Germany has a ridiculous array of destinations to explore. One can’t seriously proclaim mastery over the country however, without a thorough tour of Hamburg. The city-state is huge, with a metro population that ranks second in Germany, behind Berlin, and believe it or not, sixth in the European Union. Not only that but the port of Hamburg sits just below Rotterdam in size. Impressive accomplishments indeed.

Yet for all of Hamburg’s achievements, one can’t help but feel that tourism levels are not where they should be for a German city of this stature. Sure, millions visit Hamburg every year, but where does that rank in comparison to Munich or small towns with a dense concentration of sights, such as Weimar, Bamberg, Calw and Quedlinburg? At the end of the day, perhaps all that matters is that Hamburg has these ten must-see attractions.

10. St. Nikolai’s Church

A Gothic Revival masterpiece, St. Nikolai’s Church stands out on the Hamburg skyline. Though mostly in ruins, the tallest structure in the world for a brief two year period from 1874 to 1876 is still majestic.

9. Kunsthalle Hamburg

The Kunsthalle Hamburg encompasses three connected buildings near the shores of Inner Alster Lake. With a vast collection that spans over seven hundred years of European art, the museum is world class.

8. Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg

A massive late 19th century brick warehouse is the ideal home for the Internationales Maritimes Museum. A vital landmark in the ambitious HafenCity quarter of Hamburg, the private museum has over 36,000 items on display in a space of 12,000 square km.

7. Hamburg State Opera

A vital opera company not just in Germany, but Europe, the Hamburg State Opera dates back to 1678. Because of World War Two air raids, the current facility was built relatively recently, in 1955, yet has won “Opera House of the Year” twice by the monthly magazine Opernwelt.

6. Alter Botanischer Garten Hamburg

Though signs for the botanical garden of Hamburg may read Schaugewächshaus or Tropengewächshäuser, the verdant confines of the park are easy to spot. The immense and completely free of charge facility is almost two hundred years old and features five distinct sections.

5. Helms-Museum

Metro Hamburg has been a boon to archaeologists over the decades, with countless cultural artifacts unearthed. If you want to see the best of them, head to the splendid Helms-Museum, where exhibits cover the Paleolithic to the Medieval Era.

4. Thalia Theater

Even if your German needs work, there’s no need to dismiss the Thalia Theater from your Hamburg itinerary. The fabulous state theater is one of the most important in the country and puts on a diverse line-up of plays every season.

3. Deutsches Schauspielhaus

More culture is on tap in Hamburg at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus. The lynchpin of the old St. Georg quarter of the city, the gorgeous theater provides Hamburg with yet another gem. Check out a performance if you can, as the ensemble is excellent. If not, the Schauspielhaus also has a fine restaurant and bar.

2. HSH Nordbank Arena

For top-flight Bundesliga action, head to HSH Nordbank Arena to catch Hamburger Sport-Verein. With a capacity in excess of 57,000 spectators, the UEFA Elite Stadium is a suitable home for one of the best and most consistent clubs in Germany.

1. Fischmarkt

The immense port of Hamburg is a tourist attraction for a variety of reasons. The St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, or landing bridges, draw a fair number of onlookers, as do several other features of the port that display obvious signs of superior civil engineering. One place you have to visit in Hamburg’s port however, is the fischmarkt. Get here early to catch all the frenetic fishmonger action.

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