Hamburg Warehouse Complex
The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with
Gothic gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for
storing exotic goods from around the world, like tea, cocoa, silk
and oriental carpets. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this
historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and
Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition
of an open air theatre, spice museum, miniature exhibition and an
old Russian submarine open for exploration as well as a few other
little museums and some regular art exhibitions. Another popular
attraction in Speicherstadt is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an
interactive museum showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects
of the city's history.
Just wandering through the narrow cobblestone streets and
exploring the small waterways lined by old warehouses is fun, and
taking a boat out into the harbour is also a treat. The
Speicherstadt is illuminated at night by light shows which create
an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a
harbour night tour. The harbour has played a huge role in Hamburg's
identity and history and exploring this area is insightful.
Speicherstadt by night
Alex Kulikov
Hamburger Kunsthalle
Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works
across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the
present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art,
rather than showcase particular art treasures (although treasures
abound), and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new
forms of art to the public. The museum now actually occupies two
buildings. The Galerie der Gegenwart, a modern structure, exhibits
the modern and contemporary art. The famous old building, a feature
in its own right, showcases the older works, most of which date
back to the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries. There are several cafes
in the gallery, including a bistro with a nice view of the
Binnenalster. Seeing everything in this gallery will probably only
take about two hours if you don't dawdle but there are lovely spots
to sketch and write which may prolong the visit.
Address:
Glockengießerwall
Transport:
U-Bahn - Take the U1, U2 or U3 to Hauptbahnhof; Bus -
Take the 112 bus to the stop Hamburger Kunsthalle
Opening time:
10am - 6pm Tuesday to Sunday. 10am - 9pm on Thursday.
Closed on Monday.
Hamburger Kunsthalle interior
Mattes
Museum of Hamburg History
The Hamburg Museum gives a detailed description of the city of
Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models
have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's
famous harbour. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various
typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home
to an air raid shelter from World War II. Actual features from old
buildings have been moved into the museum creating an exciting
architectural space. The museum is housed in an impressive building
crowned by a tower designed to look like a lighthouse and dating
back to 1922 when the museum opened. It was built on part of the
former fortifications of the town of Hamburg, details of which can
be found inside. The gorgeous central courtyard has recently been
covered with a glass ceiling and the space is now used for
exhibitions, concerts and other events. To see what's on when
you're visiting check the website.
Address:
Holstenwall 24
Transport:
U-Bahn - U3 (St. Pauli); Bus 112 - stop “Museum für
Hamburgische Geschichte”
Opening time:
10am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday; 10am - 6pm Sunday;
closed on Monday
Hamburg Museum courtyard
Wolfgang Meinhart
Reeperbahn
Hamburg's notorious red light district, to the east of the city
centre in the St Pauli zone, has become one of its greatest tourist
attractions. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be
produced for the ships in the harbour. It is now a half-mile long
street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright
lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and
establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became
the neighbourhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek
entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more
respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an
Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and
restricted to persons over 16. The Beatles used to play in a club
in the area which is now a Pizza Hut and there is a tribute to them
called the Beatlesplatz where there are aluminium silhouettes of
the band as they looked when they played in Hamburg.
Although the district is extremely popular it will not delight
everyone and you should not visit if you are offended by
prostitution. It is better to explore on foot because parking is
very expensive and hard to come by. There is a possibility of petty
crime in the area so travellers should remain vigilant.
Reeperbahn Lights
Luftphilia
Planten un Blomen
In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees,
with colourful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to
relax in. You can stroll around the Japanese garden and enjoy the
tropical flower collections and teahouse. It is easy to find a
pretty spot to have a picnic or read a book as the gardens are
extensive and full of little nooks. Children will enjoy the range
of attractions including playgrounds, pony rides, miniature golf,
and a roller rink and ice skating rink. There are also concerts and
theatrical performances on a regular basis - check the website for
details on what will be happening during your visit. In the summer
months there are evening concerts with light shows at the fountains
which are wonderful to attend. The park is also beautiful in autumn
and spring though, when the colours are spectacular. As the park is
right in the heart of Hamburg it is very easy to access as an area
to allow the kids to blow off some steam and for the whole family
to take a break from the city and traditional sightseeing. If
you're looking for an open area to do some jogging or walking
Planten un Blomen is ideal.
