But that’s not all. If you visit Germany, you can also check out the maritime magic of Hamburg, the world-famous university town Heidelberg, the chic old-school sophistication of Munich (served with a side of dirndls, pretzels, and lederhosen), and last but not least, the lovely jewels in the former East, like Leipzig and Dresden.

But you by no means have to stick to the towns and cities. Germany also has a lot to offer any nature lover. The country is home to the Bavarian Alps with quaint mountainside villages and the Black Forest of Brother’s Grimm fame. For great hiking in the former East, check out Saxony Switzerland, a lovely climbing area and national park southeast of Dresden.

If water is more your cup of tea, then be sure to take a boat ride down the Rhine river, enjoying a glass of local Riesling from Germany’s wine country. For a little seaside air, make your way to the Baltic Sea and treasure hunt for amber or stroll along the North Sea mudflats at low tide.

And did we mention castles and palaces? Germany has around 20,000 of them, including Potsdam’s San Souci palace and Neuschwanstein, the so-called “Disneyland” castle.

Related:

• 10 Day Germany Itinerary: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein
• Planning a trip to Europe? Avoid these 10 costly mistakes
• Search for hotels across Germany

10 reasons to visit Germany in 2017

Still not enough? Below we’ve listed 10 more reasons why a trip to Germany is a must for 2017.

1. The dollar is strong against the euro right now

With plenty of free cultural offerings and cheap eats galore, Berlin has been an inexpensive tourist destination for years. However, many other places in Germany are usually a bit pricier, particularly Hamburg and Munich. Why not take advantage of a weaker euro and visit these places now when you’ll get more bang for your buck?

Air Berlin and Lufthansa fly direct to Germany from the US. Photo: BriYYZ

2. New cheap flights to Germany

AirBerlin flies direct to Berlin and Dusseldorf from several US destinations including New York and Miami. Sign up for their newsletter to stay on top of their latest deals that include round-trip flights from $499.

Norwegian Air gets you from the US to Germany for a very nice price with fares under $500. You can book tickets to several cities in Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich.

Another airline to keep an eye on is Icelandair, which flies to Frankfurt and Hamburg with an optional stopover in Iceland.

Cheapo tip: Click here to sign up for newsletters for all the major airlines, to be the first to know about airfare sales.

3. Cheap transportation between cities

Once you’re in Germany, you no longer have to rely on costly train tickets to get around Germany. Although there are some important ways to save on train tickets, you can also try the bus. Budget bus services like Flixbus offer cheap tickets between cities starting as low as €7 one-way.

Also, car sharing services like BlaBlaCar are sometimes even cheaper than the bus with the added bonus of chit chat with a local as you barrel at top speeds down the Autobahn.

Related: Tips for driving the Autobahn in Germany

4. Luther 2017: 500 years since the Reformation

500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His action marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, which changed the face of Christianity and the world forever.

Throughout 2017, exhibitions, concerts, and festivals are taking place across Germany to celebrate Luther 2017: 500 Years Since the Reformation. If you’d like to follow in Luther’s footsteps, we recommend you check out the three cities that were important to this event: Wittenberg, Mansfeld, and Eisleben, his birthplace. These three towns are not only historically interesting, they’re also extremely beautiful, so much so that the area has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But you don’t have to stop here: Germany has over 2,000 kilometers of Luther trails where you can hike and learn about the life, work, and legacy of this important historical figure.

Cologne Carnival brings parades and parties to the city streets. Photo: Marco

5. Cologne Carnival

Known to locals in Cologne as “the 5th season of the year,” Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval) officially starts on November 11 at 11:11 am. However, the party gets really wild on Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) on February 23rd, the week before Carnival Monday (Rosenmontag). During this time, residents give themselves Narrenfreiheit; in other words, license to do as they please because, as they say, “what happens at Karneval stays at Karneval.”

From Weiberfastnacht on, it’s all play and no work for the city, with round-the-clock costumes parties on the streets and in the pubs, and no one at school or the office. Toss back a cold Kölsch, Cologne’s most famous beer, dress up and watch the parade on Rosenmontag where you’ll hear the locals singing merry Carnival songs at the top of their lungs. Festivities continue until Ash Wednesday (March 1).

Although the Cologne Carnival celebration is the largest and most famous one in Germany, Carnival is also celebrated in Düsseldorf and Mainz.

Spring brings beautiful flowers and festivals to Berlin. Photo: visitBerlin

6. Free festivals in Berlin during June

While Berlin is well worth a visit at any time of the year, our favorite month to explore Germany’s capital is June. Not only does June usually bring the best weather — warm, but not too hot, with plenty of springtime flowers — the month is also famous for its free festivals. Here are a few to check out:

Carnival of Cultures – June 2 – 5
This gigantic street festival and parade celebrates multiculturalism in Berlin and is dedicated to highlighting world cultures.

Fête de la Musique – June 21
This summer solstice celebration features live music of all kinds at hundreds of venues and street locations across the city.

48 Hours Neukölln – June 23 to 25
Taking place in Berlin’s hippest neighborhood, this art festival highlights local artists and community art projects across Neukölln.

Long Night of the Sciences – June 24
Laboratories, scientific institutions, and libraries open their doors to the public for the “smartest night of the year.”

Bergmann Street Festival (Bergmannstraßenfest) – June 30 to July 2
This jazz festival presents three days of live music in the “multi-kulti” atmosphere on Kreuzberg’s well-known Bergmannstraße.

7. Berlin Marathon

On September 24, 2017, the 44th Berlin Marathon will take place, curving through the city center. If you’re a runner, there’s no better way to experience the city than to run in this world-class race. Just be sure to register soon before it’s too late.

If you’re not a runner, it’s still fun to watch the marathon. Get up early and watch the top runners rip up the asphalt when the race begins at 9:15 am. If you’re in the mood to sleep in, you can cheer on the runners (some in costume!) until the mid-afternoon.

If you can’t make it out in September, but still want to get in on the sporty fun, the Berlin Half Marathon takes place on April 2.

