Weekend Trips From Hamburg Germany in 2024
There are a lot of interesting sites to discover nearby, so there’s no need to confine yourself to only Hamburg, even if it’s a diverse and exciting place to visit. You may explore beautiful historical towns, spectacular castles, and breathtaking natural settings on these day trips from Hamburg. The majority are only an hour away and are all reachable by public transportation.
Weekend Trips from Hamburg Germany
Lüneburg – the salt town
The manufacturing of white gold (salt), which provided wealth and prosperity to the town, has a strong connection to Lüneburg’s 1,000-year history. Due to its remarkable resilience during World War II, Lüneburg exudes a mediaeval allure that is unmatched. Explore the specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants situated in gabled houses as you stroll through the lovely Old Town. Additionally, the town has some magnificent green spaces, saltwater hot spas, and one of the biggest concentrations of pubs in all of Europe due to the presence of students.
Travel time by regional train is 40 minutes. Price for a round-trip ticket on Hamburg public transportation is €17.40 (£15).
Lübeck – Queen of the Hansa
Lübeck, the former capital of the powerful Hanseatic League, is located on the Baltic Sea coast. The Old Town is best explored on foot because of its historic buildings and small streets that feature a variety of architectural styles dating back to the 13th century. Don’t leave without trying the marzipan; it’s a specialty. Visit the Town Hall and the stunning Gothic Church of St. Mary. Lübeck is referred to as the city of marzipan.
Travel time by regional train is 45 minutes. Round-trip tickets cost €28 ($24), while a group of five using a regional day pass will pay €40 ($35).
Bremen – the fairy tale town
The bronze statue of the Bremen Town Musicians, which was featured in a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, is located in mediaeval Bremen. Explore Schnoor, a maze of narrow streets dotted with quaint 15th- and 16th-century buildings, admire the Renaissance Town Hall, and soak up the sun on the Schlachte riverbank promenade. Visit a museum or the Beck’s brewery for a tour. Whatever you do, don’t leave without stroking the donkey’s legs on the sculpture of the Bremen Town Musicians to bring luck.
distance covered in one and a half hours by regional train; The cost is €23 (£20) roundtrip per person and €39 (£34) for a group of five using a regional day ticket.
Schwerin – the city of seven lakes
The combination of the natural and built beauty in Schwerin is picture-perfect. The magnificent Schwerin Palace, which is positioned between two lakes and encircled by lush gardens, is the city’s most well-known monument. There are numerous ancient structures containing stores and cafes on the surrounding market square and cobblestone streets. The city of Schwerin is home to a number of top-notch museums and a number of annual arts and cultural festivals.
By regional train, the distance is one hour and 25 minutes. The cost is €23 (£20) roundtrip per person and €39 (£34) for a group of five using a regional day ticket.
Altes Land – largest fruit growing area
Altes Land is located in the Elbe marshes south of Hamburg. The largest fruit-growing region in Germany is this lush territory that was reclaimed from the river between the 11th and 15th centuries and shielded by dykes. You can locate settlements with half-timbered farm buildings in between the huge orchards. Cycling along the bike routes is the ideal way to take in the view. Enjoy tasty cake made with seasonal ingredients all year long, select fruit in the fall, and take in the apple blossoms in the spring.
Distance: One hour using public transportation in Hamburg (metro and bus to Jork, or ferry to Cranz). The cost is €10 (£8.70) roundtrip per person.
The Wadden Sea
The biggest continuous system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world is located along the Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer) coast, which spans from the Netherlands to Denmark. Unaltered nature at its finest can be found in the ecosystem of dunes, tidal channels, sandbars, mudflats, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes. Don’t pass up the chance to go wattwanderning (walking on mudflats) at low tide, when you can access surrounding islands by foot from the mainland.
1 hour and 45 minutes to get to either Cuxhaven or Büsum. The cost is €28 (£24.37) roundtrip per person and €40 (£35) for a group of five using a regional day ticket.
Heligoland – the island of breathtaking cliffs
Although Heligoland is a little farther distant, it makes for a fantastic day trip. The quick crossing of the North Sea is an adventure in and of itself. Despite its modest size, the island offers something for everyone. The clean air, stunning red sandstone cliffs, and encounters with seals up close will appeal to nature enthusiasts. Finding unusual seabirds will excite bird watchers. Gourmets will love the excellent dining options and fresh seafood on the island, and those looking for deals will benefit from its duty- and VAT-free status.
