If you ask people where they’d like to visit in Germany, chances are that Hamburg is near the top of their list. And while the city is well worth the trip, there are plenty of exciting destinations just a short train ride away! So if you’re wanting to make the most of your trip to northern Germany, stick around to hear about the best day trips from Hamburg.
In this list, you’ll find some well known tourist hotspots alongside smaller towns and Baltic Sea gems that you may not have ever heard of. I’ll give you all the details you need to book your train travel and also provide links to some tours for hassle-free Hamburg day trips.
Table of Contents
Schwerin
As my nearest city, Schwerin is a personal favourite, boasting one of the most majestic castles Northern Germany has to offer. It may be the country’s smallest state capital, but it’s certainly not short on things to do, with a large art museum, excellent shops and restaurants and a jam-packed calendar of events.
Don’t miss the expansive gardens and lake surrounding Schwerin Castle (home to the state parliament!), a great way for visitors to while away a day on a budget (you have to pay entry to the castle itself, but exploring the grounds is absolutely free). In warmer weather, there are also lots of ways to enjoy the impressive Lake Schwerin, with a number of boat trips as well as options for stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. For more info on the charming city of Schwerin, take a look at my other posts:
- The Best Things To Do In Schwerin (Recommended By A Local)
- The 5 Best Hotels In Schwerin (Recommended By A Local)
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 54m | 1h29m | Yes | 25 | 00:47 |
My recommendations: Schwerin: Private City Highlights Walking Tour | Restaurant Friedrichs | Weisse Flotte Boat Tours | De Fischjung Fish Bar | Happy Hour Cocktails At Kabana
Lübeck
Just a short train ride away from Hamburg, Lübeck is a vibrant city that retains a historical charm. The heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the beautiful old town, where winding alleys guide you towards numerous attractions like the old city hall, Lübeck Cathedral and the iconic Holsten Gate.
Running all the way through the city, the River Trave play a special role in Lübeck’s history as “Queen of the Hanseatic League”, and also offers ample opportunity to enjoy the city on its banks or even from the water. As well as its connection to the water, Lübeck is also known for something sweet – marzipan! The oldest German manufacturer Niederegger, still operates from the city to this day. Head to the Niederegger shop to take some home, or take a seat at the Niederegger cafe with a view of Lübeck’s historic town hall. A little expensive, yes, but I promise you the cakes are worth it.
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 38m | 46m | Yes | 41 | 00:24 |
My recommendations: Lübeck: Classic Tour of the Hanseatic City | Brauberger zu Lübeck | Restaurant Schiffergesellschaft
Wismar
One of the smaller destinations on this list, Wismar is a coastal German city with a distinctive Scandinavian flair. Chock full of well-preserved medieval buildings, it even has a spot (along with Stralsund) on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Along with an inviting old town, in Wismar you’ll find a hub of activity at the picturesque port. There, visitors can enjoy a classic ‘Fischbrötchen‘ (fish roll) straight off the boat or, in the spring and summer months, catch a ride on one of several pleasure cruisers to admire the sights from the water. Horror fans may also be interested to know that Wismar served as one of the locations for iconic 1922 movie, Nosferatu! With more of small town feel, it’s a great place for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of Hamburg.
Want to find out more about this quintessential Hanseatic city? Then head over to my post: ‘Unmissable things to do in Wismar, Germany’
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 1h44m | 2h23m | No (1 change) | 21 | 00:47 |
My recommendations: Alter Schwede Restaurant | Brauhaus am Lohberg for beers | Kai Barcafé for cocktails
Lüneburg
Another Hanseatic city that’s rich with history, Lüneburg is arguably one of the most beautiful on this list, partly owing to the fact that it remained unharmed during World War II. As a result, there are authentic historic buildings and medieval architectural masterpieces to admire at every turn. Even better, you can reach Lüneburg from Hamburg in as little as 15 minutes!
If you love a German beer as much as I do, you’ll be pleased to learn that Lüneburg has the second-highest density of pubs in all cities in Europe (I wonder which is number one?) You’ll find many of them down at the Wasserviertel (water district), where the salt that made the city rich used to be loaded onto barges. That’s right! Lüneburg was considered ‘the capital of salt’ back in the Middle Ages. If you fancy learning more about it, you can even visit the German Salt Museum as part of your day trip to this beautiful city.
