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GAY HAMBURG
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in HAMBURG ?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
LGBT HAMBURG
The city of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany after Berlin. About 100km southeast of the North Sea on the banks of the River Elbe, it has Germany's largest seaport and is a stop on many Northern European cruises, attracting huge numbers of LGBTQ+ travellers. Hamburg's gay scene unfolds in two main areas: around the St Georg district, especially along the Lange Reihe shopping street where most of the gay bars are located; and St Pauli, near the Reeperbahn station, the city's nightlife center and one of the largest "red light" districts in Europe where many nightclubs are found.
Unmissable these LGBTQ+ events:
Hamburg Gay Pride - every year at the end of July
Harbor Pride (May) - during the large annual Hamburg Harbor Anniversary Festival, with an LGBT area
Leatherparty - in August
Stadtfest St. Georg - annual street festival in the Lange Reihe, Hamburg's gay and lesbian epicenter. With live music, shows, a flea market, a children's party and more.
Hamburg International Queer Film Festival - Germany's oldest and largest LGBTI film festival.
WHAT TO SEE in HAMBURG?
10 THINGS TO SEE in HAMBURG
Speicherstadt
Although Hamburg has no sea, the Elbe River and canals have made it a maritime city and the second largest port in Europe, with the Speicherstadt area prominent, which separates the port district called Hafen City from the Port of Hamburg. The Speicherstadt is an old unloading and storage area of the city, which has undergone a radical transformation thanks to a major urban intervention. Also, this neighborhood is famous for having the largest warehouse area in the world, which is why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gothic-style red-brick warehouse facades stand out, which can be appreciated even more from the boat along the narrow canals. Without a doubt this area is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Hamburg.
Municipio di Amburgo (Rathaus)
The town hall, located on the Rathausplatz square, is one of the most important places to visit in Hamburg. Inaugurated in 1897, after a fire destroyed the previous town hall, this neo-Renaissance-style building was built during the city's most prosperous period, a moment that is reflected in its 112-metre tower and an interior that mixes various styles.
Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie is one of the most interesting places to visit in Hamburg. It is one of the largest concert halls in the world that stands out for the incredible architecture of its building and impressive acoustics. Having become the emblem of the new Hamburg, you can enter the large terrace with a panoramic view of the port for free.
Deichstraße & Nikolaifleet
Deichstrasse, on the banks of the Nikolaifleet canal, full of Dutch-style facades built between the 17th and 19th centuries, is one of the most beautiful streets in the city and another must-see in Hamburg. Situated between the church of San Nicola and the harbour, many of the houses fortunately survived the bombings of the Second World War and, although others have been rebuilt, walking along this street feels like stepping back a few centuries. Across the canal is Cremon street, another of Hamburg's must-see streets.
Quartiere di St Pauli & Reeperbahn
St. Pauli, one of the most famous and largest red light districts in Europe, surpassing even that of Amsterdam. It is the liveliest face and another of the must see places in Hamburg. Its most famous street is the Reeperbahn, known as the "sin mile", although much of the city's nightlife is concentrated around the Hans-Albers-Plat square and the Herbertstrasse and Grosse Freiheit streets.
Hauptkirche St. Michaelis (Saint Michael's Church)
St. Michael's Church, the most important Baroque church in northern Germany, is one of the symbols and another of the sights in Hamburg. This church stands out for its 132m high tower with a magnificent view of the harbour, the Elbe river and the city centre.
Krameramtswohnungen
Krameramtswohnungen, located next to St. Michael's Church, is one of the most beautiful corners and another of the places to visit in Hamburg. In this small alley there are beautiful 17th century houses where small merchants used to live. The perfect place to remember pre-WWII Hamburg.
Fischmarkt
If you visit Hamburg on a Sunday you cannot miss the city's most famous market, the Fischmarkt. In this famous fish market, which opens at 5 in the morning, you will find fish, fruit, plants, clothes, at a good price, as well as a unique atmosphere. The stalls close at 9:30 in the morning, but you can always enter the fish market building to have a coffee and breakfast while listening to live music.
