Ever since its inaugural race back in 1982, the Hamburg Marathon has been one of the premier events in the running calendar. Held annually every April, the spring marathon attracts hundreds of the best professional athletes, with more than 25,000 amateur runners participating last year.
Whether you’re headed to central Hamburg in Germany to participate, or just want to spectate from the sidelines, make sure you do your homework before making reservations for hotels.
With tens of thousands of extra tourists in town, hotels and accommodation will be stretched to capacity, with many rooms coming at a premium.
When : 27 April 2025
Book ahead to save disappointment and net the best savings on rooms, but don’t be disheartened if you’ve left it until late in the game. With a city as big and diverse as Hamburg, there’s plenty of accommodation on offer, and you’ll rooms and hotels suitable for every budget.
In 2025 the Haspa Marathon Hamburg is held on Sunday April 27th. Start and Finish Line is near Hamburg Messe center.
Contents - Jump to
Best savings on rooms near the Start and Finish Line
You’ll find the starting pen just outside of Hamburg Messe, the go-to destination for local trade fairs, conferences and exhibitions. This area of town is incredibly popular, all year round, so already comes with plenty of choice when it comes to hotels, with many affordable rooms that are catered toward tourists and visitors happy with more basic accommodation for overnight stays.
To make sure you catch all the starting action, look for hotels near Messeplatz, although don’t despair if you find the most nearby hotels fully booked. This part of town is surprisingly central, with fantastic U-Bahn and S-Bahn rail connections, as well as round-the-clock bus schedules to ferry visitors to and from site.
It’s also relatively close to the Hamburg-Firkenwelder Airport, meaning those heading in via domestic and international flights don’t have to cart themselves and their belongings across the city in search of a convenient hotel.
>Find my Hamburg Hotel near the start or finish line of the marathon
Stay near St Pauli stadium
If you’d prefer to witness the closing moments of the 2025 marathon at the finishing line, consider hotels near to the St. Pauli Soccer Stadium. This sporting arena is again incredibly central, and can be found in the Hamburg-Mitte district.
With fantastic public transport connections, you’ve more flexibility when it comes to searching for hotels, but make sure you set your alarm clock if you’re opting for a more rural hotel out of the city limits and want to nab a good view of the first past the finish line.
However, if your budget will allow, do consider making a reservation for a hotel in this part of town. Hamburg is one of the Germany’s crowning glories, with beautiful views over the Elbe river and port of Hamburg beyond.
Haspa Hamburg Marathon – April 27th, 2025
One of the biggest street marathons in the world, the Hamburg Marathon (or Haspa Marathon Hamburg as it’s known locally) takes runners on a stunning urban tour through 26 miles of some of the city’s most impressive metropolitan areas, with iconic landmarks at every turn.
If you want to get a great view at the starting line, make sure you’ve booked a nearby hotel way in advance so you can get to the head of the crowd without having to wake up at the crack of dawn.
Start and Finish Line
Located just outside the Hamburg Messe exhibition centre.
Hamburg is well served by train from all over Germany.
