Insider tips: The essential things to do in Hamburg in the summer
What is more, with summer nights short due to our northern latitude, even a few pesky afternoon squalls still leave plenty of daylight hours to enjoy. So if you've got a brolly and a reliable weather app, here are five ways to enjoy summertime Hamburg – and some tips about how to avoid the crowds of people looking to do likewise.
Get on a ferry
Day-trippers, overnight stayers, residents with guests to show around, annoyed locals looking for a seat: the 62 ferry from the Landungsbrücken quays to Finkenwerder packs them all in.
The
classic way to see Hamburg from the water, it's still a fantastic option for a sunny morning – stress on 'morning' to beat the rush.
Photo by Wolfgang Weiser: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scenic-view-of-binnenalster-in-hamburg-germany-31580295/
But why not try the less busy alternatives? If you've got time on a weekday, the 73 will take you along the gritty post-industrial backchannels of Steinwerder to the trendy end of Wilhelmsburg. Another option is to take a pleasant walk along the Elbe to Teufelsbrück and then hop on the 64 to Finkenwerder. At the weekends, the 65 will take you from there back over to the picturesque hill-village suburb of Blankenese. (Check timetables
here
.)
Advertisement
Get on your bike
Ferries take bikes, too, so if you cross to Finkenwerder and head past the Airbus runway (keeping your eyes peeled for the awe-inspiring A300 Beluga transporter), you'll soon be cycling through the Altes Land, Europe's largest contiguous fruit-growing area. With its miles of apple, pear, and cherry orchards punctuated by quaint villages, it offers plenty of places to stop for juice, cakes, and other associated refreshments – or to shelter from the rain. Use saddle-bags to take advantage of bumper crops at low prices (everything is flat out here, so no need to worry about weight). End in bijou Buxtehude or sweet Stade, both with beautifully preserved Hanseatic town-centres and S-Bahn connections back into town.
Image by
Mario
from
Pixabay
Other picturesque, if slightly more challenging routes, will get you away from the steady stream of like-minded cyclists. Why not take the (surprisingly hilly) Alster towpath up through the genteel northern suburbs, following the river out past horse paddocks and through woodlands as far as Rader Schule for an afternoon coffee/cold beer? Or, if you've got thighs of iron and an entire weekend to spare, you could try the Elbe cycle-path out to lovely Lauenburg, with a choice of chichi hotels and plenty to see and do while you're there.
Advertisement
Get on the train
Lauenburg is a change of train away, either at Büchen or Lüneburg. Just 30 minutes from Hauptbahnhof, the latter is a gorgeous Hanseatic city which grew fabulously wealthy in the Middle Ages thanks to its salt mines, leaving it with dizzying, intricate church spires – and a serious subsidence problem. Leaning tower of Pisa? Leaning towers (plural) of Lüneburg!
Lubeck is well worth a visit from Hamburg. Photo by
Wolfgang Weiser
on
Unsplash
Another medieval Hanseatic gem within day-tripping distance of Hamburg is Lübeck, a compact city with plenty to offer besides its trademark Holstentor gatehouse and atmospheric city centre. Gourmets will enjoy the marzipan for which it is known (potentially in ice-cream form if it's a hot day) as well as a wide range of fish dishes – especially out at Travemünde, the seaside suburb just a few stops further along the line. Alternatively, there are trains out to the coastal resorts of Timmendorfer Strand and Scharbeutz, although those looking to beat the day-tripping crowds are best advised to stay on board until up-and-coming Haffkrug. For adrenalin junkies, the next stop, Sierksdorf, is the right one: as well as Germany's highest and fastest rollercoaster, nearby Hansapark also has some of the best log-flumes in the business.
Advertisement
Go open-air swimming
For those who prefer their water-related kicks to be less vertigo-inducing, Hamburg has got so many open-air swimming options that you could (confession:) live here for decades and never try them all. If you're in the market for a classic German
Freibad
experience, there is no better place to swim laps, belly-flop from diving boards, and people-watch than the Kaifu lido. If you'd avoid the fairweather posers, Bondenwald and Finkenwerder are quieter options. Municipal operator Bäderland also runs a natural pool filled from the Alster at Stadtpark – which, thanks to its opaque (yet clean) water, tends to put off the crowds.
