Where to Stay in Hamburg – 6 Best Neighborhoods Guide (2024)
Going on a holiday in Germany is always a good idea, and I’m sure you’ll have a blast after you visit one of my favorite cities, Hamburg! I fell in love after my visit here! So now, I’m here to help you decide where to stay in Hamburg and make your trip planning easy!
I researched all the best areas to stay in the city, cherry-picked top-rated hotels for all budgets, and presented everything nicely in an easy-to-follow format!
City Center (Altstadt & Neustadt) is the best place to stay in Hamburg for first-timers because it’s, well, the center of all the action, but also a great starting point for exploring the rest of this charming town.
Note that Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city, and over 7 million tourists arrive there every year, so make sure to book your hotel in advance!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
These are the best hotels in Hamburg’s City Center that are up for grabs:
budget hotel
Best affordable accommodation in the center
Here’s a map of all the best areas to stay in Hamburg that I will be talking about in this post:
1. City Center (Altstadt & Neustadt) – where to stay in Hamburg for first-timers
The Hamburg City Center is made up of Altstadt (Old Town in German) and Neustadt (New Town). If you’re visiting for the first time, City Center is the best area to stay in Hamburg, as it offers a wide range of attractions and most are located within walking distance of each other.
But also, what better way to enjoy your holiday than to stay in the heart of the city? We all know that Germany’s architecture is famous for its uniqueness, but the Romanesque churches and the art nouveau buildings that you’ll find in this district will leave you in a complete state of awe!
Hamburg’s Old Town is located by Alster Lake and it’s one of the most interesting spots where you’ll be able to dive into the history and culture of the city.
On the trendy Rathausmarkt (Central Square), you’ll find the City Hall (map), which is home to Hamburg’s Parliament. The Square is also filled with quirky cafes and restaurants, a perfect place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee!
Neustadt, on the other hand, is modern, although you’ll still find some historic buildings, like the Alsterarkaden (map). But people mostly come here to shop and check out the cafes and restaurants.
GETTING AROUND: Hamburg has a wide public transportation network, including buses, subways (U-Bahn), and suburban trains (S-Bahn). Use the Moovit app to plan your commute.
I’d only recommend a car rental if you plan to move around to other parts of Germany (but even then, you can use trains). You definitely won’t need a car if you’re only staying in Hamburg. Taxis in Hamburg can get pretty expensive for short distances, so only take them if necessary. FreeNow and Uber are popular apps for booking a ride.
Luxury hotel
Everything about this hotel screams luxury – from the exclusive location by the Alster Lake, architecture, lavishly decorated rooms, and upscale service. They have 8 on-site restaurants and serve mid-day cake, and you can enjoy all that gourmandize with fabulous views of the lake!
Other accommodation options in the City Centre
Mid-Range
A modern hotel with an interesting design, a spa, a wellness center, and a gym
Budget
An affordable option for budget travelers, this modern hotel offers breakfast and paid parking spots
Airbnb
I like the homie feeling of this apartment in the center which has a kitchen, free wifi, and security cameras
Things to do in the City Centre (Altstadt & Neustadt)
2. St. Georg – the trendiest place in Hamburg
Located just 3 km (2 miles) Northeast of Hamburg’s City Center, this district is one of the coolest places to stay in town. On the streets of St. Georg, you’ll find beautiful historic houses, especially on Lange Reihe (map), its main street.
Filled with local boutique shops, trendy bars, and nice restaurants, St. Georg allows its visitors to dive into the popular culture of Hamburg City. Overall, the area has a posh vibe, so plan on spending a bit more during your stay here!
St. Georg is also known as Hamburg’s most LGBTQ+ friendly district, especially around Steindamm, so you’ll find plenty of bars and cafés that are welcoming to the community!
And if you’re lucky, maybe you can catch a play at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Theatre (map), one of the most famous theaters in town!