Related: Berlin hotels under $100 per night

Beer fans travel from all over the world to Munich’s famous Oktoberfest. Photo Christian

8. Oktoberfest

Dirndls, lederhosen, brass ensembles, and gallons of beer: That’s what most people imagine when they think about Oktoberfest (and probably Germany in general, for that matter). But don’t let yourself be fooled. Except for a few celebrations around the country designed to trap clueless tourists, Oktoberfest is really only celebrated in Munich. And contrary to its name, the festival starts in late September.

In 2017, Oktoberfest runs from Saturday, September 16 to Tuesday, October 3 (German Reunification Day). If you do decide to go “Auf der Wiesn,” make sure to plan your trip well in advance. The festival gets extremely busy, especially on the opening weekends, so head over to the beer tents nice and early to avoid the crowds. For more tips, check out our article 10 ways to save time and money at Oktoberfest.

Fireworks light up over Freiburg on New Year’s Eve. Photo: Orest

9. Silvester, a.k.a. New Year’s Eve

If you want to live dangerously, try spending New Year’s Eve in Germany. On New Year’s Eve, Germans don’t just drink, eat and make merry. They also add explosives to the mix — fireworks — and lots of them. To play it safe, check out the major fireworks display close to midnight, which you’ll find in every town and city across the country.

But for the true Silvester experience, go to Berlin to set off bottle rockets and light up firecracker after firecracker with hordes of people who have already tossed back far too many drinks. But beware: On this night, the city gets a little crazy, so come prepared.

10. Wonderfully Weird Festivals

Last but not least, Germany is also a great place to visit for weird festivals, some truly bordering on the surreal and bizarre.

Tübingen Duck Race
On October 7th, check out the Tübingen Duck Race, where locals get together and race 7,000 rubber duckies down the Neckar River.

German Deer Calling Competition
Listen as hunters go horn to horn in the traditional German Deer Calling Competition, held every fall during deer mating season.

German Bus Pulling Championship
If you’re more in the mood to see some brawn, check out the annual German Bus Pulling Championship, where 16 five-person teams from around the country compete to see who can pull a 14-ton bus the furthest and fastest. Scheduled for June.

Wave-Gothik-Treffen
And for lots of black and graveyard fashion, be sure to hop over to Leipzig for the Wave-Gothik-Treffen, the world’s largest goth festival which takes place this year from June 2 to 5.

Affordable hotels in Europe

No matter where you’re off to in 2017, you can search for hotels on EuroCheapo. Check out our expert hotel reviews to start planning your trip!

The post 10 Reasons to visit Germany in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, if dirndl, lederhosen, beer gardens and quaint Fachwerk houses are what you expect on a trip to Germany, you’ll find little of this in Berlin. Dirndl and Lederhosen are Bavarian traditions and, although you’ll find beer gardens in Berlin, they’re nothing like the ones you’ll find in Munich.

And still, Germany has a lot more to offer than just these two cities.

To get the best feel for what Germany has to offer on a 10-day tour, we suggest you delve into Berlin’s uber hip vibe, Potsdam’s regal elegance, Hamburg’s maritime magic, and Munich’s ritz and glitz (and beer gardens!).

Below we’ve outlined an itinerary to help you see the best in each place, along with tips on how to save. But first a couple of budget basics for your trip to Germany:

1. Choose your own adventure. We’ve ordered this itinerary in and out of Berlin, as cheap flights to Berlin are often easier to find than those to Munich (or Hamburg!). However, you can easily rearrange this to fit your needs — fly into Hamburg and then hit up Berlin and Potsdam on your way to Munich (a much more direct route), or start in Munich, head to Berlin and finish in Hamburg.

2. Fly into one city, and home from another. If flying in from the US, also search for tickets into Hamburg or Berlin, and back home from Munich, thus saving you the time and hassle of returning to your point of arrival to fly home. (Just note that if you rent a car, you’ll have to pick it up and drop it off in different cities, which shouldn’t be a problem with most major car rental agencies.)

3. Booking train tickets? Do it through the official Germany railway site: Bahn.de. You can easily switch to English in the top header, and the prices (and special offers on tickets) will be the cheapest you can find anywhere on the web. (Read more tips on German trains.)

Start your adventure in Berlin. Photo: larssteffens

Days 1, 2, 3: Berlin

We’re starting our trip in Berlin, the hippest and biggest city on the list. It’s also, as we pointed out above, the easiest to find cheap flights from the US.

There’s a lot to do in Berlin and a lot of land to cover (historically and geographically), and three days (including your first jet-lagged day, if flying internationally!) will race by. We don’t recommend trying to see the city in fewer than three days.

While in Berlin, don’t miss:

• Visiting the Brandenburg Gate and take a stroll through Tiergarten Park.

• Get a taste of Berlin’s nightlife at one of the many bars and clubs in Kreuzberg, Neukölln or Friedrichshain. (Here’s an excellent overview of nightlife options from VisitBerlin.)

• Receive a culture infusion and experience priceless works of art and antiquities on Museum Island, worth a trip for the quaint, cobblestone streets alone!

• Explore the history of the Berlin Wall at the Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery.

• Enjoy a bite of scrumptious Turkish fast food, like Lahmucun and Dürüm Döner around Kottbusser Tor.

• Take a bike ride or stroll around Tempelhof Airport and sip a beer in the grass next to the former airstrip.

• Stroll down the swank tree-lined boulevards in Prenzlauer Berg.

• Treasure hunting at one the city’s many weekend flea markets.

• Peek through the gallery windows in Mitte.

• Sample the many cheap eats and finds Berlin has to offer, a city famously dubbed “Poor, but Sexy” by its former mayor. Here are our favorite street eats.

Additional info:

Tips for saving on Berlin restaurants and dining
How to save at Berlin’s top 10 attractions
Tips for saving on a shopping spree in Berlin
10 Ways to ride Berlin public transit like a local

Sleeping in Berlin

Unsurprisingly, Berlin’s hotel scene is also quite hip and very affordable (especially when compared to other capital cities in Europe). We love staying in Prenzlaeur Berg, Mitte and Kreuzberg, as the neighborhoods are still quite central and affordable options abound. See all of our favorite budget hotels in Berlin.

