Planten un Blomen

Planten un Blomen is Hamburg's central city park, a free green space of about 47 hectares (116 acres) stretching from Dammtor station past the trade fair grounds to St. Pauli. The Low German name simply means "plants and flowers." With a Japanese garden, a large rose garden, lakes and playgrounds, it is one of the most relaxing things to do in Hamburg, and in summer its evening water-and-light concerts draw crowds of locals and visitors alike.

Where it is and how to get there

The park lies just northwest of the old town, so it is easy to combine with sightseeing. From Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, the S-Bahn takes you one stop to Dammtor, right next to the Old Botanical Garden entrance. Other entrances are near the U1 stop Stephansplatz, the U2 stop Messehallen and the U3 stop St. Pauli. Hamburg's local transport network (HVV) accepts the Deutschlandticket. From Hamburg Airport, take the S1 into the city and change at Hauptbahnhof.

A park built on the old city walls

The park occupies part of the green belt that replaced Hamburg's fortifications. Its official start date is November 6, 1821, when the first director of the botanical garden planted a plane tree here. The grounds were redesigned for a garden show in 1935, badly damaged in the bombing of 1943 and later rebuilt, hosting three International Horticultural Exhibitions in 1953, 1963 and 1973. Since 1986 the different sections have formed one public park with free admission.

Highlights

• Japanese Garden: Laid out in 1988 around a traditional teahouse that hosts tea ceremonies and cultural events in season.
• Rose Garden: About 300 rose varieties on roughly 5,000 square meters, at their best from June through late summer.
• Water-light concerts: From May to September, fountains on the park lake dance to music and colored lights every evening, with shorter daytime water shows at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Old Botanical Garden: Ponds, cascades and the striking tropical greenhouses. Note that the greenhouses are closed for renovation, expected until 2030.
• For kids: large playgrounds, mini golf and a roller rink that turns into an ice rink in winter.

Opening hours and admission

Admission is free. As of October 2026, the main park is open daily 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from October through March, until 10 p.m. in April and until 11 p.m. from May to September. The water-light concerts take a break in fall and winter and return in May. Cycling is not allowed inside the park, so bikes must be pushed. Several cafés and kiosks are spread across the grounds, and there are accessible restrooms.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially on a sunny day or a summer evening. An hour is enough for a loop through the Japanese and rose gardens; families can easily spend half a day. Nearby, the Hamburger Kunsthalle art museum, the Binnenalster lake with the Jungfernstieg promenade and Hamburg City Hall are all within a short walk or ride.