Moin!
Anyone who loves Hamburg must also like the rain. Or at least know how to ignore it. Weather-wise, we have really experienced everything in the city on the Elbe. On our first visit, we foolishly waved our umbrellas around and wondered about the wind. Along the Elbe, the wind laughs itself silly at an umbrella. We have now been visiting Hamburg regularly for several years and know that the city is no less beautiful in gray drizzle, or “Fisselregen,” as the Hanseatic people call it. The only important thing is to have a selection of small refuges for when the weather does not cooperate. Here are our 12 alternatives for miserable weather.
1. Miniatur Wunderland (More Than Just Trains)
Yes, it is in every guidebook, but that is entirely justified. Even if you are not passionate about model railways, Miniatur Wunderland in Speicherstadt immediately captivates you. It is the incredible attention to detail. Something is happening everywhere, something is flashing somewhere, and many things are moving.
Our tip: It is best to go when hardly anyone else is there, either late in the evening or very early in the morning. When you are not being pushed through the corridors, you first notice the many amusing scenes along the edges. And most importantly: Be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. You can almost never get in spontaneously on-site.
2. The “Poor Man’s Harbor Cruise” on HVV Ferry 62
Why spend a lot of money on a regular harbor cruise? In bad weather, you usually only see through fogged-up windows anyway. Instead, we take HVV Ferry 62 from the Landungsbrücken toward Finkenwerder. It is part of the regular public transport system.
Find a seat by the window inside. Get a hot coffee from the kiosk and relax as you pass the container ships. The gentle rocking, the rain on the window, the view of the Elbphilharmonie - that is Hamburg in its purest form. With a regular HVV day pass, there are no additional costs.
3. Warm Up at Hagenbeck’s Tropical Aquarium
When the cold, wet wind reaches your bones, the Tropical Aquarium is your salvation. As soon as you walk through the door, you immediately feel the tropical warmth. You walk along a jungle path, free-roaming lemurs climb across the paths, and at the end you see the great shark atoll. You immediately forget that you are in northern Germany’s drizzle.
4. Make Your Own Chocolate at Chocoversum
Chocolate is always a good idea, especially on gray days. At Chocoversum, staff members guide you through chocolate production for 90 minutes. Plenty of opportunities to sample included. The best part is that you can make your own bar just the way you want it. Our creation with sea salt and chili did not survive the journey home back then.
5. Cinema with Style: The Savoy
Forget impersonal multiplex theaters. When it rains in Hamburg, the Savoy in St. Georg is our first choice. Here, you experience genuine film culture. You sit in wide leather seats with adjustable backrests and plenty of legroom, and you can take a drink to your seat. The films are usually shown in their original English version.
6. Art Mile: The Classic for Culture Lovers
When it is pouring nonstop outside, the Hamburger Kunsthalle right next to the main train station is the safest refuge. The building is so expansive that you can easily lose yourself in it for an entire morning. There are works ranging from old masters to contemporary art. Anyone who enjoys photography will find the nearby Deichtorhallen an ideal complement.
Tip: With the Kunstmeilen Pass, you pay less if you want to visit several museums.
7. A Journey Through Time at the Historic Holthusenbad
Holthusenbad, with its striking Art Nouveau architecture, was built in 1914. High ceilings, old columns, and a distinctive atmosphere characterize the baths. Relaxing in the warm outdoor pool or spa area is a special experience. As you do so, you can hear the rain gently falling on the water or against the glass dome.
8. Get Spooked or Be Amazed: Hamburg Dungeon and Maritime Museum
Hamburg Dungeon is certainly geared heavily toward tourists, but the actors do a really good job. Here, you get an exciting mix of thrills and Hamburg history.
If you prefer something well-researched and peaceful, visit the International Maritime Museum in the old Kaispeicher B warehouse. Across 9 themed floors, you move from top to bottom through the history of seafaring. It is an impressive experience even for complete landlubbers.
9. A Starry Sky at the Planetarium
The striking old water tower in Stadtpark is worth seeing for its architecture alone. Inside, you will find the planetarium. Here, regardless of Hamburg’s weather, you can gaze into the vastness of space. Alongside the usual star shows, the evening music and radio-play performances are especially worth a visit.
10. Dialogue in the Dark
An impressive experience. At “Dialogue in the Dark,” blind guides lead you through completely dark rooms. You see nothing, absolutely nothing, and find your way around using only your hearing, sense of touch, and sense of smell. It is a challenge that permanently changes the way you look at everyday life. The weather outside is completely irrelevant.
11. Dry Sightseeing on the U3
Our personal money-saving tip for tired legs: Take the yellow U3 subway line. Between the main train station, the Landungsbrücken, and Baumwall, the route runs above ground as an elevated railway. You travel right past the harbor facilities and brick warehouses. You stay dry and warm while enjoying the best panoramic views at the regular fare.
12. The Franzbrötchen Break
Sometimes the only remedy for cold, wet weather is a sweet break. Find a cozy café. The cafés away from the hustle and bustle in Ottensen or along Lange Reihe are especially lovely. Order a genuine Hamburg Franzbrötchen. It is moist, cinnamon-flavored, and caramelized. A freshly brewed coffee goes perfectly with it. You will soon forget the rain outside.
Conclusion
There is really no such thing as bad weather in Hamburg. There is only the wrong preparation. In the rain, the Hanseatic city has its own rugged coziness that you hardly notice on sunny days. So, pull up your hood. Umbrellas rarely last long here anyway. Discover the city’s many covered sides.
Our Favorite Souvenir: A Piece of Hamburg for Every Day
Have you lost your heart to the Hanseatic city? With our jewelry, you can always carry the distinctive landmarks of the metropolis on the Elbe with you. Discover our detailed designs on the Hamburg Ring, Hamburg Bangle, or the Hamburg Necklace.
Do you have a personal favorite place in Hamburg for miserable weather?
Feel free to tell us about it in the comments. We look forward to every new tip for our next visit!
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