7 summer excursions in and around Hamburg –

The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising and that can only mean one thing in Hamburg: Get outside! I think there is hardly any other major German city where the summer is nicer than in Hamburg. If you still feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city for one or the other summer excursion, you will find my top 7 from the “Hamburg Summer Excursions” category here.

On the other side of the Elbe: Finkenwerder outdoor pool

Taking the ferry (line 62) from the Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder is the first highlight of the summer excursion into the cool blue water. Either by bike or on foot from the jetty to the outdoor pool makes the cool refreshment perfect for the first dip in the pool. The obligatory red and white fries are available in the kiosk – together with the outdoor pool classics, sweet bags, ice cream and coffee. The view from the pool to the passing ships on the Elbe guarantees that a visit to the outdoor pool will not only be a real summer classic, but also a cool, uncomplicated and yet extraordinary day!

Directions: With the HVV ferry 62 from the Landungsbrücken to the Finkenwerder pier. From there you walk about 8 minutes to the outdoor pool. Or by car/bike to here.

28 degrees beach club: Summer feeling on the Elbe in Wedel near Hamburg

Summer just has to stick its nose around the corner and suddenly, as if by magic, the city’s beach clubs are full to the last seat. If you don’t feel like so much hustle and bustle and still want to sit with a cool drink on the Elbe beach, then the 28 Beach Club in Wedel, just outside Hamburg, is the perfect place for you. You can find more information about the beach club here. Isn’t the Beachclub 28 Grad in Wedel a little too far away for you? No problem! You will find a large selection of great beach clubs in Hamburg here.

Directions: By car/bicycle to here or with the S1 to Wedel. From there, either walk 20 minutes or take the 189 bus in the direction of Blankenese to Wedel, at the double oak.

Pure idyll: Haseldorfer March

Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and head out into nature? On to the Haseldorfer March. Between Wedel and Glückstadt you will find the Haseldorfer Marsch – a beautiful, quiet Elbe foothills. The area is particularly suitable for cycling or walking. In between, simply stop off at one of the cafés along the way. Bird lovers will also get their money’s worth here. There are many rare species to spot in the Haseldorfer Marsch. There are also some small, little-visited bays with a beach here. In the very south you will also find the 7 km long bathing beach “Hetlinger Schanze”. In the sports boat harbors of Haseldorf and Kollmar you can also take sailing courses or rent boats.

Directions: By car to here or with the S1 to Wedel. From there it is best to cycle in the direction of the Elbe/ Glückstadt.

On a day at the lake: Excursion to the Schaalsee

The Schaalsee is about a 45-minute drive from Hamburg in the beautiful Lauenburg Lake District. It is one of the larger bathing lakes in the area and you can easily spend a whole day here. For example at the Zarrentin lido. If you want a little less hustle and bustle, walk a bit along the shore and choose one of the small, partly hidden bays. Around the lake there are several official bathing spots, cafes, restaurants, boat rentals and more. A good starting point for exploring the lake is the small town of Zarrentin.

Directions: By car to here. Unfortunately, Schaalsee is really very difficult to reach by train, which is why I would definitely recommend a car.

Off to the Lüneburg Heath: Canoeing on the Ilmenau

Don’t feel like SUPing on the crowded Alster? Then I have a great alternative for you. The idyllic Heath River Ilmenau runs between Uelzen and Lüneburg across the Lüneburg Heath. It splashes along at a leisurely pace, so you don’t need any real canoeing skills. But a trip here is super relaxed. My tip: Definitely take a picnic basket with you and take a relaxing break along the way. For example just before Bad Bevensen. There is a wooden footbridge on the right bank of the river. From the wooden bridge you have a beautiful view over the Ilmenau.

Directions: By car to the canoe rental in Bienenbüttel here or by train to Bienenbüttel Bf. It takes about 45 minutes by metronome to get there from Hamburg Central Station. From Bienenbüttel Bf. you walk less than five minutes to the pier.

Just a stone’s throw from Hamburg: Timmendorfer Strand

Depending on where you start in Hamburg, you can drive to the Baltic Sea in less than 40 minutes. To be more precise, to Timmendorfer Strand. The popular vacation spot is perfect for a summer trip from the Hanseatic city. Good to know for dog owners: There is also a beautiful dog beach. You can either take food with you, or you can stock up on yourself at the classic little chip stands on the beach promenade with chips and ice cream. This brings back childhood memories! If you are hungry, there is of course a large selection of restaurants. My favorite: This one here.

Directions: By car, for example, up to here or by train from Hamburg Hbf via Lübeck Hbf to Timmendorfer Strand in just over an hour. From the train station in Timmendorfer Strand you can walk to the beach in about 20 minutes.

St. Peter Ording – Only 1.5 hours from Hamburg

From Hamburg to St. Peter Ording it takes about 1.5 hours. Of all the excursions mentioned, this place is the furthest away from Hamburg. But believe me: the journey is worth it. For me, on the one hand, the classic and, on the other hand, the absolute highlight from the “Hamburg Summer Excursions” category. On hot summer days there is no better place than the beach of St. Peter Ording. Especially great: In the districts of Ording and Böhl you can drive directly to the beach by car. You can find more impressions of St. Peter Ording here. By the way: a visit is also worthwhile in the colder months of the year. More information here.

Directions: By car, for example, up to here or by train (caution, this will take you much longer!) via Husum to St. Peter Ording, Bad.

Summer excursions in Hamburg at a glance

On this map you will find all the featured summer excursions in and around Hamburg at a glance. To find out more about the individual points, simply click on the icons.

Other excursion destinations in and around Hamburg

You want to enjoy the summer in Hamburg? No problem! You can find the best activities right in the center of Hamburg on hot summer days here. Also great in summer in Hamburg: doing things around and on the Alster. More about this here.

You still haven’t found the perfect excursion destination in this post “Hamburg Summer Excursions”? No problem! A few more ideas for excursions in and around Hamburg – at any time of the year:

The best destinations in and around Hamburg Pt. 1

The best destinations in and around Hamburg Pt. 2

Spring trips Hamburg

Autumn trips Hamburg

You can also find many other excursion ideas and more about Hamburg and the surrounding area here.