Located in northern Germany, Hamburg is one of Europe’s largest ports and is often referred to as “Germany’s gateway to the world.” As a major Hanseatic League city, Hamburg thrived as a center of trade from the 13th to the 17th century—and traces of that history still linger today.
From its winding canals to the red-brick warehouses along the water, the city wears its maritime legacy with pride. Just about two hours by express train from Berlin 🚞, Hamburg makes for a perfect day trip destination. Here’s a look at how we spent one full, unforgettable day exploring this dynamic port city!
Starting the Day at the Rathaus
We arrived around 10 a.m. and began our day with a visit to the Hamburg Rathaus (City Hall)—a grand neo-Renaissance building completed in 1897. Interestingly, this city hall was rebuilt over the course of 44 years after the original one was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1842. Its richly decorated façade, lined with statues of past emperors and mythological figures, is absolutely breathtaking. You can truly sense the pride of Hamburg as a “Free and Hanseatic City” just by standing in front of it.
Alster Lake Boat Cruise
After admiring the Rathaus, we sat down for a coffee at a lovely café overlooking the square.
The clear skies tempted us to head toward Lake Alster, where we boarded a boat cruise. A tall fountain jets from the center of the lake, and the view of the churches and cityscape from the water was simply beautiful. With the gentle spray of water in the breeze, it was a refreshing and peaceful ride. Highly recommended!
A Fish Sandwich by the Water
At St. Pauli Landing Bridges, we found a bustling riverside promenade lined with food stalls that stretched on like a lively street market. Locals and tourists mingled as ferries and tour boats passed by in the background. We enjoyed a simple yet satisfying herring sandwich “Fischbrötchen” 🐟with a cold Jever beer, watching the harbor in motion. It tasted just like “fish and bread,” nothing fancy, but somehow comforting. It reminded me of flavors from home in Japan😋perhaps because of the marinated herring and onions, it even felt a bit like a vinegared mackerel sandwich!
Time Travel Through Speicherstadt
Next, we wandered into the Speicherstadt, a district of red-brick warehouses built in the 1880s during Hamburg’s free port era. 🧱 Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these historical buildings have been beautifully repurposed as museums, cafés, and cultural spaces. The historical warehouses, the quiet waterside atmosphere, and the cultural blend typical of a port town reminded me of Otaru and Yokohama in Japan. Perhaps it felt familiar because these cities flourished around the same period, each shaped by their roles in global trade.
An Unexpected Encounter with Brahms
As we strolled without a destination, we unexpectedly came across the Brahms Museum, 🎼 located in the house where composer Johannes Brahms was born. The museum is situated in a quiet corner of the KomponistenQuartier, a restored neighborhood with charming half-timbered houses that recreate the feel of the 18th century. What’s more, people still live in this area today. With its peaceful atmosphere and picture-perfect corners, the whole neighborhood felt like stepping into a storybook.
A Tower That Remember
The ruins of St. Nikolai Church, still standing tall with its spire intact, left a deep impression.
Heavily bombed during World War II, the church was never rebuilt. Instead, it remains preserved in its damaged state as a powerful memorial to the destruction of war. Standing before it, I felt as though the memory of the past was etched into every stone—a quiet yet profound reminder of history.
Wrapping Up the Day with a Hearty Fish Dinner 🍽
Before catching our train back to Berlin, we stopped at a restaurant near the station for an early dinner. We ordered one of Hamburg’s signature dishes: “Hamburger Pannfisch mit Lachs, Zander und Rotbarsch aus der Pfanne, mit Bratkartoffeln, mit Sahnesauce.” (In simple terms: a trio of fish—salmon, zander, and redfish—pan-fried to perfection, served with crispy fried potatoes and a creamy sauce.)
Since the chef saw “Hamburger” at the top of our order, he smiled and asked, “Just so you know, it’s not a hamburger🍔are you sure?” Apparently, some tourists mistake the name and expect a burger!😆 But I reassured him that this fish dish was exactly what I came for, and he seemed genuinely relieved. As for the taste…wow! 😍Each piece of fish was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with a rich buttery aroma. It had a satisfying, lightly fried texture that even our children loved—they said it was one of the best fried dishes they’d ever had. Paired with a chilled glass of Jever, a crisp northern German beer, it was the perfect way to end our day. Satisfaction level: well over 100%.❤️ It was the ideal final meal for our Hamburg adventure.
One Day in Hamburg…And So Many Stories to Tell 🧳
We explored many more spots during the day, but I’ll stop here for now. Our one-day journey through Hamburg was truly full of discovery and delight!
Try a Taste of Hamburg at Home 🍳
Hamburg is also known for another local fish dish:Finkenwerder-style plaice (Finkenwerder Scholle), typically pan-fried with bacon and onions. On my blog, I’ve shared a recipe inspired by this style, using easy-to-find white fish. If you’d like to bring a bit of Hamburg’s flavor to your own kitchen, give it a try! 👉White Fish with Bacon – Finkenwerder Style