Indeed, if you're not put off by not being able to see the bottom, Hamburg has no end of free outdoor bathing spots. There's no need to risk drowning or being mown down by container ships on busy, fast-flowing Elbe, either, if you trade the main beach for the river's quieter arms – like the tranquil Dove Elbe, for instance, out east. Helpfully, the city authorities keep tabs of water quality here and at various other recommended swimming spots (list
here
).
Photo by Frank Rietsch: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sailboats-on-alster-river-in-hamburg-32665468/
Go to the
Wasserlichtkonzerte
One final water-related tip:
Wasserlichtkonzerte
. It's a bit of a cop-out to call things 'untranslatable', but these spectacles held every evening from 1st May to 30th September in Planten un Blomen park really are lacking an equivalent – even in other German cities. Yes, Hamburg's 'water-light concerts' are performed using an ingenious combination of high-pressure fountains illuminated by spotlights and coordinated with speakers to create a truly unique audio-visual outdoor experience. There is, quite simply, nothing quite like them. So take a picnic and enjoy this uplifting experience with friends (or dates…) after sundown. A tip for avoiding the crowds? Get a good picnic blanket with a waterproof underside so that you can go even when it's been raining again and the grass is wet…
Share your own tips for what to do in Hamburg this summer in the comments section below.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Local Germany
5 days ago
- Local Germany
Where transport passengers in Berlin can expect disruptions on Monday
Berlin's S-Bahn was under strain on Monday morning with service disruptions reported across multiple lines. Due to the repair of a signal in Charlottenburg, there are delays and cancellations on the central S3, S5, S7, S75 and S9 lines, the S-Bahn announced. According to the S-Bahn website, as of Monday morning around 8am, the S3 runs between Erkner and Ostbahnhof every 10 minutes. The S5 terminates at Ostbahnhof in the westward direction, coming from Strausberg or Hoppegarten on ten minute intervals. The S75 terminates at Warschauer Straße in the westward direction, coming from Warternberg. At the weekend, a staff shortage had caused massive S-Bahn disruptions on the Ringbahn and lines running between Treptower Park and Schöneweide. Reportedly a lack of staff to manage the signal box at Schöneweide was to blame. It had caused failures of the lines S45, S46, S47, S8, S85 and S9 with restrictions in place until Sunday evening around 6 pm. Advertisement Meanwhile on the U-Bahn, BVG reports that the U1 line is still out of service on Monday. READ ALSO: U-Bahn service disruptions in Berlin highlight systemic issues
Local Germany
01-07-2025
- Local Germany
Six of the most charming Bavarian towns to visit this summer
Bavaria's dramatic landscapes and charming towns have attracted visitors from around the world for centuries. And as temperatures climb this summer, it's hard to resist the lure of a cool mountain breeze or a dip in an alpine lake. From medieval towns and mountain trails to lakeside views, spas and vineyards, the southern German state has something for everyone. So if all you know of Bavaria was what you saw at Oktoberfest last September, it might be time to branch out. Check out these six Bavarian gems, each of which has its own unique charms and attractions. Mittenwald Near the Austrian border is Mittenwald, a postcard-perfect Alpine town filled with pastel-coloured houses set against a stunning mountain backdrop. At just about 30 kilometres from the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze, Mittenwald is a perfect home base for all kinds of hiking adventures. Mittenwald in Bavaria. Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash Mittenwald is also known for its centuries-long tradition of violin-making, which you can explore at the Geigenbaumuseum. You can also pay a visit to the church of Saints Peter and Paul, which is famous for its colourful interior and exterior frescoes. Tegernsee If you're looking for a lakeside getaway, consider Tegernsee, located just an hour south of Munich by train. In Tegernsee, you can soak up the mountain views while unwinding at one of the town's numerous spas. Tegernsee, one of Bavaria's most beautiful villages to visit. Photo by Daniel Seßler on Unsplash For a more adventurous holiday, Tegernsee and its surroundings offer swimming, hiking, cycling, sailing