St. Pauli and Red-light District Walking Tour, Hamburg

St. Pauli and Red-light District Walking Tour (Self Guided), Hamburg

St. Pauli is a vibrant quarter in Hamburg. It is home to museums, churches, waterfront buildings, and the famous Red Light District. During the 19th century, many sailors would arrive in Hamburg's busy port and immediately look for ways to spend their wages. St. Pauli obliged with entertainment, bars, and strip clubs. Today, the entertainment tradition continues.

The Old Elbe Tunnel is a must-see engineering marvel. The tunnel runs underneath the Elbe River and is open 24/7 to pedestrians. Walk to the other side and enjoy a view of the port.

St. Pauli Piers gives visitors the chance to enjoy the historic waterfront. Visitors can walk the promenade and enjoy cafes, restaurants, and bars.

St. Michaelis Church is the largest church in Hamburg and boasts impressive architecture. The church features a marble pulpit, baptismal font, and altar. Don't miss the view from the observation platform at the top of the church's tower.

The Composers Quarter features six museums dedicated to six influential composers with Hamburg ties. In addition, visitors can learn about Hamburg's extensive history at the Museum for Hamburg History.

Rope Street was named after the ropes that were crafted on the street. Today, it is a vibrant street filled with art galleries, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs.

Playing Booths Square used to host artists and jugglers and today features different markets, festivals, and events. For example, check out the weekly St. Pauli Night Market or the Santa Pauli Christmas Market.

The distinctive David Watch Police Station has been featured in numerous TV shows and famously incarcerated Paul McCartney and Pete Best.

Beatles Square celebrates The Beatles Hamburg connection. The band got its start in Hamburg, and the square features statues of band members.

Take the St. Pauli and Red Light District walking tour and experience the history and liveliness of this vibrant area.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and IK's World Trip.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Hamburg

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: St. Pauli and Red-light District Walking Tour
Guide Location: Germany » Hamburg (See other walking tours in Hamburg)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Hamburg?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Hamburg Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Hamburg?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Hamburg, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Hamburg

Creating your own self-guided walk in Hamburg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Famous Brewpubs in Hamburg

Hamburg, true to the German tradition, is famous for its beer. So much so, in fact, that several local beer brands are considered among the best in the country. These renowned brewpubs are the ideal place where you can taste genuine local beer and have fun while in Hamburg.

One such establishment is the Hofbräu on Alster Restaurant, located near the picturesque Alster Lake. Here, patrons can... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

Hamburg Historical Buildings

Hamburg, a city steeped in history and culture, boasts a wealth of remarkable historical buildings that tell the tale of its past. Harmonized with the recent extravagant urban development, these old structures make for unforgettable sights.

One iconic structure is the Chile House, renowned for its distinctive expressionist architecture, resembling a ship's prow. Another noteworthy site is... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Hamburg Introduction Walking Tour

Heinrich Heine, a German poet, described the city as a place where “money is the poetry”, capturing the idea that trade shaped the city’s identity.

Hamburg is one of Germany’s oldest and most distinctive cities, shaped by trade, water, and a strong sense of civic independence. Its name comes from Hammaburg, a fortified settlement mentioned in the early 9th century. The meaning of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles