Holding one of Europe’s most important ports, centuries-old Hamburg is an incredible melting pot of historical wealth, quintessential German traditions and raw multicultural character. The city’s maritime heritage is not simply a distant memory of Hamburg’s beginning; it’s an integral part of the city’s identity.
Walking down Hamburg’s historical streets and beautiful canals transports you back to a completely different time, with classic churches and traditional markets. However, a turn onto the Reeperbahn – the famous party street– and you’ll be surrounded by modern bars and neon lights. Berlin isn’t the only German city full of glamorous grit – Hamburg’s rock ‘n’ roll spirit even attracted The Beatles and helped them rise to fame. So whether you’re a history buff or prefer to stick to more modern influences, Hamburg truly has something to offer every visitor.
Enjoy Hamburg’s architecture
Hamburg has a wonderful mix of architecture that spans a huge range of historical eras. As an iconic port town with plenty of money flowing through its gates, it’s unsurprising that Hamburg’s Town Hall is a thing of beauty. The landmark dominates the town centre and holds more than 600 rooms inside, so fans of traditional designs should be sure to take a tour inside. Walk just 10 minutes and find yourself in front of the unique Chilehaus, a ten-story office reminiscent of a ship’s bow, built at the peak of the 20th century ‘Brick Expressionism’ movement. Head towards the port itself and wander around the Speicherstadt, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast area of warehouses built on a matrix of oak poles is the world’s largest complex of its kind, originally built in the 19th century to keep within tax-free trading zones. The most impressive recent addition to Hamburg’s architectural collection is the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which put the spotlight on the city with a remarkable light show in 2017 – try and catch one of the many concert’s while you’re there.
The rise of The Beatles in Hamburg
John Lennon was famously quoted saying “I might have been born in Liverpool – but I grew up in Hamburg”. Any great Beatles fan will know that the band truly found their feet in Hamburg, as well as replacing the fifth member of their band with the iconic Ringo Starr here. Beginning by playing in the then-seedy streets of the Reeperbahn, The ‘Fab Four’ played their way through numerous musical venues across the city. Many of the clubs they played at still stand such as Indra Club, The Kaiserkeller and Gretel & Alfons (where Paul McCartney even lived for a few years). To get a real sense of their presence in the city, go on a Beatles tour. There are many to choose from, but the most popular is the Hempel’s Beatles Tour where you’ll even get sing along to their songs with George Harrison’s favourite instrument, the ukulele. Don’t forget to take a photo with the four life-sized steel models of the band in the St Pauli plaza before you leave!
Hamburg has culture around every corner
When it comes to culture, Hamburg has it all – traditional ventures, quirky attractions and incredible art. Its affinity for markets is particularly charming, and it’s often referred to as the market capital of Europe. The famous Fischmarkt sells – as you would guess – fish to the sound of live music in the early hours of the morning, the Der.Die.Sein Markt has the latest fashion offerings, and the St. Pauli Nachtmarkt opens every Wednesday night and serves beer and music alongside fruit, cheese and wine. Art lovers will spend hours perusing the Hamburger Kunsthalle, one of the largest museums in Germany. Here you’ll find work by many world-renowned artists including Rembrandt, Claude Monet and Paul Cezanne, as well as many others from more modern times.
However, the most unique attraction this city has to offer is definitely the Miniatur Wunderland. The largest model railways system in the world is incredibly impressive, with around 930 constantly moving trains. As well as a miniature replica of Hamburg, the models also travel through the Alps, France, Italy, Scandinavia and America – but it’s the airplane that takes off from a runway that will leave you speechless. Whether you were a toy train lover as a child or not, you’ll love this miniature world!
Inspired to plan a trip to Hamburg? Take a look at our crossings to Rotterdam today.
