Valentine’s Day has been a day for lovers in Hamburg for centuries and was a welcome occasion to give flowers, poems and small gifts to loved ones. For several decades, however, Valentine’s Day has primarily been a welcome excuse for retailers to launch discount battles and boost sales figures on this day. Sales on Valentine’s Day 2014 in the USA amounted to more than 17 billion US dollars, and in Germany, for example, the number of flowers sold on this day doubles, 60% of which are roses. In Austria, an average of €84 per person is expected to be spent on gifts this year, which is an increase in sales of 16% compared to 2021 and amounts to a total of €128 million. Here, too, flowers account for the lion’s share.
But Valentine’s Day is not just a celebration of commerce, it has also become a nice tradition to give your loved one not only flowers, chocolate and all sorts of other little gifts on this day, but also time. And to really make this day an unforgettable one, we have collected some suggestions here for celebrating Valentine’s Day in Hamburg in style.
We present special leisure activities here because we offer one ourselves. With its Escape Room Theater, OPOLUM is the future of escape rooms in Hamburg. Because we haven’t just strung together tricky puzzles and wrapped them up in an exciting story. We have made our escape rooms in the Speicherstadt as realistic as possible and taken them to a whole new level. By using actors who actively intervene in our stories, you completely forget that it’s just a game. Our size is also unique: we are the largest escape room in Hamburg.
Why do we actually celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is named after a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. When exactly February 14 was set aside to commemorate him and when this day was first associated with romantic love is lost in the darkness of history. The first description of February 14 as an annual celebration of love is documented under King Charles VI of France in 1400. The first Valentine’s cards were printed in England in the 18th century and were so popular in the 19th century that more than 60,000 were sent each year despite the very expensive postage. After the introduction of the postage stamp and the reduction in postal charges, this figure rose sharply to over 400,000. Since then, Valentine’s Day has become increasingly commercialized.
Valentine’s Day Hamburg: Our top 10 ideas
1. pedal boating on the Alster
Enjoying a boat trip together has been a popular romantic activity for couples for centuries – especially in water-rich Hamburg. In the age of emancipation, however, it is no longer the man alone who has to put on the oars. The pedal boat also promotes equality on the water, as both men and women use their muscle power to move forward happily. As the boats on the Alster are usually suitable for four people, they not only offer enough space for romantic hours for two, but also for a family outing.
2. start the day with a brunch
The perfect start to Valentine’s Day in Hamburg is, of course, either a late champagne breakfast in bed or a hearty brunch in one of Hamburg’s many top restaurants, which always offer very special culinary experiences for lovers on this day. The breakfast offer at the traditional moated castle in the Speicherstadt is particularly recommended. Not only does it serve a delicious breakfast, the moated castle is also one of the most photographed buildings in Hamburg – isn’t that romantic? You can find more restaurant recommendations to start Valentine’s Day in Hamburg in style here.
3. deep relaxation for two in the Holthusenbad
Opened in 1914, the baths are the only ones in Hamburg to have been largely spared war damage. The historic brick façade has been completely preserved to this day and the interior has also remained largely in its original state. In the 1980s, parts of the spa were sensitively adapted and today it offers soothing relaxation at the highest level in a historic ambience. In addition to the spa area, guests also have access to an outdoor pool that is heated all year round. An ideal place to relax as a couple. On Valentine’s Day in Hamburg in 2023, the Bartholomäus-Therme, which is currently closed, will also be open to lovers again.
4. best entertainment in a Hamburg musical
After a relaxing visit to the spa, many couples end the evening of Valentine’s Day in Hamburg with a visit to a musical. This is particularly tempting every year, as most organizers also offer a Valentine’s discount of up to 30% on this day. This year’s choices include Mama Mia, The Lion King, Tina, Wicked and The Ice Queen.
5th puzzle walk in the Speicherstadt
A tour of the historic Speicherstadt is a special experience. An outdoor escape game has been developed so that this doesn’t have to take the form of a group tour or a tour guide in your hand. In the course of the game, you not only immerse yourself in an exciting story, but also learn lots of interesting and curious facts about this fascinating part of Hamburg. A particularly original and varied way to enjoy culture on Valentine’s Day in Hamburg.
6. enjoy the sunset and harbor lights at the Landungsbrücken
On Valentine’s Day, Hamburg also offers special harbor cruises for lovers. However, there is also the option of ending this special day not on the water, but above it. Especially romantic: watching the hustle and bustle on the Elbe, the sunset and the colorful harbor lights from the jetties at St. Pauli. With the infrastructure available there, this should always be celebrated in style with a fish sandwich in your left hand and a cool drink in your right.
7. for non-romantics: explore Hamburg’s mystical creepy places
Not everyone likes romantic hand-holding or candlelit dinners on Valentine’s Day. Some people also like it spooky on this day and even love a slightly scary goosebump feeling on Valentine’s Day. A port city like Hamburg is predestined to send cold shivers down your partner’s spine and awaken a special need for affection.
8. a day at home on the couch and in the bathtub
If the weather in Hamburg is so bad on Valentine’s Day that you don’t feel like leaving your own four walls, then just stay at home. As mentioned, start the day with breakfast in bed or a homemade brunch and indulge in love and dolce far niente.
Various streaming services and video-on-demand providers provide entertainment and a candlelit bath provides romance.
If you still feel the urge to get some fresh air during the day, we have prepared some ideas for activities in Hamburg during Corona. If you’re looking for movies that are fun to guess along with or where you can get a little scary at home, we’ll show you the best escape room movies here.
9. experience culture in the Kunsthalle Hamburg
The Hamburger Kunsthalle is one of the largest and most important art museums in Germany, with around 700 works on permanent display and regular special exhibitions. Here you can take advantage of Valentine’s Day to soak up culture while holding hands and protected from the wind and weather.
A museum store, the museum café “Liebermann” and the restaurant “The Cube” invite you to linger after a tour of discovery through the museum. Incidentally, the restaurant also offers one of the most beautiful views over the Inner Alster and the Hanseatic city!
10th romantic gala dinner in the restaurant
Gourmets naturally start Valentine’s Day with a sophisticated brunch and end this special day with a gala dinner. In Hamburg, the “Fischereihafen-Restaurant” is the first choice for the end of Valentine’s Day. Here you can enjoy everything the sea has to offer, from North German classics such as Labskaus to the finest caviar. Those who prefer to enjoy top-quality fish in the form of sushi or sashimi can visit the restaurant run by TV chef Steffen Henssler, which goes by the name of “Henssler Henssler“. Meat lovers, on the other hand, swear by “Meatery Bar + Retaurant“, which serves both meat and fish specialties.
How about a Valentine’s Day gift?
How about surprising your loved one with a gift that is guaranteed to create lasting memories? As we all know, nothing brings people closer together than a shared adventure. But can you give that as a gift?
Yes, you can! Hamburg has a very special version of the popular escape rooms. The special thing about OPOLUM is that the exciting plot is designed and driven forward by actors in such a lifelike way that the participants keep forgetting that it’s just a game for all the senses, making the excitement and adrenaline rush particularly intense. And yes – this unforgettable experience is also ideal for just two people! Find all the information about the Escape Room Hamburg voucher here and give someone a Valentine’s Day experience they will never forget.
