Hamburg tours

Things to do in Hamburg

Welcome to Hamburg, a city that thrives with energy, where the Elbe River's gentle flow contrasts with the dynamic buzz of its streets. Hamburg is a place where the past and present coexist in a lively dance. Your local guide will help you uncover the layers of this city, from the historic Speicherstadt to the vibrant food scene that showcases its culinary diversity. Whether you're walking through the iconic Elbphilharmonie or exploring the eclectic St. Pauli neighbourhoods, you'll enjoy the ease of skipping the lines and delving right into the heart of Hamburg. Discover this maritime city as an insider, where each story you hear adds a new dimension to your adventure. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Hamburg. Explore Hamburg your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Hamburg tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Hamburg for every interest, including: History tours: Ride the lift up the St. Nikolai Memorial’s tower to learn about the 1943 firestorm, then walk the red‑brick canyons of the UNESCO‑listed Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District where coffee and spices once moved through the port. Your guide can also fit in BallinStadt Emigration Museum or a peek inside St. Michael’s Church for a classic city view. Off the beaten path tours: Join your guide to Wilhelmsburg’s Energiebunker for wide harbour views and a café stop, then wander the indie studios and skate bowl at Oberhafenquartier. For a local’s harbour loop, hop aboard public ferry 62 from Landungsbrücken to see shipyards and Elbe beaches like Övelgönne. Art and Culture tours: Explore the Elbphilharmonie Plaza and hear how its acoustics were engineered before browsing contemporary shows at Deichtorhallen or classics at the Kunsthalle. In St. Pauli and Karolinenviertel, your guide can decode street art walls and introduce small galleries like Affenfaust. The core is easy to walk, and the U‑Bahn, S‑Bahn, buses, and harbour ferries make longer hops simple. If you prefer door‑to‑door comfort or are covering spread‑out areas, you can book chauffeured tours or ask your local guide to arrange private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Hamburg inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Explore Hamburg on a private walking tour and discover the variety of neighborhoods it has to offer. With a local guide, you'll get an authentic taste of the city. - St. Pauli: Known for its vibrant nightlife and lively atmosphere, this neighborhood attracts those looking for entertainment and unique local culture. - Sternschanze: A hub for artistic and creative souls, this area is filled with street art, trendy cafes, and local boutiques, making it perfect for cultural tourists and young explorers. - Blankenese: Families and those seeking a serene escape will love the picturesque hillside views and charming, winding streets of this pleasant residential district. Day trip ideas from Hamburg From Hamburg, add day trips to brick towns, castles, and riverside ports within an easy ride, and shape your tour around history, architecture, or food stops. - Lübeck: A classic Hanseatic city with the Holstentor gate, brick‑Gothic churches, and a UNESCO old town, plus riverside walks and marzipan cafés; it suits you if you like clear medieval lines and waterfront views, and your tour can thread quiet courtyards and old salt storehouses. - Lüneburg: Compact and lively with tilted gabled houses, the Stintmarkt by the Ilmenau, and the old crane, along with salt‑trading history; good for pub culture and street photography, and your tour can mix market tasting with a short climb to the water tower for a wide view. - Bremen: The market square, Town Hall and Roland statue, the Schnoor lanes, and Böttcherstrasse pack in big sights without rush; this fits architecture fans and city walkers, and your tour can balance the classics with time along the Weser harbour promenade and the Town Musicians statue. - Schwerin: Lakes, gardens, and a storybook castle on an island set an easy pace; ideal if you want palace rooms and calm paths, and your tour can include castle interiors with a loop around the shore for photos. - Stade and the Altes Land: A small harbour town with half‑timbered houses and quick access to orchard country; this suits you if you enjoy seasonal food and gentle scenery, and your tour can time spring blossoms or autumn harvest routes with short ferry hops. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Hamburg most travellers miss.