core.

There is always a reason to visit the lively Hamburg, a city of thousands of faces and aspects. From the extravagance of the Red Light district to the Record shops of St. Pauli, you pass by the magnificent harbour and the awesome Elbphilharmonie of Hamburg. 

This quite unconventional guide to Hamburg will help you plan a unique escape to one of the most fantastic cities in Germany.

Welcome to the charming city of Hamburg, Germany! With its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning waterfront, Hamburg offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. In this two-day itinerary, we’ll guide you through an unforgettable exploration of the city’s top attractions, mouthwatering cuisine, and vibrant neighbourhoods. Let’s dive into the heart of Hamburg’s captivating experiences!

Things to know before visiting Hamburg

Best time to visit Hamburg

rom our experience, we think the best time to visit Hamburg is in late summer, at the beginning of September. The day is long, and it gets dark late, and you can explore the city better.

When it comes to winter, the day is shorter, and if it is cold, you don’t feel like doing anything apart from having dinner somewhere warm.

Another amazing period of the year to visit Hamburg is Christmas. Unfortunately, we haven’t been there yet in this period of the year, but many friends referred us to that. Visit Hamburg during Christmas Time is on our bucket list. The city is in the north of Germany so it will be cold. The atmosphere instead will be great, and the German Christmas Markets are some of the best in Europe to try absolutely.

Hamburg popular festival | Reeperbahn in September

In your Hamburg 2-day itinerary, there are a couple of things that you need to catch. Suppose you can visit the city during the Hamburg Reeperbahn music festival.

Locals and people from around the world are travelling by the end of September to experience a unique adventure in the Beatles footsteps. If you visit Hamburg during the Reeperbahn music festival, you will experience the city in a different light.

Every time of the year, Hamburg is lively, but in September, the former lower class district “St. Pauli,” hosting the infamous Red Light district, dresses to impress and host a festival of music, colours, flavours and openness, becoming busier than usual.

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Best season for a weekend in Hamburg

Hamburg is a great destination to visit year-round, but your comfort level in cold weather should be taken into account. January temperatures average around 0°C, while August can reach up to 30°C. Don’t let the winter weather deter you from enjoying a perfect Hamburg weekend crazy trip.

Just be sure to wrap up the right clothes and be prepared for any temperature change. Visiting the harbour and cruising through the canals requires you to carry an extra layer, just in case the canals channel a lot of wind, even though boats move slowly.

Hamburg Weather Like | How to spend 2 days in Hamburg

Hamburg in winter can be challenging. From November until March, the maximum temperature is 5 with a minimum of 0 or even -1. If you visit Hamburg in February for a short break for Valentine’s day, the weather will be the same, cold and rainy days. 

We were so lucky to visit Hamburg in September, the weather was terrific, with sunny days at the weekend too. So, September weather in Hamburg is approved. During the day, the temperature was warm, around 15 degrees, even if it went down at night. 

You will never know the exact temperature, but it is always good to check in advance to make sure to pack the right clothes.

Hamburg in summer is different, it is not hot like in Spain, but the maximum temperature can reach up to 24 degrees with a minimum of 13. So it is not too bad to plan a Hamburg itinerary in Summer. Hamburg is a lively city, with a discrete nightlife around the seaside, making it ideal during a summer afternoon.

Getting around Hamburg

We loved walking around Hamburg, well, the weather was pleasant even though end of September. The city is wide and has vast districts, so you must rely on public transport to get from one landmark to another. The local public transport is reliable and available everywhere, from buses to the metro, which happens to be also very attractive for photography enthusiasts like us.

Get a Hamburg Card:  This is a budget-friendly option for unlimited transport and discounts to over 150 attractions within the city and its boundaries. CHECK WHAT IS INCLUDED.

Metro: Hamburg has an efficient metro line that covers the main areas you should see in two days. There are two metro the S-Bahn and U-Bahn.

