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City breaks to Hamburg take you to one of Germany’s coolest customers, where tradition and nightlife grab the spotlight.
Hamburg’s credentials as Germany’s biggest port and second-largest city earned it the nickname ‘The Gateway to the World’, and it does a good job of living up to the title. The banks of River Elbe are still buzzing with maritime activity, and are sprinkled with bars, breweries and markets that cater for modern tastes. Away from the waterfront, you’ve got protected historic neighbourhoods, mounds of living music memorabilia, and nightlife that rivals Europe’s best party spots.
Hamburg’s lively harbour is like a window to the past – boats still dock and trade here, and the iconic Fischmarkt still auctions seafood every Sunday. Wander away from the docks, and you’ll soon find yourself in Speicherstadt – this area’s filled with Gothic-style brick warehouses, which were built to support the waterborne trade. These days it’s a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to museums, Hamburg Dungeon and Miniatur Wunderland – the one of the world’s biggest and most detailed model railways. Over in the city centre, the pick of the historic sites is the mint green-roofed city hall, which has a spire that rises above the surrounding skyline.
The Reeperbahn shot to unprecedented fame when The Beatles started playing regular shows here in the 1960s, and it’s still Hamburg’s premier nightlife spot today. The neon-lit strip is packed with clubs, bars and music venues, and draws big crowds after dark. There are a few red light district areas woven into the Reeperbahn’s DNA, too, so don’t be surprised to see something of that sort. Elsewhere, on the fringe of the St Pauli district, you’ll find a more edgy scene in Sternschanze. Cocktail bars, quirky theatres and a club housed in a huge Second World War bunker are among the standout spots.
Hamburg’s had a long love affair with the Elbe River, and it’s still an absolute hive of activity today. In the traditional parts, market traders bellow for your attention by the water’s edge and some of the city’s best and freshest seafood is on show. Ferries and catamarans pull up to the piers in waterfront Landungsbrucken, and the riverside promenade is loaded with breweries, beach bars and museums. Plus, you can cross the river to the southern side by descending into the Old Elbe Tunnel – once a time-saver for dock workers, this underwater route is now decked out with pieces of art and often hosts pop-up exhibitions.
Hamburg’s one of the most northern cities in Germany, but it’s still a little way from the country’s coastline. Instead, you’ve got pockets of sand along the banks of the Elbe River, and daytrips to the Schleswig-Holstein region, which is fringed with some of the best sunbathing spots.
You’ll find the buzziest beach vibe in Strandpauli, which is right on the cusp of the Elbe River. This place has palm trees, patches of sand and a tropical-inspired cocktail bar, all with front-row views of the passing ships and riverboats.
To get waters that are perfect for paddling, plot a course west to the sandy shores of Rissener Ufer. This peaceful pocket of sunbathing real estate isn’t that well known, because of its peripheral setting. But it’s got clearer waters than you’ll find by the port, so those in the known love to come for a dip here.
For the most historic shopping experience in Hamburg, look no further than the Sunday morning Fischmarkt. This traditional market, by the harbour, has been running since the early 1700s. Early risers get up at 5am to see fish sold in the auction hall, before browsing the seafood and souvenir stands that create a buzz by the riverside.
You’ll find the most variety along Spitalerstrasse, which is home to classic high street brands and a few German names you might not have heard of. Zara and H&M are a couple of the best-known stores, and there are plenty of pavement cafés where you can make a pit stop.
Big brands all clamour for a spot on Hamburg’s elite shopping street – Neuer Wall. It’s almost easier to list which fashion A-listers don’t have a store here, with the likes of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Mulberry.
Nightlife is a little edgy in the Sternschanze district, which is home to music bars and theatres. It’s neighbours with Karoviertel, too, where cocktail bars and pavement cafés set the tone.
Big nights out in Hamburg are dominated by the famous Reeperbahn. This part of the city shot to fame when The Beatles performed here in the 1960s, and its roster of bars and clubs has swelled ever since. You’ll find everything from open-til-dawn nightclubs to cabarets and dive bars.
Because of Hamburg’s history as a port city, seafood plays a massive part on the restaurant scene. Down by the waterside you’ll find plenty of places serving fischbroten – these soft rolls are crammed with herring fillets, pickles, onions and herby remoulade sauce. They’re great if you want to eat something on the go.
This sausage-based snack is a favourite around Germany, and Hamburg’s no exception. The sausage – or wurst – is sliced into thick chunks, before being drenched in thick curry sauce. A side of fries is standard, and there’ll be plenty of leftover sauce to dip in.
Simple and sweet are the words to describe this refreshing dessert. Red berries are simmered with sugar and cornflour until they form a thick creamy texture. Once the mixture’s dolloped into bowls, it’s topped with fresh berries and a warm vanilla sauce.
As far as beer drinking goes in Hamburg, there’s only one way according to the locals – Astra. This beer’s brewed in the city, and you’ll recognise it by its signature heart-and-anchor logo. You’ll find it on draught in some places, but almost every bar and club stocks stubby bottles.
This tasty German take on a cinnamon roll is a speciality in Hamburg. Swirls of buttery pastry are folded into a croissant-like shape, complete with a cinnamon and sugar dusting. You’ll find them in every bakery, and some even ramp things up by adding chocolate or raisins.
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