The Inner Alster Lake

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg truly is a metropolis, but with an abundance of green areas and countless canals Hamburg also ranks as one of Germany’s greenest and most attractive cities. Water dominates the landscape in Hamburg. Consequently the city boasts an incredible number of bridges – more than Venice and Amsterdam together!

Trade always played an important role in Hamburg’s economy, most outstandingly visible in Hamburg’s impressive harbour and Europe’s most significant urban development district – the HafenCity. Admire modern architecture and Hamburg’s new landmark – The Elbphilharmonic Hall. A trip through the “Warehouse City” enables one to sense the atmosphere of trading goods from around the world.

Hamburg is pure lifestyle.Proud merchants’ palais, noble villas and elegant parks adorn the city. The centre offers a quantity of beautiful shopping arcades, glass-roofed malls and exclusive boutiques.

Hamburg’s district of St. Pauli known for its reputation as the world’s “most sinful mile”, is nowadays also hosting the most trendy discotheques, pubs and theatres in town.

For those who are more interested in art and culture, Hamburg offers the finest exhibitions and performances in around 70 museums and 40 theatres and is Germany’s leading musical destination!

Lifestyle – Hamburg

Schanzenviertel

The port, the Alster lake and St. Michael's Church. No trip to Hamburg is complete without visiting these three iconic sights. But Hamburg wouldn't be Hamburg if there wasn't a whole world to discover beyond what's listed in the guide books. The city on the River Elbe has an alternative, exciting scene to enjoy away from the beaten tourist track: from arts and entertainment, fashion and shopping to restaurants and cafés. In concealed courtyards and unassuming side streets lies untold creative potential, lifestyle appeal and inspiration. In the pub and club quarters – where you should always expect the unexpected – Hamburg more than lives up to its reputation as a city that never grows old.

Reeperbahn

NIGHTLIFE&CLUBBING

A night out in Hamburg is unthinkable without a visit to St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn. Once a favourite destination for sea-faring folk from around the world, the Reeperbahn holds a magical appeal for anyone who's ever let their hair down. The former "street of sin" with its long list of pubs, clubs, bars and venues is no longer just a place to find seedy strip joints.

Moondoo, the club that everyone's talking about in St. Pauli, is located at one of the district's most famous addresses – Reeperbahn 136, the former home of the legendary Hippodrom and the venue where the Beatles played some of their first Hamburg gigs. The party also lasts right through until dawn at the China Lounge by the Nobistor gate. If it sounds good, then it gets played is the motto at this fabulous venue.. The Golden Pudel Club offers a different vibe altogether. The cult venue overlooking Hamburg port is known well beyond the city for its counter-culture parties and eclectic playlists.

Places of Interest – Hamburg

Hamburg City Hall

Historical Architecture

St. Michaelis church, built from 1751 - 1762, is not only the most important baroque church building in northern Germany but also features the biggest German church clock. The circumferential measurements of the dial amount to more than 24 meters. It's tower, the "Michel", is 132 metres high and has a viewing platform from which you can watch Port and City undisturbedly. Every day at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Turmblasen (tower music) takes place.

A historic architectural monument from the 17th century and an idyllic piece of old Hamburg are the Krameramtswohnungen in close proximity to Michel church. One of the historic traders' flats is still in original condition and was equipped with complete furnishing from the time around 1850/60 by the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (Museum for Hamburgian History). It is open to visitors.

After the Town Hall of Hamburg had burnt down completely in 1842, the council temporarily moved into auxiliary premises - for 55 years! The new Town Hall was inaugurated in 1897 and has more than 647 rooms and was erected on more than 4000 oak poles. Completely the contrary of the Hanseatic style the Town Hall shines with an elaborately decorated facade which is seamed by 20 emperor statues. Above the main port it is written in Latin: "The descendants shall aim to maintain the freedom which was achieved by the ancestors with dignity."  

Landungsbrücken

Hamburg port and the Landungsbrücken jetties

The port is among the world's busiest transhipment ports.
It is the gateway to the markets in north, central and eastern Europe, the bridge between continental Europe and the rest of the world and the most important overseas port for Scandinavia and central/eastern Europe. Harbour tours start from the 700 metre floating pontoon on the Landungsbrücken jetties.

Speicherstadt

"Speicherstadt" Warehouse District

The 100-year-old warehouse district is located between the Deichtor Halls and Baumwall. With its Wilhelminian brick Gothic buildings, unusual gables and little towers the warehouse district is not at all a place visitors expect to find in an international port. Behind the thick walls, high-value goods such as coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and tobacco are stored. This is also the location of the world's largest Oriental carpet store.

HafenCity

Hafen City

Directly in the heart of the City, between Speicherstadt (Storehouse City) and Port, the probably biggest and most exciting European urban development project develops on the terrain of the former port: "HafenCity" (Port City). Here, the iconic "Elbphilharmonie", a new concert hall, erected directly on the roof of a huge storehouse and already belongs to the architectural highlights. From the spectacular building with its wide view designed by the highly famed architexts Herzog & de Meuron you will be able to marvel at the river Elbe and also at the about 40 cruise liners which enter the port every year.

