The best Hamburg neighborhoods for internationals

Discover the neighborhoods in Hamburg with our ultimate guide. Packed with tips and tricks about rent, transport and where to party!

Marle

7 minute read

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Updated on 11 Dec 2024

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Living

Before you make the move, it’s a good idea to explore some of the best areas to live in Hamburg. Whether it’s work, culture, nature, or partying that brings you to Hamburg, you’ll find the perfect neighborhood in this article.

Hamburg offers 7 unique districts, each with its unique charm and type of residents. Life in Hamburg is a great representation of authentic German culture, so you’ll live like a real German here. It can be tricky to find a rental home in Hamburg if you don’t know what’s in store, so let’s look at what each district offers.

The 7 districts of Hamburg are:

• Hamburg Altona
• Hamburg Eimsbüttel
• Hamburg Mitte
• Hamburg North
• Hamburg Wandsbek
• Hamburg Bergedorf
• Hamburg Harburg

• Neighborhood vibe: Vibrant, cultural, and busy with everything you need on your doorstep
• Average rent: €1,500/month
• Perfect for: Students and artists love Schanzenviertel, families love Ottensen

Altona is located close to the center of Hamburg and has some incredible neighborhoods for any type of international. Altona itself has many neighborhoods that are perfect for internationals. Neighborhoods like Schanzenviertel are located centrally and remain popular amongst students, internationals, and artists. Schanzenviertel has a funky vibe, with many secondhand stores, local bars, and restaurants.

If you’re moving with your family or just looking for a more chilled area to live in Hamburg, the Ottensen neighborhood might be for you. This neighborhood has charming old buildings and plenty of shops in the area.

Overall, living in Altona offers a mixture of benefits. The nightlife is great, and it’s right next to the Elbe River, so there're plenty of views and outdoor spaces. Public transport options are plentiful, and you’re already close to the center. Your career will thrive here with plenty of offices, and there’re lots of schools and kindergartens for families.

Altona is pretty safe to live in. Of course, with any area that has a vibrant nightlife there’ll be some more crime. For the most part, locals feel safe living here.

Despite being one of Hamburg’s more central and popular districts, Altona is not as pricey as others. A studio here costs about €1,100 per month, while a one-bedroom apartment costs about €1,700 monthly.

• Neighborhood vibe: A little bit of everything, great shopping, nice architecture and greenery
• Average rent: €1,400/month
• Perfect for: Students and young professionals like Grindel, families like Eidelstedt

This may be Hamburg's smallest district, but it’s also the most densely populated. This popular district has a pleasant mixture of beautiful architecture and open green space, including the local Alster Lake and Eimsbüttel Park.

The Grindel neighborhood of Eimsbüttel is particularly popular among students of the local Universität Hamburg (UHH), as well as young professionals. There’re plenty of affordable bars and restaurants, and there’re plenty of private room rentals here, making it a bit cheaper.

Further to the north, the neighborhood of Eidelstedt is a family-friendly neighborhood where you’ll find plenty of green space, the famous Isemarkt farmers market and plenty of amenities for families with young children, such as the Hagenbeck Zoo.

Eimsbüttel is small but packs in a lot. You’ll have plenty of entertainment options, quality accommodation and family-friendly neighborhoods. The classical architecture makes Eimsbüttel a beautiful place to live, and there’re plenty of shopping options in the area, so you’ll never have to venture far. Eimsbüttel is quite chilled and crime is very rare, so it’s a safe area to live in despite being very central.

Eimsbüttel is at the pricier end of neighborhoods in Hamburg. A studio will typically cost about €1,300 per month, while an apartment costs about €1,800 per month. Thankfully for students, it’s more common to find private rooms for rent in Eimsbüttel than in other districts. A private room costs about €800 per month.

• Neighborhood vibe: Central, very busy with lots of entertainment, pricey
• Average rent: €1,600/month
• Perfect for: Professionals and expats love HafenCity, artists and students love Wilhelmsburg

Mitte is the heart of Hamburg. This district is teeming with tourists and has plenty of boutiques, restaurants, and museums. The area of St. Pauli is the place to be for partying and socialising.

The portside HafenCity neighborhood has many residential and business buildings. It’s known for its modern architecture and plentiful amenities. The HafenCity University is based here, as well as several large corporate headquarters, like Unilever. This makes HafenCity a hot spot for young professionals and students of architecture and urban planning. It’s obviously very central, so you’ll have plenty of transport connections close by. This also makes it tricky to find a place to live here. You’ll need plenty of time and a bigger budget to find a place to live in HafenCity.

The Wilhelmsburg neighborhood is on the more affordable end of Hamburg Mitte's housing market. This riverside neighborhood is super multicultural, making it especially popular among students and expats. There’re more restored factories than high rises, so it offers a unique aesthetic. Wilhelmsburg is a short ferry ride to the center and is close to the Bundesautobahn 7, a road that connects you quickly to the rest of Germany. There’re plenty of green spaces, parks, and nature reserves here.

Living in Hamburg Mitte offers a range of benefits. If you want to splash out and live in a modern corporate haven, HafenCity is for you. If you prefer the more laidback, artsy, and cultural lifestyle, then Wilhelmsburg is the place to be. However, it’s worth noting that parts of Hamburg Mitte are less safe than others. While violent crime is extremely rare, there tends to be some more alcohol and drug-related crime around the area of St Pauli— especially at night as clubgoers make their way home. Naturally, this is avoidable and shouldn’t stop you from choosing to live in the heart of Hamburg.

