Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt
In this miniature cosmos, everything is in motion, and the sheer number of details and ingenious technology never fails to amaze visitors. Planes take off every few minutes, ships dock in the harbors, cars wind their way through the scenery, and more than 265,000 figures bring the 1,500-square-meter world to life. In addition to Hamburg, 14 other cities and regions are represented, including Venice, Rio de Janeiro, and Patagonia, with more continually being added.

The real star of Miniatur Wunderland, however, is the world’s largest model railway, which runs on more than 16 kilometers of track through the different worlds. Be sure to book a timed-entry ticket in advance.

The historic Speicherstadt, with its red-brick warehouse buildings, stands on oak piles. Bridges span the canals between them, bringing Hamburg’s trading history to life. The buildings are protected historic monuments and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Right next door begins HafenCity, with its modern architecture, wide promenades, and plenty of waterfront spaces to explore.

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Conveniently located and represented twice are the 25hours Hotel HafenCity and the 25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt. From both hotels you can look out over the water and toward Speicherstadt. The “Medium Bunk Bed Zimmer” with cabin-style bunk beds can be combined with an XL room, which is a great solution for families.

Just a few steps away is the Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier shopping center, with shops, restaurants, the Lego Discovery Centre Hamburg and the Kinopolis HafenCity cinema. Art enthusiasts can continue on to the Deichtorhallen, where contemporary art and photography are on display.

The Elbphilharmonie, often simply called the “Elphi”, is Hamburg’s landmark and shapes the city’s skyline. Even the 82-meter-long curved escalator ride is an experience, leading up to the observation terrace with stunning views of the Port of Hamburg. For families, there are special Funkelkonzerte (Sparkle Concerts).

Wohngeschwisterchen in the Sternschanze district
Here, both big and little shopping fans will find something to enjoy. At Wohngeschwisterchen in the Sternschanze district, you’ll discover lots of colorful and beautiful items for the home. Even those traveling light will find plenty to love. The shop offers special souvenirs like patches, mugs, and keychains, as well as home accessories such as vases, children’s clothing from Scandinavian labels, and seasonal styles.

The Sternschanzen district is one of Hamburg’s liveliest neighborhoods. Anyone who enjoys owner-run shops, unique cafés, and charming bakeries will find plenty to explore along Schulterblatt, Schanzen-, Susannen-, and Marktstrasse.

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Craft beer and regional cuisine are served at Altes Mädchen, with dishes like traditional roulade, Ackergold potato chips, or vegan lentil burgers. For coffee specialties, bagels, and a sunny courtyard, head to Elbgold in der Schanze.

For some outdoor fun, take the kids to the nearby Schanzenpark. On the way to the spacious playground with slides, a zipline, and swings, you can also check out the red Schanzenturm. There are even more playgrounds in the area, here.

Another shopping highlight is the Kauf dich glücklich store at Schulterblatt 1, offering trendy fashion for women, men, and children. While you’re there, you can also find great books, games, jewelry, and cosmetics.

St. Pauli and the Bunker
The former anti-aircraft tower stands impressively in the St. Pauli district. The Bunker was built during World War II as a shelter, and its history is documented inside. Today, a garden with thousands of trees and shrubs grows on the roof. You can reach the rooftop garden for free via the 560-meter-long “Bergpfad”. The Bunker offers a wide variety of culinary options, such as the Sala restaurant, which offers views over the rooftops of Hamburg. At the Constant Grind café, you can enjoy Hamburg specialties as well as hot drinks for a quick pick-me-up.

St. Pauli is more than just the Reeperbahn. Around Clemens-Schultz- and Paul-Roosen-Strasse, the neighborhood is shaped by cafés, small shops, and street art. Of course, FC St. Pauli is also an integral part of the area.

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You can stay easily at Superbude St. Pauli, located between the Schanze and the Kiez. Check-in is available for four-, five-, or six-person rooms, and at breakfast, you can even bake your own waffles. Other locations can be found in St. Georg and Altona.

The Landungsbrücken serve as both a meeting point and a starting point. Harbour tours depart from here, and fresh fish sandwiches are available at Bistro Brücke 10. Musical-goers can also take the HADAG ferries from here to the other side of the Elbe.

A change of perspective awaits on a walk or bike ride through the Old Elbtunnel. More than 100 years old, it connects the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken with the harbor area in Steinwerder.
The tunnel stretches 426 meters and lies about 21 meters below ground. Today it is a protected historic monument.

Isemarkt in Eppendorf
Every week on Tuesdays and Fridays, the Isemarkt in Eppendorf attracts both locals and visitors with a wide variety of stalls. Some come to do their weekly shopping, while others stroll around and sample local specialties. One of them is Hamburg’s famous Franzbrötchen, a pastry rich in cinnamon, sugar, and butter that tastes especially delicious at the stone-oven bakery. The market’s location is unique too: it stretches beneath an elevated U3 railway line, from Hoheluftbrücke to Eppendorfer Baum.

Eppendorf is quiet and family-friendly, almost village-like in atmosphere, with historic buildings, small parks, and cozy cafés. A hidden gem, away from tourist crowds, is often referred to as Hamburg’s Notting Hill right in the heart of Eppendorf.

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Children won’t forget the Baui playground anytime soon. The children’s and family leisure center is located in the middle of Eppendorfer Park and is open to the public. In addition to the playground and trampoline, there are also guinea pigs, goats, and chickens.

From Eppendorf, you can take the U1 and reach Hamburg’s old town in about 20 minutes. There, it’s wonderful to stroll across bridges, through small streets, and past traditional buildings. The Hamburg City Hall is particularly impressive. From there, it’s only a two-minute walk to the Bucerius Kunst Forum, which even offers guided tours for parents with babies.

The Neustadt district begins at Jungfernstieg, where you’ll encounter well-known fashion labels and galleries as you head toward Grosse Bleichen. In the southern part of Neustadt, around Ditmar-Koel-Strasse, you’ll find Hamburg’s Portuguese Quarter. It is said that you can find the best Portuguese specialties in Northern Europe here.

More information
Transport: Bus, subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), and harbor ferries. Families benefit from free public transportat with the Hamburg CARD. Up to three children aged 6 to 14 can travel free with each adult. In addition, there are discounts at more than 150 attractions, such as museums, musicals, and harbor cruises.

SWISS operates up to five daily flights to Hamburg, reliably connecting the Hanseatic city with Zurich. The flight takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. From the main train station, Hamburg Airport can be reached in just 25 minutes with the S1. And if you’re looking for a souvenir before your return flight, the airport offers a good selection of Hamburg-themed gifts.

Best time to visit: Hamburg works well year-round. In summer, you can enjoy long days and plenty of time outdoors, while winter—especially the pre-Christmas season with its many Christmas markets—creates a particularly atmospheric experience.