Rathaus

Top choice


With its spectacular coffered ceiling, Hamburg’s baroque Rathaus is one of Europe’s most opulent, and is renowned for its Emperor’s Hall and Great Hall. The 40-minute tours take in only a fraction of this beehive of 647 rooms. A good secret to know about is the inner courtyard, where you can take a break from exploring the Rathaus on comfy chairs with tables.

North of here, you can wander through the Alsterarkaden, the Renaissance-style arcades sheltering shops and cafes alongside a canal or 'fleet'.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Alsterarkaden

0.09 MILES

The elegant Renaissance-style arcades of the Alsterarkaden shelter upscale shops and cafes alongside the Alsterfleet canal. This is ground zero for…

2. Galerie Commeter

0.13 MILES

Founded in 1821, privately run Galerie Commeter is Hamburg's oldest gallery, with a reliable offering of contemporary painting, graphics, sculpture and…

3. Mahnmal St-Nikolai

0.23 MILES

St Nikolai church was the world’s tallest building from 1874 to 1876, and it remains Hamburg’s second-tallest structure (after the TV tower). Mostly…

4. Deichstrasse

0.32 MILES

Hamburg’s Great Fire of 1842 broke out in Deichstrasse, which features a few restored 18th-century homes, most now housing restaurants. You can get a feel…

5. Galerie Herold

0.34 MILES

This small but rewarding private gallery is worth a look if you're in the area. Its focus is on northern German expressionism.

6. Chilehaus

0.4 MILES

One of Hamburg's most beautiful buildings is the crowning gem of the new Unesco-anointed Kontorhaus District. The brown-brick 1924 Chilehaus is shaped…

7. Kaffee Museum

0.43 MILES

Coffee has always been an important part of Hamburg's trading scene and this excellent museum takes you through this history and has a live roasting…

8. Chocoversum

0.46 MILES

Who needs an excuse to fall in love with chocolate? This fun museum involves a 90-minute guided tour through the world of chocolate and even lets you…