Hamburg, together with Berlin and Munich is considered one of the most important cities in Germany. It has the largest and most important port in the country, which has also driven it to forge its thriving economy and commercial network. Since medieval times, the city of Hamburg has been an important part of this country, until reaching its recognition as a City-State. Hamburg is also known as the “Venice of the North”, largely because the city is crossed by multiple channels, which increase the attractiveness of the city.
Throughout the city, you can find historical monuments, medieval churches, green areas, museums and a myriad of architectural gems that hide some of the most famous breweries of Europe.
In addition, Hamburg is one of the cities that offer the greatest entertainment to its visitors. For example, in the neighborhood of St. Pauli, you will find some of the best nightlife in the city, as well as in the legendary Reeperbahn.
There are few things more famous than a German beer. Tens of thousands of men who arrive for Hamburg bachelor parties every year know that very well. And the fact that Reeperbahn is the second largest red light district in the world, right after the notorious one in Amsterdam.
The neighborhood of St. Pauli is reason alone not to leave this part of the city once you enter it. Left to right are stacked bars and cocktail areas with the provocative representation of all the naughty things that happen here daily. Without any doubt, just as you step in you will realize why the word about this part of the city reached all corners of the world.
Must-sees include the Panoptikum wax figure museum, the Beatles monument, Große Freiheit street, and Hans-Albers-Platz. Spielbudenplatz. A large square at the center of the Reeperbahn is home to markets, fairs, and outdoor concerts. Whether it’s live music acts or international DJs you’re after, the clubs along the Reeperbahn offer the right tunes for everybody.
Venues like Mojo Club and Große Freiheit 36 acquired epic status over the years. Molotow, Gun Club, Komet, and Prinzenbar are all worth a visit as well. For a cozy atmosphere and affordable beer, head to any of the small bars along side streets like Hamburger Berg and Talstraße. And for a red light fun? Well, we won’t describe any details but you can get pretty much a good idea how pleased you can be inside its walls.
Hamburg is the city with the most bridges in Europe, even more than Venice and Amsterdam together. It has a staggering number of 2,479 bridges. That is why so many people say that Hamburg is the gateway to the world and one of the tourist destinations that is an absolute must-see in Europe.
Hamburg is surrounded by the Elbe, Alster and Billey lakes, as well as lesser know system of canals. We recommend that you start your visit with the Alster lake, where you can take a short excursion to visit the green areas of the city. Here you can take a long relaxing walk or rent a boat to cruise along the lake.
As calm as it might look from afar this part of the city has so many ways to entertain adults. In winter, this lake freezes, so people can skate or go for fun sleigh rides. From that point, the wisest thing would be to pay a visit to the famous Port of Hamburg.
Although it is not so much a monument or building, the Port is one of the first places you should visit. Do not forget to walk around its docks, which is quite an experience, and if possible also get on a boat, which will take you on a walk through every corner of this beautiful city. Visit the Fishmarket, which only opens on Sunday mornings.
Near the port, you will find a complex of warehouses, better known as Speicherstadt. Although originally intended to contain imported products that arrived without customs costs, today this complex houses shops, offices and museums.
There are also some stores of coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, and various souvenirs that you can browse. You can find some exciting viewpoints nearby where you can take a beer with your friends and plan the further exploration of the German economic powerhouse.
Hamburg has a history of brewing that goes back more than a millennium when housewives made a rudimentary beer for domestic consumption. In the thirteenth century, the first breweries were founded and the city came to enjoy great splendor as the second largest beer producer of the nation.
After a series of ups and downs in this industry, the current situation seems promising, thanks in part to the emergence of new brewers under the umbrella of the craft beer movement. Having said that and going back to the possibility of a hypothetical visit to Hamburg, I’m sure you will not want to miss out on its best beer corners, right? Well then, tell your friends to pack their bags, because if they have never tried genuine German beer, then they never tried the best beer in the world!
