Things to Do in Hamburg
Explore Hamburg’s rich history and iconic sights on this free walking tour. We'll see the Speicherstadt district, the Elbphilharmonie, and St. Michael’s Church!
• Take on heart-racing attractions like Colossos—the towering wooden coaster—or dare to enter Dämonen Gruft, Germany’s scariest new dark ride launched in 2024.
• Let kids get behind the wheel at Wüstenflitzer, enjoy age-appropriate rides in themed worlds like Transylvania and Land of the Forgotten, or cool off on splashy water rides.
• Watch over 5 live shows throughout the day featuring action-packed stunts and immersive storytelling for all ages.
• Recharge at themed restaurants, unwind in scenic picnic spots, or browse souvenir shops offering exclusive Heide Park merchandise.
• Benefit from free entry for children under 90 cm (with a 0 € ticket booked online)—a family-friendly perk that makes your day at the park even more rewarding.
Welcome to Hamburg, a city shaped by water, commerce, and an unyielding spirit of resilience! Here is where history and modernity coexist, making it a magnet for traders, travelers, and dreamers alike. With its bustling port, historic canals, and impressive architecture, Hamburg is truly unique. From the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that echoes with the whispers of ancient merchants, to the stunning Elbphilharmonie, a modern marvel that redefines the skyline, this city blends the past and present seamlessly.
Join us on the Hamburg Old Town Tour for an unforgettable journey through 1,200 years of history, from the time of Charlemagne to today's vibrant port city. Here are some of the highlights you will experience:
- The Rise and Fall of Hamburg: Relive the city's glorious days as the heart of the Hanseatic League and discover how it recovered from the Great Fire and World War II.
- Little Venice: Stroll through the picturesque Alster canals and be captivated by their beauty.
- The Impressive Town Hall: An architectural masterpiece that will leave you breathless.
- The Major Churches: Explore the majestic churches that have witnessed the city's history.
- The Kontor Houses: Symbols of Germany's economic boom and its role in global trade.
- St. Nikolai Memorial of World War II: A poignant reminder of difficult times.
- Deichstrasse: A street full of charm and nostalgia that will make you feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale.
- The Elbphilharmonie: The city's new icon that you can't miss, with stunning views and modern architecture.
- St. Michael's Church: The ancient symbol of Hamburg and the best vantage point for spectacular views of the city.
Join us for an unforgettable experience in the historic heart of Hamburg! Please note that groups of 8 or more people are not allowed on the free tour. For larger groups, consider booking a private tour by visiting our website at www.robinandthetourguides.de.
• Relive true, chilling stories as you watch live shows with special effects.
• Enjoy close encounters with pirates, ghosts, and dark historical figures from the past.
Welcome to Hamburg! If you're ready to leave behind the typical tourist circuit and dive headfirst into the city's most electrifying district, put on your comfortable shoes! It's time to explore the alternative side of Hamburg!
Come discover the secrets of St. Pauli with our guided tours in English or German. Our guides will take you on a journey through the harbor and the famous red-light and party district. Get ready to discover a world of artists, anarchists, political activists, dreamers, misfits, prostitutes, refugees, and former sailors. They are all part of the colorful cast of this unique neighborhood!
Imagine this: the port of Hamburg, a bustling gateway to the world for centuries, has seen it all: sailors with sea legs, merchants with dreams, and immigrants with stories that have shaped the soul of this city. And just a stone's throw away is St. Pauli, the neighborhood that never sleeps, where dockworkers once ruled the streets and the legendary Reeperbahn became Hamburg's very own "Sinful Mile."
Our tour highlights include:
- Landungsbrücken: Where millions of emigrants departed to start a new life in the New World!
- The Fish Market: Discover how fish selling and auctioning turns into an incredible party!
- Hafenstrasse: Relive the history of the squats in the 80s!
- Alternative urban development: Park Fiction, a place for debate, protest, and community!
- The famous Reeperbahn: Learn about Hamburg's "most sinful mile" before heading back to the party later!
- Grosse Freiheit: Where the liveliest clubs are!
- Beatles-Platz: How and where the Beatles became famous in the 60s!
- Davidwache: Hamburg's most famous police station!
But wait, there's more! St. Pauli is not just wild nights and neon lights. Oh no, it's a place where history has a rebellious twist. Imagine a few young lads from Liverpool, known as The Beatles, playing their songs in smoke-filled clubs, unaware that they would soon conquer the world. St. Pauli influenced their style, and they gave it a place in rock history.
And let's not forget the spirit of St. Pauli: this place has heart, determination, and plenty of attitude. It's where activism meets community, where resistance is as much a part of the culture as music and fun. So, if you're ready for a tour that's as informative as it is entertaining, join us. Let's explore the stories, sounds, and soul of Hamburg's most iconic district.
This guided tour is available in English and German. Groups of eight or more people must book a private tour with us and cannot join the public tour. To book a private tour, please visit our website at www.robinandthetourguides.de. It's going to be an unforgettable experience!
• Enjoy live commentary in German throughout the trip, then step off at Elbphilharmonie or stay onboard until the pier you started from.
• See the warehouses of the historic Speicherstadt district, container terminals, shipyards and cranes lining the waterfront as you sail.
