Where To Stay in Hamburg: Accommodation & Neighbourhood Guide

Searching for Where To Stay In Hamburg? We’re Here to Help!

Wondering where to stay in Hamburg? You’re not alone! The popular port city in Germany is loaded with lots of great hotels and accommodations spread out across many great areas. And since each area offers visitors a unique side of the city, the best area to stay in Hamburg is the one that works well for you!

We really like Hamburg. Lisa (being German) had been to Hamburg a few times but we finally got the chance to explore the city together. There are lots of cool places to stay in Hamburg. Hotels in the Hamburg city centre and accommodations by the harbour area are among the best places to stay in Hamburg.

So, from famous Hamburg hotels like The Westin Hamburg to popular hotels in the Hamburg city centre like the Barceló Hamburg, here’s our helpful guide.

We’ll dive into the best Hamburg accommodations by style and budget and then outline a few of the best areas to stay in Hamburg (neighbourhoods) with top accommodation examples in each – whether you’re travelling as a couple, with friends on a stag-do, or as a family with kids.

Accommodations By Type

Hamburg, like many other large German cities, has lots of different accommodation options that suit all budgets, group sizes, and reasons for travel.

You can find a healthy mix of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and hostels scattered all across Hamburg’s various districts. This makes it easy to find the best place to stay in Hamburg for you.

For example, the Altstadt (Old Town) has more hotels while St. Pauli has more budget accommodation – but this isn’t a strict rule.

To make sense of the city, this post is split up into two main sections: This top section is all about the types of accommodations in Hamburg while the second part is all about the best areas to stay in Hamburg, Germany.

That way, if you want a specific type of place to stay, you can look for them below or you can learn more about the best Hamburg neighbourhoods/areas further down if you want to know more about the city before booking anything. Let’s first dive into hotels in Hamburg.

Hotels in Hamburg

As a large and popular city to visit, there are hotels scattered across the whole of Hamburg. There are popular hotels in Hamburg in essentially every district with luxury hotels up by the lake in New Town (Neustadt) and budget hotels down by the ports near St. Pauli.

Hotels closer to the city centre and the water are generally more expensive. That said, this isn’t always the case in Hamburg – and you can find cheaper accommodation without completely sacrificing location.

You will also find a wide range of hotels by size – from small, boutique hotels to large, chain brands you might know and love staying at. Basically there are so many nice hotels in Hamburg that it can be tough to choose. We have broken down hotels by popularity, budget, and style so that you can find the exact hotel you are searching for.

⇒ Get started searching for hotels in Hamburg here

In any case, if you are looking for some of the most recommended hotels in Hamburg in great areas that balance value for money, location, and amenities, here are a number of the best hotels in Hamburg as rated by other travellers. You would not go wrong with any of these great hotels:

Budget/Cheap Hotels in Hamburg

If you are searching for a cheap (or budget) hotel in Hamburg, you will definitely find many. That said, “cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad or of lower quality. There are plenty of cheaper hotels across the city from the Altstadt to St. Pauli.

In Hamburg, you don’t have to stay in a “terrible location” just to save a few bucks on a cheap place to stay. As you’ll see below, there are very popular budget hotel options in the heart of Hamburg’s city centre! Here are a few great cheap hotels in Hamburg in different areas:

• IntercityHotel Hamburg Dammtor-Messe – A simple, popular hotel in St. Pauli (Our Pick)
• ibis budget Hamburg City – A reliable chain hotel close to the central train station
• Super 8 by Wyndham Hamburg Mitte – A trendy budget hotel a short walk from the city centre
• ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg – A a unique, comfortable hotel right in St. Georg
• Cityhotel Monopol – A simple yet popular hotel in St. Pauli

Boutique Hotels in Hamburg

Aside from being a port city connected to the water, Hamburg is a popular, artsy city that attracts visitors from all over the world. As such, there is a wide variety of boutique hotels in Hamburg to suit the needs of all different travellers and their unique styles.

Similar to the other popular hotels in Hamburg, there are many boutique hotels right in Hamburg’s city centre.

Some show off the industrial side of the city while others make a point of showcasing their vibrant or modern designs. Below are a number of the top boutique hotels in Hamburg found in areas all over the city (but mainly the city centre).

• Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown – A trendy, boutique hotel right downtown (Our Pick)
• Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall – A more modern hotel close to Hamburg Town Hall
• 25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt – A cozy, trendy hotel right in the heart of HafenCity
• Reichshof Hamburg – An elegant and trendy hotel in St. Georg
• Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg – A bright, beautiful hotel in an old historic water tower

Luxury Hotels in Hamburg

Lastly, Hamburg can also be quite the city of elegance. As such, there are a number of Hamburg luxury hotels to choose from.

Below you will find a handful of the top hotels in Hamburg for location, amenities (like spa services), and other unique perks like rooftop patios, cocktail bars, etc.

As for overall quality, the 5-star hotels in Hamburg are certainly right up there with luxury accommodations in various European cities like Prague, London, Edinburgh, and Munich. Below are a selection of luxury hotels in Hamburg for you to check out:

• Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten – A stunning, elegant hotel right on the water in Neustadt (Our Pick)
• Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg – A classy, popular hotel on the canals also in Neustadt
• Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg – An elegant boutique hotel in St. Georg
• Hotel Süllberg Karlheinz Hauser – A historic hotel with upscale water views away from the city centre

Apartments/Aparthotels in Hamburg

If you are looking for your own space for a group, family, and/or to prepare your own meals (to save money), you might look into renting an apartment or an aparthotel.

Hamburg is a larger city and there are certainly apartments available in the city centre and in places like Hafencity. You can even find aparthotels (a mix of full-service apartments with a hotel-style reception and food service).

We obviously understand why you’d be looking for an apartment (we do the same in certain locations) but we usually try to avoid staying in apartments in bigger cities due to the debate over housing shortages in some major cities and the role holiday apartments play in that.

That said, aparthotels can be a better option because you get your own space but also don’t take away living space from a local. You can check here for aparthotels in Hamburg. Have a look at a few top-rated aparthotels in Hamburg:

• Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments – Hamburg Suites – A charming, boutique aparthotel in the Altstadt (Our Pick)
• Adina Apartment Hotel Hamburg Speicherstadt – A clean and popular aparthotel also close to the Altstadt
• Citadines Michel Hamburg – A trendy aparthotel in the heart of Neustadt

Guesthouses in Hamburg

Even though it’s the second-largest city in Germany, there are actually a handful of guesthouses scattered around the city. These guesthouses are generally cozy accommodations that allow you to have the comforts of home while staying in the city. 

Having said that, these accommodations are usually not located right in the city centre. Location often becomes a reason that they are generally cheaper than hotels right in the city centre. Guesthouses are great if you travel to Hamburg by car.

Another thing to keep in mind is that with the kind of accommodation they do not always come with breakfast (like a traditional bed and breakfast) so be sure to check before you book. If you want a nice, simple place to stay in Hamburg, you can check here for guesthouses and dive into these top choices for guesthouses in Hamburg:

• Hotel Boritzka – A bright guesthouse to the north of the city centre (Our Pick)
• Basement Küchgarten – A simple guesthouse south of the city centre in Harburg
• Chez-Ronny – A popular and quirky guesthouse right in the heart of St. Pauli

Hostels in Hamburg

If you are travelling on a budget or you’re a solo traveller looking to connect with other travellers passing through the city, you should stay at a hostel. Like with hotels, there are plenty of hostels in different areas of the city to suit different styles.

Keep in mind that if you are coming to Hamburg for a stag do, hostels generally have a group size limit OR a flat-out ban on stag dos. Just something to watch for when you are looking. You can check here for great hostels in Hamburg to find a hostel that works for you.

• Pyjama Park Hotel & Hostel Schanzenviertel – A trendy and cool hostel/hotel in Schanzenviertel (Our Pick)
• Generator Hamburg – A classic hostel brand close to the central train station
• Meininger Hamburg City Centre – Another popular hostel brand in the west end (Hamburg-Altona)

Accommodations By Area

Alright, so now that we’ve discussed the different types and styles of accommodation in Hamburg, it’s time to dive into the best areas to stay in Hamburg!

We’ll describe each area, tell you about attractions, food, etc., who the area might be great for, and then offer up a few well-rated accommodation suggestions in each.

Just so we are clear – this post is not intended to include all the areas you could stay in Hamburg.

However, given our experiences in and knowledge of in the city, we’re covering some of the best areas: the most practical, great value for money, best suited for their location, things to do and see around, etc.

You can check out our Hamburg area top accommodation picks below if you already know you want to stay in a specific area (like Hamburg city centre):

Also, it should be mentioned that lots of people might ask “Is Hamburg safe?” because there can be a bit of a misconception going around. The area of St. Pauli is known to be rowdier, crazier, and “seedy” given that’s where the cheap bars and red-light district are.

