Hamburg, an important commercial city in Germany thanks to its harbour, the largest and most important in the country and the second largest in the entire European Union, is a destination that is increasingly making a name for itself in the world of tourism. Many districts have been completely redeveloped, becoming real attractions, each with its own distinct soul.
Here are all our tips on where to stay in Hamburg.
Useful tips: the best districts to stay in
On a trip to Hamburg, the best neighbourhood to stay in is the Altstadt, or Old Town. Here you will find various attractions and have easy access to all districts of the city. Next to the Altstadt you will find Neustadt, the most modern part of the city, which is a great alternative for spending even less.
If you are looking for nightlife and fun, choose St Pauli, the harbour area, the centre of nightlife where you will also find the red light district. Other alternatives are the western area of Altona-Alstadt, which borders St Pauli, and Schanzenviertel, further away from the city centre. Another option is St Georg, Hamburg's LBGT district, full of trendy clubs and very lively especially in the evenings.
On the contrary, if you are looking for quieter areas, especially if you are travelling with children, choose the Harvestehude district, north of the historic centre and overlooking the Alster lake, full of parks and also with excellent solutions for all budgets. Also for families, an excellent solution is Altona-Altstadt, except for the western area bordering St Pauli.
Recommended areas tosave money: Neustadt, Altona-Altstadt, St. Georg, Harvestehude
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Altstadt, Altona-Altstadt, Harvestehude
Recommended areas foryoung people: St Pauli, Altona-Altstadt (western part), St. Georg, Schanzenviertel
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Hamburg. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Hamburg on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Hamburg area guide
An important city in northern Germany, Hamburg is a strong trading power thanks to its port and, above all, is the second most populous city in the country, second only to the capital Berlin. It covers 755.26 m2 and is home to more than 1,800,000 inhabitants.
The city is divided into 7 districts, which in turn are divided into districts called Stadtteil, in all there are 105 of them. The central district is Hamburg-Mitte, the most populous along with Hamburg-Nord, and also the best to stay in. The other districts are Altona, Bergedorf, Eimsbüttel, Harburg and Wandsbek.
Areas to avoid: Hamburg is a safe city, there are no real areas to avoid, except for the most peripheral ones. Care should be taken, however, in the districts of Sankt Pauli and Sankt Georg, which are the most transgressive. These are always safe and controlled areas, but it is best to avoid going down dark streets and alleys and instead stay on the brighter, busier streets.
Altstadt
Photo by W. Bulach. Hamburg's old town is home to some of the city's most important attractions. Definitely one of the best areas to stay in, both for its location and its atmosphere. Here you will find the Town Hall, the Church of St Nicholas but not only: the Altstadt also includes the wonderful Speicherstadt, the former warehouse area that has been completely redeveloped and is now one of Hamburg's most fascinating attractions.
This area is especially recommended for those visiting Hamburg for the first time but, as it is the historic centre, it also has slightly higher prices than the rest of the city. Also recommended for families because of the ease of getting around and the many amenities.
Finally, whichever district you choose in Hamburg, you still have to use the means of transport. In the historical centre you can easily move around on foot, but to reach areas such as St Pauli or HafenCity you will have to take the metro.
Average prices in the district range from around €80.00 for low-cost accommodation to €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel in Speicherstadt. Gym, WiFi, restaurant and bar, pets allowed. Ideal for couples | |
Flat residence 4 min. walk from the main station. Wifi connection, pets allowed. Flats with fully equipped kitchen and one or two bedrooms. Ideal for couples, families and young people | |
Hotel 5 min. walk from the main station. Sauna, gym, parking. Choice of suites and studios. Ideal for couples | |
5-star hotel in the heart of the old town. Gym, parking, pets allowed. Family rooms available. Ideal for couples and families |
Neustadt
If the Altstadt is the oldest part of Hamburg's city centre, Neustadt is its commercial and modern centre. It is also a good compromise: while on one side it borders the Altstadt, on the other is St Pauli, one of the hubs of nightlife. Here in Neustadt, you will find attractions such as St Michael's Church or the famous Jungfernstieg, the shopping street overlooking the Alster lake.
It is an ideal area for young people and for saving money. It does not have a wild nightlife like St Pauli, but you can still find all kinds of clubs here.
Finally, here too you will have to use the means of transport. The Altstadt can be reached on foot depending on where you are staying, alternatively the district is served by the metro line U3.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel 5 minutes' walk from the Church of San Michele. WiFi connection, two internet stations, lounge with fireplace and library. Ideal for couples | |
Hostel with colourful rooms, dormitories with private bathrooms, 24-hour reception, large lounge and bar with outdoor terrace. Ideal for young people | |
Hotel 400 m from St. Michael's Church. 24-hour reception, WiFi, pets allowed. Ideal for couples | |
Luxury hotel 5 min. walk from Lake Aussenalster. Gym, restaurant and room service, parking. Ideal for couples and families |
St Pauli
St Pauli is Hamburg's nightlife district par excellence. An old harbour area, which for centuries (and still today) hosted sailors from all over the world, this district is one of the city's most charming, but above all it is known for being home to the red light district, the Reeperbahn.
Obviously, this is an area suitable for young people and those looking for unbridled nightlife, absolutely not recommended for families. It is also possible to find affordable accommodation, such as hostels or small B&Bs, if booked in advance.
Again, you will have to get around by transport. To get to the Altstadt, for example, just take the train line S1 or S3, reference stop Reeperbahn (10 min). Alternatively, metro line U3, reference stop Landungsbrücken (10 min) .