• Choose a 1, 1.5, or 2 hour harbor cruise when you book, matching the length of your trip to the time you want to spend on the water.
Hamburg is a city of contrasts—where grand architecture meets gritty backstreets, where a rich maritime history blends with a rebellious counterculture, and where a small band from Liverpool played before taking over the world. If you want to go beyond the typical sights, this tour will take you into the heart of Hamburg’s most vibrant district: St. Pauli.
For centuries, Hamburg’s harbor has been a gateway to the world, bringing sailors, merchants, and immigrants who shaped the city’s unique character. St. Pauli, once home to dockworkers, became famous for its wild nightlife, underground music scene, and the legendary Reeperbahn—Hamburg’s “Sinful Mile.” It was here that The Beatles performed some of their earliest gigs, honing their sound before achieving worldwide fame. But St. Pauli is more than just entertainment—its history is one of activism, resistance, and a strong community spirit that continues today.
Starting near the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg’s modern architectural gem, we’ll take in stunning views before heading to the lively waterfront - Landungsbrücken. After a short ferry ride (ticket required), we explore the Old Elbtunnel, a 100-year-old engineering marvel, and the historic Fischmarkt. Entering St. Pauli, we step into the Reeperbahn, home to cabarets, music clubs, and Hamburg’s red-light district. The we see the famous Davidwache Police Station and clubs where The Beatles performed. The tour ends at Beatles-Platz.
• Step aboard a barge with a roof of glass, staying dry while you watch the skyline, quays, and cranes glide by on both sides of the river.
• See warehouses in Speicherstadt, the waterfront of HafenCity, and container terminals that show how this port works during the day.
• Use your flexible open ticket on any operating day within one year, making it easy to fit into your travel plans.
• Listen to onboard audio commentary in 11 languages, including English and Plattdeutsch (Low German), alongside live German narration.
Everything begins in front of the imposing Rathaus, the Hamburg City Hall, an architectural gem that holds more stories than you can imagine. There we will gather to start a 2 and a half hour walking tour that will take you to discover not only the city's most iconic monuments but also the hidden scars that time, fire, and war have left on its streets.
This is not a tour of facts, but of experiences and stories. I will tell you why Hamburg has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once, how a simple church became a symbol of memory and resistance, and what secrets are hidden beneath squares that today seem peaceful.
We will walk through:
📍 Rathaus (City Hall)
📍 St. Petri Church
📍 Hammaburg Square – the origin of the city
📍 Afrika-Haus – the heart of colonial trade
📍 Patriotische Gesellschaft – bastion of enlightened ideas
📍 St. Nikolai Church – a neo-Gothic skeleton that still speaks of the horrors of World War II
And when the rhythm of the tour has completely enveloped us, we will say goodbye at the Höhe Brücke bridge, a quiet corner by the canal where the city lowers its volume and lets the waters speak.
Additionally, at the end of the tour, I will share my favorite places to eat, drink something nice, and continue exploring on your own, just like a local would.
Are you ready to discover the soul of Hamburg, between lights, shadows, and curiosities?
Reserve your spot. I'll guide you, just bring your eyes wide open.
• See Speicherstadt's warehouses and the HafenCity shoreline lit up from the water, with reflections turning the harbor into a glowing city panorama.
• Settle into a romantic setting on board while the crew handles tides and changes, with guaranteed execution even if parts of the route are closed.
• If water levels restrict access to Speicherstadt, enjoy an alternative illuminated harbor cruise.
• Choose between a barge and a ship as your vessel type when booking, so you can match the style of boat to the harbor experience you prefer.
There will be plenty of stories about Hamburg's Neustadt, current city politics, the situation of women in Hamburg's history, etc. And of course, as a foodie, I can't resist serving up a classic Hamburg pastry.
Whether the weekly market is worth it and where the greenest corners of Neustadt are hidden.
a small final quiz, for those who are interested
- we will take a look at the "Michel"
- the Krameramtsstuben
- visit memorial sites of various Hamburg personalities
- see if there are still ghosts at the Fleetinsel
- where the Gängeviertel have gone and what still stands
- and whether money still rules in this city
- Tour ends at the Laeiszhalle
Since it rains on average 15.8 days a month in Hamburg, we have a good chance of getting wet. Please check your trusted weather app beforehand and equip yourself accordingly.
If someone is traveling with a wheelchair or otherwise has mobility restrictions, cannot stand for long, etc., please let us know in advance so we can plan for it or arrange an extra tour.
Also, a quick note on any allergies or intolerances. Everyone should have a good time.
I'm looking forward to showing you "my" neighborhood.
Pia
• Enjoy admission to landmarks such as Elbphilharmonie and Speicherstadt with free access to public transportation like trains, buses, subways, and harbor ferries.
• Choose from a 1/2/3/4/5-day Hamburg CARD to visit as many attractions as you like while taking your time.
• With the Hamburg CARD, spare yourselves the trouble of printing out tickets **by downloading the free Hamburg app** and instead avail of the benefits directly from your phone.
• Listen to the captain share live commentary in German while an audio guide in 11 languages plays on your device as the shoreline comes to life.
• See the red brick warehouses of Speicherstadt and huge container ships in the port, as your route weaves through basins and piers along the harbor.
