Last updated on January 03rd, 2023
Finding where to stay in Hamburg requires knowledge on the diverse and distinct regions. Hamburg- also dubbed ‘the city of superlatives’ is among the wealthiest places in Germany. Shipping, newspaper and the television industry perform exceptionally in this city making it a growing cosmopolitan center.
As expected, there are endless accommodation options, unlimited nightlife, an excellent compilation of artwork, and Hanseatic elegance. The prosperous and vibrant harbor and the accurate depiction of historic architecture make the whole area full of things to do.
Hamburg has everything connected to enjoyment, education and entertainment. The rule is to find it using a detailed guide. Currently, the city is undergoing some reformations with Hafen City adding an ultra-modern feel to the tourist reference area.
What’s the best area to experience the city for the first time, tourists, what’s the best district when with a family, or where to stay on a budget or nightlife? Read on below to find out more best neighbourhoods to stay in Hamburg Germany.
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Hamburg?
Best for First Time (Sightseeing): City Centre or Old Town (Altstadt)
The best thing about the city is that one can move on foot, using boats or by bus. The bustling sea forms a superhighway that hosts over 9000 ship, 300 berths and around 27 miles of wharf. On the boat, it is possible to see the happenings on the container ships. Alternatively, the speedboats offer a rare thrill. The 800-year-old harbor present an intensive and realistic history lesson.
A historic warehouse district forms one of the greatest complexes. Hamburg’s Reeperbahn is a major Red Light District street in Europe. The narrow waterways and streets covered in cobblestones store a variety of goods including silk and cocoa. The neon lights, strip clubs, and erotic theatres offer some interesting and unforgettable sights. Hamburger Kunsthalle contains a variety of impressive art that are worth seeing during your stay in Hamburg.
Where to Stay in Hamburg City Centre
- Best Luxury Hotels in Hamburg
Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten • Park Hyatt Hamburg - Best Great Value – Top Rated Hotels
Tortue Hamburg • THE MADISON Hotel Hamburg - Best Cheap Hotels in Hamburg
Ibis Hamburg City • Hotel Terminus am Hauptbahnhof - Best Apartments for Rent (Aparthotel)
Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments – Hamburg Suites • Citadines Michel Hamburg - Best Budget Hostels
Jugendherberge Hamburg Auf dem Stintfang • Generator Hamburg
What is the Best Area in Hamburg to Stay?
What’s the best district for nightlife in Hamburg? St. Pauli – Reeperbahn
St. Pauli and Reeperbahn are the two best areas to stay for nightlife in Hamburg Germany. The scenes at Sternschanze are fresh with the whole area dotted with amazing bars, cafes and a collection of restaurants. Companies even offer a pub crawl tour for first time visitors. If bars are not a favourite thing, there is a supermarket located right opposite Fischimbiss schabi where one can purchase beer and drink while taking a stroll. The 20up Bar in Riverside Hotel in St. Pauli offers a great view of the city and the neighbourhood as one enjoys cocktails.
What’s the best neighbourhood in Hamburg when visiting with a family? Neustadt – Speicherstadt – HafenCity
Neustadt is a family friendly area to stay in Hamburg. The idea of a wholesome family enjoyment may seem farfetched, but the stay in Hamburg can bring some changes. Speicherstadt is one of the many places where there is a lot of entertainment and education for every member of the family. The whole area is constructed out of oak logs making it an interesting and rare find.
HafenCity also known as Harbour City is amongst the best places to visit as a family the area contains a lot of museums, offices and shows. The model railway also known as the Miniatur Wunderland would entertain both the old and young. Most hotels also offer child friendly accommodations with nannies for parents who require sometime alone.
What’s the best area to stay in Hamburg for shopping? Altstadt
Mönckebergerstrasse in Altstadt is the main shopping street of the city. Does anyone fancy some exclusive shopping? Most exclusive stores are located in Jungfernstieg and Neuer Wall. The Alsterarkaden is an elegant and perfect neighborhood that offers picturesque therapy. A combination of both modern and historic inspired arcades lit by iron lamps offer a wide variety of goods to satisfy shoppers.
Pick N Weight is a unique shop that sells vintage and artistic clothes by weight. Superbude St Pauli is also a good place for shopping for clothes, kimonos, and other vintage items. For fish lovers, the 300-year-old market and the neighbouring fish auction hall are the perfect place for a real bazaar experience. Locals from the nearby neighbourhood also visit the market. With the large harbour, the best food to eat is fish. Fischimbiss schabi provides an authentic outdoor setting to enjoy a meal.
