The city of Hamburg may not be the most obvious tourist destination in Germany, but you'd be remiss to overlook it. A bustling port, it's known for it's industry, however the country's second biggest city has plenty more going for it. Set in Northern Germany, it's connected to the North Sea with hundreds of canals, flanked by striking brown brick buildings and historic sights. It's also the setting for one of Germany's most famous nightlife streets, The Reeperbahn.
Hamburg is set to be one of the host cities for the 2024 European Championships, and I spent a week in the run up to the tournament discovering the city's football heritage with Hamburg Tourism. With two major teams calling the city home, HSV, and St Pauli, this is a city that takes it's football seriously.
A number of group matches and a quarter final are due to be played in Hamburg, with plenty of footballing activities and opportunities for fans beyond the games. From the bustling fan zone to the bars of Saint Pauli, it's set to be one of the most exciting cities from which to experience the 2024 Euros.
I've put together a brief football guide to Hamburg inspired by my experiences on the trip, to hopefully help shape your Hamburg experience. And even if you're not visiting during the Euros, there's plenty of things to see and do to make Hamburg a must-visit destination.
ad - this post was written from a press trip with Hamburg Tourism, however all words and opinions entirely my own.
Hamburg 101
- Currency: Germany uses the Euro (€). Card is readily accepted in most places, but I'd always recommend having some cash on you for emergencies.
- Getting To Hamburg: Hamburg is easily accessible with direct flights from major UK airports, or via regular trains from other European destinations
- Getting Around Hamburg: Hamburg is a relatively walkable city, with most sights being within about a 30 minute radius. However it also has a reliable train system. I'd recommend buying a Hamburg Card, which allows you discounts to major attractions, as well as free travel across the public transport network.
- Euro 2024 Matches in Hamburg
- 16th of June, 15:00: Poland - Netherlands
- 19th of June, 15:00: Croatia - Albania
- 22nd of June, 15:00: Georgia - Czech Republic
- 26th of June, 21:00: Czech Republic - Turkey
- 05th of July, 21:00: Quarter-finals W41 - W42
- Where to Watch Matches: Hamburg hosts a fan park from 14th June to 14th July. Located at the Heiligengeistfeld, it's in the shadow of the Millerntorstadion and in close proximity to the Reeperbahn.
- Hamburg Top Five: Explore the canals, hang out at the harbour, bar hop around St Pauli and the infamous Reeperbahn, gawp at the impressive Elbphilharmonie, and of course, watch a football match.
Where to Stay in Hamburg
Villa Viva Hamburg
When you travel regularly, the hotel experience can start to merge into an endless sea of bland facades and beige rooms that serve simply as a bed for the night. So it’s refreshing to experience something a little different. Villa Viva, in Hamburg’s Münzviertel region, is just that. A modern hotel stay filled with character, this vibey (there is no better word for it!) hotel is filled with character. The public spaces are a riot of colour in the form of playful murals and neon signs. The rooms themselves are simple and functional but still have that element of play, with built in wooden bedding. And then there’s the rooftop bar, offering cocktails with prime views out over the city.
The hotel is located right next to Hamburg Central Station, which is ideal if you’re travelling in and around by train. It’s also near a number of museums and art galleries. However the area can feel a little sketchy, particularly at night.
What makes Villa Viva a particularly interesting stay, however, is it’s backstory. The hotel is an offshoot of non-profit Viva con Agua, founded by former St Pauli player Benjamin “Benny” Adrion. Staying at the hotel funds the charitable work of Viva con Agua, with the majority of profits going towards water projects.
Though the concept of doing good is evident throughout the hotel, in features such as the veggie-forward breakfast offering, and sustainable toilet paper, it doesn’t feel lecturing or gimmicky. In fact it all adds to the experience, and sense of doing good whilst you sleep!
