Tourists everywhere – and they know why!!
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is one of the sixteen German states and has 1.8 million inhabitants giving it the second largest population of the country.
This city is famous for its unique lifestyle, its harbour, which is the fourth-largest in Europe and many points of interest that can be found just a stone-throw away, like the red light district to which Amsterdam appears just like an imitation. Hamburg is open 24/7 and is really a city that never sleeps.
Come here by air-plane, cruise liner, train or even by bus or car - the well built traffic-system will lead you fast and secure to your hotel in Hamburg.
Hamburg – my pearl! (in german: “Hamburg meine Perle!”)
The gate to the world!
5 good ideas to spend time with in Hamburg
Parties in Hamburg:
As mentioned before Hamburg really is a place that never sleeps – especially at the weekend, the streets are full of people all night long. If you are interested in celebrating and dancing through the night the “Reeperbahn” will be the right place for you as it’s a 930m long street filled with bars, theatres and clubs . Take a look at the “Hans-Albers-Platz”, where you will find a lot of life music almost every day of the week.
Concerts in Hamburg:
Many international acts give concerts in Hamburg and love to stay a few days longer after the work is done just to enjoy the city, the lifestyle and the friendly people. There is always music in the air, and some bands used this surrounding to start their career in this music-loving city. “The Beatles” for example started on the basement stage “Kaiserkeller” of club “Grosse Freiheit 36” - a must see for real fans.
Harbour - Birthday:
If you have the chance you should visit the city during the “Harbour-Birthday”. One week of celebrating you will be fascinated by this stunning event which has more than a million visitors every year.
In the end Hamburg can promise you one thing: Whatever you are searching for – it’s pretty close!
The “Miniature Wonderland Hamburg”:
This extremely famous model railway is the largest in the world and one of the most successful permanent exhibitions in Germany. Take a look at fantastic models in 10 sections such as “Switzerland” including the “Matterhorn”, the “Glacier Express “and the underground station “Porta Alpina”, the section “Airport” which is more than 150 square meters including airplanes from a A380 to a Cessna, or the “America” section where you can find a model of Las Vegas with more than 30.000 installed lights. http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/
Planten un Blomen:
Interested in botanical gardens? Then this garden of Eden has to be on your itinerary. You will find plants from all over the planet, more than 300 types of roses and the largest Japanese garden in the world, built in 1988 by Yoshikuni Araki. Enjoy this quiet place, with many attractions for children and families like mini-golf in an area of 47 hectares, and don’t forget to take a look at the fascinating Light-Water-Games, which are enjoyable for all.
Interesting areas in Hamburg
The Harbour:
Since the medieval era the city has grown with the purpose of international business because due to its famous harbour, where nowadays you can find old ships such as the “Cap San Diego” or the beautiful “Rickmer Rickmers”, a three-master, launched in August 1896, which sailed under the British flag in the first world war in 1916.
The harbour has a special charm which is created by connecting the ages in one small area. You have the old harbour-city with its timbered houses and storehouses, which were used to store linen and the valuable salt for sure.
The new Harbour-City:
Just a few steps to the new “HarbourCity” - the biggest inner city developing project in Europe. Not only interesting for architects and engineers, but for tourists alike.
Once you are there, take a look at the “Hamburg Dungeon” (around 15€), told to be as frightening as the “London Dungeon” and take a walk through the old “Elb-Tunnel” close to the “Landungsbruecken”. You will reach the opposite waterfront and will have an amazing view over the skyline of Hamburg.
Jungfernstieg (correspondingly: Virgin-Road):
For most visitors and some locals this is the heart of the inner-city. Years ago the rich families paraded along the waterfront of the Binnen-Alster, showing their virgin daughters to the others – and that is where the name comes from. Geographically placed in the centre of Hamburg, it is the perfect meeting point to have lunch and travel through the big and small stores for shopping. The ladies will love it – and that’ s why the gents surely will do too!
10 travel tips for Hamburg
Take a look on St.Michaelis-Church: The towns landmark, also known as “The Michel”.
Restaurants: If you are hungry and want to celebrate the meal, take a look at the “Bistro Le Souterrain” in St.Georg. Good Quality – fair prices.
