6 Things to Do in Hamburg in Summer

In summer, Hamburg’s Alster Lake comes alive with joggers, ice cream vendors, and yachtsmen showing off their boats. Alster steamers take visitors across the deep blue lake, located right in the centre of Hamburg, and up the adjacent Alster river. 

Rent a small boat to paddle yourself, or walk along the lake’s banks, lined with some of the city’s most elegant buildings.

The river Elbe is lined with friendly and accessible beach clubs in summer. Order a Caipirinha and retire to a deckchair at the sandy StrandPauli, close to the central Landungsbrücken pier. Next door is the stylish Hamburg City Beach Club, where large palms stand next to large white sunshades. 

From the sandy beach of the relaxed Strandperle, a little further west, visitors have a great view of Hamburg’s port, with massive ships passing in the distance.

Summer barbecues are a favourite Hamburg pastime and the city has plenty of spots where visitors can join the action. 

Bring a disposable grill to the wide lawn of the central Stadtpark, or take the S-Bahn train to the less crowded Falkensteiner Embankment, in Hamburg’s Blankenese district. Near the Landungsbrücken pier, the Yacht Harbour Wedel allows visitors to use its permanent stone grills.

A summer break in Hamburg is a great time to get active. Rent a bicycle and follow the upper Alster River out of the city. Between Poppenbüttel and Ohlstedt, the route crosses the wildlife-protected Rodenbeker Forest, where trickling waterways cross pre-historic stone formations. 

Visitors who like swimming can dip into the natural ponds of the Farmsen Strandbad, in the north-eastern Farmsen, or try the large slides at Freibad Marienhöhe, in the western Sülldorf district. One of Hamburg’s nicest jogging routes takes runners through Planten un Blomen, a beautifully landscaped park that features botanical gardens and tropical conservatories.