A weekend in Hamburg
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful, atmospheric and effortlessly stylish Hamburg feels. There is something about this city that stays with you: the reflections of red brick warehouses in still canals, the bridges crossing the water, art deco statues scattered throughout the city and the constant presence of its maritime history. In this blog post I share my highlights of a short weekend in Hamburg.
The beating heart of the city is undoubtedly Speicherstadt. Walking through this historic warehouse district almost feels cinematic, especially in the early morning or evening light when the brick façades glow above the canals below. The architecture immediately reminds you that Hamburg has always been a grand city shaped by trade, ships and the sea.
One place that captures this maritime soul perfectly is Ernst Brendler, a remarkable shop that has been selling traditional navy clothing since 1879. Now run by the fifth generation of the same family, it feels less like a store and more like a living piece of Hamburg’s history. Stepping inside is like entering another era, surrounded by beautifully crafted sailor sweaters, naval jackets, and maritime essentials that connect directly to the city’s harbor heritage.
Among the city’s architectural highlights, the Chilehaus is unforgettable. Built in 1924, its extraordinary brickwork and dramatic shape remain one of the finest examples of Brick Expressionism anywhere in Europe. The building almost resembles the bow of a ship cutting through the street, another subtle reminder of Hamburg’s connection to the sea.
Hamburg is often said to have more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined, and after wandering through the city’s waterways and neighborhoods, that suddenly feels very believable. But what makes the city so captivating is the contrast between old and new. That contrast between tradition and modernity becomes even more striking at the Elbphilharmonie. Rising above the harbor with its shimmering glass structure, the concert hall has become the modern symbol of Hamburg.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was spending time in Eimsbüttel, a neighborhood with a relaxed local atmosphere that feels effortlessly cool without trying too hard. A slow drip coffee at Marshall Street Coffee was the perfect way to settle into the pace of the city and simply watch Hamburg life unfold around me.
Later that day, dinner at Shiso Burger offered a completely different side of the city: Japanese-inspired burgers that somehow manage to feel both inventive and comforting at the same time. We ordered their signature hamburger with marinated tuna, shiso leaf, lettuce, red unions, coriander, chili mayo and teriyaki sauce.
After a full day of exploring, there could hardly have been a better place to stay than AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt. Our charming room overlooked the bridges and canals of Speicherstadt, and waking up to those magnificent water views made the experience even more memorable. In the evening, the district becomes wonderfully quiet, with the reflections of lights shimmering across the canals beneath the old warehouses. This was the stunning view form our room at 07:00 AM:
The next morning began just as perfectly with breakfast at another location of Marshall Street Coffee, this time in the old city center, before heading back out to discover more of Hamburg. We had the 'smashed avo & eggs' which is a slice of sourdough bread with spiced avocado, two poached eggs, feta cheese, black sesame seeds, herb oil and chervil and a 'rote beete stulle' which is a slice of sourdough bread with beetroot, feta cheese, hazelnuts, dill and beetroot oil.
Hamburg is a city of contrasts in the very best sense: maritime yet cosmopolitan, historic yet contemporary, elegant yet relaxed. It is a place where grand architecture and quiet canals exist side by side with creative neighborhoods and modern design. In my opinion, Hamburg is the perfect city for a weekend away.
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