Hamburg North Hamburg – All our local tips

The “Alsterwanderweg” is a hiking trail that runs along the Alster River for about 56km. The southern section of the trail (22km) leads through the ‘Alstertal’ (Alster valley) with wonderful parks and villas, along the outer and the inner Alster, and terminates directly in the heart of Hamburg: at the harbor where the Alster runs into the Elbe River. The trail is very popular with locals year-round as every season brings its own charm to this scenic route.

Take the public transport up north to Poppenbüttel to begin your 5-hour adventure either on foot or by bicycle. As you head south you’ll sometimes follow the meandering river on its right then on its left again.

There are some sections where you’ll need to cross or walk along a street. Some of the many rowing clubs and locks on your way down to Winterhude have restaurants with a gorgeous view of the river.

After passing through Eppendorf, you’ll reach the spacious Alsterpark on the outer Alster, a very wide section of the river with a beautiful view of the inner city’s skyline. Finally, you’ll know you’re on the last stretch of the path when you pass under Kennedy- and Lombardsbrücke to arrive at the inner Alster and the city center.

Leave the Alsterarkaden behind you and terminate this exciting hike at the “Baumwall” or “Landungsbrücken” metro stop. Although the direction of trail is marked by signs, be sure to bring a map with you!

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Alsterwanderweg | Relaxing
Spaldingstrasse 160 | Hamburg North | +4940230086
Thu 15:00 – 18:00

A bit of a distance lies between this café and the Schanze and maybe that’s the reason why it’s neither trendy nor „cool” but very relaxed and cosy.

The interior – with old chairs, antiques, wooden shelves and little cupboards – makes yourself feel very comfortable.

The people who come here don’t seek the funky flashy style but a decent coffee or tea, a good piece of cake and a place where you could sit for hours if you feel like reading or writing. As they sell used booked as well and have some readings from time to time, it really is the right spot for those who love books and coffee. Not the worst combination!

You can also just browse through the books which is a good way to get to know writers you havn’t heard of before while enjoying your cheese cake or the great cocoa – they have a big variety to choose from if you like that warm sweet liquid. The area is a quiet one with many old Hamburg houses, lots of families and elderly people who live in that area for quite a while.

So this quiet cafe (apart from rainy Sunday afternoons – maybe the reality for some of the next few months) will give you a complete different impression of Hamburg. And it’s a good spot for writing your postcards if you don’t want or can’t enjoy the books written in German.

And you know what!? There is even a neat little fireplace to warm you up on a cold winters day!

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Café Mathilde | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping | cocoa € 3.30
Bogenstrasse 5 | Hamburg North | +494041495384
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 00:00, Sat 12:00 – 20:00, Sun 10:00 – 20:00

Far away from those places where tourists end up but where the locals rest after their Saturday shopping you will find that small and neat cafe.

The friendly owner will provide you with some of the best self-made cakes in town. Made right in front of you! After a stroll along the canal and maybe a little shopping tour at Eppendorfer Weg with it’s shops like  “Lille Ø” (see the Lille Ø article) you can relax, enjoy the mouth-watering smell of the fresh cakes in the oven and watch the people pass by.

There is always a small piece of extra cake which goes with your hot drink, so you can be sure to get hooked for the next sweet thing. I guess there is no chance to resist and count calories on your Hamburg visit…

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Cafe Röschen | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cake € 2.30
Eppendorfer Weg 207 | Hamburg North
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Sun 12:00 – 19:00

This is one of my favourite places in Hamburg. Till last week I thought you could only reach it by car, but that’s actually not true. Before I start to explain how to get there, I’ll give you an imagination of the place.

Actually it’s just a normal bridge called “photographers bridge” close to the airport Hamburg Fuhlsbüttel. The first time, I was there, it was in the middle of the night and I saw many, many  landing strip lights and some air-crafts landing late at night. During the day with good weather, it’s a great choice for watching air-crafts taking off and landing. There is a small Café where you can get affordable Latte Macchiato for 2,40 Euro or a Beck’s beer for 2,30 Euro. Or some snacks like Sausages, hotdogs, muffins and donuts.

Coffee-to-Fly  is open 365 days a year – spring, summer, autumn and winter – always. Have a small holiday while watching other people going by on the hundred of planes that pass here daily.

Give it a try, you won’t regret! And the best of ALL: it’s for free!! If you’re on a short budget, don’t drink anything in the Café, but bring your thermos flask or cold coke with you.

How to get there: Take bus #24 from Langenhorn Markt [U1] or Niendorf Markt [U2] or the bus #193 from Poppenbüttel [S1] or Langenhorn Markt [U1] to Station “Wrangelkoppel”, follow the sign “Aussichtsplattform” for around 15 minutes, there you are!