However, it’s quite safe if you keep your wits about you. There’s a difference between being “not for everyone” and being “unsafe”. Besides – there are plenty of great areas that are likely suited just for you.

Hamburg Altstadt – For Central Location

If you want to stay in the centre of the city, look no further than the Altstadt (Old Town). The Old Town is a great location because you can easily get to any of the other Hamburg districts via transit or just walking.

That said, the central train station is close by if you stay here. Its borders are loosely defined by New Town (Neustadt) and the lake to the north, the central station to the east, and the waterfront/Speicherstadt to the south.

Besides beautiful old churches and architecture, the area is a hub for shopping – with shops along Mönckeberg Street.

It’s certainly more expensive to stay here – but you pay for the amazing location and the views out over the various waterways of Hamburg. There are top attractions like The Town Hall (Rathaus), St. Nikolai Memorial, many churches, and the lake (Binnenalster). 

⇒ Check Here for Hotels in Hamburg City Centre/Old Town

We once sat in the Town Hall square on a sunny day and ate fresh fries from a local vendor. It was awesome! Below are three featured properties for you to check out!

Barceló Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Modern and Classy Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Close to Binnenalster (urban lake) but also close to central train station and St. Georg
• Featured Amenities: Restaurant and wine bar onsite, sauna, good breakfast

HENRI Hotel Hamburg Downtown – Check Now

• Style: Trendy and Boutique Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Just off of Mönckebergstraße (shopping), close to the central train station
• Featured Amenities: Amazing decor, great breakfast, nice gym

Sofitel Hotel Hamburg Alter Wall – Check Now

• Style: Boutique and Modern Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
• Location: Right on the waterway, in the centre of the city close to the Town Hall
• Featured Amenities: Spa, indoor pool, restaurant/bar onsite, terrace on the canal

St. Georg – For Lively Atmosphere

If you are looking for a lively place to go for drinks or a place with great cafes and patios, St. Georg is for you. The area is defined by the central train station to the west, the upper lake (Außenalster) to the north, and train tracks to the south, and a road called Sechslingspforte.

It’s a smaller area with not a ton of main attractions (besides the Mariendom) – but the place to be is Lange Reihe (a street) with over 700 bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s also the home Hamburg’s LGBTIQ community and as such the area had a very welcoming atmosphere.

Conveniently, St. Georg is just a quick walk to the Old Town, Speicherstadt, or transit to get to other farther places. Another highlight of the area is the fact that there are lakefront trails and green spaces which are super tranquil.

⇒ Check Here for Accommodations in St. Georg

In St. Georg, you get a lively, trendy atmosphere with the ability to escape into nature as well! Below are three featured properties for you to check out!

ARCOTEL Rubin Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Modern Design Hotel
• Price Range: Budget
• Location: Right in the very middle of St. Georg – short walk to bars, central station, lake, etc
• Featured Amenities: Restaurant onsite, bar with specialty gins, gym with sauna and rooftop terrace

Reichshof Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Trendy Art Deco Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Right by bars on St. Georg, close to train without being loud
• Featured Amenities: Coffee/tea in-room, restaurant onsite, additional cafe/bar for great breakfast

Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg  – Check Now

• Style: Charming and Elegant Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Range
• Location: Right on the Außenalster (larger urban lake), close to waterfront trails AND the central train station
• Featured Amenities: Indoor pool, cinema, onsite restaurant and bar, spa + sauna

Sternschanze – For Hip Vibes

Sternschanze – a young, hip, area in the city’s northwest corner – is sometimes also called Schanzenviertel or even just “Schanze” (as told by the locals). You can find it just north of St. Pauli – making it a quick walk to one of the city’s most lively areas.

Named after fortifications to keep the Danes out centuries ago, the area became full of old buildings that should have been torn down. Instead, the area has gone through intense gentrification over the years.

Now, Sternschanze is Hamburg’s centre for “counter-culture” with graffiti-laden alleyways, thrift shops, vinyl record shops, and pop-up cafes around every corner.

There aren’t a ton of attractions in the area – except for the Rote Flora cultural centre and the Schanzenturm (the old water tower turned hotel you can stay in – see below) – but the area itself is the attraction to check out.

⇒ Check Here for Accommodations in Sternschanze

When we visited Hamburg, we had a wander around the area and even stopped into a few cafes, shops, and had dinner there. We really liked it! It’s generally a little cheaper than places in the centre so below are three featured properties for you to check out!

