Hamburg Street Art Tour – A Self-Guided Tour
I have had the pleasure of visiting the city of Hamburg in Germany three times in the past five years and one of the best ways I’ve found to explore the city is on a self-guided tour of the street art.
This list talks through each of the pieces of artwork I found during my most recent visit to Hamburg (June 2022) and is ordered based on the route I’d recommend taking around the city. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the page, you’ll find a map which is hosted on Google and can subsequently be downloaded and referenced while offline, incase you need it for navigation.
The city of Hamburg is often overlooked in favour of Berlin, the capital of Germany. However, this city has a vibe, a grit that’s simply unique and well worth exploring.
A. Sternschanze
This stop is just outside the station of Sternschanze, it is directly over the road but is kind of hard to miss it. The whole area is a burst of colour as you step off the platform into the streets.
There is a school or area for children going into the side street so be aware. I really loved the depth of this piece of Hamburg street art as it was technical but also very simple and the colour as always is amazing.
Starting at Sternschanze is a good place to start especially if you are getting the metro to the St Pauli area.
B. Susannenstraße 26
This building is on the same street as what I call the water fountain. This is covered in street art and looks so stunning. It gives me the illusion of what ivy can do to an old building which I love.
This place is a clothing business and is a great example of businesses in the area incorporating street art into their business.
C. Susannenstaße 35
This is what I called the water fountain, not sure if there is a name for it but I loved it. I really loved the detail on the background with the long grass print as it just added another depth to the art.
There are smaller pieces of art along this road you can discover at your own leisure. Along with an ice cream sculpture hanging from a balcony base.
If you stand on the opposite side of the road to the house you can look up and see the ice cream dangling.
D. Schulterblatl 78
This building is actually an old opera theatre, located in front of a park and skate park. The theatre is completely covered in street art, signs and of course stickers.
Though the building looks run down and is out of use it is now residence to some of the homeless in the area. It may look as though it brings down the standards of the surrounding area but in actual fact, it is a place to show big protests and emotions.
E. 27 Juliusstraße
This is the entrance to a park hidden in a large courtyard behind the old opera house and residential buildings. The entrance to the park sparks as much colour and joy from the Hamburg street art as the displays within the park.
F. Flora Park
The park that is hidden between buildings has a big impact, decorated in bright and bold Hamburg street art it brings the area to life. The park has 2 playgrounds inside suitable for children of all ages, along with a court for ball games, plenty of grass to walk your dog and a giant free rock climbing wall.
The rock climbing wall is on the side of an old unused building and has been transformed into a giant canvas of colour.
There is so much to discover and see in the park, it is covered from head to toe and side to side. As there is the huge climbing wall on the front of the building it is easy to forget about looking at the back.
The whole park has so many different designs, skill sets and colour techniques. Take time to explore more of the park than just the climbing wall to see what other artists have left their stamp on the area.
G. Schulterblatl 92
On this strip of street, there is so much to see in terms of stickers, paintings and signs. Hamburg street art stretches along to create a vibrant and fun wall.
I really enjoyed seeing the different pieces from different artists come together and complement each other. There are some that really stand out off the wall and some physically stand out from the wall.
If you’re taking this street art tour in the summer months then be sure to bring a bottle of water and suncream. Meanwhile, when it comes to what to wear in Germany in summer, I recommend layers since the weather can change dramatically throughout the day.
H. Rosenhofstraße 13
This spot was a fun one to find as there were so many funny artworks. My favourite part of the wall was, of course, the swearing cat. Along this road is also the painting of the young boy with a Mac sitting on the floor.
There is also hidden in a doorway a picture of Batman and Catwoman nearly kissing. It is plastered on the right-hand side of the door as you are looking at the door.
I. Rosenhofstraße 16
Just a little down on the same street is another cat this one is actually a peg leg. Along with a cactus and cartoon, Hamburg street art continues and creates fun strips down the street.
There is more writing and not as much of the cartoons but is still great to try and pick out a piece you like.
J. Bartelsstraße 22
As I was looking at one wall full of characters and colour I turned to see a huge piece of street art on the side of a building. Unsure of what the lettering is but I loved the crazy characters climbing up the side of the building.
K. Schanzenstraße 24
I really loved that Hamburg street art isn’t frowned upon or seen as a bad representation of the city. It seems to be highly celebrated and encouraged, especially in the neighbourhood of St Pauli.
The businesses don’t just survive in this environment they thrive from the colourful backdrop and vibrant feel of the area. Many businesses such as cafes, restaurants and clothes shops have incorporated street art into their business.
L. Schanzenstraße 6
It looks as though any surface that could be the canvas of an individual’s work has become it. Even structures that are meant to keep people out have been converted into works of art.
This is a location that has a set of metal gates into a property covered in colour and fun. I will point out not to go past the pavement as this is someone’s personal property.
M. Augustenpassage 21
This area is a tunnel that is decorated on both walls. Going through to a back street which is home to more of Hamburg street art and a shoe tree.
Going through the tunnel you can see stickers, dark pieces of street art and more. When you get to the other side of the tunnel there is a wall to your left. The wall is covered with amazing colourful cacti and cartoons.
N. Schlachthof Passage 1
This area is a little courtyard that has a couple of shops, cafes and office buildings. This is mainly an area for the surrounding businesses and locals to sit out and enjoy a lovely day.
There, of course, has been some Hamburg street art added to make it bright and interesting. There are so many pieces of art that have been created with a powerful message which makes it all the more interesting to see.
I’ve travelled with my wife to Hamburg as a same-sex couple and as a masc presenting solo-female lesbian. However, I have never experienced any form of discrimination personally and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Hamburg to the LGBTQ+ community.
Along with the bigger parts of the Hamburg street art, there were some smaller ones scattered around on bench edges and on planters. This was one of my favourite ones I had seen and have since seen the same design elsewhere in Hamburg.
Along with the cute benches and colourful stickers don’t forget to look around for bolder pieces.
Standing facing the steps and the seagulls there are buildings to your left, each of those has a bright abstract piece of Hamburg street art. Each is so bright and colourful that it would be a shame to miss them.
O. Neuer Kamp 31
This area is actually a car park, located over the road from the courtyard where the seagulls are sitting. You can access the car park on foot by walking up the ramp and into the floors.
The wall is located on the upper floor as you enter the car park. Once up the ramp, you will be hit with a wall of colour and excitement.
P. Sankt Pauli Fischmarkt 18
This area in itself has many different spots to find Hamburg street art. These are just two examples we found, there are so many different artists leaving their stamp on the area.
The area is lovely as you as the harbour edge and there are cool cafes, restaurants and a great pizza place nearby.
Brilliant. Danke.