Take a breath in Hamburg

Take a breath in HamburgGreen escapes with the queen of wellness

Model, activist, and wellness advocate Anuthida Ploypetch takes us beyond Hamburg’s urban buzz to explore the city’s more relaxed side, from green escapes to coffee shop calm.

By Justin Kendall

24 October 2025 · 3 min read

Sometimes the best city discoveries happen outside a country’s capital. Hamburg might often be overshadowed by its trendier sibling Berlin, but this port city in northern Germany has a lot to offer its visitors. A deep music heritage, rich cultural history, and stunning outdoor spaces make Hamburg a destination for both urban dwellers and nature lovers alike.

Anuthida Ploypetch fits both of those categories. As 2017 runner-up of Germany’s Next Top Model and a social media star ever since, Anuthida is no stranger to a life spent between major fashion capitals. But her practice is also rooted firmly in the natural world: she’s a prominent advocate for conservation, well-respected in the wellness space, and her style blends nomadic boho-chic with a practical, outdoorsy edge. For this episode of On My Way!, we’re slowing down and letting Anuthida show us Hamburg’s most refreshing natural spots. Get ready for a breath of fresh air.

“ [Hamburg has] this balance between a big city life and a softness that makes you feel held. ”

- Anuthida Ploypetch

Get outdoors

Describe Hamburg’s vibe in three words.

Idyllic, serene, cosy. Those three really capture how I experience the city. There’s this balance between a big city life and a softness that makes you feel held.

Your top 3 wellness spaces in the city?

Definitely Planten & Blomen... it feels like a sanctuary right in the middle of the urban hustle. The Japanese garden there slows down time for me. Then the Alster, especially in the earliest mornings when it’s still quiet — walking along the water always resets me. And ‘der Bewegungsraum im Gängeviertel’ — it’s not the classic “wellness space,” but for me it’s a place where I can dive deep into my body and consciousness through movement classes and creative gatherings.

What is your go-to outfit for a day that’ll take you from the city to nature?

Usually a long skirt with a comfortable tank top, a light long sleeve layered on top, sneakers or loafers — and always a headscarf. I like outfits that are practical but still flow with my mood, and I love having pieces that move with me whether I’m on cobblestone streets or standing under trees.

How does your connection with the outdoors influence your style?

I think it makes me more practical — but in a creative way. I pay attention to accessories that can hold space for spontaneity like bags big enough for water, snacks, or even a book if I end up in the park. I love multifunctional pieces that can shift depending on the weather or my energy that day. Scarves are my favorite — they can be a headpiece, a wrap, even a blanket. And I’m drawn to natural colours, leaf prints, earthy tones. It feels like a way of honouring my connection with Mother Earth through what I wear.

“ Make sure you spend time near the water — it’s almost a spiritual necessity here. ”

- Anuthida Ploypetch

You’re going on a morning hike: Where do you go? Why?

I’d probably head into the Fischbeker Heide. It’s close enough to reach without too much planning, but once you’re there you feel like you’ve stepped into a completely different world. The heather in bloom, the stillness, the air — it’s grounding. A reminder that Hamburg isn’t just water, but also has wild landscapes if you’re willing to look.

Which Hamburg stereotype do you love the most? Is it true?

Not sure if it’s officially a stereotype, but you’ll always find at least one person on the water — whether it’s a boat, SUP board, or pedal boat. It reflects something essential about Hamburg: our collective desire to connect with water. Even in autumn, you’ll see people paddling in the mist. It’s beautiful, almost poetic, how the water calls people back again and again.

And which do you hate?

The cookie-cutter look of the “rich white Winterhude uniform” — glass in hand, polos, mini skirts with chunky boots. It’s not that the outfit itself bothers me, but the way everyone looks exactly the same, as if uniqueness has been traded in for a safe template. It feels like a denial of how diverse and expressive human beings really are.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone visiting Hamburg for the first time?

Don’t listen too much to stereotypes or tourist guides. Explore with fresh eyes and remember that every district has its own identity. Make sure you spend time near the water — it’s almost a spiritual necessity here. And look for cultural events: the monthly African Food Festival, local art gatherings, and small concerts. Hamburg has so much more to offer than the usual clichés, if you let yourself be curious.