Day 4: Day trip to Potsdam

The former residence of Prussian kings as well as the German Kaiser, Potsdam is one of Germany’s most elegant cities.

Luckily, it is also less than an hour from Berlin and can be reached easily for the price of a regular BC region public transportation ticket. There’s no need to rent a car! Learn more about Berlin public transit tickets.

When in Potsdam, be sure to:

• Stroll around Sanssouci, Fredrick the Great’s iconic castle, and check out his final resting place next to several of his loyal dogs.

• Take in the beautiful green in the large Plant Hall of Orangery Palace, a 19th-century palace located on the grounds of Sanssouci Park.

• Take in the legend of the Miller of Sanssouci at the Historic Mill.

• Do a little window shopping in pricey but quaint downtown Potsdam.

• Check out the famous Dutch Quarter, one of the only places you’ll find Dutch-style houses outside of the Netherlands.

In the evening, head back to Berlin and either catch a little shut-eye or head right off to Hamburg. Another option is to spend the night in Potsdam. (There are about 70 hotels to choose from.)

A historic schooner docked in the Hamburg Port. Photo: Mark M.

Days 5 and 6: Hamburg

After a few days in edgy Berlin, Hamburg offers another side of Germany. It might not seem quite as “cutting edge”, but it’s not all buttoned up, either. This lovely maritime city still knows how to have a good time.

Getting there: The cheapest way to reach Hamburg from Berlin is by bus. The trip takes around three hours and buses run every couple of hours both day and night and can cost as little as €7.90 in each direction on Flixbus. (Read more tips for riding the budget bus lines in Germany.)

Trains: Check out train tickets on Die Bahn. The ride on the high-speed ICE train takes less than two hours. As mentioned above, book these tickets as far in advance as possible to get the cheap seats — from €19.

Otherwise, rent a car from Potsdam or Berlin. Again, booking as far in advance as possible to secure the best deal. The drive takes about three hours.

Activities

When you’re in Hamburg, make sure you:

• Get a glimpse of (and maybe participate in) the all-night-party vibe at the heart of the Reeperbahn red light district at night.

• Enjoy the vibrant nightlife in St. Pauli, the place where the Beatles got their start.

• Stroll along the waterfront past the red brick buildings of Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world.

• Lounge on the white sandy beach of the Elbstrand on the Elbe river.

• Take the ferry from Landungbrücke — but make sure it’s the regular HVV ferry, not one of the overpriced touristy ferries that basically travel the same route.

• Go for a nice hike through the Blakenese Stairs District.

• Check out artsy shops and little cafes in Karolinenviertel.

• Explore the cool Karo and Schanze Districts.

• Buy at least one souvenir with an anchor on it — believe me, they’ll be plenty to choose from!

More tips

7 Budget tips for visiting Hamburg
Weekend in Hamburg: A Budget-Friendly itinerary

Sleeping in Hamburg

Hotels in Hamburg, like restaurants and shopping, tend to be more expensive than in cheapo-friendly Berlin. But it’s not impossible to find a deal! Check out these five affordable picks in Hamburg and search over 370 hotels. 

Days 7 and 8: Munich

Now let’s head south to Bavaria to experience something totally different! Munich is known as the “world’s biggest village” and the city does have a low-key vibe, with plenty of historic sights and beer gardens to tickle your fancy.

It is also much ritzier and swankier than Berlin, and feels different than Hamburg. It’s a city of contrasts: You can hang out with a high-class crowd in fur coats and designer stilettos, or kick back with a lively beer-happy crowd with sausages and pretzels. Either way, you’ll have fun.

Getting there: There are plenty of ways to get down to Munich from Hamburg.

• Try finding a cheap flight out of Hamburg (although it might be easier to head back to Berlin to find a good price on a flight!).
• If you opt for the bus, it will take about eight hours from Hamburg.
• The train, meanwhile, will take about six hours from Hamburg, and tickets can be booked for under €50 on the Bahn website.
• Driving from Hamburg will take about eight hours on the Autobahn.

Some things you shouldn’t miss:

• A trip to the top the Neues Rathaus where you’ll get a great view over the city — and, on a clear day, see the Alps — all for a €2 admission.

• Have Weisswurst with sweet mustard and a soft pretzel for breakfast.

• Stroll around Viktualienmarkt and have an inexpensive spot of lunch.

• Do a little upscale window shopping on Maximilianstrasse.

• Hang out in the English Garden, one of Europe’s largest urban parks – and make sure you don’t miss the surfers!

• Pop in for a gigantic Maß of Bier at Lowenbräukeller, the less touristy alternative to the Hofbräuhaus.

• Check out Michaelskirche, the Renaissance church that would fight right in in Rome.

• Get artsy on a Sunday, when admission prices are only €1 at the Pinakothek museums.

• Sunbathe on the stony shores of the Isar river.

• Experience the regal beauty of Nymphenburg Palace and Park.

More tips
10 Simple ways to save on a trip to Munich
7 Free and cheap things to do in Munich

Sleeping in Munich

Depending on the season you’re visiting Munich, the city’s hotels can either be pretty reasonable or, if visiting during Oktoberfest, frightfully expensive. Our advice: Come well before or after the big party to avoid crazy prices.

There are a number of affordable places to stay inside the historic center (the Stadtmitte), although you’ll find many more options in the blocks just south of the station. See all of our recommended budget hotels here.

Day 9: Neuschwanstein Castle

Give your whirlwind tour of Germany a fairy-tale ending with a trip to lovely Newschwanstein Castle. The castle, the stuff of Disney dreams, is only about a two-hour drive southwest of Munich in Schwangau, making it an easy day trip.

You could, of course, pack up your things and spend the night in a nearby village, but, as you’ll be heading back up to Berlin, it’s probably easier just to keep your hotel in Munich!

Be sure to check out our tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle.

Day 10: Back to Berlin or last day in Munich

Depending on your flight, you’ll either spend your last day hanging out in Munich, or heading back up to Berlin for your last night.

