Hamburg: A City of the Sea
Hamburg is one of the largest cities in Germany and one of the largest ports in Europe. Due to the importance of trade, Hamburg has a variety of markets where you can buy many kinds of food and other goods. You can easily find hotels near the airport or city centre, as well as near many of the interesting museums, parks, and authentic German food and culture. Even though this city does not lie directly along the coast, its direct connection to the North Sea through the Elbe River will make you feel like you are just minutes away.
Exploring from the Outside
Walking out of your hotel you will see that Hamburg has a lot of activities to do without having to be indoors. For a little shopping, you can visit the Fish Auction Hall and Market or the Rathausmarkt . Both have many different types of foods and goods to buy, from fantastic fish sandwiches to Christmas crafts and handmade traditional German goods. For a little time outside for some peace and quiet, Planten un Blomen, Stadtpark , and Alster Lakes are three great places to try. They offer you a beautiful array of many kinds of flowers and wildlife. And no trip to this famous port city is complete without visiting the Port of Hamburg and the Harbour Piers. Experience what has made this city famous by watching the ships come in and unload their precious cargo. For people looking to explore the city at night, an interesting place to visit might be the Reeperbahn. This area of Hamburg is comparable to Amsterdam’s Red Light District. It has a variety of shops offering goods and services, but the area is also a good place to find many great bars and clubs. If you visit during the warmer months, you can enjoy some time by the two artificial lakes: Außenalster and Binnenalster . On a summer day, you will probably see locals sunbathing, swimming, sailing, rowing, and taking part in a variety of other activities.
Time with the Family
For people with children or just groups of adults who are young at heart, Hamburg has a lot to offer you as well. They city does not leave anyone out. If you want to start small, your first stop should be Miniatur Wunderland . This museum holds the world’s largest model railway. You can enjoy over 1,000 trains and nine sections of exhibits, divided by culture or region. Every scene is full of life and every detail is sorted out, from the buildings down to the tiniest blade of grass. Two other fun activities for those who need some time with animals or art are the Hamburg Zoo and the Hamburger Kunsthalle . It will be difficult to find cages at this zoo as it is known as being one of the first in the world to use open enclosures. Visiting the art museum in Hamburg helps you escape into a world of European art masters beginning with the 14th century. It is one of the largest museums in Germany. And don’t miss the Hamburger Dom, the largest and biggest fair in Germany. It takes place three times a year: spring, summer, and winter and features food, fireworks, rides, and other attractions for the entire family. There is so much to do here, you will not regret leaving the comforts of your hotel for any second.
Architecture the Hamburg Way
Taking a walk around Hamburg will lead you to many beautiful buildings. But what makes Hamburg unique are its Rathaus and the influence of the port. It is unlike any other city in Germany. The Rathaus or Town Hall is one of Hamburg’s most impressive sites. It is so large and spectacular that some even compare it to Buckingham Palace. In fact, it is even quite a bit larger than its more famous British cousin. To get an idea of how the port has influenced the city, a walk through Speicherstadt would be a good start. There you can find many of the warehouses used to store all the imports that came into the city dating back hundreds of years. And for more of a modern interpretation of portside architecture, the Elbphilharmonie provides both beautiful music and beautiful views of the city. After your trip is over and you take off from the airport, you can see how the Elbe River branches throughout the city, making water and trade such a huge influence on the city’s form and function.
Churches of the Past
If you enjoy religious buildings, Hamburg has many churches that are nice to visit. They may not be as big and flashy as some of the other sites in Hamburg, but they are great examples of Gothic architecture. Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis, St. Petri Kirche, Hauptkirche St. Katharinen , and Niendorf Kirche are three of the many churches in Hamburg that are worth seeing. Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis is one of the most well-known in Hamburg and features a bronze statue of St. Michael. During a trip to Sankt Jacobi, you could find yourself enjoying organ music from one of the oldest organs in Europe.
Exploring the City’s History
Due to its association with water, a great stop is the Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg. It was opened in a former warehouse and features over 40,000 items, including model ships, uniforms, maritime art. For a more specific take on history, you can visit the Hamburg Museum, which features exhibits about the history of Hamburg. You also visit a bit of the Soviet past of the area by visiting Soviet submarine B-515.