Some days are for slowing down. Others are for jumping on a train and letting a new city surprise you. That’s exactly what we did with a day trip from Bremen to Hamburg. The idea had been floating around for a while but like most short trips, it stayed in ‘someday’ category until one final day we decided to just go for it. Yes! We decided to visit the city on my birthday. No planning, no overthinking. We just picked a train time and set off with nothing but a few places saved on Google Maps and a lot of curiosity. It felt refreshing to break the routine and see somewhere new without the pressure of ticking off a long list of sights. It was a day full of wandering, people-watching, spontaneous coffee breaks, and soaking in the character of a city that’s equal parts historic and modern.
We booked the Niedersachsen ticket through the Deutsche Bahn app, which cost €35 for two people. It was a great deal, as it covered regional trains between Bremen and Hamburg as well as local public transport within both cities for a full 24 hours. It actually covers the transport through the whole Lower Saxony, so you can surely take advantage of that.
Tip: The Niedersachsen ticket is valid only on regional trains (like RE and RB), not on high-speed ICE or IC trains. So make sure to check the train type when planning your journey—it’s slower, but perfect for a relaxed and budget-friendly trip. Also, keep in mind that the ticket must be purchased at least a day in advance—it can’t be booked for same-day travel, so plan ahead!
With our tickets sorted, we caught the morning train from Bremen and reached Hamburg around 10AM. The weather was kind that day – it was a bit chilly in the morning but as the day progressed the sun shone very bright making it perfect to wander. Stepping out of Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, the first thing I noticed was how different the vibe was from Bremen. It felt much bigger, busier – full of movement and energy. There was a clear sense of hustle and bustle, yet the river winding through the city added a touch of calm and kept it feeling close to nature.
Keen to start our day with something calm and scenic, we made our way on foot to Alster Lake, which is just a short walk from the station. On our way, we could see the city slowly coming to life. Shops were opening up, cafes were getting ready for the day and people were starting to fill the streets. When we reached the lake, I couldn’t have imagined a better way to begin our day. The water was calm, swans were floating around, and across the lake, the beautiful old buildings of Hamburg made the whole view feel like a painting. We stood there for sometime soaking in the view and as we were watching, the big fountain came to life- sending water high into the air and creating a soft rainbow over the lake. It was such a quiet, happy moment – one of those you wish you could pause for a while.
After our walk around the lake we made our way to the next stop – Planten und Blomen, a garden I had heard so much about and was really excited to see. Since it was spring time I was secretly hoping to catch the cherry blossoms, and luckily some trees had just started blooming! It’s about a 20 minute walk from Alster Lake, and instead of taking the train or bus, we thought, why not just walk and enjoy the day? Just before reaching the garden we felt a bit hungry and wanted to energize ourselves. There we discovered this adorable little cafe called Planten Coffee. We stopped there for a quick caffeine fix. The place had such a cozy vibe- we grabbed ourselves sandwiches and rolls from a bakery opposite to it called Nur Hier and ordered a cup of coffee from the cafe. We grabbed a table outside the cafe and just sat there for a little while, watching people go by and soaking the sunshine. It was one of those spontaneous little moments that made the day feel extra special.
Feeling re-energized and in a really good mood after our coffee break, we finally made our way into the garden. And wow – it was such a breath of fresh air. The moment we entered, we were greeted by flowers, neat little walking paths and so much greenery that it instantly lifted my spirits even more. The whole place felt like a little escape in the middle of the city. We wandered through the pathways, stopping every now and then to admire some trees and flowers or take in the calmness around us. We were also greeted by the prettiest surprise – some cherry blossoms in full bloom. Of course we couldn’t resist taking some pictures under those beautiful flowers before heading out!
After soaking up all that nature, we were in the mood for something totally different. So we jumped on the U-Bahn towards our next stop which was – Chilehaus. We took U1 from Stephansplatz station to Meßberg. I’d read about its unique design, and seeing it up close was really cool. The sharp edges and that ship-like shape definitely make it stand out. It was more of a quick stop but what made it extra fun was how we ended up popping into a couple of random nearby buildings, curious to see the inside. And we were not disappointed! We stumbled upon some really cool staircases—those hidden gems that you’d totally miss if you didn’t go exploring a bit.
After all that walking and exploring, hunger finally caught with us. So after carefully reading the reviews we headed to a pizza place Spaccaforno, and honestly, it hit the spot. The pizzas were absolutely delicious – fresh, flavourful and just what we needed. We ordered two vegetarian pizzas and two drinks which costed us around 35 Euros, which I thought was pretty reasonable for the quality. The vibe of the place was just as good as the food—friendly staff, warm atmosphere, and lots of happy faces around. It was the perfect spot for a midday break.
Once our stomachs were full, we explored nearby local shops to get some souvenirs and then headed straight to the city central to the Rathaus – Hamburg’s stunning city hall. The building has this grand ,regal look with intricate carvings and a tall clock tower that makes it impossible to miss. It’s not just a historic monument but it’s still in use today for city affairs and government stuff. We didn’t take the guided tour, we just admired the building from outside and took a quick round inside whatever was accessible.
After soaking in all the history and architecture we decided to check out the Spring Fair that was happening nearby. Since we visited a few days before Easter, timing could not have been better.The fair brought a whole new energy to the city—bright colors, music, food stalls, and rides buzzing with people. We couldn’t resist hopping on a couple of rides, and one of the highlights was the 80-meter high merry-go-round. It was both thrilling and beautiful- getting to see Hamburg from the height was a whole different perspective. It was really beautiful. After spending a couple of hours in the fair and tasting some delicious sweet treats, it was time to say goodbye to the city. Before going to the bahnhof to catch our train back I couldn’t resist making a quick stop at Alster lake as I fell in love with the place. Evening atmosphere was much more lively there. People were chilling, listening to music and enjoying themselves. It was the perfect end to an amazing beautiful day.
And if you are not visiting in spring, no worry – Hamburg has plenty to explore. You can wander through charming Speicherstadt, check out the views from St. Michael’s Church, visit the iconic Elbphilharmonie, or take in the vibe at the Port of Hamburg.
There’s also always something happening in the city—festivals, markets, concerts—you name it. You can check the latest events on Hamburg’s official tourism website.
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