Either way — enjoy yourself, and order one last taste of Germany before flying home!

The post 10-Day Germany Itinerary: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Book your train and flight tickets early for deals.

Hamburg is an inexpensive bus ride from Berlin (starting from fares as low as €9) or train ride from Copenhagen (starting from€29 euros). We recommend booking those train tickets early, and booking them directly through Germany’s rail website: bahn.de.

If you’re flying, use our flight finder tool to find inexpensive intra-European flights. Again, book these as far in advance as possible to find the real deals.

2. Consider staying at a hostel.

Lodging could easily be your biggest expense, but staying in Hamburg doesn’t have to be expensive. Remember that hostels aren’t just for “youth” anymore. All five of the hostels we recommend in this list are central, modern and offer private rooms. If you’re willing to bunk it, you can really find some deals.

At the Hostel am Stintfang, for example, the rooms not only have fantastic harbor views, but breakfast is also included in the price of your stay. Save a few euros by bringing your own towels.

3. Buy a city transportation pass.

Hamburg’s public transportation company, HVV, offers daily or weekly transportation passes, which will save you significantly over purchasing single tickets during your stay. A flexible weekly ticket for one person costs just €26 (less than nine single trips or five “9 AM” day tickets, which are only valid after 9 AM on weekdays or all day on weekends).

Solo travelers will save more by purchasing “9 AM” day tickets at €6 for trips spanning one to four days; pairs and groups up to five people are best served with “9 AM” group tickets for €11 per day.

4. Sightseers can save with a Hamburg CARD.

Whether the widely-promoted Hamburg CARD is a better choice than simply buying a transportation pass will depend primarily on how many paid attractions you are planning to see during your visit and how much of a rebate those attractions give cardholders. The card offers:

• Unlimited free travel by city bus, train and ferry.
• Discounts on city tours and boat tours.
• Up to 50% savings on museum and attraction tickets.
• Up to 26% off theater tickets.
• Up to 25% off in participating restaurants.

As with all tourism cards, you will need to do a bit of math to make sure this option in fact saves you anything over regular transportation passes and normal entrance fees. The Hamburg CARD is sold to individuals and groups of up to five. Prices are:

• Individual card: 1 day €9.50; €3-day 22.90; €5-day €38.50
• Group (up to 5): 1 day €15.50; €3-day 39.90; €5-day €64.90

A solo traveler in the city for one day will pay €9.50 for the card, which is €3.50 more for a Hamburg CARD than a HVV 9 AM day ticket. If she buys a five-day pass for €38.50, she’ll pay €12.50 more than for a 7-day HVV ticket, and might not see the additional value of such a card, especially if she doesn’t visit many paid attractions. However, she’s likely to make up the €5 difference in discounts on the 3-day card.

Groups up to five people may indeed save, especially if they are always traveling and sightseeing together—the additional cost of €4.50 (1-day), €7 (3-day), or €10 (5-day) could easily be reclaimed in discounted admission prices over the course of their stay.

Ferry line 62 is a classic route that is included with the Hamburg CARD. Photo: Reading Tom

5. Take a “free” harbor boat ride.

Once you’ve got either your Hamburg CARD or your HVV day ticket, you’re covered on the numerous ferries plying the waterfront. The classic #62 heads from Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder and back every 15 minutes. The journey takes around an hour without disembarking. From the ferry, you’ll have great, close-up views of the riverside docks, including the Blohm + Voss repair stations, as well as any large ships also sailing into town. The 62 also takes you past some of Hamburg’s most amazing villa homes.

It is recommended, however, to hit land whenever the mood strikes you—whether for a beach walk for refreshment to the Strandperle cafe from Neumühlen/Övelgönne or at Dockland/Fischereihafen for a climb up the ship-shaped Dockland office building for the view from its rooftop terrace.

View a map of all available ferry services here.

6. Eat like a local by hitting up the grocery store.

When (or preferably before) hunger or thirst strikes, pop into a grocery store rather than purchasing the same items from a restaurant, cafe or kiosk. While Hamburg is no London when it comes to convenience foods in grocery stores, the selection available at most grocers is more than enough to sate your appetite with a plenitude of options.

• pre-made salads with assorted toppings and dressings (and even plastic silverware) cost €1-3
• a variety of sandwich buns and pastries start at 10 cents a piece
• sliced meats and cheeses start at  €1 for 100 g
• two servings of cooked chicken breast cost around €1.50
• yogurt, cottage cheese or pudding cost 30-40 cents
• snacks such as pretzels, chips, gummi bears or chocolate from 40 cents to €1
• beers are around  €1 with deposit and wines start at  €2
• bottled water (1.5 L) is just 35 cents including deposit!

Grocery stores are really an adventure in themselves, letting you see and sample the widest variety of products available at the lowest cost. And it’s way easier to “splurge” in a grocery store, knowing that whatever you’re buying costs at least half of what it would cost in a cafe or restaurant!

For travelers, it’s useful to know about the centrally-located supermarkets in Hamburg’s train stations. They’re not only convenient because you’ll likely be passing through on your travels, they are also notably open on Sundays when all other shops are closed! Edeka at Hauptbahnhof (inside the station above the trains) is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM, and Lidl at Altona train station (on the middle level between the train and S-Bahn platforms) is open Monday-Saturday 7 AM to 10 PM, Sundays 10 AM to 8 PM.

Read more about our infatuation with German grocery stores here.

7. Know where to eat out and drink on a budget.

Erikas Eck is famous for their giant portions, Erikas has daily weekday lunch specials at low prices. But Erikas really shines after midnight, when every sandwich is only  €1 euro—a perfect pit stop on a long night out on the town.

Conveniently located near Hamburg’s main train station is Lades, which serves up some of Hamburg’s best Döner Kebap (under €4) or rotisserie chicken and sides (under €6) and many varieties of tea for just €1.

You’ll find our recommendations for inexpensive places to grab a beer or cocktail in a variety of Hamburg’s coolest neighborhoods here.

Your tips for saving in Hamburg

What’s your secret for reducing spending in Hamburg? Share your tips in the comments!