and other outdoor activities. If you like to golf, check out one of the more than a dozen courses nearby – and don't forget to admire the incredible Alpine views as you tee off. READ ALSO: Five cooler holiday destinations you can get to from Germany by train Dinkelsbühl Looking for the medieval charm of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but with fewer tourists? Then Dinkelsbühl might be the place for you. Located in western Bavaria, this well-preserved town looks like it's straight out of a storybook. Dinkelsbühl is located along the Romantic Road, a picturesque route through the mountains and forests of southern Germany. If you're driving the 350-kilometer road that stretches from Würzburg to Füssen near Schloss Neuschwanstein, this is a perfect place to stop and explore. Advertisement Iphofen This small town in the wine-growing region of Franconia punches way above its weight in both charm and wines. If you're looking to sample Bavarian wines and learn how they're made, Iphofen is the place for you. Iphofen in Bavaria. Image by Makalu from Pixabay In Iphofen, you can find regular wine tastings and vineyard tours, as well as events celebrating the town's long history of viniculture. Iphofen also has an intact medieval wall, as well as a charming old town to explore. Just 25 minutes by train from Würzburg and 45 minutes from Nuremberg, Iphofen also makes for an easy, scenic daytrip. Wallgau For many, a trip to the German Alps is more about sport and taking in the natural beauty than seeing a scenic village, but with villages like Wallgau to be found, why not aim for both? Wallgau is found in the Isar valley, not far from Garmisch-Partenkirchen which is famous for its skiing in the winter and outdoor sports like hiking and mountain biking in the summer. (It's about an hour and half south of Munich by car.) Advertisement Pottenstein This village, tucked into a valley in the Franconian Alps ( Fränkische Schweiz ) makes for an easy scenic getaway with plenty of hiking, historical architecture and great local breweries to enjoy. READ ALSO: Eight of the most beautiful German villages to visit this summer If you're coming from nearby, you can easily get a sense of the village just by walking around the town, up to the castle on the hilltop, and perhaps into a nearby valley in one day. Or stay in an inn nearby and spend a bit more time getting into the other nearby attractions, including one of Germany's longest caves or the nearby toboggan run. Also nearby is Tüchersfeld, which is also renowned for its old German architecture tucked into dramatic rock formations. Where have we missed? Share your own suggestions in the comments section below.
Local Germany
26-06-2025
- Local Germany
Insider tips: The essential things to do in Hamburg in the summer
T. S. Eliot famously wrote that 'April is the cruellest month' – and in Hamburg, summer can be the cruellest season. Wedged between two coasts as we are, summer weather often switches from swelteringly humid heat one week to gale-force gusts the next. Yet despite the potential for a complete wash-out (just Google 'Hamburg summer memes'…), this is the time of year when our parks, lakes, and events calendar come into their own. What is more, with summer nights short due to our northern latitude, even a few pesky afternoon squalls still leave plenty of daylight hours to enjoy. So if you've got a brolly and a reliable weather app, here are five ways to enjoy summertime Hamburg – and some tips about how to avoid the crowds of people looking to do likewise. Get on a ferry Day-trippers, overnight stayers, residents with guests to show around, annoyed locals looking for a seat: the 62 ferry from the Landungsbrücken quays to Finkenwerder packs them all in. The classic way to see Hamburg from the water, it's still a fantastic option for a sunny morning – stress on 'morning' to beat the rush. Photo by Wolfgang Weiser: But why not try the less busy alternatives? If you've got time on a weekday, the 73 will take you along the gritty post-industrial backchannels of Steinwerder to the trendy end of Wilhelmsburg. Another option is to take a pleasant walk along the Elbe to Teufelsbrück and then hop on the 64 to Finkenwerder. At the weekends, the 65 will take you from there back over to the picturesque hill-village suburb of Blankenese. (Check timetables here .) Advertisement Get on your bike Ferries take bikes, too, so if you cross to Finkenwerder and head past the Airbus runway (keeping your eyes peeled for the