City trip to Hamburg: tips for land and water
Hamburg is a magnet. According to a recent survey, the metropolis of 1.8 million people is one of the most popular cities in Germany. Since 2009, it has regularly ranked among the top 20 most liveable cities in the world. No wonder that city trips to Hamburg are also popular with many tourists .
The proximity to the Alster, Elbe, canals and beaches plays a major role here. That's why it's best to head to the water for an exploratory tour. Or even better, hop aboard a barge, because here you can see Hamburg's sights from a different perspective. Past jetties and giant freighters, octopus-like crane landscapes, through the brick-rich Unesco World Heritage Site Speicherstadt, you can get closer to the maritime soul of the metropolis. The Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which is passed on the tour, is one of Hamburg's newer sights. The concert hall is due to open in January 2017, but its spectacular architecture is already attracting a lot of attention.
City trip to Hamburg: you've never seen this before!
People on the riverbank rub their eyes in amazement. Is there a bus floating in the Elbe? Then a honk. The driver waves laughingly to the confused passers-by and gives a thumbs-up. Everything's fine on board! The pedestrians hoot with relief, wave back to the bus driver and look curiously after the floating object. The hottest Hamburg tip: you can now literally submerge yourself in the Elbe metropolis. The "Riverbus" is a special amphibious vehicle that can move both on the road and in the water. It combines a city and harbor tour, so to speak. A unique project in Germany to date, which is a great idea for the Hanseatic city. You absolutely must try it out on your city trip to Hamburg! When you think of Hamburg, many people immediately think of water. In their mind's eye, they see sparkling white villas and pristine canvas against an inky blue backdrop. Giant container barges setting off on their journey into the wide world on the Elbe. Honestly, who doesn't feel a longing?
Hamburg tips for musical fans
Big stages are nothing new for the Hanseatic city. As a musical metropolis, it bears the nickname "Broadway of the North". It is also home to the multi-award-winning Thalia Theater, the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, the State Opera and, and, and.
Hamburg for shopping fans
Between Gänsemarkt, Jungfernstieg and City Hall are great areas for shopping. If the weather turns unfriendly, you can simply pop into the over 100-year-old Alsterhaus or stroll through one of the covered shopping centers. Hardly any other city has as many arcades as Hamburg. Shopping is definitely not neglected here...
But after a sightseeing, cultural or shopping session at the latest, most people are drawn back to the water. To the Elbe beach, for example, which starts at the Oevelgönne museum harbor. Here you can walk for hours towards the North Sea, making a city trip to Hamburg feel all the more like a vacation. However, you usually only just make it to the "Strandperle" café. With your feet in the sand and an Astra beer in your hand, Hamburg's beach clubs will make you feel like you're on vacation. And don't worry if a bus comes by any time soon ...
Hamburg tips from insiders for insiders
Shopping in Hamburg
The art deco-style Galleria Hamburg (Große Bleichen 21) offers everything your heart desires, from concept stores to custom-made items. Local labels can be found at Stadtkutter (Weidenallee 17). The descendant of the first German Chancellor designs casual clothing for the coast. Adenauer & Co. has also had a store in the Hanseatic city since the end of 2015 (Gerhofstr. 38).
Above the rooftops of the city
From the viewing platform of Hamburg's landmark, St. Michael's Church, the city lies at your feet even at night - a must for a city trip to Hamburg. The Nachtmichel is open daily (www.nachtmichel.de). If you want to add some lively music and drinks to your dream view, we recommend the Clouds Rooftop Bar Heaven's Nest (Reeperbahn 1), the Skyline Bar 20up in the Empire Riverside Hotel (Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 97) or the new Boilerman Bar in the 25hours Hotel Altes Hafenamt in Hafencity.
Art & culture
The Karolinenviertel is constantly reinventing itself. In addition to stores by young designers, there is also interesting street art by well-known artists. Hackenteer (www.hackenteer.com) offers guided tours through the Karo and hip Gängeviertel districts. The renovation work has finally been completed and the Kunsthalle has reopened. www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de
Hamburg: restaurants you must visit
Feast under white sails: the windjammer "Mare Frisium" departs every Sunday for a brunch cruise (11 am - 3 pm, tickets 79 euros, www.nordevent-shop.de). An absolute must for chocoholics is the Chocoversum in the old town (Meßberg 1) and the Läderach Chocolaterie at Jungfernstieg 34. Tel Aviv, Berlin, Vienna - and most recently Hamburg: celebrity chef Haya Molcho's restaurant Neni offers oriental cuisine at its best (Osakaallee 12).
Stay overnight
After extensive refurbishment, the traditional Hotel Reichshof reopened in summer 2015, with double rooms from 126 euros. The Hotel Altes Hafenamt, which opened in March 2016, also breathes history. Formerly used as an office for electricity and port construction, it now offers 49 cozy rooms. Double rooms from 123 euros incl. free mini and bike rental. Info: www.25hours-hotels.com
Theater & Concerts
Big stages, impressive orchestras and a vibrant music scene: Hamburg has so much to offer. A fairly new venue with a special atmosphere is the Mehr Theater am Großmarkt. While visitors listen to bands, guest performances or musicals, fruit and vegetables are sold next door(www.mehr.de). Stars such as Simply Red, Lionel Richie and Helge Schneider take to the mic at the Stadtpark Open Air on Hamburg's most beautiful open-air stage. It starts on May 20. Info: www.stadtparkopenair.de