Lake Alster
Thanks to the Alster River, which runs through the historic city centre, two artificial lakes have formed in Hamburg: the Binnenalster and the Aussenalster, known together as the Alster Lake. Binnenalster or Inner Alster, is closest to the Town Hall Square, has a fountain in the center and is frequented by ducks and swans. The Aussenalster, separated from the Binnenalster by two bridges, is the fun area where you can take a boat or canoe ride, ride a bike or have a picnic in its green area.
Parco Planten un Blomen
Planten un Blomen, "Plants and Flowers", is a huge park and botanical garden located near the city centre. This green lung of Hamburg has several areas among which the Japanese garden stands out, with flowers, trees, tropical plants, a large lake, water games for children.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Complete Hamburg - Google Maps
Extra - Planten un Blomen & Lake Alster - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
10 BEST EXCURSIONS from HAMBURG
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Bremen
Lübeck
Schwerin & Wismar
Lüneburg & Ludwigslust Castle
Altes Land
Travemünde
Heligoland
Cuxhaven
Glücksburg Castle
Schaalsee
Ludwigslust Castle
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in HAMBURG?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in HAMBURG
Hotel Europäischer Hof Hamburg **** ® Tested by World Mappers
WHERE TO EAT in HAMBURG?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in HAMBURG Quality / Price
€€€ - Anno 1905
€€ - Restaurant Schoppenhauer ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Krameramtsstuben ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Laufauf
€€ - Schifferbörse Restaurant (ricorda una nave antica)
€€ - Fischpfanne ® Tested by World Mappers
€ - Erika´s Eck
€ - Fischbrötchen Manufaktur ® Tested by World Mappers
€ - Otto’s Burger
GAY NIGHTLIFE in HAMBURG
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in HAMBURG
M&V Bar (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Generation Bar (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Extratour (Gay Bar)
PiNK INC (Gay Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
Bellini Bar (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Thomaskeller (Gay Bar)
PickUp Bar (Gay Bar)
Daniel’s Company Bar (Gay Bar)
WunderBar (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Toom Peerstall (Gay Bar)
Olivia Jones Bar (Gay Bar & Drag Show)
Piccadilly Bar (Gay Bar)
BABYLON @ Club Bahnhof Pauli (Gay Night)
136° Grad (Gay Night)
Dare! @ Nachtasyl (Gay Club Night)
Pulverfass Cabaret (Teatro & Drag Show)
BEST GAY SAUNAS & CRUISE CLUBS in HAMBURG
Dragon Sauna (Gay Sauna)
Apollo Sauna (Gay Sauna)
Men's Heaven (Gay Sauna)
TOM'S Saloon (Cruising Club)
S.L.U.T. Club (Cruising Club)
Mystery Hall (Cruising Club)
TRAVEL TIPS about HAMBURG by World Mappers
To get the most out of Hamburg, the Hamburg City Card is essential. It offers free travel on buses, trains and port ferries – valid from/to the airport and in all affected districts of Hamburg (Hamburg AB area) and up to 50% discount on over 150 tourist offers. For info and prices you can click here on the official website.
If you like art, don't miss the Kunstmeile Card, a card that includes five of the city's most renowned art institutions: Hamburger Kunsthalle, Kunstverein Hamburg, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Bucerius Kunst Forum and Deichtorhallen Hamburg, all within walking distance from each other.
Don't miss the Miniatur-Wunderland Museum, where you can walk around the largest miniature railway installation in the world across countries and continents with miniature trains that faithfully reproduce some existing models.
If you want a cheap Hamburg harbor tour, just hop on the Ferry 62. In fact, the regular public Ferry 62 is a great way to see the Hamburg harbor and is much cheaper than the official tours. A round trip starts and ends in Landungsbrücken, passing Altona, the Fischmarkt, Fischereihafen and Neumühlen, where you'll find the city beach, Strandperle. All you need is a standard HVV ticket and you are free to hop on and off along the route.
Taste Hamburg's typical sweet, the Franzbrötchen, puff pastry baked in the oven with butter and cinnamon, in one of the city's many pastry shops!
