"With its wave-like rooftop and eye-catching glass facade, which features 1,000 curved window panels to reflect the sky, the Elbphilharmonie is Hamburg’s newest landmark and the focal point of the HafenCity harbor regeneration project. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron where the Kaispeicher warehouse once stood, the vast building is home to two concert halls, the plush (and separately run) Westin Hamburg hotel, and residential apartments. The venue’s Grand Hall seats 2,100 guests in a classic vineyard-style seating, while the Recital Hall hosts more intimate concerts of chamber, jazz, and world music. If you can’t manage to catch a performance here, it’s worth at least visiting the wraparound public viewing platform, which, at 121 feet high, offers excellent views across Hamburg and its handsome harbor."

"A trip to Hamburg isn’t complete until you’ve visited the Sunday fish market. In operation since 1703, the Fischmarkt offers fish in abundant diversity, from fresh to smoked to pickled, as well as a wealth of flowers, fruits and vegetables, secondhand clothing, and souvenirs, all of which can be bought from a wide selection of loud-but-friendly hawkers. The neighboring Fish Auction Hall has an equally legendary status for other reasons—open from 5 a.m. in the summer (and 6 a.m. in the winter), it keeps the party going for those spilling out of the clubs on the Reeperbahn with its delicious fish sandwiches, breakfast buffet, and vibrant sound track, which ranges from rock ’n’ roll to skiffle, country, and jazz and prompts plenty of dancing from young and old alike."

"Located in Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt district, Miniatur Wunderland is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest model railway of its kind in the world. The statistics are impressive: 9.5 miles of track spanning 14,000 square feet, 930 trains and 8,850 cars, 3,660 buildings and bridges, 228,000 trees, and 215,000 figures, all created by 230 employees over 580,000 hours. The entire ensemble even flicks between day and night every 15 minutes, creating a constantly changing tableau. The level of detail is astonishing and makes for a compelling attraction for children and adults alike. Roam the vast interior to find rooms covering Germany, Austria, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland, as well as a fictional Germany city called Knuffigen and, of course, Hamburg (complete with a recently added HafenCity and Elbphilharmonie). Also look out for tiny surprises like the Swiss chocolate factory that produces real chocolate, and an open-air concert venue with seating for some 21,000—albeit very little—visitors."

"This lovely botanical garden, which translates to “Plants and Flowers,” covers some 111 acres between St. Pauli and the Alster River, right in the middle of the city. Built atop medieval fortifications that once housed a zoo, the delightfully green area features everything from flower beds and herb gardens to vast lawns, serene ponds, and plenty of seating areas. Visitors can also look forward to special highlights like a tropical greenhouse (opened for the 1963 International Garden Festival), the largest Japanese garden in Europe (complete with a pavilion that hosts tea ceremonies and workshops on calligraphy and taiko drumming), and themed gardens (including a rose garden with over 3,000 varieties and a pharmacist’s garden with medicinal herbs and plants). There’s also a playground for children to explore in summer, a custom-built rink for ice skating in winter, and a lively calendar of events, including puppet theater, an annual children’s festival, and regular light shows in the water fountains."

"This traditional restaurant is one of the city’s more charming spots to enjoy classic German seafood. Decorated like a cozy inn, the space features wooden walls and beams, ocean-themed paintings, blue linens, and a special table situated in a replica of a ship’s prow (complete with a steering wheel), all of which conjures a distinctly maritime ambience. A location near the famous Hamburg Fish Market ensures fresh fish delivered daily, which the restaurant works into such dishes as pasta with shrimp, Pannfisch , and delicious lobster soup. Also available are meat-centric, Asian-inspired, and even vegetarian dishes, as well as a top-notch wine list with German, European, and international varietals."

"Die Bank Brasserie Housed in a 19th-century bank building, this elegant restaurant and bar—resplendent with crystal chandeliers, large black columns, and crisp white tablecloths—is beloved for its regional dishes, from deer goulash with poppy seed spätzle to wiener schnitzel with fried potatoes. Also on offer are more familiar options, including oysters, steak frites , and Parmesan risotto, all made with locally sourced ingredients. While Die Bank draws business diners with its lunchtime specials, it attracts a more diverse, bohemian crowd come dinner. The classy bar serves top-notch cocktails and wine, but the spacious terrace is the place to drink in warmer weather."

"German celebrity chef Steffen Henssler has run this stylish restaurant with his father since 2004, alongside other popular local spots like Le Délice, Petit Délice, and Zeik. Here, he focuses on the intersection of California and Japanese cuisine, sourcing only the freshest ingredients from the Hamburg Fish Market next door. Lunch dishes range from beef tartare to salmon sashimi, while the dinner menu changes weekly but always includes signature items like spicy tuna tempura and crispy duck rolls. Grab a seat overlooking the open kitchen and 46-foot-long sushi bar, or dine outside on the terrace while enjoying views over the Elbe."

"One of Hamburg’s most famous hotels, the Vier Jahreszeiten opened in 1887 in an elegant 19th-century mansion right on Alster Lake. Accordingly, the historic property offers excellent views from most of its rooms, which are decidedly upscale with their restrained color schemes and contemporary mod-cons. Sophistication also oozes from the hotel’s opulent furnishings (marble columns, antique furniture, expensive oil paintings), top-notch service, and exquisite dining options, including two-Michelin-starred Haerlin, with seasonal cuisine and lakeside views; the Jahreszeiten Grill, serving traditional Hanseatic dishes in an art deco setting; and the new Nikkei Nine, offering Japanese and Peruvian flavors. Additionally, guests can look forward to a library and rooftop terrace, and an expansive spa with a relaxation room featuring a fireplace, plus massages, body scrubs, facials, and other beauty treatments."

"This boutique hotel, located in the vibrant St. Georg district, has a distinctly British theme, from its sophisticated name to its dapper decor, which includes Osborne & Little wallpaper, chesterfield armchairs, and rocking chairs with Union Jack cushions. Guests will also find colonial style in the form of exotic wooden furnishings and dark timber floors, as well as Italian flavors at Restaurant DaCaio, which serves classic dishes like black truffle tagliatelle and flambéed king prawns. There’s also a bar specializing in cocktails made with rare spirits, an elegant library, a small garden, and a light-filled spa. The immaculately appointed rooms, including seven suites, feature a refined earth-tone color scheme, monochrome bathrooms, and a mix of art, fashion, and historic photos on the walls. In summer, the rooftop Campari Lounge is a wonderful place to sip drinks while watching the sun set over the Alster."