I love spending time outdoors, so finding all the best parks in Hamburg was a priority when visiting. One thing I love about the city is the variety of outdoor spaces, there’s everything from traditional parks to more artificial ones and even deer parks! Here’s my list of all the best green spaces in Hamburg to help you make the most of your visit – especially if the weather is nice!
Table of contents
From sand dunes to cemeteries and flora from around the world, here’s my list of all the best Hamburg parks!
The best parks in Hamburg – Where you should visit
What you need to know
- What is the largest park in Hamburg? The largest park in Hamburg is Altonaer Volkpark
- How many parks does Hamburg have? Hamburg has over 1000 parks!
Altonaer Volkspark
Spanning over 205 hectares, Altona Volkspark is the largest park in Hamburg. You’ll find lots of wild, natural areas here as well as plenty of winding paths, ideal for long walks. There are lots of themed garden areas including the popular dahlia gardens and even a minigolf course! This is definitely one of the best all round parks in Hamburg!
Altonaer Volkspark highlights:
- Beautifully curated gardens
- Lots of wooded, wild areas
Loki Schmidt Botanical Gardens
Maintained by the University of Hamburg, the Loki Schmidt Botanical Gardens showcase plants from around the world. You’ll find everything from giant sequoias from North America to delicate Japanese gardens and even species that thrive at the highest altitudes. This is definitely one of the most interesting parks in Hamburg, especially if you’re into plants!
Loki Schmidt Botanical Gardens highlights:
- Tropical greenhouses
- Biblical gardens
- Plants from around the world
Jenisch Park
Jenisch Park, originally designed as a traditional English park, is the oldest landscaped park in Hamburg, offering a unique historical ambience. Spanning around 110 acres, this expansive park is home to Jenisch House, a former manor that now hosts the Museum of Art and Culture on the Elbe. With its rolling green hills and serene atmosphere, Jenisch Park is undoubtedly one of the best parks in Hamburg for those seeking relaxation.
Jenisch Park highlights:
- The Museum of Art and Culture on the Elbe
- Flottbektal nature reserve & protected marshland
- The Ernst Barlach Museum
Alsterpark
One of the most popular parks in Hamburg, Alsterpark is centrally located and stretches out over the banks of Alster Lake, providing great panoramic views. There are plenty of open fields to relax in as well as boat rentals and BBQ areas, perfect for when the weather warms up!
- Great views of the Alster Lake and Hamburg skyline
- Alsterpark restaurant
- Canoe and boat rentals
Hirschpark
Another great spot if you’re looking to explore a historical park is Hirschpark (Deer Park). Established in 1620, Hirschpark features an old manor house, ancient trees and a deer park giving you plenty to see and do. Much like Jenisch Park, Hirschpark is highly recommended for those seeking an idyllic spot with an old English charm.
Hirschpark highlights:
- Deer, peacock and waterfowl park
- A 270-year-old National Heritage Sycamore Tree
- Tearooms in the farmhouse to the old Manor house
Grasbrookpark
If you’re visiting Hamburg with kids, Grasbrookpark is an unmissable destination. Reflecting the city’s maritime spirit, this play park features giant hedge-ships and a pirate ship play frame, surrounded by water streams and a splash pad. It’s undoubtedly one of the best parks in Hamburg for families with children!
Grasbrookpark highlights:
- Ropes course
- Lots of open lawns surrounding the park
- Great pirate themeing
- Lots of water areas
Park Fiction
Less of a park and more of a piece of art, Park Fiction is one of the most unique parks in Hamburg. Overlooking the harbour, Park Fiction is an ongoing project created by locals to force a green space into the area resulting in a fun urban space. The park features artificial palm trees as well as a wavey lawn and fantastic views over the water.
Park Fiction highlights:
- The artificial palm trees for a tropical feel year-round
- The magic carpet style wavey lawn
Boberger Dunes
You don’t expect to see sandy expanses in the middle of a city, but that’s what you’ll find at the Boberg Dunes. Now a nature reserve, this area is home to many rare plant species and serves as a grazing area for livestock and wildlife. This is one of the best parks in Hamburg to go to if you’re looking for a good hike, there are even a few bathing spots to cool off on a hot day!
Boberger Dunes highlights:
- Glider airfield
- Swimming lakes
- Lots of different hiking trails
Wohlerspark
Another one of the more unique parks in Hamburg, this former cemetery has turned into one of the city’s most popular parks. While it no longer serves as an active graveyard, many gravestones of prominent Hamburg figures remain to be explored. The park offers plenty of open lawns, shady areas for relaxation, and numerous hidden nooks to discover.
Wohlerspark highlights:
- Open-air stage in the summer
Planten un Blomen
Undoubtedly one of the best-known parks in Hamburg, Planten un Blomen is brimming with attractions and activities. The park features a huge variety of areas to explore, from the enchanting apothecary garden and rose garden to the serene Japanese gardens. This park is also great if you’re visiting with kids, there’s a great playground and lots of fun activities for them to try out!
Planten un Blomen highlights:
- Evening water feature show
- Huge rose garden
- So many different curated areas, flowerbeds, fountains, sculptures, there’s everything!
- Huge children’s play area if you’re with family
Summary
Whether you want to see plants from around the world, hike around sand dunes or just relax with great lakeside views, there are so many great parks in Hamburg for you to choose from!