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 15m | 30m | Yes | 66 | 00:15 |
Bremen
Culture, traditional pubs and culinary delights await in the diverse city of Bremen. Along with interesting sights like Bremen Cathedral, the gorgeous market square and the famous Bremer Stadtmusikanten (Bremen Town Musicians) landmark, Bremen is well-known amongst art lovers for its two museums, Kunsthalle Bremen and Gerhard-Marcks-Haus. Whether you appreciate an old master or contemporary is more your scene, all bases are covered in these fantastic attractions.
After filling up on some local food at one of Bremen’s many German restaurants, some fresh air and walk along the Weserpromenade is a great way to round off your day trip. With a relaxing maritime ambience and lively university crowd, it’s a great spot for anyone wanting to experience something a little different less than an hour away from the city of Hamburg.
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 55m | 1h5m | Yes | 38 | 01:08 |
Pro Tip
If you live outside of Germany and will be travelling to lots of different German destinations during your trip, then a Eurail Germany pass is a great way to save money and cut down on hassle.
With options for 3 to 15 days, it gives you unlimited travel on Germany’s trains, plus special discounts for boat and bus tours, attractions and shopping outlets, Learn more and get your pass here!
Rostock
It may not be the prettiest destination on this list, but there is lots going on in this vibrant university city. With a historic city centre and the city harbour to explore, visitors can take advantage of a range of fascinating tours and excursions along with some great shops and restaurants (Zur Kogge is a personal favourite!)
Don’t miss a trip to the Cultural History Museum, an impressive free attraction housed in a former monastery. Even if you don’t speak German, you’ll get a great understanding of the city’s history with lots of interactive displays and a unique program of temporary exhibits. If you don’t mind extending your journey a little, you could also head to the beach and hop on the short train to Warnemunde. Find out more here: ‘Warnemunde: Coastal Germany’s best kept secret’.
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 1h49m | 2h40m | Yes | 19 | 00:47 |
My recommendations: Rostock: City Center Self-Guided Tour | Rostock: Half-Day, Full-Day or Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Stralsund
Admittedly, this one might be a bit of a stretch for a day trip, but it’s well worth catching an early train to spend some time in Stralsund. Sitting on Germany’s Baltic coast, this beautiful town is packed with Gothic architecture and has a really distinctive harbour town feel. Stralsund’s Ozeaneum is one of Stralsund’s main attractions, and no wonder! The expansive aquarium-slash-museum is easily the most impressive I’ve been to, with a rich array of exhibits and a delightful penguin pool up on its roof.
However, you can also find some fantastic independent shops (alongside many bigger names), and plenty of opportunities for delicious food and drink. If you ever find yourself in Stralsund for more than just a day, I’d also highly recommend hopping on the ferry over to car-free island Hiddensee for a unique experience unlike any other in Germany.
| Fastest journey time from Hamburg | Average journey time from Hamburg | Direct trains available? | No. of trains a day | First train |
| 2h46m | 3h58m | Yes | 17 | 00:47 |
My recommendations: Zur Fähre | Stralsund: Old Town Highlights Walking Tour with St. Marienk
Train travel tips for day trips from Hamburg
- ICE trains will often get you to your destination quicker, but won’t always make a huge difference to your overall travel time. If you don’t mind spending a little longer on a regional train (starting with RE or RB) then you can usually save a fair bit of money. Depending on how far you are travelling, you may even be able to take advantage of one of Deutsche Bahn’s regional tickets (you can find more information about those here).
- You’ll often get a much cheaper deal if you book your train tickets in advance. Generally speaking, tickets will be released up to six months before the date of travel, so get in there quick if you can!
- If you are not a German speaker (or even if you are!) I’d really recommend downloading the DB Navigator app and buying tickets through a DB account. It’s not always easy to figure out what’s going on at the train stations, and often there won’t be anyone around that you can as. The DB app will update you if anything changes, whether it’s a delay, a new platform or if it’s unlikely you will make a connection. As much as I love to travel by train, Deutsche Bahn isn’t exactly renowned for being the most reliable. If you have the app to hand, you’ll at least know what’s going on should a problem arise.
- Though you likely won’t be carrying too much for a day trip, it’s worth noting that many train stations will have lockers where you can leave your bags if you don’t fancy carrying stuff around all day. The best way to check is to find the page for that train station on the Deutsche Bahn website. If you see the word Schließfach next to a symbol of a suitcase and a key, you’re in luck!
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