Hamburg in summer: best things to do and see

The summer sun makes the Elbe sparkle, and the warm weather opens up a whole world of summer activities in Hamburg.

Bring the whole family out for fun things to do with the kids. Let them conquer an adventure playground while you wind your way around a beautiful nature park at Neindorfer. Or hunt for the city’s famous landmarks and hidden gems with HafenCity.

Feel the cool breeze off the water with tons of summer activities on the Elbe or Lake Alster.

Relax with a cool drink as you cruise through Hamburg Harbor and take in panoramic views of the city, take out a canoe, or visit one of the amazing museum ships that are docked on the port.

Ready to explore the best things to do in Hamburg in summer? Let’s go. And leave Hamburg’s great museums for a rainy day.

Best outdoor activities to do in summer

1. Breeze through the city on a bike

Feel the breeze as you explore Hamburg by bike and learn about the city's history from your expert local guide as you pedal.

Highlights:

On this half-day Hamburg bike tour, you'll stop by famous sights like the Speicherstadt and St. Michael's Church. You’ll even have time for an (iced) coffee break and some snacks in the Reeperbahn.

Meeting point:

Bernhard-Nacht-Strasse 89, 20359 Hamburg. Tour times vary.

2. Find hidden treasure in the HafenCity

The modern HafenCity has a lot for visitors to discover, but only a real adventurer could find the secret treasure. Make your sightseeing more interesting with a treasure hunt full of riddles and fun facts — an especially fun way to explore with kids.

Highlights:

On a treasure hunt game through HafenCity, you’ll visit famous sights such as the Marco Polo Tower and the Elbphilharmonie, with fun clues and riddles guiding you between each one.

Meeting point:

Am Grasbrookpark 1E, 20457 Hamburg. Start times vary.

3. Enjoy the atmosphere of the city's park

Take a relaxing break among plants and flowers at Planten un Blomen. Cool down in the water playground or experience the heat of the tropical greenhouse. Bringing a picnic blanket and snacks is highly recommended.

Highlights:

Visit the park in the evening when it has cooled down to catch the daily light and water show. The water fountains are choreographed to classical music to deliver a truly enchanting experience.

Address and opening hours:

Marseiller Promenade, 20355 Hamburg. Summer opening hours are generally 7:00 AM-11:00 PM.

4. Meet the angels of the Ohlsdorf Cemetery

The Ohlsdorf Cemetery offers much more than a place of remembrance. With vibrant flower gardens and idyllic ponds, it's also a beautiful nature park that’s especially beautiful in summer. Learn more about the cemetery's history in museums and memorials throughout the park.

Highlights:

Go on an Ohlsdorf Cemetery angel walk to find all the hidden angel statues. See if you can decipher all their secret meanings.

Address and opening hours:

Fuhlsbüttler Str. 756, 22337 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday 9:00 AM-9:00 PM.

5. Spend the day on a medieval village farm

Take a trip into the past in the German countryside. The museum village at Volksdorf offers visitors an authentic picture of life in the 18th century. Visit an old bakery and mill, or look into the village well.

Highlights:

The village also includes a fully functional farm kept by volunteers. See what summer vegetables are in the garden and feed the farm goats and chickens.

Address and opening hours:

Im Alten Dorfe 46 - 48, 22359 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM.

6. Go hiking through Niendorfer enclosure

Take a hike through nature at Niendorfer's wildlife park. The enclosure contains adventure playgrounds and plenty of trails, so this summer activity will be fun for the whole family.

Highlights:

In a clearing in the woods along the trail, you can watch a group of deer. If you're lucky, you may spot foxes or hares too.

Address:

Niendorfer Gehege, 22453 Hamburg.

Best water activities

7. Walk over the water on the Alster Lakes

The Alster Lakes are a big draw in Hamburg in summer, and stand-up paddleboarding is one of the best activities to do there. After a short beginner course, you'll know how to keep your balance on the paddle board. Falling in is all part of the fun though — and a great way to cool down.

Highlights:

After your beginner’s paddle-boarding course you'll be steady enough to enjoy the amazing view from the lake. For more experienced paddlers or for a longer time on the water, choose the two-hour paddleboard session.

Meeting point:

Südring 5b, 22303 Hamburg. The lake is always open, but paddleboard rental times vary.

8. Set sail aboard the Great Freedom

Board the Große Freiheit (Great Freedom), a solid wooden sailing ship captained by an experienced sailor.

Highlights:

Sit back and relax on this Alster River sailboat cruise and sip a cool sundowner as you take in the panoramic view of Hamburg in the sunset.

Meeting point:

An d. Alster 67a, 20099 Hamburg. Start times vary.

9. Party on the water with Olivia Jones

Cruises don't have to be relaxing. Join one of Hamburg’s most famous drag queens, Olivia Jones, on a party cruise through Hamburg Harbor and raise a glass of local liquor served by Olivia and her family.

End the cruise at the St. Pauli landing piers and head to the Reeperbahn for a few more drinks and a lot more partying.

Highlights:

There will be plenty of photo ops with your hosts on this harbor party cruise.

Meeting point:

Große Elbstraße 9, 22767 Hamburg.

10. Cruise through the port at night

Experience the sparkling waters when the harbor is illuminated at night. There’s no better end to a hot summer day than a laid back night time cruise.

Highlights:

The city lights barge cruise has live commentary from the ship's captain so you’ll know all about the sights you sail past while you relax with a drink. There’s always a different route depending on the tide, and sometimes a special cruise to accompany larger ships or see fireworks from the annual Port Anniversary festival.

Meeting point:

St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 10, 20359 Hamburg. Tour times vary.

FAQs

Where can I go swimming or relax by the water in Hamburg?

If you want to go swimming in Hamburg, you can visit the Allermöhler See or the Naturbad Stadtparksee. You can relax by the water at the port or along the shores of the Alster lakes, although swimming is not recommended due to the heavy harbor traffic.

Are there any great summer festivals in Hamburg?

There are lots of great summer festivals in Hamburg. The biggest festival in Northern Germany, the Hamburg DOM Park fun fair, is held three times a year. The Summer DOM is from mid-July to mid-August.

What are the must-visit outdoor attractions in Hamburg?

The number one must-visit outdoor attraction in Hamburg is definitely the port that made the city famous. Port attractions include the Speicherstadt and the Elbphilharmonie. A visit to the Planten un Blomen park is also more than worth it.

What are some great day trips to take from Hamburg in the summer?

A great day trip from Hamburg in the summer is a visit to Heide Park, the largest amusement park in Northern Germany. If you want to visit the beach while you're here, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are not far away.

What are some fun activities with kids in Hamburg in summer?

Some fun activities in Hamburg that children will love are exploring the docked museum ships in the port for maritime adventures. The Miniatur Wunderland, with its model railways, is also sure to delight children of all ages.