The post 7 Budget tips for saving on your trip to Hamburg, Germany appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There’s a lot to discover during 48 hours in Hamburg—let’s get to it!

Saturday

9:00 AM: Hamburg’s most popular attraction

Beat the crowds by showing up early at Miniatur Wunderland, the model railway display to end all model railway displays. This  incredibly detailed model world is the city’s most visited spot, and attracts over 1 million people a year. Plan at least two hours to take in all the intricate details in this magical attraction. (For much more about this, including a video, check out our previous post on the wonders of Miniatur Wunderland.)

11:00 AM: Quick tour of the warehouse district

Meander over the bridges and through the alleyways of the Speicherstadt, the brick waterfront warehouse district where Miniatur Wunderland is located. These modest facades now store the world’s largest selection of Persian-style carpets, as rug dealers fleeing Afghanistan with their inventories in the wake of recent wars have joined the Iranians long resident here.

11:30 AM: Strolling through Deichstrasse & Michel

Cross back over to the city and stroll through the Deichstrasse on your way to the Michel (also known as St. Michael’s Church), which has become one of the symbols of Hamburg. The Deichstrasse is Hamburg’s oldest street; its half-timbered houses are the only ones that survived the fire of 1842, which broke out at its northern end.

12:00 PM: Concert and a view from the church tower

The Michel holds a short prayer service, followed by an organ concert, daily at noon. Entrance to the gorgeous yet understated church is free, but you’ll want to pay for a ticket to climb the Michel’s tower (€4) to get the best views over the entire city. Because the tower also has an elevator, this is a fantastic option for those with limited mobility or traveling with children.

1:30 PM: Lunch in Schanze & Karo

Walk along the Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse and Millerntordamm until you reach U3-St. Pauli. From here, you can catch the subway two stops northward to Sternschanze, where you can grab lunch at your restaurant or cafe of choice in the unique Schanze- and Karovierteln. Not sure where to go? You can check out recommendations for the area here.

Note: If you’re inspired by the picks in that article and would like to do some shopping in these neighborhoods, note that Saturday is the only day to do so, as stores in Germany are generally closed Sundays. The area’s many unique shops offer a full afternoon’s worth of happy perusing, as well as plenty of cafes to grab a seat for relaxing and soaking up the neighborhood. It’s easy to tack on the following ferry ride at the end of your shopping, or, if you prefer, to your Sunday afternoon.

3:00 PM: Ride a ferry across the Elbe

Head down to Landungsbrücken and hop on the Cheapo harbor cruise (okay, it’s a ferry) plying the Elbe River to Finkenwerder and back (#62, departures every 15 minutes). The city’s ferries are the same price as a regular public transportation ticket; if you’re getting around town with a day ticket or HamburgCard, you ride for free. Plan at least one hour for your round-trip ride.

3:45 PM: Cafe break along the harbor

Depart the ferry at Neumühlen/Övelgönne for an afternoon refreshment break. Exit the ferry platform area and walk westward toward the sand beach. Take off your shoes and keep strolling westward on the beach; you’ll eventually reach the classic Strandperle beach cafe, an excellent spot to enjoy a beer or coffee while soaking up the sun and some of the best atmosphere Hamburg’s harbor has to offer.

4:45 PM: Back to Landungsbrücken before a night on the town

Pick up the ferry again and head back to Landungsbrücken. From here it’s a quick hop on the S-Bahn to Altona train station, where you can pick up picnic ingredients at Lidl (the discount grocery store) and start our Cheapo’s night out in Hamburg itinerary! This plan guides you through some of the best and most affordable of Hamburg’s night life, with options for both early birds and night owls.

Sunday

Breakfast at the Fischmarkt

The morning begins with breakfast at the Fischmarkt, either 5:00 AM for true night owls or 8:00 AM for the early birds (although the earlier you can plan to be here, the more fun you’ll have at the Fischmarkt). Night owls will want to head back to their hotel and sleep it off—they can simply push the following itinerary back as necessary.

The dramatic Dockland building has a rooftop terrace open to the public. Tobias Mandt

9:00 AM: Climb up a rooftop terrace for free

From the Fischmarkt, take the ferry one stop westward to Dockland/Fischereihafen. Climb the outdoor steps of the ship-shaped Dockland office building for a fantastic (and free!) view of Hamburg’s harbor from the building’s modern rooftop terrace. 

9:30 AM: Fun boat trip

Catch the ferry back to Landungsbrücken, then take the S-Bahn eastward to Jungfernstieg. From here, you can hop on the Alster boat trip of your choice: the Alsterkreuzfahrt (€12, departs quarter past every hour, 2-hour round trip) and Alsterrundfahrt (€14.50, departs every half hour, 1-hour round trip – limited service also in winter) are crowd pleasers, aren’t too long and are relatively inexpensive. With the former, it’s possible to disembark 1-2 stops before arriving at Jungfernstieg, if you’d like to enjoy a stroll along the Alster shoreline.

11:15 AM: Explore city hall

Make your way to Hamburg’s Rathaus (city hall), an impressive neo-renaissance structure finished just before the turn of the 20th century. In order to see the highlights of the interior, you’ll need to join an English-language tour, offered at a quarter past every hour (between 10 AM and 4 PM Sundays) for just €4.

12:00 PM: Meal break in Sternschanze

From the U3-Rathaus station, catch the subway to Sternschanze for brunch or lunch. Early birds or night owls who didn’t make it there the night before might head to Erikas Eck for gigantic portions of German classics (not the best option for vegetarians).

1:30 PM: Relax in a botanical garden or museum

Spend the afternoon lost in Hamburg’s lovely Planten un Blomen park. There are numerous gardens to explore, a free “old” botanical garden (open Sundays from 10 AM to 5:45 PM in summer, 3:45 PM in winter), water-spray games that are fun for kids and adults alike, regular concerts and events (check the schedule here), and even surprises like a radio-controlled boat rally! If you missed it on Saturday, catch the water organ concert at 2, 4 or 6 PM.