Water Light Show
Merlin Senger
St Michaelis Church
St Michaelis began as a humble little church, which was extended
in 1600. In 1647 construction began on the grand building that
stands today as possibly Hamburg's most recognisable landmark. Like
many important buildings in Germany, the church suffered major
damage in World War II. Michaeliskirche offers tours of the 270
foot (82m) tower; the crypt, which contains the bodies of Johann
Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; and an interesting
presentation on the history of Hamburg including a film. The tower
has a magnificent viewing platform which can be reached either by
elevator or by climbing the 452 steps. The advantage of taking the
steps is that you get to see the bells and the famous clock
machinery on your way up, but it is quite a climb.
As the church is still an active place of worship it is closed
to visitors during services and events and at all times tourists
are expected to show respect. There is a small chapel on the side
that is almost always open for prayer and contemplation.
Address:
Englische Planke 1a
St Michaelis Church interior
Steve Watkins
Miniature Wonderland
Train enthusiasts will love Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg, but
so will almost everybody else. With more than 4,000 square metres
of floor space, there is much to see with tiny models of various
regions, both local and international. The largest of its kind in
the world and the most visited permanent exhibit in Northern
Germany, there are 900 trains with 12,000 carriages, as well as
300,000 lights, 200,000 trees and 200,000 human figures. Sections
include Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, Hamburg and the
Coast, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. There is so much
detail in the model world that you can examine it for hours and
never get bored - some of the scenarios are very amusing and the
little people are portrayed doing all sorts of things.
The place is very popular for people of all ages and it can get
a bit crowded inside, especially in the peak summer months. It is
best to book your ticket in advance online to avoid waiting.
Address:
Kehrwieder 4 Block D
Transport:
U-Bahn - U3 to Baumwall or U1 to Messberg
Opening time:
9.30am - 6pm daily
Miniature Wonderland
Maurizio Manetti
Hamburg has an oceanic climate. It is a fairly wet and windy
city, with prevailing westerly winds blowing in moist air from the
North Sea. Summers are warm but rainy, with occasional dry, sunny
spells. Winters are cold, sometimes chilling to 28ºF (-2ºC) in
January, the coldest month, when the Elbe and lakes in the city
centre have been known to freeze enough for ice-skating. Snowfall
is usually light and Hamburg generally only experiences one or two
heavy snowfalls a year, starting in early December, with icy sleet
being the more common form of winter precipitation. Spring is very
pleasant in Hamburg, when the city's thousands of trees come into
bloom with a new cloak of green and the days start to warm up. In
fact, despite summer being the most popular period for tourism,
spring is the best time to visit Hamburg, not least of all because
it is the season which shows off the city's numerous parks and
gardens to their best advantage. Summer can be delightful, and
there are many events to be enjoyed in the hottest months, but
attractions can also get very crowded and everything is more
expensive.
Hamburg Airport
Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) north of central
Hamburg.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March
and the last Sunday in October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
The terminals are connected and both can be explored on
foot.
Getting to the city:
Hamburg Airport is accessible by S-Bahn which takes 25 minutes
to get from the airport to central Hamburg. Buses service the city
centre and other suburban areas. Taxis are readily available
outside both terminals; they take around 30 minutes to get to the
city centre.
Car Rental:
Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt, among others, are
represented at the airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are readily available outside both terminals. They take
around 30 minutes to get to the city centre.
Facilities:
There are several restaurants, shops, bars and cafes throughout
the airport, as well as banks, currency exchange and ATMs in
Terminals 1 and 2. There is wifi access in all terminals. Disabled
facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact
their airline in advance.
Parking
Short-term parking is charged at about €2 for every 20 minutes,
or €28 for a full day. Long-term parking is charged at between €55
and €100 per week.
Hamburg's extensive public transport system consists of the
U-Bahn (subway), the S-Bahn (suburban train), buses and harbour
ferries, and makes getting around without a car pleasurable and
easy. The U-Bahn is excellent and serves the whole city centre. It
connects with the S-Bahn that services the suburbs, and this train
network is the fastest way to get around the city. Buses are also
convenient and night buses operate in the downtown area. Taxis are
generally less expensive than in other German cities and are
available at all hours. It is possible to hire a car but parking in
some areas of the city, like the famous Reeperbahn, is extremely
difficult to find and makes driving stressful. Like most cities in
Germany it is possible to hire bicycles at very little cost and
this is a fun way to get around. Parts of the city are best
explored on foot and it is generally considered a safe city, but it
is worth taking good care of your possessions when walking and
using public transport.
Hamburg is a diverse and entertaining city, with plenty to see
and do. Attractions include world-class museums, wonderful art
galleries, an upbeat nightlife, excellent restaurants and first
class shopping. Also popular with tourists is the notorious
Reeperbahn red-light district.