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel with WiFi, parking, bar and breakfast. A 10-minute walk from the metro station. Ideal for couples | |
Hostel one min walk from the Reeperbahn and 5 min from the St Pauli metro station. Private rooms or dorms. Ideal for young people | |
Hostel in the heart of the Reeperbahn. 24h reception, express check-in and check-out, private rooms or dorms, shared bathroom. Ideal for young people | |
4-star hotel 3 min walk from the Elbe river and the Reeperbahn. Restaurant and room service, bar, WiFi. Ideal for couples |
Altona-Altstadt
Photo by Dietmar Rabich. Bordering St Pauli is the Altona-Altstadt district, another recommended area to stay. There are no particular tourist attractions here, except for the famous Fischmarkt, located in the southern part, overlooking the river Norderelbe.
Altona-Altstadt is a district suitable for everyone. It is not a particularly touristy area, which allows you to find affordable accommodation. It is a large residential district with several parks, mainly quiet and therefore excellent for families. Finally, the northernmost part, around the Ring 2 street bordering St Pauli, has many clubs and is quite lively, so it is ideal for those who are looking for nightlife but do not want to stay in St Pauli.
Finally, even if you stay here, you will need to use transport. The reference station is Königstraße, connected to the Altstadt by the S1, S2 and S3 lines (15 min).
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel 900 m from the harbour. Shared lounge, 24-hour reception, free WiFi, air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom. Ideal for couples | |
Hotel with express check-in and check-out, 24-hour reception, WiFi, tour desk. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hostel in Altona but within walking distance of the St. Pauli district and the nightlife. Dormitories for 4, 6 or 8 people, shared bathroom. Ideal for young people | |
Modern hotel with WiFi, parking, bar and room service. Ideal for couples and families |
St. Georg
St. Georg is a small district bordering the Altstadt, the district of the LGBT community. It is one of the liveliest areas of the city, full of clubs, bars, cafés but also galleries, designer shops and plenty of activities to do. It is one of Hamburg's artistic and intellectual centres and is a stone's throw from the famous Hamburger Kunsthalle.
It is a district that is especially suitable for young people and those in search of nightlife. Here you can spend the evening among the many clubs and keep the early hours. But it is also a great way to save money while still being within walking distance of the city centre.
In fact, St Georg occupies an excellent location: it is separated from the Altstadt by the Hauptbahnhof, or central railway station. This will allow you to move easily throughout the city.
Average prices in the district range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
2-star hotel on the shores of Lake Alster. WiFi, parking, breakfast available 4:00-12:00. Ideal for young people and couples | |
Capsule hotel with restaurant, bar with terrace, 24-hour reception and shared lounge. Shared bathroom. Ideal for young people | |
5-star hotel on the shores of Lake Alster. Swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant, bar and room service. Ideal for couples and families | |
Luxury hotel with design interiors. Spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples |
Schanzenviertel
Photo by Emma7stern. Schanzenviertel, also known as Sternschanze, is one of Hamburg's alternative districts. More distant from the centre and without any particular attractions, it is actually one of the most beautiful areas to discover. Characterised by tree-lined boulevards, pubs, art galleries and restaurants of various nationalities, it is the hipster and design district.
Certainly, it is especially recommended for young people, but in general for those who want to enjoy a bit of nightlife and stay in a different neighbourhood. In addition, given the distance from the centre, you can find several affordable options here, especially if you travel in good time.
Finally, you will need to use transport to get around. The district is located in the northern part of Hamburg, to reach the Altstadt you can use the underground line U3 (11 min).
Average prices in the district range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Residence close to the Fair and the Congress Centre. Apartments with fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom, living room. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hotel with rooms with private bathroom, free parking nearby, WiFi. Ideal for couples and young people | |
Hostel 800 m from the Hamburg Messe. Private rooms or dormitories, private or shared bathroom depending on the room. Ideal for young people | |
4-star hotel 2 min walk from the Planten Un Blomen Park. Air-conditioned rooms, Mediterranean restaurant and 24-hour reception. Ideal for couples |
Harvestehude
Photo by hh oldman. Finally, we would like to recommend the Harvestehude district, even further north of the Schanzenviertel. It is a very quiet residential district, overlooking the shore of the Alster lake. It is suitable for stays longer than three days, otherwise it is a bit too out of the way.
Given its characteristics, it is an ideal area for families and, more generally, for those who want to stay away from traffic and city life. Here you will find several green areas, a beautiful lakeside promenade and several amenities, although it is not a tourist area.
Finally, staying here you will need to get around by transport. The reference metro stop for the district is Klosterstern, from here you can use the U1 line to reach the centre (10 min).
Average prices in the district range from around €80.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel within walking distance of the Alster lake. 19th century building with terrace and garden, family rooms and WiFi. Ideal for couples and families | |
3-star Aparthotel with garden, WiFi and pets allowed. Flats for 2 to 4 people. Ideal for couples and families | |
Residence with hotel services, WiFi, pets allowed. Shared laundry and garden. Ideal for couples and families |
Countries near Hamburg where to stay
Hamburg is indeed a very large city and staying in the city is the best option. The neighbourhoods are very varied, with completely different characteristics and, at the same time, there are solutions to suit all budgets.
Looking for accommodation outside Hamburg, especially if you are staying in the city for a short time, is quite inconvenient. If you may be able to save some money on accommodation, you will spend it on transport. The railway network in Germany is very punctual and efficient, but tickets are not to be underestimated. Not to mention the time you will lose in getting around. Better to look for accommodation in the city.