Things To Do in Hamburg
The Volksparkstadion
The Euros games in Hamburg will be played in the city’s biggest stadium, Volksparkstadion Hamburg. The home of Hamburger SV (HSV), the ground is located in the Bahrenfeld neighbourhood. We took a tour of the stadium, discovering more about the history of the team, as well as seeing some of the backstage areas. There’s a museum on site which is a fascinating look at HSV’s storied past. Or alternatively, you can have your 15 minutes in the spotlight in the press conference room - just make sure to cram in as many managerial cliches as possible! After all, it’s a game of two halves…
The Millerntor Stadium
Millerntor-Stadion is home ground to the Boys in Brown, FC St Pauli. There are few football clubs that reach the status of cult, yet Millerntor's St Pauli is one of them. The football club dates back to 1862 when it was linked to a gymnastic club that still exits. The team’s unique brown and white kit was chosen way back in 1909 and they have stuck with it ever since.
Right in the heart of the city near the Reeperbahn, the stadium holds 32,000 fans and is almost always sold out for St Pauli’s home games. I was lucky enough to visit for their promotion winning game against VFL Osnabruck, and the atmosphere was one of the most electrifying I've ever experienced at a football match. It's a must-visit ground for football enthusiasts!
The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
The jewel of Hamburg’s skyline is the striking Elphilarmonie concert hall. The unique glass structure sits proud over the harbour, hosting musical performances in two concert halls, a music education area, restaurants, a hotel, and a public plaza. If you don’t have tickets for a show, you can visit during a guided tour. The interior is equally contemporary, with clean, minimal spaces emphasising the spectacular views out over the boats down below.
Musical Beatles Tour
Apparently this is common knowledge (clearly I need to brush up on my Beatles trivia!), but the legendary Beatles started their musical career in the city of Hamburg. For two years they played in a number of venues around the city in the infamous nightlife district. To discover their legacy in Hamburg, book a tour with local guide Stephanie Hempel. Stephanie takes visitors around some of the famous spots they played at, and Beatles related landmarks - with a ukulele in tow for an immersive musical experience!
Dining & Drinking in Hamburg
Milch Cafe
If you’re a regular blog reader, you’ll know that I’m a design enthusiast (okay, a sucker for good aesthetics!). So I had to head out of my way to seek out the charmingly retro Milch cafe. With white tiled exteriors and a red and white striped awning, it's evocative of a 1950s diner, whilst the interiors are decked in more casual, minimal decor. Head here for your coffee and pastry pick me up before a day of exploring the city. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little heftier, the surrounding area is full of Portuguese and Spanish restaurants.
The Irish Pub
I’m not generally one to recommend an Irish pub, but if you’re looking for a low key spot to watch the sports, you can’t go wrong with The Irish Pub in the Fleetenkieker. This cosy spot serves up classic pub grub, local and Irish beers, with plenty of screens showcasing live sports.
Jolly Roger
St Pauli bar Jolly Roger encapsulates the ethos of the club, and makes for a great spot for a beer on a game day. The walls are a colourful riot of stickers, and there's regularly live music or DJs playing. If you can't get a drink at the bar, the shop next door also serves drinks. We visited after St Pauli's promotion winning game, and the entire street outside was filled with fans drinking, dancing, and celebrating!
StrandPauli
When the sun is shining down on Hamburg, it’s hard to imagine that there’s many better places to be than StrandPauli. This oh so cool beach bar and restaurant sits overlooking the Elbe, serving up cocktails and an extensive casual dining menu to go with the view. The aesthetic is eclectic Tiki Bar - you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re at a beachfront rum shack in The Caribbean than in Germany! Oh, and the pizzas are very good. I visited at lunchtime on a Monday so things were fairly low key, but I imagine it’s buzzing at evenings and weekends.
Grilly Idol
Hamburgers are, unsurprisingly, big business in Hamburg. You’ll find hamburgers in some form on most menus, and many a restaurant dedicated to the classic dish. Grilly Idol in the St Pauli district is one such restaurant, with an extensive take of innovative flavour combinations, paired with craft beers and cocktails. There’s smash burgers, chicken burgers, and vegetarian and vegan options, so truly something for everyone. It was probably one of my favourite meals on the trip!
I hope this Hamburg guide helps a little with planning your future Hamburg adventures, whether sports related or otherwise. Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for the city, or if you'd like to see more guides like these!