By catamaran Halunder Jet, it takes 3.5 hours to get there from Hamburg. Price: €71 (£62) round-trip per person.
Travemünde
Visit the charming Baltic Sea resort of Travemünde for a day of coastal fun. Walk along the waterfront promenade, which is tucked between a nice park and the city’s expansive beach, to get started. You can take the Priwall ferry across the town’s crowded harbour to the Priwall Peninsula, where there are additionally quieter beaches. The town’s historic brick lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Germany on the Baltic Sea, was built in 1539 and is located nearby. A stroll around Travemünde’s historic districts is also recommended since you’ll see charming homes, particularly near Jahrmarktstraße.
Stade
The little Hanseatic city of Stade is another location that can be reached quickly from Hamburg. The majority of Stade’s attractions have to do with the Hanseatic League or Sweden’s possession of the city after the Thirty Years War. Stade is located just across the Elbe River from Hamburg. Take a stroll to the Hansehafen, the city’s historic waterfront, to begin your visit. The Schwedenspeicher-Museum, which chronicles Stade’s extensive commercial history and is situated inside a former Swedish warehouse, can be found there. The Stade Kunsthaus, an art museum housed in a nearby well-preserved Swedish-era structure from the 17th century, displays various transient exhibitions.
Wismar
Wismar, which is located up on the Baltic Sea coast, is another of the traditional Hanseatic cities that you may visit from Hamburg. The city’s old town and its equally historic waterfront are the two main destinations for visitors to Wismar. Go to the market square in the Old Town, where you can see the Town Hall, other lovely Brick Gothic structures, and the recognisable Wasserkunst fountain. Several remarkable churches can be found scattered throughout the Old Town, but the Georgenkirche is unquestionably the most picturesque. There are several classic structures down by the ancient port, as well as the Wassertor, the final remaining mediaeval city gate.
Ludwigslust Castle
Germany is renowned for its beautiful castles, one of which being Ludwigslust Castle, located in the north of the nation. This splendid castle, which is surrounded by a vast park, first saw usage as a hunting lodge in 1724; nevertheless, it later rose to prominence as the seat of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. You can tour the castle’s beautiful halls, which haven’t changed much since the 18th century, while you’re there. You’ll also witness a tonne of artwork and a number of old clocks as you walk the halls. After exploring the castle’s interior, you’ll discover that there is still much to see, including bridges, fountains, and structures like the St. Helena and Andreas church, or Hofkirche.
Glücksburg Castle
The majestic Glücksburg Castle is located on Schlossteich Lake right up against the Danish border. It is supposed that the monarchs of Denmark and the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein formerly resided in this brilliant white water palace. You may discover more about this castle from the 16th century and the dukes that lived there by taking a guided tour. You’ll see exquisite stucco work and Dutch tapestries as you explore areas like the church and the Red Hall.
In order to determine which aspect you like, take a stroll along the shores of Schlossteich Lake. Glücksburg Castle may be most attractive when seen from a distance. Of course, you may also explore the castle’s grounds, which also have an orangery and a lovely rose garden.
Cuxhaven
The small town of Cuxhaven, which is situated on Germany’s North Sea coast, is a terrific option for those who wish to spend time on the sea. Rather to just exploring the town itself, a trip to Cuxhaven is primarily about seeing the sights nearby. Start by strolling down Grimmershörn Beach and past the brightly coloured shelters scattered throughout the sands.
The Kugelbake, the famous wooden navigational tower of Cuxhaven, is reached by travelling down the coast. Beyond there, you can reach Cuxhaven Beach, which at low tide transforms into a sizable mud flat that can extend far from the sandy shore for hundreds of metres. While exploring the region and looking for crabs is enjoyable, keep an eye on the incoming tide to avoid getting cut off the mainland.
That was our list of Weekend Trips from Hamburg Germany. Do you think we have missed anything in our list then let us know we will add it further.
More interesting post around Germany:
- 17 Most Beautiful Lakes in Germany
- Best Mountains in Germany to Visit
- 25 Most beautiful villages in Germany
- Buying Bike in Germany in 2022
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