Where to stay in Hamburg depends on your interests. The city is big and spread out, so you don’t want to be far from the center. That said, the public transport net is reliable and gets you everywhere in no time. In Hamburg, the best hotels are in the center. That’s the area around the small lake, Binnenalster, and extends to the widest canal, Norderelbe. However, since the center is mostly dead at night, we thought of other brilliant places.
We’ve been to the city several times, so we know Hamburg’s best neighborhoods. We have selected the ones that offer the most. As you know, we love to walk and usually take public transport. Thus, most of our picks are within walking distance to the main attractions or just a short metro/bus ride away. That said, we’ve included options in quaint places out of the center for those of you who want peace.
City Center – Altstadt
Our favorite place to stay is Altstadt. Most 5 star hotels in the city are here. The area is home to the best architecture in the city. We are talking about grand buildings like the City Hall, St. Michaels Church, two great museums, and the one and only Kontorhaus District. The latter is an entire neighborhood included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Together with Speicherstadt, it is the biggest warehouse area in the world. If you are an architect, stay here.
Hamburg City Center is alive all day long. There’s a vibrant local population. Besides, people from all over the city visit during the day to shop, eat, and work. Everyone flocks to the center’s parks to exercise, relax and socialize in the afternoons. It’s a great place to eat too. You can breakfast overlooking the lake, grab a light lunch at a local deli, and dine at a fancy restaurant.
The Best Hotels in the Center
Since we like authentic buildings, we’ve stayed at the Renaissance Hamburg Hotel. The luxury hotel is a former brick expressionist print house designed by Fritz Höger. You get the Renaissance experience: location, class, and unparallel service. The Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten is the epicenter of luxury in Hamburg. The beautiful 1897 Art Deco palace on the lake has splendid rooms, halls, and restaurants. Go up to the rooftop bar for cocktails and killer views.
St Pauli
St Pauli is the best place to stay for nightlife. It’s the area to the west of the city center, next to Wallanlagen and Planten un Blomen Parks. The young and creative flock to the parks to relax. The neighborhood has some of the coolest bars in the city. Likewise, the area is favored by artists and free thinkers. Galleries, theatres, and art centers dot its streets. Be sure to check the Elbtunnel, a super cool art space below the river.
Don’t get us wrong. St. Pauli is pretty cool during the day too. Restaurants and bars here tend to be relaxed. Since they cater to the residents, they offer simple delicious food. We like St Pauli’s coffee shops. Local artists from all over the world hang out and exchange ideas while having coffee. Today, the neighborhood attracts an upscale crowd too. Some of the shops and art galleries in St Pauli are amongst the best in Hamburg.
The Best Hotels in St Pauli
For class and design, book a room at the East Hotel Hamburg. The swank building was recently refurbished. Ideally located in the party area, the hotel has a gym and four bars! However, the rooms are comfy and quiet. The ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg is a sleek modern tower in the heart of St. Pauli, within walking distance to the harbor and most attractions. St. Pauli metro station is a block away. The top floor rooms offer breathtaking views of the city.
Stern Schanze
Someone told us that the city had lost its edge and was fully gentrified. Wrong. Schanzenpark and Sternaschanze are still authentic and a bit rough, and that’s why we like them. Left-wing activists, anarchists, and the free-spirited flock to its streets to mingle and come up with new ideas. The area is full of graffiti and alternative bars. If you are looking for vibrant yet safe neighborhood, this is where to stay.
Rote Flora is the heart of the area. The former theater is now a cultural center with a coffee house and a concert venue. Nearby is Schanzenkino’s open-air movie theatre. Every Saturday, the south of the neighborhood comes alive with the Flohschanze flea market. From 8 AM to 6 PM, people from all over the city sell and buy stuff here.
The Best Hotels in Stern Schanze
August The Boardinghouse offers great short-term apartments. The building is a block away from Flora Park, the epicenter of Sternschanze. They have studios and two-bedroom apartments perfect for friends and families. Fritz im Pyjama is next to Schanzenpark metro station. The hotel’s airy and bright rooms are an oasis of peace in the middle of the action. We like their eco-friendly ideas and complimentary coffee.
Rotherbaum
The University of Hamburg is in the heart of Rotherbaum. The main campus building is gorgeous. As you can imagine, young students visit the neighborhood’s coffeehouses and eateries. Thus, the atmosphere is hip and cool. You have to visit the Museum of Ethnology and the Zoological Museum. Rotherbaum extends to the lake, where a couple of rowing clubs are. Walk along the Alsterufer Boulevard admiring the mansions.
Rotherbaum is very popular in the city because of its sports complex. Sports Club An der Alsten in Hallerstrasse is one of the best in Europe. They’ve hosted the World Beach Volleyball Championship. What we love about Rotherbaum is how close it is to the center. However, it feels totally different. The City Hall is just a half an hour walk away. Besides, the metro takes you everywhere.
