Famous for its lively nightlife and for being Germany’s ‘gateway to the world’, the port city of Hamburg is the perfect city break destination. Planning a visit soon? The following are six ways to get to know Hamburg.
“If music be the food of love, play on”, so said William Shakespeare. Where better to seduce your significant other than at Hamburg’s newly opened Elbphilharmonie concert hall? The concert hall is the crowning glory of the city’s Hafencity waterfront area, Hamburg’s futuristic inner-city urban renewal project. And you’d have to have a heart of stone not to be wowed by the amazing 360° city views from the observation platform on the 6th floor.
Speicherstadt is the world’s largest historical warehouse complex and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015. Coffee, tea, spices and oriental carpets were stored behind the thick walls of these warehouses for centuries. Today, the Speicherstadt has become something of a museum district. Try up to 50 different spices in the Spicy´s Museum or discover the world’s largest private collection of maritime treasures in the International Maritime Museum. Admire the largest model railway system in the world in the Miniatur Wunderland or get to know the world of chocolate in the CHOCOVERSUM by Hachez. Meanwhile, the Prototyp Car Museum lets you get closer to the automotive icons of motorsport. For a look at the city’s darker history, head to Hamburg Dungeon.
Still in Maritime Hamburg, the futuristic HafenCity district is Europe’s largest inner city renewal project and is a mixture of apartment houses, offices and restaurants with businesses in-between. At Hamburg’s Harbour, more than eight million containers are handled here every year. This “hands-on” port is one of Germany’s most popular attractions. Check out the massive container ships and luxury cruise liners or hop on one of the many harbour boat trips that depart from the central pier, Landungsbrücken.
Music City: Hamburg is the world’s third largest musical metropolis, after New York and London. Historically, the city has always been devoted to classical music. Johannnes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Felix Mendelsohn-Bartholdy and many other outstanding artists have all contributed to Hamburg’s cultural heritage.
Opera and Ballet: The Hamburg State Opera, Germany’s first public opera house was founded in 1678. Hamburg Ballet, which was founded in 1973, is one of the leading ballet companies in the world, with an international reputation and the Laeiszhalle, a magnificent, neo-baroque concert hall was built in 1908. Located close to the city’s major shopping areas, the concert hall provides a wide repertoire in classical and contemporary music.
Museums: The city is home to around 70 museums, including the Deichtorhallen, featuring Germany’s unique Haus der Photographie and the Bucerius Kunstforum, which hosts four annual exhibitions of international acclaim. The Hamburger Kunsthalle, founded in 1869, is one of the largest and most important art museums in Germany. Its first-class collection covers seven centuries of art. For one of the loveliest views of the city, grab a coffee at the bistro of the Galerie der Gegenwart, it’s always a favourite with visitors.
Whether you’re on a stag or hen night, celebrating a birthday or just on a night out, the Reeperbahn – known as “Kiez” by the locals is Hamburg’s most lively entertainment area. On the centrally located “Spielbudenplatz” along the Reeperbahn, you’ll find musical theatres including the St Pauli Theatre offering entertainment of all kinds. For a comedy fix, see one of the shows in the Schmidts Tivoli. Going all out? The mix of bars, restaurants and clubs in the Große Freiheit is hard to beat. Be warned though, a night on the Reeperbahn is not for the faint-hearted and will go on well into the early hours of the morning.
On Sunday, if you’re still up at 5am (or you’re an early riser), head to Hamburg’s legendary fish market. The traditional market has been taking place every Sunday morning since 1703. From fish to bananas to plants and flowers, there’s plenty to see. Stave off hunger with a traditional fish roll washed down with a local Hamburg beer or go for brunch in the historic fish auction hall where live jazz, skiffle and country and western music provides the perfect soundtrack to your Sunday morning.
Hamburg is a Mecca for shoppers. Most of the city’s best flagship stores and galleries can be found in the Bleichenhof, Galleria, Hamburger Hof and Gänsemarkt arcades.
Head to Neuer Wall for designer stores, it’s one of Europe’s top ten streets for luxury shopping. Meanwhile, Spitalerstrasse, located near the main train station, is a pedestrianised street with major clothing chains such as H&M, Office and ZARA. For huge department stores, head to Mönckebergstrasse.
Karolinenviertel, Schanzenviertel and Ottensen are young and alternative lifestyle districts for Hamburg’s hipsters and trendsetters. Second-hand shops used to dominate the scene, but today there are also several designers as well as urban cafés and bars.
Looking for a traditional Hamburg gift to take home? Head to Ladage & Oelke, Mutterland or Oschätzchen where you’ll find plenty of handmade souvenirs to take back to your nearest and dearest.
The Hamburg Card offers you unlimited travel on the underground, buses and harbour ferries. Furthermore, you get up to 50% off at more than 150 tourist attractions including harbour cruises, city tours and discounts on theatre, opera and musical tickets. You’ll also make big savings at many restaurants, museums and exhibitions.
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