Hop-on bus: Of course two days in Hamburg are very short, so that’s why more and more tourists get around using the hop-on buses. You can get on and reach the next sights without walking and wasting energies. The pros is also that they will act as a guide while getting around. CHECK THE HOP-ON HOP-OFF OPTIONS IN HAMBURG.

Canal Cruise: One of the best ways to see Hamburg is from its Canal Ways. You will discover more about the fascinating bridges of Speicherstadt. In the meantime check out some of the best canal transportations in Hamburg.

How to reach Hamburg Airport

The first thing we thought about seeing where the airport was, compared with the city centre, was: How we could get there fast and securely. However, all our fears were cut off once we landed; it was effortless to reach the city centre from the airport with just one train.

From Hamburg airport to the city centre, you can use public transport, such as the S1, which connects Flughafen Airport to Jungfernstieg (Rathaus). The Metro system of Hamburg is particularly complex but easy to understand.

One of the things that we loved about Hamburg is that it is on the list of the popular App CityMapper. What is CityMapper? It is a great app, which we use in London as well, and it tells you how to reach your destination most easily and quickly.

The app is available on IOS and Android, and it is ideal for people who love travelling and like to have the answer in their hands.

If you are spending a weekend in Hamburg you are in the right place. Quick and sweet guide for spending a couple of days in Hamburg seeking relax and exploring the city. For more details about the single attractions follow the below guide.

Start your Saturday morning with a visit to the historic Speicherstadt. Marvel at the red-brick warehouses and picturesque canals, learning about the district’s rich trading history. Then, head to Miniatur Wunderland to be amazed by intricate model landscapes.

For lunch, treat yourself to local delights at Fischmarkt, a lively market famous for its seafood offerings.

In the afternoon, stroll along the Elbe River, exploring the Landungsbrücken piers. Consider hopping on a harbour cruise for stunning waterside views.

Sunday begins with a cultural immersion at the Kunsthalle Hamburg, showcasing impressive European artworks.

For lunch, savour a traditional meal at the Isemarkt, a vibrant open-air market where local vendors offer fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delectable treats.

Round off your weekend by experiencing the Schanzenviertel district’s artistic charm and vibrant nightlife.

Take advantage of the Altona Fish Market on Sunday morning, where lively stalls offer seafood, fruits, and lively entertainment, creating a unique and bustling atmosphere.

In this dynamic city, your weekend in Hamburg promises an enriching blend of history, culture, and local flavour.

Unmissable Weekend market in Hamburg

1. Altona Fish Market: Open every Sunday morning, the Altona Fish Market is an iconic Hamburg institution. Beyond seafood, you’ll find an eclectic mix of goods, from fruits and vegetables to clothing and antiques. The lively atmosphere, street musicians, and food stalls make it a must-visit.
2. Schanzenmarkt: This was by far our favourite. Every Saturday, Schanzenmarkt captures the artistic and bohemian spirit of the Schanzenviertel district. It features vintage clothing, handcrafted items, art, and an array of street food from around the world.
3. Fischauktionshalle St. Pauli: While primarily known for its early morning fish auctions, this market opens its doors to the public on Sundays. You can browse through various stalls offering seafood, fruits, and unique merchandise. The adjacent Fischauktionshalle building also hosts events and live music.

Weekend in Hamburg | Let’s start the trip

This guide to Hamburg in two days is organized in day one activities and day two. We crafted the perfect itinerary of Hamburg in two days to help you planning morning, afternoon and evening activities. There are many sightseeing in Hamburg, but most of them are located within the harbour area and St. Pauli District, one of the most picturesque. Let’s start with this fantastic Hamburg itinerary two days.

Day one in Hamburg overview | How to start well your weekend in Hamburg

• Explore St. Pauli
• Visit a Record Shop
• Spend sometimes in best Flea market in Hamburg
• Go on the Beatles footsteps
• Get a glimpse of Hamburg Harbour on a canal cruise
• Enjoy the night in St. Pauli and Reeperbahn

Explore St. Pauli

We placed it as the first area you will discover in Hamburg, as we loved our accommodation. The SuperBude was around here with a short distance from the nightlife and easy to catch the U-Bahn to the centre. The St. Pauli area is where the main Reeperbhan festival takes place. Known worldwide for its football club and music festival, St. Pauli has more to offer than you’d think.