The Best Hotels in Rotherbaum
The GRAND ELYSEE Hamburg has one of the best indoor pools in Hamburg. It’s part of a huge spa with all you ever dreamed of. Since it’s in the heart of Rotherbaum but overlooking a park, this massive hotel is very peaceful. The hotel has two restaurants, favored by locals. Tucked in a quiet street, the Stilwerk Hotel Heimhude is over 150 years old. The updated Art Deco mansion has big comfortable rooms, a lovely garden, and personalized service.
Hafencity
Stay in Hafencity if you like architecture. Massive buildings line the canals that criss-cross the neighborhood. The whole place is the pinnacle of brick architecture. Thus, UNESCO included the Speciherstadt in is its World Heritage Site list. Don’t forget to visit the Elbphilharmonie, the most celebrated contemporary building in Hamburg. Go to the top for epic views.
If you like cars, walk to the Automuseum Prototyp. The International Maritime Museum is nearby. It’s the oldest restored warehouse in the city. The collection inside is amazing. Lohsepark is opposite. Young people come to chill and skate. Stop by the memorial to the Romani and Jewish people. Hafencity is pretty alive at night. Since the resident population keeps growing, new hip coffee houses, restaurants, and bars open all the time.
The Best Hotels in Hafencity
AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt is the only hotel within the UNESCO listed area. The former coffee stock exchange homes one of the best luxury hotels in the city. Choose a room with views of the canals. PIERDREI Hotel HafenCity Hamburg is in front of the Ameron, favored by families and couples. It’s a modern hotel with comfortable rooms, a 24/7 shop, and a fantastic rooftop terrace.
St Georg
St. Georg is the district just east of the center, adjacent to the big lake Aussenalster. Restaurants, art galleries, and off-the-radar shops line its leafy streets. Considered by many Hamburg’s LGBT center, it’s a safe place to party the night away. It’s one of the best neighborhoods to check some art, have coffee, or dine in Hamburg. Some of the best restaurants in Hamburg dot the lake promenade.
The nicest park in St. Georg is Lohmuhlenpark. It’s full of tall trees, paths, benches, and tables. Beautiful mansions and buildings overlook the park. You can also walk or bike along the lake. The park along the lake is an oasis of peace with gorgeous views over the Alster. The area begins after the Rowing Club Allemannia 1866. The legendary club is the best place to exercise and row in Hamburg.
The Best Hotels in St Georg
Hotel Atlantic Hamburg is the first grand palace you’ll see as soon as you cross to the big lake. Opened to great fanfare in 1909, and it is still one of the best luxury hotels in town. You can lap in its pool and have delish pastries in the lovely coffee house. You can’t get closer to Hamburg’s main station than at the Reichshof Hotel Hamburg. It’s a superb Art Deco building that opened in 1910. Fully refurbished in 2015, it offers brilliant rooms and impeccable service.
Blankenese
Though half an hour from the center, Blankenese is a great place to stay. The fancy neighborhood is adjacent to the river and offers unbelievable views of the port in front. The area is a Mecca for bicycle enthusiasts. You can bike across lovely fields and tree-lined paths. We walked for hours admiring the luxurious villas that dot the neighborhood. Though you can’t swim, the sandy beaches are pretty too.
The center of Blankenese is called Stair-quarters (Treppenviertel). Lovely mansions and parks populate the hill overlooking the river. The area gets its name from the 5000 steps it has! Take your time and discover every corner while enjoying memorable views. Go at your own pace. If you get tired, you can always catch a bus. Don’t worry if you get hungry or thirsty. You’ve got several places to choose from.
The Best Hotels in Blankenese
The Hotel Süllberg Karlheinz Hauser is on a slope and has a manicured garden with fantastic views. Everything is luxurious in this grand house. The restaurant is one of the best in the city. The Strandhotel Blankenese is a 1902 elegant Art Deco villa with a garden directly over the Elbe River. Choose a room with river views to enjoy breathtaking sunsets.
How Long to Stay in Hamburg
You can stay in Hamburg for how many days you want. The city is big, fascinating, and full of things to do and see. The last time we were there, we spent two full weeks. Still, we feel we could’ve stayed longer. Just covering Hamburg’s main attractions will take you at least three days. Remember that you have an entire UNESCO district to visit, some of the best museums in Germany, outstanding parks, historic buildings, and splendid canals.
Those of you who have more time should visit other Hanseatic cities. The nicest is Lübeck, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This marvelous city is just 45 minutes by train from Hamburg. Lüneburg is another incredibly well-preserved medieval Hanseatic city just half an hour by train from Hamburg. Finally, Stade is the closest medieval city to Hamburg. You can go there by train or by boat across the river.
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