If the weather’s bad, a trip to one of Hamburg’s many excellent museums might be in order. You can find a basic list (in German) of all current exhibitions on in the city here. Further information in English can be found on each museum’s website.

Final bite before heading home

Before catching your train onward or to the airport, stop by Lades, just a short walk from Hamburg’s main train station, for some of Hamburg’s best Döner Kebap (under €4) or rotisserie chicken and sides (under €6) and many varieties of tea on offer for just €1. If you’re spending the evening, try the Flammkuchen at Jimmy Elsass (open from 6 PM Sundays).

The post Weekend in Hamburg: A budget-friendly itinerary appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Every hostel on this list offers free Wi-Fi for its guests along with a few other fantastic perks at little or no extra cost. Solo travelers, couples and small groups will all find pocketbook-pleasing options in this list, including private rooms at low prices.

But as with every bargain that’s not too good to be true, you’ll want to book early to get the best prices and save yourself from last-minute disappointment.

Hamburg’s best hostels and budget hotels

Here’s our overview of our favorite centrally-located hostels and hotels in Hamburg:

Jugendherberge Auf dem Stintfang

Alfred-Wegener-Weg 5 (Map: A)
Rates: From €20 (shared room / person); €70 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Jugendherberge Auf dem Stintfang is one of Hosteling International’s (HI) premiere properties. The hostel’s 8-bed panorama dorms offer a harbor view at a bargain price. Expect the amenities typical to most hostels, including facilities for cooking and communal public spaces for leisure activities such as foosball or TV.

Small print: Breakfast and linens here are included at no extra charge. Non-HI members are charged an extra membership fee per day, and adults over 27 also pay a €4 daily surcharge. Credit cards accepted.

Room decor at the Hostel Kiezbude is the wildest of the hostels on our list.

Hostel Kiezbude

Lincolnstraße 2 (Map: B)
Rates: From €25 (shared / person); €56 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Hostel Kiezbude has the wildest décor of the five, with rooms befitting its location in the heart of Hamburg’s red light district. Kiezbude has a few 4-bed hostel rooms for solo travelers, but offers a good value to couples or groups seeking private accommodations.

Small print: Note that towels and linens may be charged separately and breakfast is not included. Cash only.

Generator Hostel Hamburg

Steintorplatz 3 (Map: C)
Rates: From €18 (shared / person); €25 (private)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Housed in a former recording studio the Beatles once used, the Generator Hostel Hamburg has beds in 6- or 8-bed rooms, and women’s-only rooms are available as well as private rooms. The design is very modern with bright colors popping around every corner. Especially notable is the airy lobby with a cafe and bar that is a welcoming place to hang out.

Small print: Inexpensive laundry facilities are available on site. Bed linens are included, but continental breakfast is an additional €4.50. Note that special conditions apply for anyone under 18, and that all guests must show photo ID at check-in. Credit cards accepted.

Each room at the Pyjama Park has been individually designed and screams urban cool.

Pyjama Park Hotel and Hostel

Reeperbahn 36 (Map: D)
Rates: From €22 (shared / person); €55 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Pyjama Park Hotel and Hostel doesn’t toss travelers together like most other hostels. Instead, it books rooms of various sizes, more like a hotel, making this a great deal for couples and small groups. The design screams urban cool, and each room is individually decorated with a unique Hamburg theme and comes with a flat-screen TV. Each room has a sink, but WC and showers are communal.

Small print: Linens are included, but the breakfast buffet is an additional €9. Credit cards accepted.

Meininger Hotel has efficient rooms starting at very low prices. Photo: Courtesy of Meininger

Meininger Hotel City Center

Goetheallee 9-11 (Map: E)
Rates: From €14 (shared / person); €30 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Meininger Hotel City Center is located near Altona train station and offers 8-bed hostel accommodations in mixed or women-only rooms; doubles and group rooms are also available for great prices. Meininger has laundry facilities for guests and offers bicycle rental.

Small print: Bed linens are included (towels extra), and breakfast is an additional €6 per day. Credit cards accepted.

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This tour takes you on an after-dark adventure that includes a fantastic happy hour deal, a picnic in a park with a free concert, a night cap with a handcrafted cocktail and even a sunrise over the harbor for the true night owls.

The happiest hour

Start your evening with a beer or cocktail at the iconic Turmbar (Rothenbaumchausse 2) located a short distance from Dammtor train station. Choose between their unique indoor seating (up a winding staircase to the top of the tower) or enjoy the late afternoon sun on their outdoor terrace.

Happy hour runs daily from 6 to 8 PM, when select “bartender’s choice” cocktails are on offer for only €5.50-6.50.

Picnic in the park (with a free concert)

From here, cross back through the train station into Hamburg’s gorgeous Planten un Blomen Park. Meander through the various gardens and ponds, ultimately making your way to the grassy areas north of the central lake. Spread out your sheet as close to the water as possible and enjoy your picnic dinner (see details at the end of the article for finding provisions).

This area will begin to fill up about 30 minutes before the free nightly lighted water organ concert. Between May 1 and August 31, the concerts begin at 10 PM; between September 1 and October 5, concerts start at 9 PM. Each concert lasts about 20 to 30 minutes.

Wander the Reeperbahn & St. Pauli Night Market

Early birds will want to exit the park at its southernmost end, near U-St. Pauli. From here, continue southward on Millerntorplatz until you reach the Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s famed red-light district.

Halfway down the Reeperbahn, you’ll come to Spielbudenplatz, a public plaza that hosts events throughout the year. Wednesday nights you will want to check out the St. Pauli Night Market that offers a great mix of food and drinks. Locals come to mingle, sip a drink and enjoy a night out under the open skies. It runs until 11 PM from April through September and until 10 PM from October through May.

Strolling along the boulevard, you will eventually come to Peparmölenbek. Head downhill toward the Fischmarkt, turning left on Lange Str., then right on Pinnasberg.

Fancy a fancy cocktail?

Just beyond the large curve, you’ll find Christiansen’s (Pinnasberg 60), one of Hamburg’s top addresses for cocktails. Finish your evening with a nightcap here, where the drinks (ordered from a menu that goes on for days) are a worthy splurge.

