
The Michel · St. Michael's
Hamburg's landmark. A bright, vast church interior with its very own sense of grandeur and calm · be sure to combine it with the tower — the finest view over the city awaits up top.
From the Michel in the morning to a harbour cruise with live music · 18 first-hand recommendations. No tourist clichés, just the places I go to myself.

Hamburg's landmark. A bright, vast church interior with its very own sense of grandeur and calm · be sure to combine it with the tower — the finest view over the city awaits up top.

Nostalgia from 1911 · a striking passage beneath the water, with two lifts for the cars. Walk across and look back from the far bank · it fascinates me every single time.

The magnificent old harbour buildings on Große Elbstraße, put to perfect use: design, furniture, lighting and art across five floors · with a café and restaurant on the ground floor.

Built as an air-raid shelter in the Second World War · far too solid to demolish. Today it's green, with a hotel, restaurants and a public rooftop terrace: a wartime bunker that has become one of Hamburg's most popular viewpoints.

The one few tourists ever discover. Start at the Fischauktionshalle — early on Sunday with live music and dancing Hamburgers — then follow the waterfront to the old ships in the museum harbour. Lunch at Lotsenhaus or Hoppes, right on the Elbe.

This is where the real Hamburg harbour atmosphere lives · every day, all year round. A fish roll, a beer or coffee and cake — with the best view, as the barges set off minute by minute.

From the elegant Neuer Wall via Jungfernstieg to Mönckebergstraße · Hamburg’s finest shopping streets sit right next to each other. Window shopping, then a coffee break overlooking the Alster · the S-Bahn takes you there in 10 minutes.

Grab a red StadtRad or an e-bike and, in good weather, ride along the Elbe towards Blankenese. Pack a picnic, with the Airbus plant across the water · the climb up the hill to Blankenese is a tough but rewarding challenge.

Book tours and excursions directly through our partner · led by a true Kiez insider, setting off practically from the hotel's front door.
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The best bar? Without a hint of modesty: ours. Hendrik and his colleagues set just the right relaxed, easy-going mood · a cosy atmosphere with music — and now and then a football match on the big TV.

In the mood for fresh air and a beach-club vibe? Feet in the sand, the big ships right in front of you · indoors and out. There's no more genuine Hamburg done the modern way.

If it has to be fresh fish: just head down the hill towards the fish market. Classic and good · the well-loved fish dishes, served in a friendly, professional way.

For me, by far the best fish bistro in the city — the bistro of the fishmonger himself, whose wholesale business supplies Hamburg's finest restaurants. All of it "first class from the sea". Lunch daily except Sunday · dinner Thu–Sat.

Traditional German cuisine and an Argentinian steak that's always a winner. An old warehouse, bare brick, right on the water · in summer out on the elevated balcony.

Down the slope, just before the harbour's edge, on the bend, sits what is for me the best place in Hamburg when you fancy Mexican. A passion for good ingredients, a real atmosphere · always fresh, always friendly.

A tiny Italian trattoria on a side street off the Reeperbahn · the father himself stands at the stove, and there are only eight tables. And: my favourite pasta in all of Hamburg.

From small, intimate concerts to the grand halls of the Elbphilharmonie · built for classical music, with acoustics that rank among the world's very best. Nothing less.

Across the water on the opposite bank, "MJ — The Michael Jackson Musical" is staged every evening. Take the ferry over from the Landungsbrücken · and you're right in front of the stage.

Not to be missed: the musical harbour cruise. Board it right below the EGON HOTEL at the Fischauktionshalle · an hour and a half of party music, great spirits and free samples included.

Hamburger SV play at the Volksparkstadion, FC St. Pauli at the Millerntor-Stadion · just minutes from the hotel. Plus the Barclays Arena for handball, ice hockey and the big sporting events.

You'll find the latest overview of trade fairs, concerts and events in the official Hamburg events calendar.
To the events calendar →Location photos via Wikimedia Commons · Stilwerk © Flocci Nivis, CC BY 4.0 · Reeperbahn © Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fischauktionshalle © Flocci Nivis, CC BY 4.0 · Große Elbstraße © Flocci Nivis, CC BY 4.0 · Elbspeicher © Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Theater im Hafen © Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Harbour cruise © alex.ch, Zürich, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hamburg Messe © Sterilgutassistentin, GPL · Volksparkstadion © Rob Bye, CC0.
Booked direct · plus 1 bottle of water in your room on arrival.
Free until 4 pm on the day of arrival · no prepayment.
Reachable in person 24 hours a day · we know our hotel.
12 insider spots, personally put together by Egon · as a PDF to print out or a map for your phone.