awe-inspiring A300 Beluga transporter), you'll soon be cycling through the Altes Land, Europe's largest contiguous fruit-growing area. With its miles of apple, pear, and cherry orchards punctuated by quaint villages, it offers plenty of places to stop for juice, cakes, and other associated refreshments – or to shelter from the rain. Use saddle-bags to take advantage of bumper crops at low prices (everything is flat out here, so no need to worry about weight). End in bijou Buxtehude or sweet Stade, both with beautifully preserved Hanseatic town-centres and S-Bahn connections back into town. Image by Mario from Pixabay Other picturesque, if slightly more challenging routes, will get you away from the steady stream of like-minded cyclists. Why not take the (surprisingly hilly) Alster towpath up through the genteel northern suburbs, following the river out past horse paddocks and through woodlands as far as Rader Schule for an afternoon coffee/cold beer? Or, if you've got thighs of iron and an entire weekend to spare, you could try the Elbe cycle-path out to lovely Lauenburg, with a choice of chichi hotels and plenty to see and do while you're there. Advertisement Get on the train Lauenburg is a change of train away, either at Büchen or Lüneburg. Just 30 minutes from Hauptbahnhof, the latter is a gorgeous Hanseatic city which grew fabulously wealthy in the Middle Ages thanks to its salt mines, leaving it with dizzying, intricate church spires – and a serious subsidence problem. Leaning tower of Pisa? Leaning towers (plural) of Lüneburg! Lubeck is well worth a visit from Hamburg. Photo by Wolfgang Weiser on Unsplash Another medieval Hanseatic gem within day-tripping distance of Hamburg is Lübeck, a compact city with plenty to offer besides its trademark Holstentor gatehouse and atmospheric city centre. Gourmets will enjoy the marzipan for which it is known (potentially in ice-cream form if it's a hot day) as well as a wide range of fish dishes – especially out at Travemünde, the seaside suburb just a few stops further along the line. Alternatively, there are trains out to the coastal resorts of Timmendorfer Strand and Scharbeutz, although those looking to beat the day-tripping crowds are best advised to stay on board until up-and-coming Haffkrug. For adrenalin junkies, the next stop, Sierksdorf, is the right one: as well as Germany's highest and fastest rollercoaster, nearby Hansapark also has some of the best log-flumes in the business. Advertisement Go open-air swimming For those who prefer their water-related kicks to be less vertigo-inducing, Hamburg has got so many open-air swimming options that you could (confession:) live here for decades and never try them all. If you're in the market for a classic German Freibad experience, there is no better place to swim laps, belly-flop from diving boards, and people-watch than the Kaifu lido. If you'd avoid the fairweather posers, Bondenwald and Finkenwerder are quieter options. Municipal operator Bäderland also runs a natural pool filled from the Alster at Stadtpark – which, thanks to its opaque (yet clean) water, tends to put off the crowds. Indeed, if you're not put off by not being able to see the bottom, Hamburg has no end of free outdoor bathing spots. There's no need to risk drowning or being mown down by container ships on busy, fast-flowing Elbe, either, if you trade the main beach for the river's quieter arms – like the tranquil Dove Elbe, for instance, out east. Helpfully, the city authorities keep tabs of water quality here and at various other recommended swimming spots (list here ). Photo by Frank Rietsch: Go to the Wasserlichtkonzerte One final water-related tip: Wasserlichtkonzerte . It's a bit of a cop-out to call things 'untranslatable', but these spectacles held every evening from 1st May to 30th September in Planten un Blomen park really are lacking an equivalent – even in other German cities. Yes, Hamburg's 'water-light concerts' are performed using an ingenious combination of high-pressure fountains illuminated by spotlights and coordinated with speakers to create a truly unique audio-visual outdoor experience. There is, quite simply, nothing quite like them. So take a picnic and enjoy this uplifting experience with friends (or dates…) after sundown. A tip for avoiding the crowds? Get a good picnic blanket with a waterproof underside so that you can go even when it's been raining again and the grass is wet… Share your own tips for what to do in Hamburg this summer in the comments section below.
