Hamburg attractions
Dynamic Hamburg is Germany’s wealthiest city. Part of the Hanseatic League trading bloc in the Middle Ages, this duty-free port on the River Elbe has been doing business with the world ever since.
Why Go?
With its diverse culture, culinary highlights, seriously good shopping and pulsing nightlife, Hamburg, Germany’s gateway to the world, is tops. What’s more, it has parks and green spaces galore – more, in fact than any other German city.
What to do
No shortage of things to do in this bustling metropolis.
Head for the port, one of the busiest in the world and take in the fabulous atmosphere of the 19th century St-Pauli-Fischmarkt (fish market). On Sunday mornings a lively street market springs up here. Shouty stallholders with their humorous banter are a highlight, while sleepless revellers and early birds breakfast on fish rolls accompanied by jazz bands. Many people come simply to enjoy the spontaneous – and it has to be said, raucous - atmosphere.
image (c) Gilly Pickup image: Hamburg Fischauktionhalle © DZT -Presseburo
The 132-metre tall spire at the top of St Michaelis Church dating back to the 1760s offers panoramic views. It is possible to hoof it up to the fortress, but if you can’t face that, take the lift. The church has Germany’s biggest tower clock too with clock faces over 24 metres in circumference and hands of 4.91 and 3.65 metres long.
Hafencity, once the old warehouse district of town and a city within a city looks good since it has been revitalised. It starts at the Speicherstadt, a bloc of old spice warehouses a stone's throw from the city centre. Visit the Miniatur Wunderland with its miniature trains and villages and wander along cobblestone streets awash with red brick Hanseatic architecture hemmed with museums, shops and cafes. If you’re brave, you might fancy popping into the Hamburg Dungeon to get spooked by 2000 years of blood-curdling history including the Great Fire, plague, floods and pirates. There is a torture chamber too! It’s much less grisly to take a stroll through the ages at the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (Museum of Hamburg History). Worth visiting to see exhibits about art, science, music, shipping and trading. The landmark building here though is the Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall and hotel. It's a look-at-me piece of architecture.
The 132-metre tall spire at the top of St Michaelis Church dating back to the 1760s offers panoramic views. It is possible to hoof it up to the fortress, but if you can’t face that, take the lift. The church has Germany’s biggest tower clock too with clock faces over 24 metres in circumference and hands of 4.91 and 3.65 metres long.
Hafencity, once the old warehouse district of town and a city within a city looks good since it has been revitalised. It starts at the Speicherstadt, a bloc of old spice warehouses a stone's throw from the city centre. Visit the Miniatur Wunderland with its miniature trains and villages and wander along cobblestone streets awash with red brick Hanseatic architecture hemmed with museums, shops and cafes. If you’re brave, you might fancy popping into the Hamburg Dungeon to get spooked by 2000 years of blood-curdling history including the Great Fire, plague, floods and pirates. There is a torture chamber too! It’s much less grisly to take a stroll through the ages at the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (Museum of Hamburg History). Worth visiting to see exhibits about art, science, music, shipping and trading. The landmark building here though is the Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall and hotel. It's a look-at-me piece of architecture.
Eating
There is much more to Hamburg cuisine than sausages and dumplings and food here is largely influenced by the city’s proximity to the sea. Plaice, herring and shrimp turn up a lot in menus and eel soup is a local specialty. A tasty dessert is ‘Rote Grütze’, red fruit pudding which you might follow with a ‘Pharisaer’ - coffee with an added swig of rum. To the inhabitants of Hamburg, Franzbrötchen or ‘Franz's rolls’ are a breakfast treat! This is their city of origin.
Must Do
Take to the water! A great way to explore the city is by boat, on a ferry or steamer. As Hamburg is surrounded by water it would be a shame not to. Picturesque Alster lake, dotted with yachts and ringed by leafy banks, parks and waterside cafés, accentuates the maritime feel. On a warm summer’s day do as the locals and take a cruise from the Binnenalster (Inner Alster) to the Aussenalster and its parkland fringes.
Hamburg Tourism
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There is much more to Hamburg cuisine than sausages and dumplings and food here is largely influenced by the city’s proximity to the sea. Plaice, herring and shrimp turn up a lot in menus and eel soup is a local specialty. A tasty dessert is ‘Rote Grütze’, red fruit pudding which you might follow with a ‘Pharisaer’ - coffee with an added swig of rum. To the inhabitants of Hamburg, Franzbrötchen or ‘Franz's rolls’ are a breakfast treat! This is their city of origin.
Must Do
Take to the water! A great way to explore the city is by boat, on a ferry or steamer. As Hamburg is surrounded by water it would be a shame not to. Picturesque Alster lake, dotted with yachts and ringed by leafy banks, parks and waterside cafés, accentuates the maritime feel. On a warm summer’s day do as the locals and take a cruise from the Binnenalster (Inner Alster) to the Aussenalster and its parkland fringes.
Hamburg Tourism
Return to features index