Gay Hamburg Hamburg City Guide

Curation by Yasmina Rodríguez, words by Claudia Schwarz

Seamlessly merging metropolitan flair with maritime charm and hosting the most exciting architecture in all of Germany, Hamburg, while at its core is a wealthy industrial port city, at its heart is so much more. The city’s canal-marbled landscape has much in the way of culture to offer, including charming coastal towns, unspoiled beaches and romantic ancient castles, making it a popular destination for hip young Germans and savvy travellers. The smelting factories and trade warehouses of the past have metamorphosed into modern spaces for creative boutiques, daring galleries and world-class restaurants, and the former red light district of St Georg now boasts Europe’s most liberal gay scene, vanilla, fetish and all. Every July, Hamburg Pride takes over, spreading love across the whole city including other alternative gay hubs such as St Pauli in Reeperbahn. Other noteworthy events include Hamburg International Queer Film Festival, Harbour Pride and Winter Pride, because who needs an excuse really? Read our definitive Hamburg gay travel guide to discover the best of what to see in Hamburg.

The best hotels in Hamburg

Hamburg rewards the discerning traveller with hotels that each tell a distinct story. The Nikolai Hotel Hamburg, housed in a landmarked seven-storey Kontorhaus on the Nikolaifleet — one of the city’s oldest waterways — blends its industrial heritage with contemporary interiors across 94 individually designed rooms. The retractable glass roof above the central patio makes for a cinematic setting for a late-afternoon drink, while the Elbphilharmonie, Deichtorhallen, and HafenCity are all within easy reach. For something altogether more theatrical, the 25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt occupies a meticulously converted former Port Authority building in HafenCity. Its 49 rooms are rich in maritime character — headboards fashioned from reclaimed doors, exposed brickwork, and an eclectic assembly of nautical artefacts — while the NENI restaurant and the legendary Boilerman Bar have become landmarks in their own right. Rounding out the trio in considerable style is Hotel Tortue Hamburg, tucked within the Stadthöfe quarter. Brought to life by David Chipperfield Architects and Stephen Williams Associates, with interiors by Kate Hume and Joyce Wang, this 1888 redbrick former ministry building is awash in warm brass fittings, original 1910 frescos, plush fabrics, and street art by Vhils. Multiple bars draw a fashionable crowd, and the rooftop delivers sweeping views of the Elbphilharmonie and St. Michael’s Church.