Altonaer Fischmarkt, Altona-Altstadt, Hamburg

There are many landmarks in Hamburg, but in the going-out-getting-drunk category there are only two, both of which are equally important to see. The world-famous Reeperbahn is one, and the fish market is the other.

The main thing to note about the fishmarkt is that it’s only open between 5am and 11am Sunday morning. Therefore the suggested way of seeing it is a big Saturday night out on the Reeperbahn, then stumble down to the river at around 6am, have some breakfast and carry on drinking. There’s a huge outdoor market and a huge hall (the old fishmarkt) full of people drinking with a band playing at either end

How have I not reviewed the fish market?! If you have the energy, it’s great fun to join the hoards of stumbling bodies out of the clubs and bars of the Reeperbahn and down the hill to the fish market. You’ll find trailers galore packed with tasty fruits of the sea, which to be honest at this point I can never really stomach, so I throw mine to the seagulls and watch the sun come up.

The “Fischmarkt” is a symbol of Hamburg. Even if you have never been there you have heard stories about it. And indeed this is the MUST-SEE place in Hamburg, but be careful it is only on Sunday mornings, and only when the river hasn’t overflowed it (yes this happens some times in really bad weather). The Fischmarkt is the ultimate place to do 3 things: buy cheap food ranging from sea food, fruits, meat, cheese etc; buy clothes, live animals, plants and other smaller non-eatable things; to have an after-party snack or even to continue the party. It’s location is on the harbor and is parallel to the Reeperbahn, so it is not a trouble to go party the whole night at at 6am go on the Fischmarkt and eat the famous Fischbroetchen, shop, party some more and at 10am head home to rest for the rest of the weekend.
cheers

It is a very cool place, lots of things on sale and they are very cheap! The salers cry at their top voice to get customs. I even saw one who was jumping up side down, really crazy saler!

And there is a big hall very you can get nice food and listen to live music from the cool band!

You should definitely come here when you are in Hamburg.

Whatever you do, don't get up early! Go out and party, and then go to Fischmarkt. Otherwise it's just not the same. Get some Backfisch - it's delicious when it's fresh, and make sure to buy coffee outside the huge hall (at the end of the market). Inside it's expensive and doesn't resemble much java anymore. Around 6 AM or something, a band starts playing inside.

Well I finally did it... I've managed after 6 weeks in this city to drag my sorry self down to the fish market, which opens very early and was always going to be a major feat in getting me there.

Instead of getting up early we followed the footsteps of many past tourist clubbers before us...wandering down the docks and into the fish market after a long boozy night out in Hamburg.

The first thing you'll notice is surprisingly the place smells very clean... the scent of the fish is fresh and not over powering so walking throughout the spread of the place is not unpleasant.

There's coffee to help sober you up, more alcohol for those who feel they had not had enough and plenty of tasty ocean treats to tuck into for breakfast.

Rug up as it's bloody freezing down here in the early  hours of the morning, will definitely try to come back another day when I'm not so drunk and I can actually purchase some lovely seafood for Sunday Supper.