With its spirited bars, nightclubs and red-light district, this is one of the busiest areas of Hamburg. However, if you are looking for a cabaret show or musical on the main street, theatres like Schmidts Tivoli and Operettenhaus perform most of the night.

St. Pauli hosts one of the most exciting flea markets we have seen so far. Flohschanze is a famous flea market you should place on your bucket list of places to visit in Hamburg.

Visit Hamburg Record Shop

Most record shops are in St. Pauli and Schanze districts, where you can easily reach them by walking. Around Hamburg, there are approximately 20 record stores that you can visit. We had never been in a record shop like those before, and seeing so many concentrated in one city made us even more in love with visiting them. 

Thanks to this record shop tour, today we can share all of these fantastic places you can go. Most record shops are located in the St. Pauli’s Area, the lively part of the city with old-school music past and present.

Best record shops in Hamburg

• Hanseplatte
• Zardoz Records
• Groove City
• Smallville
• Freiheit & Roosen

Flohschanze | The best Flea market in Hamburg

During our tour in Hamburg, we have seen many markets, most significant and smaller. One of the most exciting places to visit for markets lovers is the Flohschanze, a flea market in the heart of the St. Pauli district. 

With a mix of private and professional vendor stands, the Flohschanze is interesting and unconventional. Mixed colours, flavours and style perfectly match the St. Pauli’s way. Strolling around the stands and floor stands, you will pass vintage vendors to jewellery, furniture, antiques, books and records.

The market takes place just one day per week, on Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm. Click here to find the perfect coordinate on google maps.

Go on the Beatles footsteps

If you are a music fan or want to visit a city from a different perspective, Hamburg is the ideal trip for you. Until 20 years ago, nobody celebrated the great Beatles history in Hamburg. Then, a few brave people started sharing their knowledge about one of the best pop bands ever. The pAs a result, the band has played in Hamburg more than in their city, Liverpool.

The Beatles started their careers in Hamburg, arriving from Liverpool, cheating on their professional musicians’ status. They have got their first gigs at the Indra, a small club a few steps away from the entrance of the Red Light district of Hamburg. Those and many other stories are all wrapped in a fantastic tour of the streets of Hamburg once walked by famous artists.

Even if you are not a Beatles fan, this tour will guide you to how they started and why today they are considered one of the best bands of those years.

Get a glimpse of Hamburg Harbour on a canal cruise

If you are always looking for the next amazing adventure in a new city, take the chance to book a boat tour in Hamburg. There are two ways to get a ride on a boat in the canal of Hamburg. The first is through public transport.

With your Hamburg Card, you can also access the ferry, which is included in the city’s public transport. There are six ferry lines in Hamburg, which will serve the Harbour of the city and the River Elbe. All ferries stop at Landungsbrücken and are accessible with the HVV Ticket.

For a more deep sail trip along the River Elbe, we suggest taking a private boat tour in Hamburg. You will get a knowledgeable guide to show you around for a low price. It is suggestive of understanding the city’s history, starting from the Seaport, the pulse core of the business of the entire area. We can tell you how magical is the view from the river of the Elbphilharmonie of Hamburg on the landscape.

Enjoy the night in St. Pauli and Reeperbahn

As the first day in Hamburg was already fantastic, you must end it in style, spending the night in St. Pauli and Reeperbahn. This is one of the most picturesque districts in the whole city, where the Beatles started their career and became famous. It is also pointed as one of the most transgressive areas of Hamburg, and you can compare it to Amsterdam’s red light district. However, we found it better as it tends to associate good music and a night out, other than just sex and transgression borough.

