Attractions Nearby Hamburg, Day Trips and Excursions

(Hamburg, Germany)

Outside of Hamburg a true medley of attractions await, ranging from historical buildings and period architecture, to scenic cycle trails and picturesque medieval villages. Offering the perfect day trip from Hamburg, a cruise along the River Elbe is hard to beat and a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Various island attractions are just a short boat trip from Hamburg and include Heligoland and Sylt islands, both of which offer sandy beaches and scenic coastlines. Sylt Island in particular boasts more than 40 km / 25 miles of fine sand and beautiful dunes. The premier attractions nearby Hamburg are shown below.

Stade

Founded more than 1,000 years ago, the city of Stade lies close to Hamburg and is perhaps most famous for its Swedish character. Attractions include Stade's historic Church of Saints Cosmas and Daniani, which is located along the Hökerstrasse, and dominates the area with its imposing octagonal tower. Other attractions are based around the harbour and include a group of period houses, with those around the Wasser Ost area once being the homes of local sea captains.

Norderstedt

An attractive city considered to be a part of the sprawling Hamburg Metropolitan Region, Norderstedt is approximately 24 km / 15 miles north of central Hamburg. With a population of around 80,000 people, the main attractions within Norderstedt are based around its city centre and include many historic buildings and well-supported events at the city hall.

Altes Land

Located to the south of the River Elbe, the region known as Altes Land is within easy reach of Hamburg and edged by both Buxtehude and Stade. Famous for its fruit orchards, dykes and windmills, many of the attractions around Altes Land are best explored by bike, with an extremely popular cycle path being available. Many visitors arrive here across the water by catamaran, with regular trips departing from Hamburg harbour.

Luneburg Heath

The perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Hamburg is to take a trip to the peaceful Luneburg Heath. This area is full of charming medieval towns and villages, historic churches and abbeys, and most of all, huge expanses of heathland, dominated by colourful heather bushes.