Spending Winter In Hamburg

Make no mistake, Hamburg in winter is cold, but this doesn’t mean the city is in hibernation. With plenty to see and do during the coldest months of the year, you’re set to enjoy a fairy tale experience in this magical German city. Find out how to make the most of your stay in Hamburg with our guide.

The Best Things To Do In Winter In Hamburg

Winter brings a special atmosphere to the city, and the best way to enjoy it is to get out there and get busy. Here are our favourite Hamburg winter activities.

Visit the Blankenese Christmas Market: While many of Hamburg’s famous Christmas markets close shortly before or after 25 December, the Blankenese Christmas Market continues until 6 January. Stroll through the cosy Christmas market in this quaint neighbourhood and enjoy mulled wine, eggnog, sausages, crepes, and other treats. If the kids are with you, treat them to a session on the ice rink and a ride on the historic carousel.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Hamburg style: Also known as Silvester, New Year’s Eve is night of parties and fireworks. Ring out the old year and welcome the new at one of the many events happening around the city. You’ll find special dinners, gala events, live music and entertainment, club and disco parties, party boats, and much more.

Enjoy an evening walk in the UNESCO World Heritage Speicherstadt District: This famous old warehouse district takes on a unique feel during winter, when ice floes glide past in the river, fog envelops the red brick buildings, and the houses and special buildings are illuminated in the evenings.

Spend time in the Tropical House: Enjoy the surreal experience of wandering among tropical plants in a huge greenhouse on a cold and frosty day in Hamburg in winter. Head to the Planten un Blomen botanical garden, which also features areas dedicated to plants from the tropics, subtropics, deserts, and more.

Cultural Hamburg Winter Activities

Looking for cultural activities to keep you busy in Hamburg in winter? Here are a few to get you started.

Immerse yourself in art at the Kunsthalle: Take a stroll through 800 years of art and see works by the old masters as well as some of contemporary and modern art’s leading lights at the Kunsthalle Hamburg. Refuel with a hot drink in Das Liebermann, the museum’s café.

Watch a performance at Elbphilharmonie: Seeing a show, performance, or concert at the state-of-the-art Elbphilharmonie is undoubtedly one of the best Hamburg winter activities. The prestigious venue has a superb and varied line-up for January and February. While there, head up to the viewing platform for 360-degree views of the city.

Celebrate cinema at the Savoy: The Savoy Cinema at Steindamm 54 is dedicated to presenting films as the filmmakers intended and boasts a programme that includes the latest cinematic highlights, classics from genres such as drama, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi, as well as live theatre broadcasts.

Indoor Activities In Hamburg

Are you looking for indoor activities to do in Hamburg? From museums to art galleries, here is a list of the best indoor activities to do in Hamburg:

Visit Chocoversum by Hachezo: Check out Hamburg's Chocolate Museum, where you can go on a 90 minute journey to taste all the different chocolare bars. Perfect for a family activity!

Hamburg’s Art Mile: Take a look inside Hamburg's Art Mile, where you can find exhibition venues for contemporary art and photography. An ideal place to visit if you are interested in art and photography!

Take A Look At The International Maritime Museum: With 9 exhibiton decks, it is recommended to start at the top and work your way down to see the world's largest private collection of maritime treasures. 

Find more fun indoor activites to do in Hamburg here!

Winter Activities For Couples

If you’re travelling to Hamburg in winter with someone special, you’ll love these activities for couples.

Take an evening city lights barge cruise: See the city lights, the illuminated harbour, and other attractions from a unique vantage point. Take an evening city lights barge cruise from the harbour.

Warm up and relax at Holthusenbad: Escape the cold weather by soaking in a thermal bath or enjoying a steam bath, sauna, or aroma bath at Holthusenbad  in the city’s Eppendorf district. This gorgeous facility also has a relaxation area and a winter garden.

Take a craft beer tour of Hamburg: Hamburg has a thriving craft beer scene, and the best way to sample its many offerings is to take a craft beer tour of the city. Walking tours are among the most popular, as they include entrance and tastings at local breweries as well as a wealth of information about Germany’s long tradition of beer brewing.

Activities For Families And Children

Are you holidaying in Hamburg with your family or with children? Make fun-filled memories with these family-friendly Hamburg winter activities.

Go ice skating outdoors: Warm up with one of the best Hamburg winter activities. Head to EisArena Hamburg at Planten Un Blomen, where you’ll find an outdoor ice rink the size of three ice hockey rinks, as well as a restaurant, a café, and live DJs and concerts. Until the beginning of March.

Enjoy an enchanting winter walk: Get up close with the beauty of winter in nature on one or more Hamburg winter walks. There are several popular routes you can follow in and around the city. The best walks are through the Treppenviertel to the Elbstrand, around the Außenalster, through the Stadtpark, in Duvenstedter Brook, and in the Harburg mountains south of the city.

Visit Miniatur Wunderland: Visiting Miniatur Wunderland is one of many families’ and children’s favourite Hamburg winter activities. You’ll be amazed by the amount of detail included in the world’s largest model railway.

Make Memories In Hamburg In Winter

Enjoy a truly memorable stay in Hamburg in winter by basing yourself at Fraser Suites Hamburg and enjoy some of the best activities and attractions the city has to offer. Whether you’re looking for interesting ways to spend time while on an extended stay or you want to pack as much as possible into a solo break or a holiday with your loved ones, these activities are the way to do it. Choose our hotel in the prime Rödingsmarkt neighbourhood for comfortable serviced apartments, fabulous amenities, and an ideal location. Contact us and start planning your stay in this beautiful city.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Hamburg worth visiting in winter?

Hamburg certainly is worth visiting in winter, even though the season is dark and cold. There are plenty of activities and attractions to warm you up inside and out.

Is Hamburg cold in winter?

Yes, Hamburg is cold in winter. January, with an average high-temperature of 2.8°C (37°F) and an average low-temperature of -0.4°C (31.3°F), is the city’s coldest month. February is much the same with the average high temperature being a chilly 3.8°C (38.8°F).

Where to go in Hamburg in winter?

There are many places to go in Hamburg in winter. The city boasts a number of galleries and museums, theatres and cinemas, restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs, and an array of seasonal attractions.

Does it ever snow in Hamburg?

It usually snows in Hamburg between early December and mid-February, so there’s a good chance you’ll see snow if you visit in January or early February.