Like many cities in Germany, Hamburg has many small bars, shops and restaurants that only accept cash. While you're probably never too far from an ATM or "Geldautomat," it's always advisable to have some cash in your pocket.
Remember that in Germany many places are closed on Sundays. Although most restaurants, attractions and bars are open and busy on Sundays, most shops are closed.
"SECRET HAMBURG"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Hamburg
Outside the classic places to visit of the city, there is a "Secret Hamburg" that has simply bewitched us. Here are the 5 Things and Places to See of the Secret Hamburg (and Surroundings):
Gängeviertel - In the center of the city is what was once a neighborhood with narrow, winding streets, and is today a creative space, the artistic heart of Hamburg that stands out from the skyscrapers that surround it. While it's too well known today to remain a secret among Hamburg's hidden gems, it's certainly one of the more alternative things to do in Hamburg. This district, as it is today, was born from a 2009 project to save these few buildings from demolition, leading to the cultural occupation of these buildings. “Komm in die Gange” was and still is the motto and logo of the district. This "open-air atelier" hosts exhibitions, events, conferences, workshops and much more.
Park Fiction - A Park different from the usual. The coolest park in Hamburg. An urban, industrial park overlooking the port. Here the palm trees are made of steel, you sit on concrete or a flying carpet-shaped lawn and admire cranes and container ships in the distance. This place is always very popular with the local crowd who gather for a beer or to enjoy some live music.
Golden Pudel - One of the trendiest clubs in Hamburg. This small (one room) underground club is located in the Altona-Altstadt district, near the fish market in the building that was once a prison for smugglers. Over the years he has distinguished himself for a continuous and tireless musical research. In addition, the club offers spectacular views of the historic waterfront buildings.
St. Pauli Elbtunnel - This pedestrian tunnel under the Elbe River is part of Hamburg's history and was a technological sensation when it opened in 1911. The nostalgic atmosphere of the old Elbe tunnel (the New Tunnel has also existed since 1975) attracts even the most alternative of visitors to Hamburg, especially those with a knack for photography. The art deco tunnel that extends an impressive 426.5 meters 24 meters below the Elbe River connects the Steinwerder in the Port of Hamburg to the docks of St. Pauli Landungsbrücken.
Rote Flora - The Rote Flora is a former theater in the Sternschanze district of Hamburg, which has been used as a social center since 1989. Having survived numerous fires, plans to demolish the entire structure and frequent clashes with the police, Rote Flora, with its crumbling, graffiti-covered facade, has become a symbol of the radical left in Germany. Today, the Rote Flora serves as a venue and cultural center and hosts many concerts, parties, art exhibitions and conferences.
INSTAGRAMMABLE HAMBURG
Instagrammable Places to See in Hamburg
Don't miss the best instagrammable places in Hamburg, here are our favorites:
Nikolaifleet Canal - Very close to the Elbphilharmonie, this super instagrammable channel is one of the unmissable places to take a great photo.
Poggenmühlen Bridge in Speicherstadt - Perhaps this is the most instagrammable place in the city, even better if you go there at sunset or as soon as it gets dark with the buildings reflecting in the water.
Kramer-Amtsstuben - Here we are in the only remaining alley of the city with houses built with wooden beams in the 1600s.
Levantehaus - A shopping center in the heart of the city where you will find many picturesque and photogenic shops.
Chilehaus - A very particular building designed by the architect Fritz Höger. Don't miss the magical effect it makes when viewed from an angle, which makes one think of the prow of a ship.
Dockland Office Building - An extraordinary building along the banks of the Elbe with a very impressive shape
St. Pauli – Elbtunnel - The tunnel opened in 1911 that connects the Landungsbrücken with the port area, super photogenic!
GAY FRIENDLY TOURS
Do you want to discover the city more deeply through Hamburg's Best Gay Tours? We recommend the following local operators:
Gaily Tour - Tour Operator offering tours and excursions dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community throughout Europe. Special Tours and Gay & Lesbian Friendly Guides ready to make you discover the beauties of this destination. Info & Booking: info@GailyTour.com
What to See near Hamburgo?