Pyjama Park Hotel & Hostel Schanzenviertel – Check Now

• Style: Modern & Boutique Hotel/Hostel
• Price Range: Budget
• Location: Right in the heart of Schanzenviertel, great for shop, cafes, etc.
• Featured Amenities: Big, bright rooms, wifi throughout, friendly staff

My Place Hotel – Check Now

• Style: Clean and Cozy Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: In the south end of the area still VERY close to shops and cafes + a short walk to St. Pauli
• Featured Amenities: Private parking, simple breakfast, uniquely decorated rooms some with kitchenettes

Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Unique Hotel in an Old Water Tower
• Price Range: Mid-Range (not that expensive for the quality, to be honest)
• Location: Steps from public transit in Schanzen Park, just outside the heart of Sternschanze
• Featured Amenities: Cool old water tower building, onsite restaurant with terrace, unique cave-style cocktail bar

Hamburg-Neustadt – For Shopping

From new architecture to old churches, canals, and shopping, New Town (Neustadt) has a little something for everyone. This great area is located in the heart of the city centre – just north of the Old Town and south of the inner city lakes (Binnenalster).

This is an area of the city with the canals running through which makes for great photos and a nice stop at canal-side cafes or terraces. You might find Jungfernstieg – the main promenade of the area that faces out over the Binnenalster. 

We had a wander through where the main shops are and even stopped in for a coffee at Public Coffee Roasters (which we loved). The area extends all the way down to the riverfront, passing many attractions on the way from the centre.

You can find attractions like St. Michael’s Church (with an amazing tower climb for great views of the city – see the above photo), Großneumarkt Square with market stalls certain days of the week, and with museums like the Museum of Hamburg History (which is technically in St. Pauli area but close enough) and the Rickmer Rickmers (tall ship) down at the waterfront.

⇒ Check Here for Accommodations in Neustadt

The area is pretty spread out but is well-connected via transit. It is generally more expensive to stay in but you pay for prime location! Below are three featured properties for you to check out!

Lindner Hotel Am Michel – Check Now

• Style: Charming and Modern Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: Right in the middle of New Town, just north of St. Michael’s Church
• Featured Amenities: Tea/coffee making in each room, restaurant and bar (with German beer) onsite

Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Classy and Traditional Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Right on the canal facing the Old Town and just south of the lake (Lake Alster)
• Featured Amenities: River/city views, onsite restaurant + piano bar, buffet breakfast, rooftop sauna and gym

Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten – Check Now

• Style: Luxurious and Elegant Hotel
• Price Range: Luxury 
• Location: Water views overlooking Binnenalster, very much in the centre but in the north end of New Town
• Featured Amenities: Multiple restaurants (one with Michelin stars), multiple bars (with lakeside terraces), spa, and more

Speicherstadt/HafenCity – For Water Views

If you wanted to snap that classic Hamburg photo of the red brick warehouses and the waterways, this would be Speicherstadt. Better yet – you can stay here! Along with the new development close by called Hafencity, this waterfront area makes a great place to stay in Hamburg.

Now, truthfully there aren’t a ton of accommodations in the area but the hotels that are around are excellent. We once stayed in Hafencity and loved the walk to the city centre each day. Even just a wander through the area is cool enough. Hafencity has some great restaurants and patios to enjoy, too.

Aside from the great photographs, the area had a bunch of top attractions like: The Miniature Wunderland, Hamburg Dungeons, The Internationales Maritime Museum, and, of course, the Elbphilharmonie (famous Concert House).

⇒ Check Here for Accommodations in Speicherstadt/Hafencity

The area close to the Concert House is especially nice as it overlooks the city’s shoreline to the west. Below are three featured properties for you to check out!

AMERON Hotel Speicherstadt – Check Now

• Style: Modern and Boutique Hotel
• Price Range: Lower Mid-Range
• Location: In the heart of historic Speicherstadt (in the above photo), very quick to the city centre
• Featured Amenities: Onsite Italian restaurant + bar, really good breakfast, friendly staff

25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt – Check Now

• Style: Boutique and Calming Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Right in the heart of Hafencity overlooking water, short walk to the centre
• Featured Amenities: Nautical theme, restaurant/bar onsite, very good breakfast, garden/terrace

The Westin Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Bright and Modern Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Right IN the famous Elbphilharmonie, easy to walk to the centre
• Featured Amenities: Amazing water views, indoor pool, sea, restaurant and bar onsite

St. Pauli – For Nightlife

If you are heading to Hamburg in search of fun, then St. Pauli might be the area for you. Bordered by the fishing area of Altona to the west and Neustadt to the east, the St. Pauli area is known for the football (soccer) club, the waterfront harbour area, and the Reeperbahn for nightlife.