Begin your journey at Beatles Platz, a square dedicated to the legendary band. Fans of the Fab Four will take advantage of the opportunity to pay homage here, as the group played more in Hamburg than in Liverpool. John Lennon once said, “I might have been born in Liverpool, but I grew up in Hamburg.”

Most of the trips tribute to the fantastic band start from this square, and we encourage you to join one of them. CHECK IT HERE!

What to do in Reeperbahn at night

If you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife scene in Hamburg, the Reeperbahn is the place to be. Although the red light district may be overwhelming for some, it’s home to some of the city’s best bars and clubs. We had so much fun in Reeperbahn, and while staying longer than two days in Hamburg, it was our way to relax at the end of a day exploring.

To make the most of your visit, consider booking a guided tour. You can opt for a fun bar crawl with drinks starting at 10:30 p.m. or explore other Reeperbahn tours to learn about the area from diverse Hamburg locals.

One of the most extravagant things to do in Hamburg is joining a tour with a drag queen. It will be exhilarating and a fantastic takeaway from the trip. Check out the best Drag Queen tours in Reeperbahn.

Hamburg itinerary two days | Day two guide

• Hamburg Sunday Fish Market
• Pass by St. Michael’s Church
• Join a free Walking tour in Hamburg
• Walk through St. Nikolai Memorial
• International Maritime Museum
• Miniatur Wunderland
• Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
• Cross the bridges of Speicherstadt

Hamburg Sunday Fish Market

If you spend a couple of days in Hamburg and it happens to be a Sunday, you can’t miss visiting the Fishmarket. Every Sunday morning, the Hamburg Fish Market attracts thousands and thousands of visitors. Many of them return from a crazy night in the clubs of Hamburg and eat an excellent fresh breakfast in the fish market.

You can find almost everything from fish to flowers, clothing or souvenirs. In addition, the century-old building hosts live concerts, attracting people inside the trendy clubs just a few minutes away from the Reeperbahn clubs. During Summer (April to October), the market is open from 5 am to 9.30 am.

In Winter (November to March), it opens from 7 am until 9.30 am. We know that is an early start, but it’s worth visiting. You can easily reach the market with U3 to Landungsbrücken or S1 and S3 to Reeperbahn.

Join a free Walking tour in Hamburg

A free tour is great when you are on a budget; it takes you to major sightseeing without wasting time. The morning started early to see the buzzing market by Hamburg Harbour, but it gets more interesting as you traverse the city with a local guide. Check this interesting Free Walking tour in Hamburg, which will take you to discover Rathouse, the centre, significant landmarks and what remains of the traditional port city.

Walk through St. Nikolai Memorial

The House of WWII memorial and museum, the St. Nikolai Memorial, is worth visiting during your two days in Hamburg Itinerary. Conceived in the neo-gothic style, this memorial was once the tallest building in the world. In fact, between 1874 and 1876, there was nothing tallest than this on the entire planet. Well, a long ago, now the tallest is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Today is considered one of the most visited sights and, even if you spend one day in Hamburg, you should see it. The church is in Gothic Revival style; once a Lutheran main church is ideal to visit to discover the history of the II World War. The surrounding area facade preserved the marks of the World conflict.

International Maritime Museum

You will be surprised by the story of this museum. The International Maritime Museum of Hamburg started with a little boy, Peter Tamm, who became an enthusiastic collector of marine items. He collected everything related to maritime history, and even his mother bought him a miniature ship when he was sick in bed. Today, this obsession has become a treasure stored in the International Maritime Museum of Hamburg.

The maritime history of Hamburg is something you should discover; interesting, fun facts about Hamburg are behind the business core of this German city.

The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, and you can reach it at U4 station “Überseequartier”, Bus number 6, station “Bei St. Annen” or Bus number 111, station”Osakaallee”.

Miniatur Wunderland

It might seem a lot, but you can spend a couple of hours getting around Miniatur. It is a fan experience, especially if you are visiting Hamburg with kids. Exploring the world from a different perspective is something you should do during your Hamburg 2 day itinerary. Explore the little world of Miniatur Wunderland of Hamburg, enjoying the little details from the main attractions in the world.