Food & Drink – Hamburg

Starting from fresh fish up to foreign specialties of all kinds: Concerning eating out and feasting Hamburg ranges in the top league.

Whether Michelin, Gault-Millaut, Varta- or Aral Guide: in terms of gourmet cuisine and feasting Hamburg ranks at a top position. The clichés of fish, labskaus (a seafarer's meal of mashed meat, potatoes, onions, salt gurkens and beetroot) and red berry compote have been a thing of the past for a long time already.

Long the Hamburg cuisine has reached top standards but, of course, you can get a simple pizza everywhere and in addition there is a number of restaurants which are devoted to the traditional Hamburgian cuisine without serving you indigestible food. The "Haerlin" at the Hotel "Vier Jahreszeiten" and the "Landhaus Scherrer" as well as "Louis C. Jacob" at Elbchaussee count among the gourmet temples in Hamburg.

But sometimes the view from the window is more important than the Michelin Star. Therefore, several posh restaurants and bars have settled along the Alster and the river Elbe which invite the guest to stay.


 

Bullerei

Schanzenviertel

Whether for a time-out between shopping sprees or for a place to end the day in style, the Schanzenviertel district is Hamburg's hottest tip for the terminally trendy and those in search of the in-crowd. The inviting bars and cafés around Susannenstrasse and Schulterblatt are all abuzz with the chatter of bright young things. The latest restaurant to see and be seen in is the Bullerei, run by celebrity chef Tim Mälzer. Nestling in the heart of the Schanzenviertel district, it serves contemporary German cuisine within the historical cattle halls of the old Hamburg abattoir.

Beach Club

Beach Clubs

During the hot summer months, panoramic views can also be had from the beach clubs beside the Old Elbe Tunnel. Sandy beaches and exotic palm trees transform the somewhat drab outdoor decks next to the Landungsbrücken jetties into mini holiday resorts, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to Hamburg. There are no better places to enjoy sunny days in the city than the quartet of beach clubs Hamburg del Mar, Lago Bay, Hamburg City Beach-Club and Strand Pauli.

Shopping – Hamburg

Neuer Wall

Hamburg is a dream destination for people who love shopping. It has everything from major department stores full of exclusive designer wares to warrens of boutiques selling quirky accessories. Visitors can indulge their passion for shopping in the grand old mercantile buildings on Mönckebergstrasse or along Jungfernstieg, the city's most traditional boulevard. Wherever they go, they are constantly reminded that when it comes to fashion and design, there's nothing you can't buy in Hamburg.

Europa Passage

Shopping arcades

In Hamburg, browsing for glamorous goods is a stylish experience come rain or shine. Because shopping arcades in Hamburg are larger and more numerous than anywhere else in Germany, people are able to acquire fashion, accessories and anything else their heart desires without feeling so much as a drop of rain. There are few who leave these temples of consumerism empty handed: whether it's the Hanse-Viertel, Levantehaus or Europa Passage.

Ladage & Oelke

Fashion & Design

But Hamburg is more than just a mecca for shoppers, this is also where world-famous brands such as Jil Sander, JOOP! and Talbot Runhof rose to prominence. And that's not all: the city is also a hotbed of up-and-coming fashion talent. Hamburg is peppered with studios and showrooms where gifted designers produce exclusive collections. The bright young things of the Hamburg design scene rub shoulders with other creative sorts in fashionable quarters such as Ottensen, St. Georg, Karolinenviertel and Schanzenviertel.

These exciting young designers are following in illustrious footsteps: the gentlemen's and ladies' outfitters Ladage & Oelke is one of a number of stores in Hamburg that has been in business for over 100 years. These old-established shops have long been the places to go for specialist products. Aspiring globetrotters can visit Ernst Brendler, for example, for maritime outfits and tropical clothing – from rugged safari jackets to the smartest captain's uniform. Matching headgear is supplied by Hamburg's cap maker Lars Künzel. He makes 18 different types of cap by hand using traditional methods. It's a great opportunity to bag an authentic souvenir of maritime Hamburg. But those with an interest in naval accoutrements are advised not to delay, because Künzel is the last practitioner of his trade.

Art & Culture – Hamburg

World-Class Culture

Highbrow, energetic or off-beat? Hamburg's multi-faceted arts and entertainment scene is hard to categorise but has something for everyone. The city has long been a magnet for culturally minded travellers and rivals major destinations such as New York, Paris and Rome. Great theatres and orchestras, exciting museums, sensational exhibitions, experimental dance theatre and sumptuous ballet reflect the cultural riches of this city on the Elbe river.

Hamburg Ballett - John Neumeier

MUSIC

Hamburg has not one but three major orchestras. The Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra has played at the State Opera House for 175 years and appears regularly at the Laeiszhalle as do the NDR Symphony Orchestra and the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra.