FUN FACT: According to many legends, the origin of the word “hamburger” takes its roots from Hamburg. In the 19th century, Hamburg was popular for its dish called Hamburg Steak (made from minced beef). As German immigrants made it to the US in the 20th century, they adapted the dish slightly and thus, the hamburger was born!
St. Georg is close to the Hamburg Train Station, so if you want to visit other areas in the city or take a trip to another German town, like Cologne (which I highly recommend), then you know where to go!
IMPORTANT: The area around the train station (as well as around Hansaplatz (map) and Steindamm (map)) can get iffy at night with plenty of homeless people. This community is restrained to itself and poses no danger to tourists, but just the sight of them may not be pleasant for some travelers. When researching hotels in St. Georg, I made sure there were no reports of homeless people around the hotel’s entrance.
Luxury hotel
The Hamburg hotels know a thing or two about elegance, am I right? You can spend a whole day relaxing at the spa and sauna of this hotel or catch a movie with the family at their private cinema! The accommodation is also located near the train station, giving you easy access to the whole city and the country.
Other accommodation options in St. Georg
Mid-Range
Enjoy your afternoon tea at the hotel’s restaurant or order room service and spend a chill evening after a day of sightseeing
Budget
Ideal place for groups or small families, one of the top-rated properties in the area
Airbnb
Modern, stylish, and adorable – it’s how I can best describe this charming Airbnb
Things to do in St. Georg
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3. Altona-Altstadt – best place to stay for budget travelers
Altona-Altstadt is located some 3 km (1.8 miles) from the City Center. If you’re traveling on a budget and want to find an affordable hotel, this district is one of the best places to stay in the city! Its relaxed, urban, and leafy vibe makes it suitable for both families and couples.
The district is also situated on the Elbe River, which means you’ll have some pretty awesome views, maybe even from your hotel room!
NOTE: You want to stay in the Altona-Altstadt area, which is just a small borough that’s part of the larger Altona area. Altona was a separate city from Hamburg for almost 400 years, and the “Altona-Altstadt” part used to be the center of that city.
By the river, you’ll find a few restaurants and the lovely Altonaer Balkon Park (map), which offers nice scenic views of the harbor. Apart from your usual historic buildings and museums, this district is also known for its shopping, and if you walk along the River Elbe, you’ll find many stores.
Altona has not 1 train station but 3: Konigstrasse, Holstenstrasse, and Reeperbahn Station. All are located near St. Pauli, and transport really won’t be an issue if you stay here!
Note about St. Pauli: This is an area known as Hamburg’s Red Light District, and it’s a popular place for parties. It has an absolutely wild nightlife! However, I don’t recommend basing yourself here since you’ll probably need a good pair of earplugs if you want to get some sleep!
Also, you don’t want to deal with drunk and intoxicated people who will be all over the place, especially if you’re traveling with kids. The area does have some really nice breweries that you can see on a tour or just do an excursion here in the daytime, and I’m all in for that!
Luxury hotel
Sunbathe in the sun on the terrace of this upscale hotel in Hamburg Altona, which has spacious apartments with small kitchenettes. Enjoy the views of the river from the comfort of your room and chill before heading out to see all the attractions!
Other accommodation options in Altona-Altstadt
Mid-Range
Top-rated apartments with a 4-star service, spacious rooms, and private parking
Budget
Enjoy a cup of tea on the balcony of your room in this hotel that features city views and private parking
Airbnb
A lovely place to relax and work; I love how they have guidebooks of Hamburg for guests to explore
Things to do in Altona-Altstadt
- Visit the Altonaer Museum (map)
- Take a walk in the Altonaer Balkon Park and enjoy the harbor views
- Go shopping in the Altona stores located along the banks of the Elbe River
- Have a cool experience at the U-Boot Museum in Hamburg Altona
- Stroll by the historic ferry terminal, Opernloft im Alten Fährterminal (map)
- Buy some local products from the Hamburg Fish Market (map)
- Go on a hop-on, hop-off tour of the city
4. Hafencity – the best place to stay in Hamburg for an urban experience
Located South of Hamburg Altstadt, 1 km (under a mile) away from it, Hafencity is one of the most modern areas in town. Known as Europe’s largest regeneration project, the neighborhood has seen many transformations in the last few years.