You can book your ticket here and enjoy the small world around us.

The inside is vast, and you can pass from one nation to another without needing a visa or attending a flight.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

One of the most beautiful buildings in the whole city, Elbphilharmonie, is a concert hall, and it is today one of the top sights to visit. Well combined with the surrounding, matching the Speicherstadt building’s architecture with a futuristic touch. The shape of the structure seems like a big ship, also matching the meaning of the old function of the building and the location where it is.

Every panel of this building is built to insulate it from the noises coming from the Seaport and the harbour and give the guests a unique, unrepeatable experience. We have been visiting the Elbphilharmonie during the Reeperbahn Festival, attending a memorable concert; if this is your thought as well, we suggest you book your ticket in advance.

This is one of many ways to visit the Elbphilharmonie of Hamburg; you can get more in-depth information about this fascinating building by booking a tour. This is a budget activity with a fair interaction that will help you collect memories from the trip. Book your tour here.

TopTips: The view from the top is spectacular; it is something that you want to take advantage of.

Cross the bridges of Speicherstadt | Go on a tour in your 2 days in Hamburg

Located in the port of Hamburg, the Speicherstadt is the largest warehouse district in the world. Thanks to the fantastic architecture passing through the canal, it is also a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. In your Hamburg itinerary, for sure, you must visit the Speicherstadt.

Our mission was to explore this incredible district of Hamburg on two occasions, day and night. As you can understand, the lights are entirely different, and liking photography so much, we were incredibly curious to discover it. On both occasions, it is beautiful, and even if you have one day in Hamburg, you should consider visiting it.

If you want to experience something different, consider booking an evening illumination cruise through Harbour. CHECK THE ITINERARY HERE.

Other things to do in Hamburg in two days

We might get that some of the activities in our Hamburg itinerary might not be for you, that’s why below you will find a few alternative to change within the original plan.

Hamburg suggestive boat tour

If you are always looking for the next amazing adventure in a new city, take the chance to book a boat tour in Hamburg. There are two ways to get a ride on a boat in the canal of Hamburg. The first is through public transport.

With your Hamburg Card, you can also access the ferry, which is included in the city’s public transport. There are six ferry lines in Hamburg, which will serve the Harbour of the city and the River Elbe. All ferries stop at Landungsbrücken and are accessible with the HVV Ticket.

For a more deep sail trip along the River Elbe, we suggest taking a private boat tour in Hamburg. You will get a knowledgeable guide to show you around for a low price. It is suggestive of understanding the city’s history, starting from the Seaport, the pulse core of the business of the entire area. We can tell you how magical is the view from the river of the Elbphilharmonie of Hamburg on the landscape.

Discover the port of Hamburg and its surrounding

Did you know that Hamburg offers cruises through the harbour? This is one of the most romantic things to do in Hamburg. Intrigued? Check the tour guide for more insight into one of the most extraordinary things to do in Hamburg.

The Seaport of Hamburg is the part of the city that inhabitants are proud of. Usually, in many towns that are becoming bigger in the time, the harbour dislocates outside the city centre. However, Hamburg is different; the Seaport and the city centre blend in a unique block, one soul.

The labour area of Hamburg, which has developed the city as one of the biggest in Germany, is the core. Today it is not just a port welcoming cargo ships but also cruises. If you are strolling around the port of Hamburg, every day you will see how many people are coming and visiting this place. You can enjoy a lovely walk from the pier towards the Elbpilharmone while admiring the surroundings.

From Hamburg to Amsterdam by public transport

Have you ever thought that from Hamburg you could reach Amsterdam? Well, with a 6 hours bus and no more than 30 euros, you can get to the Netherlands capital. It’s something different and at the same time amazing which you can’t miss doing.

One of the most beautiful Hamburg one-day trips is to book a ticket to Amsterdam. This city is well-connected, and you can reach any places you want.