Many of the things to see and do in Hamburg revolve
around the famous harbour. Every Sunday morning the banks of the
river Elbe play host to Hamburg's Fish Market, where tourists can
barter for fresh produce and soak up the lively atmosphere.
Speicherstadt, Hamburg's warehouse complex, is the largest in the
world and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can admire
the neo-gothic architecture and visit Miniature Wonderland, the
world's largest model train system.
There are many beautiful gardens and parks in the
city. Perhaps the best of these is Planten un Blomen. Visitors
looking for a break from museums and activities can stroll through
the tropical greenhouse and Japanese garden, or catch a concert on
the lawns in the summer months.
Once restored, tourists can delve into Hamburg's past
at the Museum of Hamburg History, or enjoy the extensive collection
and themed exhibitions of the Hamburg Kunsthalle.
Hamburg is also conveniently located for excursions
to nearby attractions. Some of the best daytrip destinations for
visitors to Hamburg are the quaint towns of Blankenese, Lubeck and
Hameln, which all offer great sightseeing opportunities. The island
of Sylt, Germany's most northern point, is also extremely
popular.
A Hamburg holiday offers something for everyone, from
children who will revel in attractions like the world's largest
model railway, to raucous groups of young travellers heading for
the famous sex shows of the Reeperbahn, and everyone in
between.
Blankenese
This quaint town on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing
village favoured by retired ship captains. Today it has become
popular with locals as a weekend excursion from Hamburg. Foreign
visitors also throng the narrow alleys between picturesque houses
packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance
of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships
steaming in and out of the harbour, and there are more than half a
dozen pretty parks in which to spend a few hours on a nice day. The
stunning views from the river-facing portions of Blankenese have
resulted in many beautiful homes and hotels being built on the
steep hillside, much of which is inaccessible to cars and has tiny
pedestrian-only streets which are very charming - there are also
4,864 stairs. There are two lighthouses on Blankenese. Other
attractions include a Roman garden, a doll museum and numerous
parks and walking trails.
There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St
Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port and the Blankenese
waterfront is serviced by various other water shuttles as well.
There are many buoys in the river to help guide all sizes of
watercraft, since this part of the river has many sandbars and is
subject to tidal shifts.
Blankenese
Mathias Kroning
Sylt
The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off
the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some
lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town,
Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. Other sought-after
villages are Kampen and Wenningstedt-Braderup. In recent years Sylt
has become the seaside destination of choice for the German rich
and famous and celebrity spotting is a regular activity for some
tourists. The island has miles of bicycle paths meandering through
pine forests and is a popular place for horse riding too.
Sylt offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including
shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. There are also a number of
golf courses. The Ellenbogen Nature Reserve is a lovely area for
walking and there are two lighthouses to explore as well as
wonderful dunes. Although most visitors come to enjoy the beaches
and outdoor activities in pretty Sylt, other popular tourist
attractions include the Sylt Aquarium, which is a good place to
take children, and the small but historically interesting Saint
Severin Church. Sylt is easy to get to and trains arrive several
times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland
by the six-mile (10km) Hindenburgdamm Bridge.
Sylt
temporalata
Hameln
Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children
around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony,
northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town centre
has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some
wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairy-tale
atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to
rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A
short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in
the old town between May and September at about 4.30pm, and the
Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town.
Most of the tourist attractions in Hameln are close together, so
it's easy to see everything on foot, before enjoying a meal at one
of the town's many cafes and beer gardens. The main attraction of
the village is its old-world fairy-tale appeal and the feeling that
you have stepped back in time. Hameln also hosts a popular
Christmas market from late November through December which is a
great place to do some shopping for those back home. The town in
situated in beautiful mountainous scenery, on the river, and is a
great base for excursions out into the countryside.
Pied Piper statue
John Carkeet
Lübeck
Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) northeast of Hamburg, close to the
Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple
of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the
wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century it sports some
architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons are Willy Brandt, the
West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and
Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrooks won the Nobel Prize for
Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is
known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong
towers and massive gates.
The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having
been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised
(there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are
freely available in Lübeck, along with tastes of wine from the
region. There are also some great cafes and restaurants to enjoy in
this beautiful town which feels quite unlike any other. If you only
have time for a quick visit spend a few hours strolling the Lübeck
Altstadt (Old Town) where many of the most striking buildings are
gathered.
Old Town
Guillaume Baviere