However, most know St. Pauli for the wild side. Reeperbahn (a very long street) is full of clubs, bars, theatres, live music and theatre venues, the city’s red light district, loads of lights, and colourful characters.

It should be noted that there are still good bars, quieter restaurants, and cafes along side streets and the Elbe harbour area.

You can visit attractions like Reeperbahn, Beatlesplatz Square (Beatles played there in the 1960s), the Panoptikum (Germany’s oldest wax museum) and Planten un Blomen (a park full of things like ice skating, fountains, and Japanese gardens).

The area is also home to many festivals throughout the year – like the Reeperbahn Festival in September for live music!

⇒ Check Here for Accommodations in St.Pauli

Despite how popular the area can get, accommodation can still be relatively cheap compared to the centre.

You are still well-connected to other parts of the city via transit but the waterfront is a nice walk back towards New Town, Old Town, and into Speicherstadt. We did that walk and loved it. Below are three featured properties for you to check out!

Cityhotel Monopol – Check Now

• Style: Simple and Clean Hotel
• Price Range: Budget
• Location: Literally right on Reeperbahn and very popular
• Featured Amenities: Onsite 24 hour bar, summer terrace, restaurant with great breakfast

Hotel Hafen Hamburg – Check Now

• Style: Historical and Traditional Hotel
• Price Range: Upper Budget
• Location: Near the water where New Town meets St. Pauli (see the above photo), very close to S-Bahn (Landungsbrücken)
• Featured Amenities: Restaurant and bar with terrace, another Tower Bar with views of the river

Empire Riverside Hotel – Check Now

• Style: Elegant and Modern Hotel
• Price Range: Lower Mid-Range
• Location: Close to the river, a short walk to the water and to Reeperbahn in St. Pauli
• Featured Amenities: Onsite International/sushi restaurant and bars, Finnish sauna and spa, harbour views

Blankenese – For Quiet Vibes

If you want to get out of the hustle and the bustle of the city, you can head west of the city centre to the affluent area of Blankenese. This residential area along the River Elbe is known for its old fisherman houses that line the green hillside. In fact, there are over 5,000 steps in the area!

One notable area, Treppenviertel (means Stairs Quarter), is known for its winding alleys and staircases. There are many restaurants and beer gardens in the area – especially at the top of Süllberg hill.

While you can walk along the main waterfront (there are paths and a beach), to the west of the main town area is Falkensteiner Ufer beach which offers visitors a quaint, sandy place to relax.

The area also has an S-Bahn stop (Blankenese) so once you hop on the train you can be in the city centre in about 25 minutes. If you are staying in the centre, this makes Blankenese a nice half-day trip.

⇒ Check Here for Accommodations in Blankenese

That said, if you are renting a car as you travel through Germany and stay in Blankenese, you could very well drive to the centre and back each day if you wanted. There are plenty of options to get back and forth. Below are two featured properties for you to check out!

Strandhotel Blankenese – Check Now

• Style: Trendy yet Elegant Design Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range
• Location: Right on the water, a short walk to the S-Bahn station
• Featured Amenities: River views, garden terrace, great breakfast

Hotel Süllberg Karlheinz Hauser – Check Now

• Style: Classy Luxury Hotel
• Price Range: Mid-Range 
• Location: In the heart of Blankenese, with parks around and close to the river
• Featured Amenities: Limo shuttle service, multiple terraces/restaurants (with Michelin stars), river views

Related Articles

Also, if you are planning a bigger Germany/Europe trip, brush up on those German Phrases and check out our other posts:

• Things To Do in Hamburg – Our Travel Tips
• Travelling to Germany for the First Time Tips
• Our Germany Travel Itineraries
• Explore Berlin: Top Attractions and a One Day Itinerary
• Discover German places like Bamberg, Würzburg, or Passau

And there you have it – a rundown of where to stay in Hamburg. As we said, make sure you do your research before you book anything. There are loads of great areas to stay in but not all of them are for everyone. Have fun exploring the port city – and let us know where you end up staying!

As always, Happy Hamburg Hotel Waddlin’,
-L&E

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