Where to stay in Hamburg on a budget? St Georg District
Your tight budget should not stop you from visiting Hamburg in Germany. There are numerous places to stay when you are on a tight budget and have and remarkable experience. The St Georg District is a neighborhood which has very cheap accommodation.
The 7 Best Neighbourhoods in Hamburg for Tourists
Hamburg is a spectacular and uniquely beautiful city located in Northern Germany. It is Germany’s second-largest city and is home to an incredible food scene, culture, history and fun nightlife. Once in Hamburg, you have to take a minute and take it all in because it is filled with a bustle of life and amazing people. Not to forget the historic canals and the legendary fish market.
Each neighbourhood in Hamburg has its own distinct feel. That is one before you settle somewhere in Hamburg, you have to consider your interests to guide your decision. This post has put together 7 of the best areas and 3 hotels to stay in Hamburg to help you narrow down your choices, alleviating the headache that could come with scouting for the best neighbourhood to stay while in Hamburg.
1. Old Town or Altstadt
It is also known as Hamburg’s Old Town and it lies at the heart of Hamburg. It is called the Old Town because it is arguably the oldest part of the city. It hosts Hamburg’s historic and iconic landmarks and you will find a great variety of museums, bars, restaurants, and shops. There are lots and lots of accommodation options with access to the city’s metro system. The accommodation varies from luxury to boutique-style. Take note that the costs might be higher than any other parts of the city.
Some of the noteworthy structures in Altstadt are the City Hall or otherwise called the Neo-Renaissance Rathaus and the St. Nicolas’ Church, which was once upon a time the tallest building in the world. It now stands as a memorial centre for the victims of World War II.
There is a host of other eye-catching sights. You can easily explore the Old Town on foot, all the way from the cobbled streets to the shores of Lake Alster. You can also take a walk through the Rathausmarkt right at the central square or get lost in the St. Nikolai Kirche ruins. For the best shopping experience, you can head over to Spitalerstraße and Mönckebergstraße streets.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): Fraser Suites • Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Pension am Rathaus • Gästezimmer an der Elbphilharmonie (Apartments)
2. Hamburg Neustadt
Otherwise known as Hamburg New Town is located northwest of Germany, just near Altstadt. If you have a particular taste for shopping, Neustadt is the city for you. There are many shopping and restaurant options for you to choose from.
The interconnectedness of Neustadt is mostly facilitated by the metro and train stations that are mostly used by locals and visitors at the Neuer Wall and Jungfernstieg avenues. Many of the metro stations can be found to the northern end of the city including Gansemarkt and the south you can get Baumwall station.
Apart from the fact that Neustadt is very centrally located, it is also an excellent area to stay because it comes with a host of many new hotels that come at different price ranges. All you have to do is find what fits your budget and go for it.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): Lindner Hotel Am Michel • Scandic Hamburg Emporio
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Motel One Hamburg am Michel • Alster-Hof
3. St Pauli
If you are looking for the best neighbourhood to stay in the Hamburg-Mitte district, then you shouldn’t be looking any further from St. Pauli. It is located to the right of the Elbe River bank right next to Neustadt. The city will engulf you in the alternative atmosphere because it is considered as the red-light district of Hamburg, not only renowned in Germany but throughout Europe.
St. Pauli’s main avenue is the Reeperbahn, filled with some of the city’s most popular casinos, pubs, and clubs. The interconnectedness of the town is mostly attributed to the three metro stations with the main station being the St. Pauli Station. You can find it on Budapester Street.
However, it is important to note that if you have a family, then is not the best place to stay. It is a town that is ideal for experiencing the nightlife of Hamburg that is absolutely legendary with a variety of budget accommodation options. It is a desirable place to stay because it is not only central but also an alternative area with budget accommodation options.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg • Empire Riverside Hotel
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hotel Luckys Inn • Hotel St. Annen
4. HafenCity
Hafencity is a relatively new district in Hamburg, located just new Old Town. It is arguably the most interesting areas in Hamburg. The town underwent a massive revitalisation in 2008 that saw it elevated to a multi-faceted neighbourhood that is made up of offices, restaurants, parks, shops, museums, and playgrounds among other infrastructural developments.
If you are looking for an area that is suitable for you and your family, Hafencity is the place. It is the best example of a modern city suburb. It is packed with activities and sights that will thrill people of all ages, right from kids to adults. One area that stands out in the town is the Elbphilharmonie, sitting at the heart of the town. It is the most acoustically advanced concert hall in the entire world. Something to brag out. You can get amazing views of the city and the harbour too. The hall hosts world-class concerts and performances.
