Hi everyone. Our trip to Germany is about to end but for now let’s enjoy the exploration of some other city. The one we’re going to visit today is Hamburg; there will be much to see that we would say to start immediately but first, as always, let’s start with the presentations!

Hamburg is a city located on the banks of the Elbe. It has a huge port and even it isn’t a capital city (but a city-state) has number of inhabitants so large as to be considered the second most populous city in the European Union. It is divided into seven districts, among them there are also three islands (Neuwerk, Nigehörn and Scharhörn but only the first one is inhabited). Hamburg is also the heart of the German economy and is known for its football tradition (football fans certainly know of what we’re talking about!). A little curiosity about Hamburg and then we can begin our tour: think that it has been the place where the story of the seagull and the cat too place (did you know it?).

To know more ( what to eat, where to eat, where to have fun, things to visit…) continue to read.

Okay, let’s start our tour through the history of Hamburg.

PLACES TO VISIT (MUSEUMS/THEATERS..)

Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte

• Sankt Nikolai Kirche:  former nineteenth-century church, today this building has just the bell tower (one of the highest in the world) which has a commemorative value against the war. A very impressive place!
  
• Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis: the main Lutheran church in Hamburg, is the emblem of the city. It’s a very nice building so as to characterize the city. The interior is majestic and hosts five major organs, among these: the Marcussen and the Steinmeyer.
• Hamburger Kunsthalle: it is a museum of ancient, modern and contemporary art. Two examples of authors of which we can admire the works are: Édouard Manet and Caspar David Friedrich.
• Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (or Hamburg Museum): history museum. Here you can know about the story of the city (from the origins to the present day) and is home to one of the largest exhibitions of urban history of Germany. Besides them, you can see how the typical rooms were once decorated and structured.
• Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe: is a museum of applied arts in Hamburg, close to the main station of the city, it is surely one of the best known buildings (in neo-baroque style) in Germany. The museum has a library and its collection includes the art of the East, Mediterranean art, fashion, photography and so on. The museum is famous mainly because it owns “the helmet of Polizzello” (a large relic and unique in the world along with its twin).
• Rickmer Rickmers: is a sailboat (now a museum) anchored at St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken (pier of St. Pauli). You’ll know lots of curiosities about the history of the ship and the time when it was built and lived. Think that here was shot an episode of a popular television series, Notruf Hafenkante (aka Hamburg District 21).
• Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg: is a private museum always based on a nautical theme. The building houses a collection of ship models (surrounded by a characteristic animated wallpaper), uniforms, maritime art, maps, photographs. The interior of the museum is quite suggestive and is built on different levels (ten precisely); the building is located at the Speicherstadt district.
• Museum für Völkerkunde Hamburg: ethnology museum, one of the largest in Europe with millions of visitors each year. It is located at the Eimsbüttel district.
• Miniatur Wunderland: it is an attraction that fascinates lots of tourists. It is a model that includes several Europen cities but also other cities around the world (the landscapes are realistically imitated through the use of remote-controlled water and ships). It has to be seen!
  
• Hamburg Dungeon: near the Miniatur Wunderland there is this kind of horror museum. What you can find in it you can certainly imagine. It is highly discouraged for the youngest and those who just don’t like this kind of genre despite the attraction tell a bit of Hamburg history.
• Panoptikum: this is a museum for everyone. It is the wax museum, filled with many familiar faces (historical figures, celebrities). Which star you loved the most? If you have already been there show us the photos with your favorite characters or those who have hit you more.

As for the theaters, there are so many of them and we have selected a few: Deutsches Schauspielhaus, Thalia Theater, Operettenhaus, Stage Theater an der Elbe, Ernst Deutsch Theater and then there’s the Elbphilharmonie. What is it? It is a concert hall located in the “HafenCity” quarter, the building (the highest in Hamburg) is also used as a hotel and apartment. Very useful if you would like to take part in a concert, isn’t it?

Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg

 

ENTERTAINMENT (PUB/DISCO/PARKS…)

Alter Elbtunnel

Let’s see, now, Hamburg under another perspective… The entertainment. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

• Planten un Blomen: it is a botanical garden of Hamburg located at St. Peterburger Straße. Inside the garden you can find different exotic plants, roses and the extensive Japanese garden (the largest in Europe). The park (yes, it looks like more like a park, don’t expect the typical botanical garden) is home to several species of animals (wild ducks, hares, squirrels…). In summer the gardens are home to various events including the fountains and light effects with the participation of jazz bands; while in the winter months the garden is transformed into a beautiful ice rink. Whatever the season you decide to go there is always a lot to do and see!
• Tierpark Hagenbeck: is a zoo located in the Stellingen district. It is known mainly for being the first zoo to have no cages but ditches in order to promote the wellness of the species present there.
• Jenisch park: is the oldest landscaped park of Hamburg located in the Othmarschen district (on the bank of the Elbe river). In this vast green space there are two museums: the Jenisch House and the Ernst Barlach House.
• Wildpark Eekholt: is a natural park and place of education for environmental protection. It is is home to more than a hundred species of animals.
• Stadtpark Hamburg: park located in Winterhude district. Apart from the various paths (great for bicycles or for a nice walk), the statues, the watercourses and a magnificent landscape there is a quaint cafe that gives right on the Goldbekkanal.
  
