Your Ultimate 7-Day Hamburg Itinerary: Local Secrets & Must-Sees

So you're spending 7 days in Hamburg. Smart move. Most people rush through in two or three days, hit the Elbphilharmonie and the Reeperbahn, and think they've seen it. They haven't. Hamburg is a city of layers, a place where you need to slow down to feel its rhythm—the tidal pull of the Elbe, the rumble of ships in the port, the quiet hum of life around its countless canals. A week gives you time to move beyond the postcard views and into the neighborhoods where the city really lives. This isn't just a list of sights; it's a pacing guide, built from years of showing friends around, designed to help you experience Hamburg's depth, not just its width.

Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions in St. Pauli

Land, check into your hotel (more on where to stay later), and shake off the travel fatigue. Don't head straight to the Reeperbahn's neon chaos. Instead, start at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, the iconic landing bridges. Feel the port wind. Then, walk west along the Elbe promenade towards the Altonaer Balkon park. This short walk offers a stunning, elevated view back towards the city and the docked ships. It's free and instantly connects you to Hamburg's maritime soul.

For dinner, dive into the real St. Pauli. Skip the tourist traps on the main drag. Head to "Zur Ritze" (Friedrichstraße 3, 20359 Hamburg) if you want a legendary, no-frills Hamburg pub with history (it has a boxing ring in the basement). Or, for excellent, modern German food, try "Bullerei" (Lagerstraße 34b, 20357 Hamburg) in a converted stable. A meal here runs about €25-40. After, if you're curious, you can walk the Reeperbahn to see the spectacle—it's safer than its reputation—but call it a night early. Tomorrow's big.

Day 2: The Beating Heart – Port, Warehouses & Elbphilharmonie

This is Hamburg's signature day. Start at the Elbphilharmonie (Platz der Deutschen Einheit, 20457 Hamburg). You need a (free) ticket for the Plaza viewing platform. Book it online in advance via the official Elbphilharmonie website. The view is staggering. A pro tip? The acoustically fascinating interior is worth experiencing. If you can, book a cheap standing ticket for a concert later in the week—it's an event in itself.

Next, walk into the Speicherstadt, the world's largest warehouse district. The brick Gothic architecture is the star. Yes, visit the Miniatur Wunderland (Kehrwieder 2/Block D, 20457 Hamburg). It's not just for kids. The detail is mind-blowing. Tickets are around €20, but book online weeks ahead—this is non-negotiable. After, grab coffee at „Kaffeerösterei Burg“ in the Speicherstadt for a view over the canals.

Cross the Köhlbrandbrücke (in your mind, via the HADAG Ferry Line 72 from Überseebrücke). This ferry gives you the best, cheapest view of Hamburg's container port. It's a public ferry, so your transport ticket or Hamburg Card covers it. You'll feel the scale of the place.

Day 3: History, Lakes & High Culture

Shift gears from the port to the city's elegant core. Start at the Rathausmarkt (City Hall Square). The Hamburg Rathaus is opulent. A guided tour (€6) is worth it to see the senate chamber. From there, a short walk leads to the Binnenalster, the inner lake. Rent a paddle boat or just stroll the Jungfernstieg promenade.

Choose your museum for the afternoon:

• Kunsthalle Hamburg (Glockengießerwall, 20095 Hamburg): A world-class art museum from old masters to contemporary. Closed Mondays. Ticket: €16.
• Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (MKG) (Steintorplatz, 20099 Hamburg): Stunning design, fashion, and applied arts. More unique, often less crowded.

Evening suggestion: Book a table at „Nil“ (Neuer Pferdemarkt 5, 20359 Hamburg) in Sternschanze. It's a Michelin-starred restaurant offering a surprise menu for about €98. For something more casual but equally brilliant, "Schweinske" has several locations and does modern, elevated German classics.

Day 4: A Day of Contrasts – From Fish Market to Luxury

Sunday morning? Fish Market. It runs from 5 am (yes, 5 am) until 9:30 am at Grosse Elbstrasse. Go around 7 am. It's a riot of shouting fishmongers, live music, and people drinking beer at dawn. Eat a Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich). It's an institution. After, walk through the adjacent St. Pauli Fischmarkt halls for antiques and junk.

Then, experience Hamburg's wealth. Take the U-Bahn to Blankenes. This affluent suburb is famous for its Treppenviertel, a labyrinth of narrow lanes, tiny houses, and stairways leading down to the Elbe. It's peaceful, beautiful, and feels a world away. Have lunch at a café on the Strandperle beach club—it's rustic, right on the river.

Day 5: Modern Art, Green Spaces & Sternschanze Vibes

Head to the HafenCity University area to see the „Dialog im Dunkeln“ (Dialogue in the Dark), an exhibition where guides who are blind lead you through pitch-black rooms. It's a profound experience. Book ahead.

Spend the afternoon in Planten un Blomen park. It's massive and gorgeous. In summer, the nightly water light concerts at the park's lake are free and magical. From there, wander into the Sternschanze district. This is Hamburg's hip, alternative heart. It's all about independent bookshops, vinyl stores, and vibrant street art. Explore the „Rote Flora“ area (a squatted cultural center) to feel the city's political pulse.

Dinner in Sternschanze is a must. „Erika's Eck" (Sternstraße 98) is a beloved, bustling canteen-style place with solid German food. Or find a trendy Vietnamese or Middle Eastern spot—the variety here is excellent.

Day 6: Choose Your Adventure – Maritime Deep Dive or Alster Escape

Option A: The Maritime Buff. Visit the International Maritime Museum (Koreastraße 1, 20457 Hamburg) in HafenCity. Nine floors of ship models, uniforms, and naval history. Then, tour the „Cap San Diego“ museum ship or the submarine „U-434" nearby at the Landungsbrücken.

Option B: The Nature & Relaxation Seeker. Rent a bike (next to the Binnenalster) and cycle the path around the Außenalster, the larger outer lake. The full loop is about 7.5 km of pristine views, past villas and parks. Pack a picnic. Alternatively, take the S-Bahn to Harburg to see the „Schlossinsel" (Castle Island) park—a hidden gem few tourists see.

Day 7: Last Bites, Souvenirs & Departure

Use your final morning for last-minute exploring and shopping. For authentic, non-tacky souvenirs:

• „Manufactum“ at the Alster arcades: Quality German-made goods, from kitchenware to stationery.
• „Spielzeugwelten“ in the Speicherstadt: For exquisite miniature figures and models.
• A packet of „Franzbrötchen" from any bakery—Hamburg's iconic cinnamon pastry.

Have a final lunch. If you haven't tried a proper Labskaus (a traditional sailor's hash of corned beef, beetroot, potato, and a fried egg), now's the time. „Old Commercial Room" near the Rathaus is the classic spot for it.

Essential Hamburg Trip Logistics

Your Hamburg Itinerary Questions Answered

Seven days in Hamburg lets you settle in. You'll stop checking the map constantly by day four. You'll find your favorite bakery for that morning Franzbrötchen. You'll understand why Hamburg isn't just a city on the water, but a city of the water. This itinerary gives you the structure to see the highlights while leaving the space you need to discover your own version of that. Now go book those Elbphilharmonie tickets.