You can make your way home either by catching a ferry from the Fischmarkt (below) back toward the center (S-/U-Landungsbrücken) or walking back to S-Reeperbahn. But do you really want to go home already? Keep reading…

Fish Market sunrise on Sundays

Once you’ve finished your drink at Christiansen’s (open until 5 AM on Saturday nights), it’s a short stumble down the hill to the must-see Fischmarkt (Große Elbstraße 137), which is open on Sundays only at 5 AM (April to October) and 7 AM (from November until March).

Here you can warm yourself with a fresh waffle and coffee (or another beer and fresh fish sandwich, if that’s more your speed). Then dive into the entertaining tumult of ware hawkers and buyers, or simply grab a seat at the adjacent ferry station and enjoy the sunrise over the harbor.

Late-night in the Schanze and Karo districts

Looking for even more ideas? Then night owls will want to hit up two of Hamburg’s coolest neighborhoods packed with restaurants, cafes and bars. You can check out our Schanze and Karo guide or simply try your luck at any place that tickles your fancy.

Got the late-night munchies? As last call echoes through the Schanze, you can always find safe harbor at Erika’s Eck (Sternstraße 98). Famous for its generous portions of filling German food, Erika’s begins breakfast service each day at midnight. Here, the nighttime special is a large variety of sandwiches, priced at just €1 each.

Tips for getting ready to hit the town

Before you set out on your adventure, you might want to bring a long a few helpful items. Pack along a flat sheet from your hotel, and stock up on picnic supplies at your nearest grocery store. Convenient and central supermarkets are the Edeka at Hauptbahnhof (inside the station above the trains, open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM) and Lidl at Altona train station (on the middle level between the train and S-Bahn platforms, open Monday-Saturday 7 AM to 10 PM, Sundays 10 AM to 8 PM).

Cash will also come in handy, as many small bars and restaurants do not take credit cards.

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You’ll find a wide and colorful range of items on offer, from fashion, design and secondhand shops, as well as everyday necessities and luxuries, that you simply can’t buy anywhere else.

To get a feel for this up and coming district, we asked three Hamburg residents to share their tips for visiting this very cool neighborhood.

Annete Rufeger’s boutique offers locally designed fashions in a stylish setting.

Delicious lunch, coffee and shopping in the Schanze

Annette Rufeger has been selling clothing designs under her own label in the Schanze since 1997. A large portion of her fashions are made right in Hamburg in her studio; when she’s not there, you can talk to the designer herself at her retail location at Bartelstrasse 2.

Annette’s Secrets:

• Tasty lunch: Polokantine is my dear neighbor on Bartelstrasse, and serves up the tastiest lunch in the entire Schanze. Katja Ledebrink makes everything from the freshest ingredients: casseroles, a different pasta dish everyday and slow food with seasonal vegetables that please vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Her salads are unbelievably diverse and creatively assembled. Simply fantastic! (Bartelsstraße 26)

• Espresso bar: Juwelier is a comfortable specialty food shop and cafe. I especially love their espresso bar that serves homemade schnittchen (sandwiches), delicious coffee and homemade treats that can be taken away or even packaged as a gift. The restaurant, open evenings, is just as delicious—but due to its small size, reservations are recommended. (Weidenallee 27/29)

• Retro frames: Six Million Glasses is my hot tip for eyewear! This retro-styled shop invites you in to try on their stylish and well-made frames. It’s possible to lose track of time while testing various pairs of glasses from across the decades. The owners are brothers with a true passion for their business. I regularly borrow glasses for my fashion shoots from them! (Schulterblatt 3)

Anna Golightly is a must-visit shop along Marktstrasse.

Italian eats, organic coffee and unique gifts in Marktstrasse

Anna Jakob runs Anna Golightly, a design and accessories store featuring handmade and one-of-a-kind articles. Especially eye-catching are items such as pillows made from colorful textiles, including a number of vintage prints. Her shop just celebrated its eighth birthday at Marktstrasse 147 .

Anna’s Advice:

• Italian food: Guests at Cento Lire are warmly welcomed by their host Antonio. Delicious, fresh Italian food is served in a perfect Mediterranean ambiance, both indoors or out. Reservations are recommended on weekend nights and during convention weeks, and always plan to pay in cash! (Karolinenstrasse 12)

• Organic cafe: De zmarten Panter is a popular neighborhood cafe serving snacks, cakes, sandwiches and good coffee. Their entire menu is organic and their staff is especially friendly. All orders are placed at and retrieved from the counter—come early on sunny days to score a people-watching seat on the beloved wooden benches out front. (Marktstrasse 3)

• Unique gifts: Gisela Aguire’s Kunsthaltestelle offers a rich selection of gifts and items for daily use, from the artful to the kitschy, from jewelry to housewares and decorations. Her shop displays a large number of unique prints and the last Friday of every month hosts an exhibition opening for various local artists. (Marktstrasse 147)

Hallo Frau Nachbar is a monthly flea market with art, food, fashion and more.

Flea markets, cakes and fashionistas in Karo

Dannie Quilitzsch is a sustainability and communications consultant and an organizer of the monthly Hallo Frau Nachbar Market. Bringing together artists, producers and independent marketeers from the district, the market offers regional home- and handmade items as well as delicious gastronomical offerings from local culinary specialists. Neighbors enjoy gathering in the Schanze-Höfe the first Sunday of every month, with live music and special programming for children guaranteeing young and old alike forget themselves and simply soak up the atmosphere. (Lagerstrasse 30a)

Dannie’s Tips:

• Watch out for Sunday: The Karo district is an enduring Hamburg favorite of mine. There are so many little boutiques, cute cafes and comfy bars to fall into! However, be aware that on Sundays most shops are closed, so plan accordingly.

