On our recent European Capitals cruise aboard the Caribbean Princess, we were pleased to have a stop in Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany.
As the second-largest city in Germany, Hamburg boasts a population of 1.9 million people and is about three hours northwest of the capital city of Berlin.
Hamburg has a plethora of public transportation options. Over the course of one day, we rode on ferries, buses, and trains. Some were crowded with standing room only; on others, we were the only riders. Some were luxurious while others were more standard. The Hamburg CARD granted us access to them all and was a super convenient way to see the city without paying for taxis or renting a car! A single ticket is valid for one adult and three children (ages 6-14).
Here are recommendations for some of the best things to do in Hamburg. In no particular order...
1. The most meaningful place we visited was free. Neuengamme concentration camp, established in 1938 by the SS, was a subcamp of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. SS leaders intended to reactivate the brick works, using concentration camp laborers. From December 1938 to May 1945, the SS incarcerated approximately 105,000 people in Neuengamme.
Walking through the camp was a somber experience - both heartwrenching and harrowing.
One of the best aspects of this memorial is that there are halls filled with books. Each book represents a person's life and includes stories, photographs, letters, and mementos. It would take hours upon hours to read, reflect, and learn what this space has to offer.
Neuengamme is one of the largest memorials in Germany - encompassing almost the entire grounds as well as 17 original buildings of the former concentration camp. May we never forget.
2. If you google "things to do in Hamburg," Miniatur Wunderland is almost certain to populate your results. Don't you dare brush it off as "cute" or "just for the kids." On the contrary, Miniatur Wunderland is a marvelous wonder of technology, art, and engineering. This is not your ordinary miniature museum. It's floor after floor, room after room, of scientific phenomenons and works of art. You'll see mini cities, amusement parks, and natural scenes - all with working, moving parts. It's really quite breathtaking! You can watch an airplane take off, see and hear as a volcano erupts, and observe as cars zoom across highways. You can even watch as a miniature chocolate factory comes to life to make a mini chocolate bar that drops into your open palm (there's usually a line to see that one!). Everyone will love Miniatur Wunderland - from toddlers to grandparents and all ages in between. Our 7-year-old son said it was one of his favorite places from our 12-night European cruise! Five stars!
3. It's free to wander into Rathaus City Hall between 8:00am and 6:00pm to take in the gorgeous artistry of the space. You likely won't spend more than fifteen minutes here, but it's worth a stop nonetheless to admire the beauty therein. Guided tours are available to the public as well.
4. Another free architectural wonder is St. Michael's Church - awesomely ornate and open to the public on most days of the week. If you want to climb the steps up to the dome, you'll need to walk across the street and purchase a ticket. If you already got your steps in from trekking around the city, you can rest your feet for a moment in this sacred space in the heart of the city.
5. Hamburger Kunsthalle is a grand art museum with a wide range of exhibits - from classical to renaissance to enlightenment to modern. You'll find contemplative and historical pieces on display and the upper rooms are really quite spectacular. Don't go in the basement with your family though (we found those exhibits to be dark and distasteful).
On our next trip to Hamburg, I'd like to add the following destinations to our itinerary.
Our family went on a 12-night European Capitals Cruise in late May aboard the Caribbean Princess with Princess Cruise Line and Hamburg, Germany was our seventh stop.
Princess Cruise Line is offering another European Capitals Cruise in May 2025 and Hamburg is on the itinerary. We recommend it - 100%!