Hamburg Mitte is a bit pricier than other districts, given it’s the central district of Hamburg. However, the prices will vary greatly depending on the neighborhood. For example, living in HafenCity, you’ll likely be paying upwards of €1,800 per month for a studio or €2,200 for an apartment— if you can find one. Private rooms are very rare here. Wilhelmsburg, on the other hand, offers more affordable. You can find an apartment for about €1,500 per month here, a studio for about €1,100, and best of all, there’re more private rooms available to rent in Wilhelmsburg for about €750 a month.

• Neighborhood vibe: Green suburban spaces, chic neighborhoods, affordable housing
• Average rent: €1,600/month
• Perfect for: Families love Langenhorn, and professionals love Eppendorf

Hamburg Nord is beautifully located by the Alster Lake, but its connections to the city centre make it a perfect balance of unspoilt nature and urban bliss. The airport is located here and the district expands quite far north of the center. The lower half of the district is not too far from Mitte, but the prices are much more reasonable, especially for an expat’s budget.

The neighborhood of Langenhorn in Hamburg Nord is a more suburban environment that provides an escape from the busy city life. This neighborhood has an abundance of open green spaces, gardens, fairs, and markets—there’s even a natural pool. There’re plenty of schools and family-friendly events in the area. Langenhorn is well connected with bus, metro and train links. Housing here is far more affordable than other parts of Hamburg, given its distance from the center of the city. However, it can be hard to find— so give yourself time!

Eppendorf is an entirely different type of neighborhood in Hamburg Nord. Here, you’ll find pricey, lavish housing nestled amongst busy but nature-filled streets. This chic neighborhood lies outside the center and is well connected with metro links. There’re plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops, as well as entertainment options. It’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Hamburg but for good reason. The available housing is mostly beautifully bright and historical townhouses.

Whether you’re looking with your family or continuing your career— you’ll find a neighborhood in Hamburg Nord that suits your needs. It’s a very safe district and has so many amenities for every need.

Price-wise, Hamburg Nord also varies greatly depending on the neighborhood you choose to rent in. For example, Langenhorn is quite affordable—you can find apartments here for €1,100 per month. Studio apartments here are rare, but they’re typically priced around €700 per month, and rooms here are super affordable at around €450 per month. On the other hand, Eppendorf is pricier. Apartments here cost around €2,500 per month, studios around €1,750, and rooms for about €1,000 per month.

• Neighborhood vibe: Urban yet green, family-friendly with plenty of recreational activities
• Average rent: €1,200/month
• Perfect for: Families, students, and those looking for affordable housing options

Wandsbek is Hamburg’s most populated district, offering a mix of family homes and apartment buildings. This area is well-known for its green spaces, including the Outer Alster Lake and Wohldorfer Wald, Hamburg’s oldest nature reserve. It’s a favorite for weekend outings and sports activities, making it ideal for families and young people alike.

Wandsbek is well connected by public transport, with buses and U-Bahn lines offering quick access to the city center. This district is also a hub for students and professionals, with many opportunities for co-living arrangements in larger homes.

In terms of affordability, Wandsbek offers a balance. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around €1,200 per month, while private rooms for rent can be found for about €700. Its affordability and closeness to nature make Wandsbek a practical choice for internationals moving to Hamburg.

• Neighborhood vibe: Quiet, scenic, and family-oriented
• Average rent: €1,100/month
• Perfect for: Families and those seeking a peaceful lifestyle

Bergedorf, located on Hamburg’s southeastern edge, offers a serene escape from the bustling city. With its open green spaces, historic charm, and proximity to the Elbe River, this district is perfect for families or anyone looking for a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll find quaint streets, local shops, and even the historic Schloss Bergedorf castle here.

Despite its tranquility, Bergedorf isn’t disconnected. There’s a railway station and good public transport links, making it easy to reach central Hamburg in under 30 minutes. The cost of living is lower than in more central districts, with apartments averaging €1,100 per month and private rooms around €650.

Bergedorf’s low crime rate and family-friendly amenities make it an appealing choice for expats and locals alike. It’s a hidden gem for those who value space and nature without sacrificing connectivity.

• Neighborhood vibe: Vibrant, multicultural, and affordable
• Average rent: €1,000/month
• Perfect for: Students, young professionals, and budget-conscious expats

Harburg, situated south of the Elbe River, is one of Hamburg’s most affordable districts. It’s home to the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), which makes it a popular choice for students and young professionals. The annual Binnenhafen Festival and the historic city hall add to Harburg’s charm.

This district offers a mix of urban and rural living. While central Harburg is lively, areas like Gut Moor and Cranz are quieter and more residential. Harburg’s S-Bahn and bus connections make it easy to travel to Hamburg’s city center in about 20 minutes.

Housing in Harburg is highly affordable compared to other districts. Apartments typically cost around €1,000 per month, studios €800, and private rooms €500. However, like any student-friendly area, the demand for housing is high, so it’s best to start your search early.

While Harburg’s central areas experience some crime related to nightlife and drugs, the district’s quieter parts are among the safest in Hamburg. For those on a budget, Harburg provides an excellent balance of affordability, convenience, and community.

Once you’ve decided on your ideal neighborhood, start your search for houses for rent in Hamburg. Hamburg’s diverse districts ensure there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a student, professional, or expat moving with your family.