Hafencity’s port area was completely rebuilt, and now it offers many accommodation options. Here, you’ll also find the unique Speicherstadt (map), the largest warehouse district in the world, with canals running through the area and footbridges connecting the separate buildings. This place is super unique, so of course, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is a great base to take boat tours along the Elbe River, see popular attractions like Miniatur Wunderland (map) and the Maritime Museum (map), and just enjoy the brand-new face of Hamburg!
The Port of Hamburg (74km² or 24miles²) on the Elbe River is almost as big as Copenhagen (88km² or 34miles²)! It’s the third largest seaport in Europe after Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Antwerp in Belgium!
If you stay in Hafencity, you can easily reach other neighborhoods by public transport, and you’ll find many restaurants and cool bars where you can chill after all the sightseeing.
Luxury hotel
This unique hotel wins the prize for the best views! Wake up and spend the whole morning in bed, just watching the river through the ceiling-to-floor windows. You should definitely order room service to complete the experience!
Other accommodation options in Hafencity
Mid-Range
One of the best hotels in Hamburg with a cool design, a restaurant, and a lovely garden terrace
Budget
You’ll hardly find a better value for money than this budget-friendly Holiday Inn
Airbnb
A cozy modern apartment to be your home away from home in Hamburg, suitable for 2 guests
Things to do in Hafencity
5. Sternschanze (Schanzenviertel) – where to stay for culture seekers
Sternschanze is a hipster area located just North of Altona and 3.5 km (2.1 miles) away from City Center.
Sternschanze once was the center of counterculture in Hamburg, with activists and punks vibing here for ages. The most famous event that took place here was the squatting of the Rote Flora theater in 1989 by leftists who wanted to rebuild it as a new musical theater.
Today, this district thrives with hippy cafés, leafy streets, and a vibrant nightlife (a bit different from that on St. Pauli).
You’ll find plenty of elegant buildings, boutique stores, record shops, and really cool clubs, so this area really has a lot to offer to various types of travelers.
This area is well connected to the City Center with bus and U-Bahn (Hamburg’s rapid-transit system) lines, and it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to get to and fro the Center.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Hamburg has more bridges than Venice, Amsterdam, and London combined? That’s right, the total number of bridges in the city is around 2,500!
Luxury hotel
There were no luxury hotels in the area, and this apartment complex is the closest it gets to luxury here! This lovely property has a central location, fully equipped and tastefully-designed rooms, and a cute terrace where you can chill or drink coffee.
Other accommodation options in Sternschanze
Mid-range
One of the best hotels in the area with tons of space, can fit up to 6 guests in one room
Budget
Such unique room décor and cozy public space to hang out with fellow travelers
Airbnb
Enjoy this fully equipped apartment with a small dining area, ideal for short stays
Things to do in Sternschanze
- See the iconic Rote Flora theater (map)
- Walk around the area and admire the beautiful architecture
- Stroll in the lovely Planten un Blomen Park (map)
- Have the best steaks at Bullerei (map)
- Check out all the cool shops, bars, and places on Bartelsstrasse (map)
6. Dammtor (Rothenbaum) – the best area to stay in Hamburg for business & luxury
Dammtor is located to the North of the City Center, 3.3 km (2 miles) away from the Hamburg Townhall. If you’re traveling for business, luxury, or want to make your trip as convenient as possible, consider this area!
Here, you’ll find 2 of the most charming luxury hotels in Hamburg, Grand Elysée and The Fontenay Hamburg, located on the shores of the beautiful Alster Lake. Talk about a serene and relaxing environment, all while being just a short ride from the Center!
Dammtor is also where a big train station is located, so you can stay in the area if you’re only visiting Hamburg for a short time, for a business conference, or plan to take day trips around the country.
The Messe Exhibition Center (map) and the University of Hamburg (map) are located here, so you can find nearby hotels for easy access to the venue and faculty premises.
