Hamburg Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Hamburg

Hamburg, in N Germany (190 mls NW of the capital, Berlin. 120 mls S of the Danish border), is situated on largely flat land on the rivers Elbe and Alster, with numerous waterways (known as "fleeten") and several lakes. Mainly surrounded by farmland and woodland. Not surprisingly, Hamburg is evolved into a watery city both geographically, historically and atmospherically. It is Germany's 2nd largest city and is also known as Germany's 'green city', sporting 1,400 parks and gardens. Modern buildings reside alongside historic Baroque and Renaissance architecture, and by night, the neon lights dazzle all-night party people, particularly in the city's notorious red light district, the Reeperbahn.

Most of Hamburg's tourist attractions are based around its maritime traditions, particularly in the harbour area, where the 'Warehouse district' has been transformed into an entertaining destination offering several attractions. Further afield Hamburg is the gateway to the seaside and spa resorts of the Baltic and North Sea coastline.

With its many business and leisure attractions, Hamburg draws a broad range of visitors, including many from the rest of Germany. Backpackers and upmarket guests alike will find plenty of interest and variety, from fine art to lake cruises.

There is a wide and good range of accommodation, including a handful of impressive 5-stars. Mainly middlemarket options cluster around the main station. There are several properties in the St Pauli red-light district, though some are not quite what they seem! Pensions and B&Bs generally towards the leafy outskirts. City prices apply and availability is at a premium during trade fairs and German public holidays.

There are seemingly endless shopping opportunities, with a full range of quality goods at competitive prices. The main area is the city centre, in particular Monckebergstrasse, which is lined with department stores. Nearby Jungfernstieg and Neuer Wall have many designer boutiques, with speciality stores and antique shops in the myriad smaller streets surrounding. Several covered arcades dotted about the city.

During the daytime there are over 40 museums and galleries, with exhibits ranging from fine art and waxworks to maritime history (some housed in ships in the port); the Rathaus, one of Germany's finest city halls; St Katharinen, a restored Gothic church; Speicherstadt, a historical working complex of warehouses with traditional port activities; zoo; planetarium; Dom amusement fair (held 3 times a year); many sport and leisure activities. Harbour tours, canal trips, lake cruises, city walks and bus tours all available.

The nightlife is vast and varied, from trendy bars to a thriving jazz scene, musicals to rather seedy adult entertainments. St Pauli and the university district have some of the best bar,; opera and ballet at the Hamburgische Staatsoper, go to the classical music performances at the Musikhalle, over 40 theatres, including the highly regarded Thalia Theatre.

Hamburg is one of Germany's gourmet centres, with several acclaimed restaurants, numerous snack bars, bistros and cafes. Good selection of eateries around the main station; prices are higher in the city centre. The university district offers a good range of more affordable options. International cuisine is well represented, with Spanish and Portuguese in the port area, Asian in St Pauli and anything from Turkish to Italian restaurants scattered throughout. Seafood, soups and the traditional Hanseatic "hash" are local specialities.

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Population: 82.431.400
Languages: German
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Germany - Berlin - Berlin

Germany - Hesse - Frankfurt

Country Dialling Code: +49
Voltage: 230V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Germany is a federation of 16 states, roughly corresponding to regions with their own distinct and unique cultures. Germany is one of the most influential nations in European culture, and one of the world's main economic powers. Known around the world for its precision engineering and high-tech products, it is equally admired by visitors for its old-world charm and "Gemütlichkeit" (coziness) or hospitality. If you have perceptions of Germany as simply homogeneous, it will surprise you with its many historical regions and much local diversity for its relatively small size. Cities of all sizes boast some of Europe’s best nightclubs, as you’d expect from the home of techno. Enjoying the outdoors, from skiing Alpine peaks to hiking carefully preserved forests, is also an experience worth having.

Germany wears its riches well: elegant big-city charm, small picture-postcard towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a wealth of art and culture and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer are all there for the savouring.

Germany is made up of the North German Plain, the Central German Uplands (Mittelgebirge), and the Southern German Highlands. The Bavarian plateau in the southwest averages 1,600 ft (488 m) above sea level, but it reaches 9,721 ft (2,962 m) in the Zugspitze Mountains, the highest point in the country. Germany's major rivers are the Danube, the Elbe, the Oder, the Weser, and the Rhine.

This is the land that spawned Beethoven and Bauhaus, Goethe and Glühwein, Lager and Lederhosen and Walt Disney's inspiration for Cinderella's Castle. Whatever your interest, there's a strong chance it'll be satisfied somewhere here.

Hamburg Travel Guide

Hamburg Suitability Profile