You don’t have to worry about your mobility because there is the subway line U4 that connects Hafencity to the rest of Hamburg. However, since it is a relatively new city, the hotels available are quite limited. Most of the accommodation types you can expect to find are modern and luxurious.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt • The Westin
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Elbapartments Am Kaiserkai (Aparthotel)
5. St Georg
Located not far from Hamburg’s main train station offering its residents a true neighbourhood feel. It is a very nice area to stay if you are out scouting for accommodation options in Hamburg. It is mostly known for its affiliation to LGBTQ travelers and the annual Hamburg Pride parade.
It also boasts of an eclectic population mix of Middle-Easterners and Asians, mostly evidenced by the food scene in this region. It is also home to many shopping stores, restaurants, and bars. The town also borders Alster Lake, which is one of Hamburg’s best recreation destinations.
Transportation is not an issue here because it is only a walking distance from the main train (Hauptbahnhof) and bus station. The boutique hotels, apartments, and residences make St. Georg a refreshing neighbourhood to seek accommodation. The prices are varied, considering the fact that it is in close proximity to the main train station, giving you easy access to all the attractions of Altstadt.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg • Reichshof Hamburg, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hotel Wedina an der Alster • Hotel Alt Nürnberg
6. Altona
Altona is located just next to St. Pauli to the west of Hamburg. It is as beautiful as it is elegant, full of old residences and alleys. Some of the greatest attractions in Altona are the Elbe beach, the riverwalk to the old port and the Volkspark.
The town is also highly interconnected, mostly facilitated by the three train stations of Reeperbahn, Holtenstrasse and Kongistrasse, all shared with the Red Light District of Hamburg. If you need a long-distance train in Hamburg, you can head over to the Hamburg-Altona Station where you can find the High-Speed InterCity Express (ICE), a service that can take you all the way to Berlin.
The accommodation landscape of Altona is mostly affordable. Therefore, if you are in the market for budget accommodation options in Hamburg, be sure to head over to Altona for some affordable hotel or hostel options. Most visitors frequent Altona because it is more relaxed than most of the other central districts.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): Boston HH • Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: My Place • 25hours Hotel Number One
7. Blankenese
If you are hunting for a suburban escape from the hustle and bustle of Hamburg, be sure to head right over to Blankenese. It was once a popular fishing village located at the banks of Elbe River but has gradually transformed the district into one of the most Affluent districts of Hamburg.
It is located on a hill to the west of the city centre, just minutes away from the main train station. It is the go-to place if you are seeking for some serenity or somewhere peaceful and quiet for you and your family. You can get your family and embark on the Strandpromenade hike just along the waters towards the lighthouse.
The suburban feel should not make you forget that there is also a wide selection of restaurants and hotels in the neighbourhood including the Jenisch Haus and the Jenisch Park. There is a host of accommodation options available ranging from budget hotels, mid-range hotels, and family-friendly hotels to affordable luxury hotels.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): Hotel Süllberg Karlheinz Hauser • Strandhotel Blankenese
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Baurs Park • Das Gästehaus der Elb Lounge
Best Places to Stay in Hamburg Germany
There are so many great places to stay in Hamburg Germany, but we have three places that we can certainly recommend. Here we’re going to recommend you our favorite luxury hotel, mid-range hotel, and budget friendly hostel property.
Best Luxury Hotel in Hamburg: Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
The hotel offers a romantic and historic feel on a prestigious central location with enough spacious suites and rooms. The dining areas are sophisticated coming with an expansive fitness and spa area. The services offered are professional and crisp. You can enjoy your time on the terraces along the Alster Lake or have a drink at their selection of bars.
Best Mid Range Hotel in Hamburg: THE MADISON Hotel Hamburg
This is a privately owned hotel that has been in existence since 1943 located at the heart of Hamburg. It is an upscale four-star hotel with rooms that come fully equipped. You can sit in the open-plan ground-floor area and enjoy some of your time. It is vibrant and stylish that gives it an aesthetic appeal like no other. This also gives it a unique boutique-like atmosphere with a down-to-earth ambiance. They often update their furniture and furnishings to maintain its modern look.
Best Cheap Hostel in Hamburg: Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel
This is a youth hostel that offers visitors a relaxed, safe, stylish and sparkling clean accommodation experience. The Bohemian location is mostly why the hostel is highly reviewed in Hamburg, coupled with the aesthetically pleasing style and themes enriched with the abundance of plants. It is where you should go if you are looking to escape the typical Hamburg tourist traps and crowded spaces.
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