The Japanese garden
A tea house, pond and carefully placed stones — one of the largest Japanese gardens in Europe.
Hinnerk Haardt — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Loz (L. B. Tettenborn) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rüdiger Stehn from Kiel, Deutschland — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Rüdiger Stehn from Kiel, Deutschland — CC BY-SA 2.0
Planten un Blomen is a large park in central Hamburg; the name is Low German for plants and flowers. Entry is completely free. The park was laid out on the ground of the old city fortifications, which is why its shape is long and irregular. It holds lakes, paths and themed gardens, the best known being a Japanese garden with a tea house, a pond and carefully placed stones — one of the largest Japanese gardens in Europe. In the summer months there are Wasserlichtkonzerte in the evenings: fountains dancing on the lake to music and coloured light. The show is free and people sit on the terraces to watch. For children there are large playgrounds and water-play areas, which makes the park one of the best family options in Hamburg. It is also a quiet refuge minutes from the main station.
A tea house, pond and carefully placed stones — one of the largest Japanese gardens in Europe.
Fountains dancing on the lake to music and light, on summer evenings, and free.
Large play areas and water play — among the best in Hamburg for families.
Tropical plant houses you can go into — welcome on a cold or wet day.
Spielbudenplatz area, 20355 Hamburg
The Mineralogical Museum, HamburgThe mineralogical museum of the University of Hamburg, one of three departments 8 minutes walk4.8
The ColonnadenA pedestrian street in central Hamburg with a continuous arcade running along on9 minutes walk4.3
Zoological Museum HamburgThe Zoological Museum is part of the University of Hamburg's Museum of Nature, a10 minutes walk4.7
The St Pauli Bunker and its Rooftop GardenThis building is among the largest things the Second World War left standing in 11 minutes walk4.4
The Hans Hummel MemorialA memorial to a water carrier who lived in Hamburg in the nineteenth century, wh12 minutes walk4.6Yes — the whole park is free and open to all, and so are the water-and-light shows. No ticket or booking is needed.
In the summer months only, in the evening after dark, daily through the season. They do not run in winter. Check the exact time, as it shifts with the length of the day.
Very much so: large playgrounds, water play and open lawns, all free. One of the best family options in Hamburg, especially on a dry day.