• Alter Elbtunnel: it is a pedestrian (and car) tunnel very popular in Hamburg. This connects the center of Hamburg to the south side of the Elbe river. The tunnel is very enlightened and is really impressive, it is worth a visit!
• Tropen-Aquarium: a beautiful, tropical water tunnel.
• Going around the city you can see lots of beauties and many things to do. Ready to know some of them? Chilehaus is a complex of ten floor famous for its pointed roof that sticks out from the building, like the front of a ship. Beatles-Platz a square situated in the district of St. Pauli at the center of which stand the statues of the Beatles (in iron shapes) illuminated by spotlights at night. The beautiful port of Hamburg and the quaint Blankenese district, the so-called “fisherman’s house”. Speicherstadt the main place of interest of Hamburg, it is a complex of seventeen stores (similar to the stilts) now almost in disuse; this place is located along the city’s canals. Other important districts are: Wilhelmsburg, Jungfernstieg and Mönckebergstraße (known mainly as the shopping street), Elbchaussee, Spielbudenplatz (the famous red light street), Krameramtsstuben.
  
• Some navigable canals and artificial lakes are: Nikolaifleet, Öjendorfer See, Elbreederei Abicht, Binnenalster.
• The tour of Hamburg that we are going to suggest are: SANDEMANs NEW Europe – Hamburg, Robin and the Tourguides (walking tour), Hamburg City Cycles, Alternative Hamburg (an example of the street that is part of the schedule is the Rote Plant), Die Hamburg-Kenner (bike tour). There is also the Big Black Car Tours, a tour that is done by car. We don’t like this method to get around the city but it is helpful if someone can’t walk a lot or maybe in a day of heavy rain.

The Hamburg nightlife is, as you can well imagine, very lively. There are many “awake” places at night and among these there is the Reeperbahn in St. Pauli district

For you some locals where to spend a nice evening.

• Angie’s Nightclub
• Gruenspan: night club with live music.
• Juice Club
• Baalsaal: disco.

Among the various events offered by the city of Hamburg there is the Hafengeburtstag, a funfair established in honor of the birthday of the port of the city with the addition of ships parades. If you are movie lovers you can’t miss the Filmfest Hamburg event or the Dockville, art and music festivals and the Long Night of Museums (to spend a night at the museum). Unmissable events!

Speicherstadt

 

TYPICAL FOODS

Labskaus

Head down to see all the many dishes that are present in Hamburg.

• Aalsuppe: this dish has several variants. The soup can be composed of eel but can also be composed of plums and apple pieces or can be made with ham bone. However it is considered a leftovers soup of the day before.
• Finkenwerder Scholle: a typical fried fish served with lemon and spices.
• Labskaus: the dish is made with meat, pickles, beets, harangue and fried eggs (which are laid out on the meat).
• Franzbrötchen: a flattened croissant filled with raisins and with the sugar on the surface. So good!
• The famous marzipan lubeck is a sweet made with almond paste and sugar.
• Alsterwasser: is the name of a local beer with the addition of soft drinks such as: carbonated lemonade, ginger, apple juice or orange juice (anyway there are some variants). Good and with an original flavor!

Franzbrötchen

 

WHERE TO EAT (RESTAURANTS/CAFE’..)

Now keep your head up and eyes open for the choice of some locals where to taste the typical dishes.

• Philipps Restaurant: international, French, German, European, vegetarian cuisine and it includes gluten-free menu option.
• Karo Fisch Restaurant: German and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Alt Helgolaender Fischerstube: German, European, vegetarian cuisine.
• Bruecke 10: fast food with German cuisine.
• Frau Moller: bar/pub with German, European and vegetarian cuisine.
• Mo Grill: fast food with German cuisine.
• Max und Consorten: bar/pub with German, European, vegetarian cuisine.
• Edelcurry: fast food with German and European cuisine.
• Delzepich Eis

 

Our tour in Hamburg is over but also our trip in Germany is going to end, anyway there are still some cities to explore.. so stay tuned!

Let us know your opinions about this place. If you liked it or not, if you’ve been there or you’re going to go there? What you liked the most or least? We’re curious to read your opinions.

A big kiss to everyone.

 

Below we will list the accommodations that you can find in Hamburg.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?iata=HAM&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodations next to the airport

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-1785434&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodations in the city.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?landmark=1900&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accomodations next to the port of Hamburg.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?landmark=906&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodations next to the main station.

Booking.com