Oh, and the area’s tree-lined streets by the lake make it an excellent choice for families with kids who want to spend time walking and enjoying lakeside activities!
The downside of staying here is that there are no really notable attractions. But you’re a quick 7-minute U-han ride away from the City Center, and will have a peaceful sleep at night!
Luxury hotel
The Fontenay is a 5-star hotel on the shores of Lake Alster featuring 2 swimming pools, a nice gym, 3 on-site restaurants, and a bar. Enjoy their fabulous breakfast, stunning rooms with a balcony, and the friendliest service!
Other accommodation options in Dammtor
Mid-range
One of the most popular hotels in Hamburg with a great connection to the rest of the city
Budget
This old, repurposed home awaits with lovely staff, cute backyard, and classic décor
Airbnb
Yet another classic accommodation in an old building, very cozy but modest
Things to do in Dammtor
- Walk by the lake and enjoy the beautiful surroundings
- Have the kids explore nearby playgrounds (map)
- Eat delicious Italian food by the lake (map)
- Enjoy a fun night out at the Tipsy Baker Bar (map)
| 👑 Luxury price: | €200 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | €110 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | €80 |
| 📍 Best area: | City Center (Altstadt & Neustadt) |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Fairmont Hotel |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | Henri Hotel Hamburg |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Motel One |
FAQs about where to stay in Hamburg, Germany
🌆 Where to stay in Hamburg for the first time?
City Center (Altstadt & Neustadt) is the best place to stay in Hamburg, Germany. You’ll find tons of attractions, beautiful architecture, unique bars, and great hotels in this area.
🛝 Where to stay in Hamburg with kids?
Nice kid-friendly hotels include Grand Elysee and Holiday Inn HafenCity. I suggest booking hotels with kid-friendly amenities closer to the Hamburg City Center. But getting around Hamburg is really easy on public transport, so the location is less important.
💰 Is Hamburg expensive?
Yes and no. Hamburg is a big city and offers accommodation options for all budgets, from top-class 5-star hotels to affordable hostels. The same goes for restaurants and shops. Budget travelers can still have a great time in the city!
🧐 Is Hamburg a dangerous city?
Hamburg is a safe city in general, especially for tourists. However, this is a big city and pickpocketing and small crimes can happen. I advise you to be mindful of your belongings and don’t walk alone at night, especially in secluded streets or around train stations.
🚗 Do I need a car in Hamburg?
Not really. Hamburg has an excellent public transportation system. Plus it’s really walkable, so a car is not needed even if you’re traveling with kids.
3️⃣ How many days should I stay in Hamburg?
3 to 4 days are just enough to see most of Hamburg.
✖️ Where to avoid in Hamburg?
Reeperbahn in St. Pauli district and the main train station in St. Georg are definitely not good places to stay nearby. They are not unsafe per se, but you don’t want to see drunk people and drug dealers on your way to the hotel.
✅ Is Hamburg a walkable city?
Yes! Hamburg is a compact and walkable city for the most part, especially in the central areas. Altstadt is a pedestrian’s paradise with its narrow streets and beautiful architecture!
🎓 Where to stay in Hamburg for students?
If you’re a student looking for affordable places to stay in Hamburg, check out the hotels in Altona-Altstadt. The prices are affordable and some accommodations like Boardinghouse offer great amenities. Also, consider Dammtor since it’s closest to the University.
Final thoughts on the best places to stay in Hamburg
I hope this article helped you decide where to stay in Hamburg and which district is best for you! There are many amazing places to stay in Hamburg, from luxury to mid-range to budget, so I can see how it can get overwhelming to choose.
Just in case you’re still indecisive, here are my two favorite ones, both located in the City Center (Altstadt & Neustadt:
Now, all that’s left for you to do is book a hotel and do so fast so you can secure the best deals!
Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in the city, check out all the great bars, and party the night away while you’re there! And if you have any questions or comments, let me know below!
Safe travels,
Yulia
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