I lived in Hamburg for several years, and while I’m totally biased when I say it’s one of the best cities in Germany, I’ve heard it one too many times: “There’s nothing to do outside Hamburg.”
Wrong. So wrong.
The truth? Hamburg is surrounded by charming towns, historic gems, and quick getaways that are perfect for when you need a break from canals and Elbe river breezes. Whether you’re hopping on a regional train or packing up your car for a spontaneous weekend escape, here are the best day trips from Hamburg I’ve done over the years and still think about often.
Lübeck
Gothic architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site, marzipan everything, and serious Hanseatic League vibes. This place feels like a medieval time capsule minus the plague.
Travel time: ~45 mins by train
Go on a Saturday when the town is buzzing.
What to see/do:
- Holstentor Gate (iconic AF)
- Walk along the Trave River
- Buddenbrookhaus (if you’re feeling literary)
- Niederegger Café for a marzipan overload
Eat at: Vai – fine dining worth every euro.
Drink at: Any Brauhaus or kneipe. They’re all cozy and charming.
Schwerin
A literal fairytale castle on a lake? Yes please. Schwerin is slow-paced, elegant, and the kind of place where your phone naturally stays in your pocket.
Travel time: ~1.5 hours by train
Lüneburg
This one’s personal. It’s where I went when I wanted to wander solo, reset, or feel like I was inside a storybook.
Travel time: ~30 mins by train.
Eat at: Krone – oldest pub in town, legendary atmosphere.
Do: Pop into the salt museum. It’s weirder and better than you’d think.
Stay For: Fairytale town with pastel houses and cobblestones
Hannover
Hot take: it’s underrated. Big enough for culture and shopping, small enough to not stress you out. I went for a concert once and ended up staying the night.
Tip: If you’re headed to an event, show up early and make a day of it.
Travel time: ~1.5 hours by train
Why go: Events, art museums, shopping—urban but not chaotic
What to see/do:
- Herrenhausen Gardens
- Sprengel Museum for modern art
- Stroll through the Altstadt (old town)
Where to eat:
🍝 Bistro Stromboli — Legit Italian that locals love
Where to drink:
🍹 Broncos Bar — Great cocktails before catching a show
Timmendorfer Strand
Beach vibes… German-style. Grab a strandkorb, read a book, or hit the spa in the off-season. Bonus points if you go in winter—it’s serene and moody in the best way.
Travel time: ~1 hour by train
Why go: North Sea beach town energy— and salty air
What to see/do:
- Rent a beach chair + soak up the Baltic breeze
- Visit SEA LIFE Aquarium
- Try a Thalasso spa treatment if it’s cold
Where to eat:
🐟 Samoa — Upscale seafood and steaks
Where to drink:
🍷 Ristorante de Paola — Chic little Italian style wine bar with sea breeze
Stay For: Walking the pier. Feel cinematic.
Bremen
Another Hanseatic beauty, this one has more color, more quirk, and amazing food.
Travel time: ~1 hour by train
Why go: Fairy tale meets big city—chill, cool, and artsy
What to see/do:
- Bremen Town Musicians statue
- Wander Schnoor Quarter + Böttcherstraße
- Weser River promenade
Where to eat:
🍽️ Bremer Ratskeller — Historic beer hall with incredible German fare and deeply iconic
Where to drink:
🍻 Friedrich’s — Cozy pub with rotating craft taps
Stay for: Old Town charm, unexpected street art, and a solid date-day location.
Wadden Sea (Wattenmeer)
This UNESCO World Heritage site lets you walk on the ocean floor. It’s peaceful, alien, and low-key spiritual.
Travel time: ~2.5 hours by car (to Cuxhaven or Sankt Peter-Ording)
Why go: Walk on the sea floor and feel wildly humbled
What to see/do:
- Guided mudflat walk (bring waterproof boots)
- Birdwatching or seal spotting
- Visit Wadden Sea Visitor Center
Where to eat:
🐠 Sturmflut in Cuxhaven – fish-forward menu with a view
What to bring:
Layers, tide chart, and someone who doesn’t mind muddy boots
Watch out for: Seals. They’re basically German mermaids.
Altes Land
Bike trails, fruit orchards, charming farmhouses. Altes Land feels like a countryside Pinterest board.
Go in: Spring for the blooms, or fall for harvest.
Travel time: ~40 mins by car
Why go: Orchards, timber houses, and country roads for days
What to see/do:
- Rent bikes + ride through blooming apple trees
- Visit a fruit farm or local market
- Spring and fall are chef’s kiss
Where to eat:
🥧 Hofcafé Ottilie — Cozy, organic, farm-to-table goodness
What to bring:
Your camera, your picnic blanket, and your chill
Heligoland
The wild card. This tiny island in the North Sea is all cliffs, clear water, and calm. There are no cars, just nature, seabirds, and duty-free shopping.
Travel time: ~2.5 hours ferry from Cuxhaven. Totally worth the early wakeup.
Why go: North Sea island with red cliffs and zero cars
What to see/do:
- Oberland cliffs hike
- Visit the colorful lobster shacks (Hummerbuden)
- Buy duty-free perfume or booze
Where to eat:
🦞 Rickmers Galerie Restaurant — Best seafood with a view
What to pack:
Windbreaker, cash, and an appetite for weird, wonderful islands
Stay for: The bragging rights.
Bonus: What to Pack for Day Trips from Hamburg
- 💳 Deutschland Ticket (if you have one, USE IT)
- 🎒 Small backpack
📱 DB Navigator App (for train travel) - 🧥 Layers—it’s Northern Germany, after all
🍏 Snacks—trains don’t always have food
📍Check Out More Germany + Europe Posts
- 🇩🇪 50 Things I Learned Living in Germany
- 🌍 50 Things I Learned Coming Back to the U.S. From Europe
- 🍴 The Ultimate Gluten-Free Guide to Berlin
- 📸 My European Style Transformation: What I Learned About Dressing Well
