Discover a city - port with distinctive charm and intriguing contrasts. With a rich maritime history, splendid architecture and a unique collection of canals, bridges, lakes and parks, Hamburg is unlike any other city in Germany.
Hamburg is the second-largest city by population in Germany and its biggest port. It isn’t on the coast, but it is one of the largest and most vibrant ports in Europe. The Elbe River runs through the city, flowing another 100 kilometers before joining the North Sea. It is a city with a great maritime history, wonderful architecture and cosmopolitan charm. It has around 2.500 bridges, more than Venice and Amsterdam combined!
The elegant buildings, the old warehouses transformed into museums, restaurants, hotels and galleries, the lakes and lush green parks will make you fall in love with this city that is unlike any other in Germany.
Hamburg: What to see
Explore the historic center of Hamburg, where you’ll find the Renaissance Rathaus (City Hall) with its ornate façade and 112-meter tower, St Peter’s Church, Germany’s oldest stock exchange and many more sights.
One of the city’s most remarkable sights is thechurch of St Michaeliswhich is considered the most important Baroque church in Northern Germany. The clock on the bell tower is the largest in Germany. Climb to the top to enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the city.
Lake Binnenalster is the ideal place for relaxation, coffee and picnics. Enjoy a walk towards Aussenalster, the city’s other lake, surrounded by lush green parks. If the weather is good, you’ll see locals rowing, sailing and jogging along the shores.
Take a stroll along Hamburg’s harbor to feel the vibes of the city and admire the gigantic cargo ships with their colorful containers and the impressive cruise liners. Hop on a boat from the Landungsbrücken pier for a «cruise» on the Elbe that will give you a good taste of the city: from the bridges, canals and vast warehouses, once packed with crates of spices and cocoa, to the aristocratic district of Blankeneseand the HafenCity area, a new city within the city (expected to take its final form by 2030).
A marvel of contemporary architecture, thenew Philharmonic building on the banks of the Elbe (Elbphilharmonie) is one of Hamburg’s most impressive landmarks. The iconic glass building rising to 108 meters is based on the shell of an eight-story port warehouse. Thousands of glass panels reflect the sky, the river and the city around it. It hosts concert halls with exceptional acoustics, a luxury hotel (The Westin Hamburg Hotel), restaurants, apartments and the Plaza, from where visitors can enjoy a wonderful view of the city.
Visit Speicherstadt, the warehouse district that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reflected in the neighborhood’s canals are seven-story Gothic red-brick buildings that once stored tobacco, coffee and spices. Today, many of the old warehouses have been transformed into museums, restaurants and galleries. The International Maritime Museum of Hamburg, Miniatur Wunderland (an original museum packed with miniatures, featuring Europe’s most impressive model exhibition),the Automobile Museum, the Coffee Museum and the Spice Museum are some of the most interesting stops in the area.
The Hamburger Kunsthalle is a must-visit for every art lover. It boasts a vast collection of exhibits - among the largest in the country). In addition to masterpieces by German artists, you’ll see works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir and Munch.
At night, all roads lead to the historic harbor district of St. Pauli(football fans know it well for the team of the same name). Starting at Beatles-Platz, where the abstract and interactive Beatles monument stands (the career of the legendary «Beatles» began in this neighborhood), take a stroll along Reeperbahn and the surrounding lanes where you’ll find theaters, beer halls, music venues and clubsalongside Hamburg’s famous red light district with its sex shops and strip clubs.
Finally, don’t forget to visit theFischmarkt. This is the city’s famous fish market, an institution since 1703. It opens its doors in the early hours of Sunday and is perfect for trying Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich)and other local delicacies after a night out.
