Where to stay in Hamburg [Most Comprehensive Guide for 2023]

HAMBURG, GERMANY - Hamburg famous warehouse district called Speicherstadt in the former free port. Today the Speicherstadt is a unesco world heritage site Hamburg

Germany’s second largest city is one of Europe’s largest ports. With several canals, access to the North Sea via River Elbe, and maritime history, Hamburg offers a different side of Germany from other popular cities like Munich or Berlin. There are many Hamburg neighborhoods, so deciding where to stay in Hamburg can be a daunting task.

Fortunately, the city has excellent public transportation for easy access to all of the various neighborhoods of Hamburg. We’ve broken down the best Hamburg districts for visitors, found some cool places to stay in Hamburg, and will recommend several Hamburg hotels for every budget.

We will cover off all types of Hamburg accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Hamburg hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Hamburg Germany 2023, the best Hamburg hotels, best places in Hamburg to visit, the best places to stay in Hamburg, hotels near Hamburg attractions, Hamburg neighborhood guide and many more.

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Table of Contents

Altstadt – Where to stay in Hamburg city centre

Hamburg’s Old Town and the City Centre are the most central places to stay in Hamburg. Staying in Hamburg town centre gives you easy access to all of the attractions of Hamburg, plus it’s convenient to the train station for the best day trips from Hamburg.

Next to City Hall, Rathausmarket is a hub of activity and a good location to start your exploration of Hamburg. The Old Town section has many historic buildings, monuments and squares, many of which were rebuilt or restored after WWII.

The newer part of Hamburg City Centre has several parks and open spaces, as well as some modern buildings. One of the best things to do in Altstadt is just to take a stroll along the Elbe River and enjoy the scenery. Here is a list of Hamburg city centre hotels:

Best places to stay in Hamburg City Centre

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Hamburg City Centre:
Generator Hostel Hamburg
MAC City Hostel
a&o Hamburg City
a&o Hamburg Hauptbahnhof

Budget Hotels in Hamburg City Centre:
Signature Hotel Astoria
Hamburg Room
Mercedes
Signature Hotel Konigshof

Mid range Hotels in Hamburg City Centre:
City Gate by Centro Comfort
STAY! Hotel Boardinghouse
Novum Hotel Hamburg Stadtzentrum
ARCOTEL Rubin

Family Friendly Hotels in Hamburg City Centre:
Best Western Plus Hotel St. Raphael
Alte Wache Hotel
Novum Hotel Continental Hamburg Hauptbahnhof
Hotel Wedina

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Hamburg City Centre:
Park Hyatt Hamburg
Reichshof Hamburg, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg
Le Meridien Hamburg

HAMBURG, GERMANY - Hamburg City Hall building located in the Altstadt quarter in the city center at the Rathausmarkt square in a beautiful early spring day

St. Georg – One of the best neighborhoods in Hamburg Germany

Not far from the main train station, St. Georg has a true neighborhood feel and is a great place to stay in Hamburg. This district is one of the best for LGBTQ travelers, and is home of the Hamburg Pride parade each year.

St. Georg also has an eclectic population mix of Asian and Middle-Easterners, which is most evident in the diverse food scene in the area. St. Georg has many bars, restaurants and shopping opportunities. St. Georg also borders Alster Lake, a major recreation destination in Hamburg.

Best places to stay in St. Georg

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in St. Georg:
Generator Hostel Hamburg
MAC City Hostel
Wira Guesthouse 112 – Hostel
a&o Hamburg City

Budget Hotels in St. Georg:
Hamburg Room
Hotel Oase
Signature Hotel Astoria
Sleephotels

Mid range Hotels in St. Georg:
Aussen Alster Hotel
relexa hotel Bellevue
The George Hotel
Boutique 072 Hamburg St George

Family Friendly Hotels in St. Georg:
ARCOTEL Rubin
Novotel Suites Hamburg City hotel
Crowne Plaza R Hamburg – City Alster
Senator Hotel Hamburg

Affordable Luxury Hotels in St. Georg:
Palais Esplanade Hamburg
Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
The Fontenay Hamburg

Wismar, Germany, Architecture of ancient gothic St. George Cathedral Church in Wismar

St. Pauli – Where to stay in Hamburg for nightlife

If you want to know where to stay in Hamburg for nightlife, St. Pauli district is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Hamburg. Hamburg’s Red Light District is also very tourist-friendly, so don’t let the red light moniker scare you off!

The Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s most famous street, with over a mile of nightlife destinations. North of the Reeperbahn, travelers can find lots of cafes, restaurants and art galleries. St. Pauli is known as one of the best areas for nightlife in Hamburg.

Beatles fans will find themselves in St. Pauli to check out Große Freiheit 64, where the Beatles first played in 1960. St. Pauli is also where you can find Hamburg’s famous fish market, which has been selling fish in this spot since 1703.

Today, it’s a foodie paradise with dozens of food stalls to browse and sample. Within the northern section of St. Pauli, the neighborhood of Karolinenviertel is a great place to shop for unique designer goods.

Best places to stay in St. Pauli

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in St. Pauli:
Hostel Paulibude
Pyjama Park Hotel und Hostel
Pension Chez Ronny
Buch-Ein-Bett Hostel

Budget Hotels in St. Pauli:
Hansehof Hotel
North by Centro Comfort
ibis budget Hamburg St. Pauli Messe
Centro Hotel West

Mid range Hotels in St. Pauli:
Pension Chez Ronny
Ibis Hamburg St Pauli Messe
ARCOTEL Onyx
Holiday Inn Express Hamburg – St. Pauli Messe

Family Friendly Hotels in St. Pauli:
Empire Riverside Hotel
Hotel Hafen Hamburg
Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Michel
Citadines Michel Hamburg

Affordable Luxury Hotels in St. Pauli:
East Hamburg
Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg
TORTUE HAMBURG
Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall

HAMBURG , GERMANY - The St. Pauli Piers, German: St. Pauli Landungsbrucken, are one of Hamburg's major tourist attractions in St. Pauli

Schanzenviertel – Cool places to stay in Hamburg

A young and hip district of Hamburg, Schanzenviertel is sometimes referred to as Sternschanze or Schanze.

This is one of the most Bohemian of Hamburg districts, although gentrification is quickly creeping in. The Schanze is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Hamburg for younger travelers and artistic types.

Some compare the vibe of the Schanze to that of Berlin, with an engaging mix of bars, nightclubs, music shops, cafes and hip boutiques. Don’t miss the Flohschanze flea market on Saturdays.

Best places to stay in Schanzenviertel

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Schanzenviertel:
Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel
Buch-Ein-Bett Hostel
Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel
Superbude Hotel & Hostel St.Pauli

Budget Hotels in Schanzenviertel:
Altan Hotel
North by Centro Comfort
Hotel Boritzka
Cabo Hotel

Mid range Hotels in Schanzenviertel:
Fritz im Pyjama Hotel
Hotel Domicil Hamburg by Golden Tulip
My Place
Movenpick Hotel Hamburg

Family Friendly Hotels in Schanzenviertel:
Mercure Hotel Hamburg Mitte
NH Collection Hamburg City
IntercityHotel Hamburg Dammtor Messe
Scandic Hamburg Emporio

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Schanzenviertel:
Sir Nikolai Hotel
Palais Esplanade Hamburg
Grand Elysee Hotel Hamburg
SIDE Design Hotel Hamburg

HAMBURG, GERMANY - hotel in the former water tower in schanzenpark

Blankenese – Where to stay in Hamburg for relaxation

A suburban escape from Hamburg is the district of Blankenese. What was once a fishing village along the Elbe River is now one of the most affluent of Hamburg districts.

On a hill just west of Hamburg city centre, it’s 20 minutes to the main train station, but an excellent place to stay in Hamburg for families, or anyone who enjoys a bit of serenity on their urban vacations.

One of Hamburg’s best hike is the Strandpromenade along the water, in the direction of the lighthouse.

Don’t let the suburban vibe deter you, though, as there are many hotels and restaurants in this area. Jenisch Park and Jenisch Haus are two popular destinations in Blankenese.