Hamburg State Opera, Germany's first public opera house, has purveyed culture of the highest calibre since 1678. The Australian conductor Simone Young and John Neumeier's world-renowned ballet company regularly bring the house down with stellar performances.

Culture fans are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, the spectacular new concert venue in HafenCity being built on top of the Kaispeicher A building. Construction work is ongoing, but is scheduled for completion in 2012. The distinctive wave-shaped roof looks set to be a great new landmark for Hamburg on the banks of the Elbe. Music lovers from around the world can look forward not only to classical music concerts but also jazz, world music and pop in three sensational auditoriums.

Deutsches Schauspielhaus

THEATRES

Classic plays, traditional German theatre and modern productions – theatregoers are spoilt for choice in Hamburg.

The Thalia Theatre is the city's oldest theatre and one of Germany's finest and most diverse state theatres. Classic plays produced by up-and-coming directors take centre stage here. 

No less traditional but always hotly debated are the performances at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, Germany's largest spoken-word theatre.

Innovative theatre, dance and performance projects are the hallmarks of the Kampnagel Theatre.  The converted industrial halls of this former crane factory have become some of the most high-profile and unconventional stages in the performing arts world. An annual favourite here is the International Summer Festival with its captivating mix of dance, theatre, concerts and debates.

Musical "Tarzan"

MUSICALS

Hamburg has no fewer than four major theatres that stage exhilarating musicals. The city is Germany's number one destination for shows that combine thrilling choreography, toe-tapping songs and unreserved fun.

Disney's The Lion's King excites audiences of all ages with breathtaking dance routines and amazing animal costumes.

Not to be outdone, Tarzan  is earning rave reviews at the Neue Flora theatre. Jaw-dropping acrobatics performed directly over the heads of the audience, a moving love story and music by Phil Collins add up to the most spectacular musical of our time. 

After the success of Cats productions, and Mamma Mia! also Sister Act is fun for the whole family. Rousing songs, fantastic vocals, a heavenly setting and exuberance gags care from the first minute for a good mood and provide some of this spine-tingling feeling you can only experience in the theater

Set around a St. Pauli snack bar, the up-tempo musical Heisse Ecke in the legendary Schmidt's Tivoli theatre tells the story of St. Pauli in just three hours.

Permanent Exhibitions – Hamburg

Permanent exhibitions offer interesting insights into Hamburg's history, art and other specific themes. 

Deichtorhallen

Deichtorhallen

The two dilapidated former market halls were renovated in 1911 to create two of the largest and most beautiful exhibition spaces in Europe. The Deichtorhallen show contemporary international art in themed exhibitions as well as individual shows from Warhol to Lichtenstein to Haring. There are also photographic works by names such as Newton, Leibowitz and Penn. Also Prof. F.C. Grundlach gave his important collection of documentary photography, fashion photography and other photographic works to the "International House of Phoography" in the Deichtorhallen. 

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburger Kunsthalle

The Hamburger Kunsthalle is one of Germany's most important art galleries. Its first-class collection ranges from medieval altarpieces by Master Bertram to leading exponents of contemporary art such as Gerhard Richter and Neo Rauch.

Bucerius Kunstforum

Bucerius Kunstforum

On the subject of art, the Bucerius Kunst Forum must also get a mention. Its four exhibitions per year – featuring works from antiquity to classical modernism – mean even repeat visits always have something new to offer.

Events – Hamburg

There is always something happening in Hamburg! Highlights and more highlights. Hamburg is the undisputed theatre musical capital of Germany, and has a wealth of events such as the harbour anniversary, the DOM funfair and the Christmas Markets. There are countless ways to have a good time in this Hanseatic city. 

Hamburg's harbour anniversary day

Hamburg's annual harbour anniversary

Hamburg has been celebrating its harbour anniversary day for over 800 years. Tall ships congregate at the Hamburg Landungsbrücken jetties to add to the spectacle and join in the celebrations. The event is one of the world's largest harbour festivals with numerous events on land, on the water and in the air. 

Hamburger DOM funfair

Hamburger DOM funfair

Three times a year, the Heiligengeistfeld is crammed with food and drink stands, fairground rides, stalls and much more. Fun and games, thrilling rides and interesting attractions - the DOM is an adventure for all ages! The DOM is one of Germany's largest funfairs. 

Christmas market in front of Hamburg's town hall

Christmas Markets

Bringing the year to a close, visitors can follow the Christmas star to Hamburg for an experience to remember.
The twelve Christmas markets held in the city from the end of November to late December offer a choice of historical, maritime, traditional and even risqué themes, with something to appeal to everyone. The "Santa Pauli" market, Hamburg's erotic take on the Christmas market, is held along the Reeperbahn in Germany's most famous red-light district. Instead of a traditional Father Christmas with a bushy white beard, visitors will be met by raunchy angels and voluptuous pixies.
Some of Hamburg's Christmas markets are even open until New Year's Eve.

Business – Hamburg