Gen Z meets Hamburg | railtour Travel blog

The journey to Hamburg is part of the adventure. For my trip, I deliberately chose to travel by train. From Switzerland, it is surprisingly relaxed. If you want to make the most of your time in the city, you can board the night train in the evening and arrive in Hamburg the next morning. No airport stress, no lengthy security checks and no waiting at the gate. There are also good daytime connections, where the journey itself feels like a city break. Watching the landscape roll by, the time passes quickly. For me, this slower and more sustainable way of travelling fits perfectly with the Gen Z lifestyle. As soon as I arrive in Hamburg, I head straight for the harbour. The mix of brick buildings, canals and bridges gives the city its distinctive character. Around the Landungsbrücken, there is a constant buzz of activity while huge container ships pass along the Elbe. I especially enjoy exploring Hamburg on foot. For longer distances, I use the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, and the HVV makes it easy to get around the city. It soon becomes clear why Hamburg features on so many travel bucket lists: the city combines laid-back harbour charm with urban vibes and plenty of character.

Of course, the Elbphilharmonie is a must on any visit to Hamburg. Its striking architecture stands out long before you reach it, and the view from the Plaza is hard to beat. My top tip: don’t join the queue at the main ticket desk. Just around the corner, there’s a tourist information office where you can also pick up the free Plaza tickets. While long queues often form at the official ticket counter, things usually move much faster there. That leaves you with more time to take in the views across the harbour, the Elbe and Hamburg’s rooftops, and perhaps capture a few moments for your Instagram story. For me, it’s one of the city’s best viewpoints.

The Speicherstadt feels like a world of its own. The historic red-brick warehouses are reflected in the canals, creating a setting that looks as though it belongs in a Pinterest feed. Just a short walk away, the modern HafenCity begins with its futuristic architecture. That contrast is exactly what makes Hamburg so fascinating to me. While the Speicherstadt tells the story of the Hanseatic city’s past, HafenCity shows how modern and innovative Hamburg is today. The area is particularly photogenic in the evening, when the lights are reflected in the water.

No visit to Hamburg is complete without a stop on the Reeperbahn. The famous district in St. Pauli is far more than just parties and neon lights. Between music clubs, bars and small live venues, you can feel the area’s distinctive energy. By early evening, the streets are already filling up and there is something happening on every corner. I wander through the side streets, discover small local bars and soak up the lively atmosphere. The Reeperbahn divides opinion, but that is exactly why it remains one of the places that makes Hamburg so distinctive.

A shopping day is, of course, a must. For that, I head to Jungfernstieg, one of Hamburg’s most popular spots. Around the Binnenalster, you’ll find well-known brands, stylish boutiques and beautifully curated concept stores. After picking up a few shopping finds, I treat myself to an iced coffee and take a seat by the water. As boats glide across the Alster and the sunlight sparkles on the surface, those relaxed city-break moments seem to happen all by themselves. Afterwards, I continue exploring the shopping streets, always with the water in sight. For me, Jungfernstieg is the perfect blend of shopping, coffee vibes and Hamburg lifestyle.