Where to stay in Hamburg [Best Places to Stay for 2024]
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 2024.
This guide shows off 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.
Below are 5 of the best neighbourhoods in Hamburg to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Hamburg for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.
We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the districts in Hamburg so you can use this as a go to guide.
Plan your trip?
Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from millions of ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights using the Wise Card. You can hold up to 40+ currencies at once to spend in in over 150 countries, and convert them in real time with the free Wise app.
Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these helpful links:
- Cheap flights
- Savings on accommodation from hostels to luxury hotels
- Affordable car rental options
- Affordable sightseeing tours and day trips
- Travel Adapter – All in one so you don’t have to carry a bunch around
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
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. Most people who come to Hamburg for the the first time will generally stay here as it’s close to all the local tourists attractions.
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. Another popular tourist attraction is the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, a short walk from the city. The concert hall in the HafenCity quarter 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:
Top 4 favorites accommodation options for Hamburg Altstadt
- Budget: ibis Hotel Hamburg Alster Centrum
- Mid- Range: NH Collection Hamburg City
- Family: Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown
- Luxury: Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg
Best places to stay in Hamburg Altstadt
Budget accommodation in Hamburg Altstadt
Mid range accommodation in Hamburg Altstadt
- IntercityHotel Hamburg Hauptbahnhof
- Lindner Hotel Am Michel
- NH Collection Hamburg City
- Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Michel
Family Friendly accommodation in Hamburg Altstadt
- Scandic Hamburg Emporio
- Citadines Michel Hamburg
- Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown
- Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Hamburg Altstadt
- Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg
- Renaissance Hamburg Hotel
- Hamburg Marriott Hotel
- SIDE Design Hotel Hamburg
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. Making it one of the best places to stay in Hamburg Germany for foodies.
St. Georg has many bars, restaurants and shopping opportunities. St. Georg also borders Alster Lake, a major recreation destination in Hamburg.
Top 5 favorites accommodation options for St. Georg
- Hostel: Generator Hamburg
- Budget: ibis Hotel Hamburg Alster Centrum
- Mid- Range: Sleephotels Suite Garde
- Family: Moxy Hamburg City
- Luxury: Le Méridien Hamburg
Best places to stay in St. Georg
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in St. Georg
Budget accommodation in St. Georg
Mid range accommodation in St. Georg
Family Friendly accommodation in St. Georg
- Super 8 by Wyndham Hamburg Mitte
- Moxy Hamburg City
- Courtyard by Marriott Hamburg City
- Reichshof Hotel Hamburg
Affordable Luxury accommodation in St. Georg
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 area 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!
St. Pauli is the best place to stay in hamburg for stag due to its proximity to Reeperbahn – the heart of nightlife.
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.
Top 5 favorites accommodation options for St. Pauli
- Hostel: Backpackers St. Pauli
- Budget: ibis budget Hamburg St Pauli Messe
- Mid- Range: prizeotel Hamburg-St.Pauli
- Family: ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg
- Luxury: Hamburg Hafenblick
Best places to stay in St. Pauli
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in St. Pauli
Budget accommodation in St. Pauli
- Auto-Parkhotel
- ibis budget Hamburg St Pauli Messe
- ibis Hotel Hamburg St. Pauli Messe
- a&o Hamburg Reeperbahn
Mid range accommodation in St. Pauli
Family Friendly accommodation in St. Pauli
Affordable Luxury accommodation 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.
Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Schanzenviertel
- Hostel: Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel
- Budget: Hotel Domicil Hamburg by Golden Tulip
- Mid- Range: Mercure Hotel Hamburg Mitte
- Family: Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg
- Luxury: FeWo Parkblick HH Schanze
Best places to stay in Schanzenviertel
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Schanzenviertel
Budget accommodation in Schanzenviertel
- Hotel Domicil Hamburg by Golden Tulip
- Cabo Nonsmoking-Hotel
- Shop 23
- Cosy Studio with Private Parking
Mid range accommodation in Schanzenviertel
Family Friendly accommodation in Schanzenviertel
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Schanzenviertel
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.
Top 4 favorites accommodation options for Blankenese
- Hostel: Monteurzimmer in Hamburg West bei Hansezimmer
- Budget: Hotel Blankenese
- Mid- Range: Stadtparadies-Appartement in Blankenese
- Family: Fischerhaus am Blankeneser Elbhang
Best places to stay in Blankenese
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Blankenese
Budget accommodation in Blankenese
Mid range accommodation in Blankenese
- Baurs Park
- Das Elbcottage – Remise am Süllberg – Boarding House
- Stadtparadies-Appartement in Blankenese
- Lütthüs Blankenese
Family Friendly accommodation in Blankenese
- Haus Rissen Gaestehaus
- Fischerhaus am Blankeneser Elbhang
- Das Gästehaus der Elb Lounge
- Strandhotel Blankenese
Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Hamburg
| ❤️ Best Area first timers | Hamburg’s Old Town/the City Centre |
| 💸 Best Luxury Hotel | Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg |
| 👪 Best Hotel for For Families | Moxy Hamburg City |
| 🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotel | prizeotel Hamburg-St.Pauli |
| 🛏️ Best Budget Hotel | ibis Hotel Hamburg Alster Centrum |
| ✨ Best Hostel | Generator Hamburg |
If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.