• Casual meals and cakes: Even when I’m just running a quick errand in the Marktstrasse, I cannot help but stop for some delicious cake at Gretchens Villa. At lunchtime, Gretchen serves a small selection of delicious, freshly-prepared meals, making this a great place to meet for a business or casual lunch. It’s not unusual to find me here on weekends, wiling the day away with my girlfriends over a fantastic breakfast. (Marktstrasse 142)

• Fashionistas: Immediately next door is a stop for every trend hunter: Anna Angelina Wolfers has her finger on the pulse of fashion, stocking GOLDIG with the hottest clothes and accessories of the moment. This sweet little store is full of finds—if not for you, then surely for your best friend—but beware that popular sizes sell out quickly, making this the kind of place you’ll want to pop into regularly to check out (and snap up!) the new selection. Every few weeks, Anna organizes a girls’ clothing flea market here, and the store’s annual parties are legendary. To see what’s happening during your visit, take a gander at GOLDIG’s Facebook page. (Marktstrasse 143)

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Cheapo tours

The city has numerous ferries plying the Elbe in its transportation network, which means that for the price of a transportation day ticket, you can hop on-hop off these water routes as you wish.

The classic tour is #62 to Finkenwerder, an area with a small village atmosphere that’s enjoyable to explore by foot before returning to the mainland by ferry – or make a half-day trip out of it by packing a picnic lunch or dinner along. The ferry makes a number of stops along the coast, giving you the opportunity to walk on the beach or enjoy a beer or fish sandwich from the small restaurants along the shoreline, a lovely diversion when the weather is agreeable.

Ferries depart every 15 minutes from Landungsbrücken.
Total travel time: one hour.
Cost: day tickets from 5.80€.

Alster cruises

ATG offers basic trips around the Alster all year long. If you’d prefer a short trip, it’s possible to pay per station; otherwise, purchase a round-trip or day ticket.

Cruises depart from outside S-/U-Jungfernstieg.
Cost: round trip 8.50€, day tickets 12€.

Canal tours

ATG also offers extended versions of its Alster tours, which include an additional hour-long excursion through Hamburg’s canal system.

Runs March through October.
Cost: 18€.

In good weather, however, you may prefer to rent a small boat – a canoe or even a swan-shaped paddle boat – to explore the canals at a slower pace. Try Bootsvermietung Dornheim in Winterhude; prices start at just 9€ per hour for a two-person boat.  Closest station: U-Saarlandstrasse.

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Although the giant container ships of the city’s free harbor may offer some competition, there is still one clear winner in this category in Hamburg: Miniatur Wunderland. If you’re visiting the city, plan to dedicate at least an afternoon to the experience. If possible, take a friend (school-age or otherwise) along with you.

Conceived and run by twin brothers Gerrit and Frederik Braun, Miniatur Wunderland is the model railway display to end all model railway displays. The admission price (12€/9€ reduced, children 6€) is worth every cent.  It doesn’t matter if you’re not a train geek or have never dug miniature trains—you’ll be excited about them after your visit.  If you don’t believe me, check them out in action:

Hundreds of thousands of hours and a keen sense of humor have gone into creating the extensive model railway exhibition, which is housed over two floors of a converted warehouse in Hamburg’s central Speicherstadt district. Your journey will take you through Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, the United States and Germany. Currently there are over eight miles of miniature rail, but the ever-expanding Wunderland is aiming for a total of 12.5 miles with its Italian, French and British models now under construction.

Over the last decade, the Wunderland has experimented with many technologies. Scandinavia, true to form, is surrounded by water and is serviced by remote-controlled ferries. America and Germany feature roadways with moving cars and trucks. The exhibit’s newest section, Knuffingen Airport, features a runway where planes taxi, take off, and land.

In order to keep the trains from colliding on the tracks and more quickly fix derailments, the miniature railway (and all other elements) is controlled by an extensive computer system that mimics the one used by actual rail traffic controllers.

Great for kids or for the kid in all of us, Miniatur Wunderland is a stand-out experience you won’t ever forget.

It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in summer these hours are often extended both earlier and later (check the website for exact times).

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Transit time from Berlin to Kraków (or vice versa) is 8 hrs 14 mins. This is faster than any rail connection between the two cities — and since the last remaining direct train was axed last December, the bus has the advantage of not requiring an en route change.

Bus versus train

Whether one wants to spend eight hours on a bus, even one with all mod cons like the IC Bus, is a good question. We’ve never been inclined to rush, so we would most likely still opt for the train, even if it does involve a change and take an hour or more longer.

The fact that the bus beats the train is less a comment on the niftiness of the bus than a reflection of how woefully slow the cross-border trains are. In the 1930s, the fastest trains sped from Berlin to Wroclaw in less than three hours. Now they take almost twice that time.

Train tickets for the bus

The new bus link is fully integrated into the DB ticketing system. So the great-value “Europa-Spezial Polen” fare can be used to book a through journey from anywhere on the DB system to Kraków, allowing travel to Berlin by ICE train to connect there with the bus to Poland.

Tickets go on sale three months in advance, with one-way fares from principal German cities (including Frankfurt, Cologne and Hamburg) to Kraków starting at €39.

If all you are looking to do is ride the bus from Berlin (with no connecting train to Berlin), then look to pay €29 one way — provided of course you book in advance. If you hold a DB BahnCard 25, then you’ll get 25% off all fares on cross-border journeys on the new IC Bus.

First IC Bus within Germany

Also in April, DB launched a domestic bus service between Munich and Freiburg im Breisgau. This is a key link between Bavaria and the Upper Rhine Valley and connects two cities where the rail journey would be circuitous. It can certainly be handled by train, but you’ll always have to change on the way, usually at Mannheim or Karlsruhe.

The new IC Bus is no faster than the train, but it wins out on convenience. It is direct. And it can be very much cheaper. One-way fares start at €19 (with a discount for BahnCard holders). There are six journeys a day. The transit time is 4 hrs 35 mins.

More routes to come

The DB website suggests more routes will be launched in the future. IC Bus looks like a brand that’s set to grow.

DB already has two other bus routes linking Nuremberg and Munich with Prague in the Czech Republic. These were launched to compensate for the relatively poor cross-border rail connections between Bavaria and neighboring Bohemia. It will be interesting to see whether these two routes are in time assimilated into the new IC Bus brand.

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