Located in the bustling neighbourhood of Hamburg-Mitte in Hamburg, Germany, St. Pauli is one of the liveliest areas of the city. One of 105 quarters, St. Pauli is located on the right bank of the River Elbe and houses a section of the port of Hamburg. The area is also home to the Reeperbahn which comes alive after dark with its bars, theatres, nightclubs, and restaurants.
Visitors arriving in Hamburg should head for St. Pauli Piers, a picturesque area with stunning architecture, waterfront restaurants and harbour pleasure boats. The first pier constructed in 1839 served steamships, it was an easy area from which to fuel the ships with coal. Visitors can relive the times of ancient mariners when they visit the Hamburg Fischmarkt held here each Sunday. Over 70,000 locals and visitors venture here each weekend to purchase fresh fish, tropical fruits and flowers. Live music is played from early in the morning, and there are plenty of venues in which to enjoy breakfast as the city comes to life. Continue the day with a ferry boat trip and discover Hamburg from the water. Nearby St. Michael’s Church offers striking architecture with a landmark tower, and a short walk away is Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, a superb day out for all the family. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, the exhibition features the world’s largest model railway and a miniature working city. Sports fans can enjoy a football match on the nearby ground of the St. Pauli team. After the sun goes down, visitors to St. Pauli head for the nightlife on Reeperbahn.
St. Pauli is an easy area of Hamburg to navigate on foot. The main attractions of the port, Fischmarkt, and botanical gardens are a short stroll from each other. To reach St. Pauli from other areas of Hamburg there are bus services, and the S-Bahn and U-Bahn have stations nearby. The train from central Hamburg takes 20 minutes, and the journey by subway just 10 minutes. Walking to St. Pauli Piers and Reeperbahn from central Hamburg will take approximately 40 minutes.
During the end of the 17th century, St. Pauli was home to workhouses and hospitals and was a thriving port. The area became known as a place to entertain sailors during their stay in Hamburg. Today, St. Pauli is still Hamburg’s main port and entertainment centre with travellers eager to visit the nightlife scene.