As the second largest city in Germany and the country’s main port, the city of Hamburg has embodied the terms “worldly” and “cosmopolitan” for centuries—long before many of its contemporary European counterparts. These long-standing international influences are evident in its food, its music and more. And the city is ever evolving. Travel to Hamburg to see even the neighborhoods with the seediest reputations, including its red-light district, take on new and increasingly welcoming character. Travel + Leisure’s Hamburg travel guide can show you where to start.
Things Not to Miss in Hamburg
• Exploring the city’s diverse harbor front
• Seeing a piece of music history at The Beatles Plaza
• Learning about the city’s rich past via exhibits at the local history museum and the International Maritime Museum
• Shopping and dining your way through the trendy Speicherstadt warehouse district
When to Go to Hamburg
True to its Central European locale, Hamburg’s climate remains fairly moderate throughout the year. Its summers offer warm days and long stretches of daylight in the evenings, while the sun can set after less than eight hours each winter.
Travelers planning visit Hamburg should be sure to pack rain gear; wet weather is common throughout most seasons, as is wintertime snowfall.
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