Traveling to Hamburg With Kids

Top Things to do in Hamburg with kids

Grown-ups love city breaks – meet the culture, history, do some shopping and try out local food. Children see things slightly differently. They would rather not visit art museums nor walk along the shopping streets and definitely not remain sitting quietly in fine dining restaurants. Therefore, those who are dreaming of a city break where the whole family will fun should absolutely go to Hamburg. In this Hanseatic city, there are all kinds of attractions for grown-ups and children to enjoy equally. So what to do in Hamburg with kids?

The starting point for any Hamburg trip is at the MEININGER Hotel in Altona. Here, a family-friendly stay is a top priority and some of the loveliest spots in Hamburg are right on the hotel’s doorstep, too. Moreover, from our hotel in the city center of Hamburg with public transport, which is just 350 away from the hotel, you’ll be able to reach other city’s exciting areas in no time.

#1 Altona

Altona is an incredibly vibrant and colorful district. A lot of families with children live in the small neighborhood of Ottensen, in particular. Consequently, here, families will be able to find everything they could wish for: playgrounds, children’s shops, such as Vergissmeinnicht and ice cream place Eisliebe – the best ice cream shop in area.

There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and small boutiques to discover. Get delicious croissants at Die Patisserie, daintiest cupcakes at Liebes Bisschen or the loveliest sweets in the Bonscheladen, with a view over the kitchen where those sweets are are made.

#2 The Elbe

15 minutes by foot from the hotel you can get to the Altonaer Balkon (The Altona Balcony). While you enjoy the impressive view over the Elbe, harbor and the Köhlbrand Bridge, kids will be able to explore the playground over there. Get down to the Elbe river and keep going in a westerly direction. You’ll come across of pretty restaurants with stunning terraces and soon you’ll be standing on the Elbstrand (Elbe Beach) – Hamburg’s biggest sand beach. If you decide to walk a little further along the coast you’ll find yourself at the Strandperle, a famous snack bar. With feet on the sand, drink in your hands, parents can enjoy views of the Elbe and passing ships while the kids can dig into the sand.

#3 Discover Hamburg on a ferry

In Hamburg there are harbor ferries, they are part of the public transport service, for a low price you can float along the Elbe. In Altona there is a “Neumühlen“ ferry dock from where ferry number 61 and 62 will take you to the “Landungsbrücken”. Once you arrive at the “Landungsbrücken” you can join one of the harbour tours. Or, jump on a ferry number 72 towards the Elbphilharmonie.

#4 HafenCity (Harbour City)

First stop, Elbphilharmonie – Hamburg’s concert hall and landmark. A visit to the viewing platform, the plaza, will be fun for the children, too. Europe’s longest escalator will take you to the top. Once you arrive a breathtaking all-round view of the city and the harbor is waiting for you. Make sure to pre-order tickets online, otherwise you can expect long waiting times.

From the Elbphilharmonie it’s just a stone’s throw to Hamburg’s prettiest playground, the “Schatzinsel” in the Grasbrook Park. The way to the park takes you through the HafenCity, Hamburg’s newest district. Highlight of this playground is the large pirate ship that can be climbed from top to bottom. While kids are playing, parents can sit down on a picnic bench and secretly try the sweets they purchased in the “Bonscheladen”. 😉

#5 The world in miniature

A place where kids and grown-ups can have fun, the Miniaturwunderland, where you can admire to the largest miniature railway in the world. With great attention to detail, the makers created a magnificent miniature settings like, Swiss mountains, going across Italy and right up to an airport – where numerous trains, vehicles, buildings and people waiting to be discovered. In many places it is possible to set the figures in motion by pressing a button. At the chocolate factory (“Schokoladenfabrik“) you’ll even be rewarded with a mini bar of chocolate.

#6 Fancy an Italian dinner?

At the Italian Restaurant Vito, in Hamburg-Ottensen, families are warmly welcomed by the friendly staff, it will feel you’re at the home of an Italian family. The menu with pizza, pasta, carne and pesce is very Italian and molto yummy. Smaller portions for the children are available and special requests are gladly accepted, too.

#7 When it’s raining

When weather is not the best take a stroll to the Altonaer Museum, which is close to the MEININGER hotel, discover the maritime collection with its faithfully reconstructed model ships, dioramas and much more.

Furthermore, for all water lovers we recommend the Festland swimming pool, known as the “Dino pool”, which is also in Altona.

Those who like animals should not miss the tropical aquarium in the Hagenbeck zoo. More than 14,000 mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects Iive in this spacious roofed enclosure. The absolute highlight is the enormous aquarium is a panorama viewing panel from where you can observe sharks. The zoo next to the aquarium, with its pretty park and numerous animals is also worth of visiting.