Art: Take a break at the “Art and Contemporary Gallery” and “The Hamburg-Art-Gallery”! They are famous for theier sophisticated principle of choice.
City-Guide Tour: Want to know more about Hamburg? There are guided Tours starting several times a day. If you book early you could have the honour to be guided by Olivia Jones – the most famous Drag-Queen of Germany person.
Take a walk: Start the tour at the HafenCity – for example at the Marco Polo Terrassen. Follow the route passing by the Elbphilharmonie and the Johannisbollwerk up to the Landungsbruecken. Walk straight ahead crossing St.Pauli you will reach the old museum-port of Oevelgoenne. Take a boat for the way back. It’s fun and very cheap.
Sit down and relax in Hamburgs oldest Seeman-bar in the “Carsten-Rehder-Straße 62”, called "Schellfischposten". You can be sure: A nice place to be and if “Ina” is there, you will be on TV.
A famous german talkshow, moderated by the breath-taking “Ina Mueller” is produced in this place.
Altonaer fish market: When you’re awake very early on sundays visit the Fischmarkt at the Landungsbruecken. Great offers for almost everything from fresh fish to palm-trees and mobile-phone-accessories combined with Live-Music. A perfect place to find unique presents for those who had to stay at home. After that enjoy the day in one of the beach-bars and start the day with a brunch or cocktail.
Hamburg Dom: The Hamburger Dom is a fair which takes place three times a year for two weeks each. In the 160,000m festival area you can find all kinds of food, carousels and roller coasters. Big fun for young and old!
The Highflyer: It is one of the biggest captive balloons in the world and Hamburgs highest vantage point. 150 m over Germany's most beautiful city you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city centre, harbour and Alster lake. A trip takes approximately 15 min.
Want more?
Are there places to meet locals?
The “Schanzenviertel”
Take a look at “The Schanze” in the area between “Eimsbuettel” and “Sternschanze”. It’s a sociocultural quarter with a lot of students and a good place to spend some hours speaking to open minded artists, designers, musicians or painters. If your are not interested in sharing and hearing some philosophical thoughts – read a book instead. These people know how life should be lived.
Where can I find a taste of Britain?
Almost everywhere. In the evening and especially when they like British drinks, take a look at the “Welcome Inn” located on “Hans-Albers-Platz”. You will have a good time for sure and probably a headache the day after.
Will the people be likely and understand my humor?
The northern Germans have a deadpan humour and that is why Hamburg is also likened to the most eastern suburb of London!
How to travel in Hamburg?
Hamburg is a very German city – you will find signs that show you the way every step of the way. You can easily use buses or the tube – but be aware: The Tube is called “Hochbahn” (“high-train”) and is partly drives above ground, while the tram is called “Stadt-Bahn” (City-train).
What about Soccer?
Football is extremely popular in Germany and there are two first league soccer-clubs in Hamburg. St.Pauli and Schalke 04. The fans don’t like each other much, when they play against each other but it’s always a lot of fun and cheap for you to visit.
Will I loose all my money on “Reeperbahn”?
Well, there are plenty options to spend your money fast, especially if you want to pay for some private time with one the top-models standing under the lights at the corners. But it’s also easy if you’re not aware of some strictly achieved regulations. There are 54 signs that tell you not to carry around bottles or stuff made out of glass in the whole area around the “Reeperbahn” on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm to 6am. It will cost you from 30€ up to 80€ immediately – or more – depending on the size of your mouth. On the other hand the prices for a drink or a midnight snack will make you satisfied.
My fiancé wants to visit Venice. How can I get her to Hamburg instead?
Tell her/him you will take her/him to a place with more bridges than Venice. To a place, where the air is maritime and the people are friendly. Where the prices are low and the options are endless. Tell her/him about the amazing musical “The Lion King” (a must see for everyone who is interested in this kind of entertainment), the great amount of cabaret stages and concerts, pantomimes and street musicians, art galleries and big gardens with fountains and about the infinite number of shops, where you can buy clothes first or second hand. Otherwise come alone – you will probably stay.