5 Best Day Trips From Hamburg, Germany - Updated 2024

Louise
Louise 
Updated
| 3 min read

Situated on the northern side of Germany, Hamburg is a scenic port city with a dramatic cityscape and quintessential charm. Besides plenty of canals, stunning architecture, such as Romanesque, Art Nouveau, and modern, adorns the city. Art buffs will have a field day exploring the massive Hamburger Kunsthalle, home to centuries of world art. You’ll know you’re in the heart of the city once you see the majestic neo-Renaissance Townhall in the bustling Rathausmarkt. Besides architecture, Hamburg is home to picturesque green spaces, including Alster Lakes and Planten un Blomen. Is your upcoming visit your nth time in the city? You might be interested in other nearby attractions. If so, browse through this list of the best day trips from Hamburg, Germany.

1. Lubeck (from USD 378.0)

After days of indulging in everything Hamburg has to offer, you might be interested in getting to know another beautiful German city - Lubeck. Conveniently 69.1 km (42.9 mi) away from the German port city, Lubeck is a fantastic day trip destination. It captivates vacationers with its Brick Gothic architecture and medieval charm which makes breezing through the city feel like traveling back in time.

If you wish to tour the city the hassle-free way, join this Lubeck day trip package by Viator. It lasts for approximately seven hours and includes visits to Old Town’s Holsten Gate and Lubeck Cathedral, a 2-course lunch in a superb local dining spot, and a tour guide.

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Lübeck Day Trip From Hamburg By Train With Private Guide And Lunch

Duration: 7 hours

11 reviews

2. Luneburg (from USD 988.0)

Situated in northern Germany, 54.9 km (34.1 mi) from Hamburg, Luneburg is a charming medieval town worth adding to your German holiday itinerary. Immerse in the city’s culture and fall in love with the medieval architecture of Am Sande Square. You can also dive into the town’s salt-mining heritage with a visit to the German Salt Museum.

If you like sightseeing and city walks but don’t know where to start, you can join this Luneburg Shore Excursion by Viator. There’s no better way to fall in love with the old town of Luneburg than by touring it on foot. With the help of a guide, you’ll get to know the city from a local’s point of view. A visit to St. Nicolai Kirche, Luneburg Water Tower, and Marktplatz are included in the tour itinerary.

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Luneburg Shore Excursion in Luxury Van

Duration: 5 to 6 hours

3. Ahrensburg Palace

Best day trips from Hamburg, Germany
Source: Unsplash

A 33 km (20.5 mi) drive from Hamburg will take you to the beautiful town of Ahrensburg, where the once Herrenhaus or house of nobility Ahrensburg Palace nestles. At present day, this 16th-century Renaissance mansion is referred to as a Schloss, which is a manor house or chateau.

Apart from its proximity to Hamburg, what makes it an ideal day trip destination is its must-see rococo and classicism-inspired rooms, antique selection of furniture, Meissen porcelain, and a collection of paintings. A cultural center can also be found on the property, where lively festivals are held.

Ahrensburg Palace

Address: Lübecker Str. 1, 22926 Ahrensburg, Germany

Website: Ahrensburg Palace

Opening hours: Wed, Sat, Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri)

Price: from 2.3 USD for children, from 5.7 for adults

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4. Stade

Best day trips from Hamburg, Germany
Source: Unsplash

If you wish to explore Lower Saxony, be sure to spend a day in the picture-perfect city of Stade. This German city, just like most cities on the northern side of the country, boasts a dramatic landscape with romantic narrow alleys and fascinating Hanseatic architecture. If you’re into art, the 17th-century Kunsthaus Stade is the place to go. If history’s your cup of tea, Museum Schwedenspeicher is the place for you. While Stade is gorgeous year-round, nothing compares to its allure during the Yuletide season, when the town center starts to brighten with fairy lights and the aroma of baked goodies fills the air.

Conveniently, Stade is only an hour and five minutes away from Hamburg by car.

Stade

Address: Lower Saxony, Germany

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Hamburg Tour Guide

Asaf Leshem

Asaf Leshem

My name is Asaf and I am a professional tour guide. I hold a Ph.D. in Dark Tourism and interpretation of history. In Berlin I guide tours on such topics as the Cold War, the Third Reich, Berlin's Jewish Heritage, Berlin and Brandenburg's Prussian History, and more. I also guide in Potsdam, and I am certified to guide in the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen. I am also an enthusiastic runner and cyclist. For repeating visitors, looking for unique experiences outside the city, I guide special cycling tours in Brandenburg's northern lake district, and in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve.

Tours by Asaf

5. Eekholt Wildlife Park

Best day trips from Hamburg, Germany
Source: Unsplash

For tourists visiting Hamburg with family, especially kids, you cannot miss the chance to treat them to a day at Eekholt Wildlife Park near Großenaspe. Open since 1970, this year-round park of 67-ha (165.6-ac) grassland, forestry, and wetland is home to more than 700 animals, covering 100 different species. Wild cats, pygmy goats, otters, snow owls, and white-tailed eagles are some of the many creatures that reside in the park.

With Eekholt Animal Park’s natural setting, no wonder it is one of the most breathtaking wildlife parks in Germany. In the park, you can also find a petting zoo, an education center, food stalls, and a playground.

Eekholt Wildlife Park

Address: Stellbrooker Weg, 24598 Heidmühlen, Germany

Website: Eekholt Wildlife Park

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (March 1st to October 31st), 10am - 4pm (November 1st to the end of February)

Price: From 26.5 USD

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Take a day trip around Hamburg

Hamburg is a breathtaking German city and a destination one must have on their travel bucket list. From gorgeous architecture to fantastic dining spots, it has a lot to offer its guests. Plus, it has nearby attractions that are worth a day trip, as well.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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