Dodgy Areas in Hamburg and Other Warnings and Dangers

Warnings and Dangers in Hamburg Dodgy Areas

Hamburg is among the largest cities in Europe and is the second largest city in Germany. As such, it is populated by millions and is a popular tourist destination, but there are warnings and dangers in Hamburg that visiting tourists should be aware of.

Thieves

Pickpockets remain a danger around Hamburg. When in the area, use some kind of secure carrying device for your wallet, passport, cellphone, and keys. Losing any of these will really put a damper on your trip if they are lost or stolen. Pubs near St. George also pose a risk. The Lange Reighe area of St. George has many small restaurants, pubs, and kiosks. While this makes it an attractive destination, make sure that you have all of your important things secured and not tucked loosely into your jacket. Thieves will search hanging jackets for valuables, leaving you wondering where your wallet went.

Dangers Near St. George

St. George is located in downtown Hamburg and is currently undergoing a major regentrification process. The clean up of this area, however, is a bit slow in coming, and the area immediately surrounding the central station remains dodgy. St. George begins at Kirchenalle, a street that acts as the second entrance/exit for the Central Station. If you stay on Kirchenalle or visit the museums and theatres in the area, you’ll be fine. However, try not to explore too deeply into St. George beyond Kirchenallee. At the central station itself, you will find the usual panhandlers. However, on Ballindamm, a cross street of Kirchenalle, you will find prostitutes, drug dealers, and other dubious types.

Where to Stay in Hamburg

The area around the Hauptbahnhof is not a good place to stay for a family with children. East of the Hauptbahhof, only Kirchenalle, Hachmannplatz, and Steintorplatz are good areas to find a hotel. The rest of St. George will have many cheap hotels and hostels, but they are not recommended for families and single women traveling alone. This area is not under police control, so try to avoid booking hotels at Steindamm and all the areas around it.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about dodgy areas, warnings, and dangers in Hamburg.