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Coffee-to-Fly | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Latte Macchiato € 2.40
Holtkoppel 100, 22415 | Hamburg North | +4917623487017
Daily when aircrafts take off or land

Are you looking for something unique and just tired of browsing the same old major brands? Don’t hesitate to visit one of Hamburg’s premier shopping streets! Eppendorfer Weg originates in Eimsbüttel and runs northwards through Hoheluft- West and -East until it terminates at Lehmweg right in the heart of Eppendorf, one of Hamburg’s ritzy neighborhoods.

The section between Lehmweg and Kottwitzstrasse is known as the ‘art nouveau quarter’ because of its wonderful architecture. This upper stretch of Eppendorfer Weg is famous for its magnificent blend of quaint little cafés, exclusive boutiques, bakeries and delicatessen, upscale stores, classy bars and restaurants. Sounds too expensive? Don’t be fooled! Every store has its distinctive character and price, and there is something affordable to discover for everyone.

My favorite spot on Eppendorfer Weg is “Burg’s Kaffeerösterei” (coffee roastery). The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans will draw you right into the shop where you can spend hours browsing a multitude of unique little gifts. Shiny decorative items and tasty chocolates (to accompany your coffee), interesting spreads and jams, tins, coffee grinders, mugs and pots, and much more will be hard to resist – you definitely don’t need to like coffee to make a find here!

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Eppendorfer Weg | Coffee & tea, Shopping
Eppendorfer Weg | Hamburg North
Daily

What’s better than not letting any programme or „must-do” bother you and escape a rainy and windy day in Hamburg (you might experience quite a few if you are coming between October and April…) in a Sauna!

But be prepared! German Sauna means that you have to – GET UNDRESSED! So if you don’t like this or any cultural or personal reasons won’t allow that I have to warn you that you will miss one of the most beautiful public bath’s and saunas in Hamburg. I might even say in Germany.

The building from 1914 lies just opposite of U-Bahn Station Kellinghusenstraße, that’s why most people rather call it Kellinghusenbad than its „real” name Holthusenbad. Inside you will find saunas with different temperatures, steambath, a little cafe, an outside area (for those who want to refresh themselves in icy water), all modern and trendy changing rooms and a charming and cosy area to relax.

This is a great spa for treat

ments, massage and so on (rather call beforehand to get an appointment)  – and if you don’t want to get undressed and rather use your bathing suite: Enjoy the swimming hall under a huge dome and the small outdoor pool which is heated for winter time. So why bother about any programme or sightseeing. Bring along towels, maybe some flip flops (not used on the street though…) and loads of time.

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Holthusenbad | Relaxing | Sauna from € 15.20
Goernestrasse 21 | Hamburg North | +4940188890
09:00 – 23:00 daily | Woman only Mon & Wed

Twice a week, Hamburg’s Isestraße becomes Europe’s largest outdoor market: the Isemarkt. Set in a charming residential neighborhood with beautiful art nouveau buildings, this extraordinary gourmet farmers’ market spreads almost 1 km below the metro rails allowing for a magnificent experience regardless of the weather. Let’s stroll down the center lane and discover what close to 200 vendors have on offer!

Immerse yourself into the various sensory pleasures – when I first encountered this market, I felt like a sponge trying to absorb all the different scents from the abundance of flowers and plants, herbs, spices and soaps, cured meats and fish, pralines and chocolates, and international delicacies that are freshly prepared upon order.

Sample some delicious local (organic) produce, or have a long thin smoked sausage called “Wattwurm”. I’d also recommend tasting the vegetarian soups and quiches, and obtaining some of the homemade jams. In addition, you’ll find this plethora of culinary delights interspersed with stands offering leather goods, arts and crafts, jewelry, high end fashion, and home appliances.

If you feel like taking a break, have some coffee or tea, and watch how people engage in friendly conversations with the merchants exchanging ideas and recipes, listen to the street musicians, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere – you’ll notice that nobody here seems to be in a rush. Haggling is definitely allowed, but as the experts among you’ll already know: your success rate will be highest towards closing time.

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Isemarkt | Shopping
Isestraße | Hamburg North
Tue & Fri 08:30 – 14:00

Lille Ø literally means „Small island” in Danish. And this little island on Eppendorfer Weg is another good place in Hamburg for stylish danish clothes.

The store used to be a place for motorbikes and bicycles and provides now very sportive clothes from Hummel, very feminine stuff from Rosemunde Copenhagen. Great are the jackets, 1937 Manchester style.

Lille Ø is run by the very nice and friendly German-Danish couple Jan & Lisa and lies just across of Cafe Röschen (see the Cafe Roschen article). So why not take a stroll along the Hoheluft canal, enjoy a cup of coffee at Röschen and continue to Lille Ø in search of a nice dress, coat or whatsoever.

Be sure that you will get a good and friendly advise what’s hip, comfortable and what suits you well. Much more relaxing and easy-going than shopping in many of the crowded store


s in Schanze!

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Lille Ø | Shopping | Tops from € 40.00
Eppendorfer Weg 190 | Hamburg North | +494067385014
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 20:00, Sat 11:00 – 18:00