Hamburg is a large port city in northern Germany, connected to the North Sea by the river Elbe (located 110 km from its mouth). It is the second largest city in the country after Berlin and its port, very important, is equipped with more than 70 km of docks. The city is crossed by hundreds of canals and it has large parks. The old town (Alstadt) and the new town (Neustadt) are connected by the Jungfernstieg boulevard. The Alster River forms an artificial lake in the heart of the city with two basins; the Binnenalster with the Town Hall, the luxury hotels, the Jungfernstieg quays, the smartest shops and the banks; and the Aussenalster with its nautical bases and spaces to walk around. It is a very touristy city with a beautiful architecture, several theaters and museums and a district dedicated to the nightlife, Sankt Pauli. The Saint-Michel Baroque church (18th century) is well known thanks to its bell tower (the highest in Germany) with dials with a perimeter exceeding 24 meters; its 132-meter tower has a panoramic platform overlooking the harbor and the city.
Tips
It is a very easy city to travel by public transport; metro, bus, RER and there is a large network of bike paths and a bike rental system.
A great way to get to know the city is in a boat tour; public transport in the city includes shuttles on the river.
If you like walks, visit the Jenischpark with its 42 acres of forest and the Blankenese neighborhood known for its narrow alleys and stairs.
If you’re traveling with kids, go to the zoo or botanical garden.
