Local Information


It may come as a surprise that in addition to being Germany's second largest city and one of its economic heavyweights, Hamburg is also one of the country's most beautiful cities, with more in common with Venice or Amsterdam than Birmingham or Marseille.

Hamburg's magnificent harbour dominates the city and is responsible for the great wealth which has allowed it to thrive.

The port remains Germany's gateway to the world and is among the world's busiest, making for a bustling and dynamically cosmopolitan atmosphere.

This is particularly evident in Hamburg's vast array of pubs, clubs and bars. The hottest clubs are to be found in the Kiez in St Pauli, while the wildest pubs and dives are in Ottensen and Altona. Meanwhile, Uhlenhorst and Eppendorf offer a wide selection of international restaurants.

But at first glance Hamburg does not appear like a major industrial centre. Having been virtually destroyed during the second world war, Hamburg was rebuilt as an elegant and refined metropolis, filled with palatial office buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals and extravagant shopping malls.

The best way to explore such architectural sophistication is by foot, strolling along the picturesque Alster and Elbe rivers, exploring the old warehouse quarter and the little canals, relaxing on one of the many spacious lawns and lovely parks, or just admiring the view from one of the many bridges, which Hamburg has more of than Venice.

Meanwhile, for the more culturally inclined, the 'Art Mile' between the Alster and the harbour is filled with museums, galleries and antiques market that simply must be explored.

Despite being Germany's second largest city, visitors may be forgiven for never really noticing. Hamburg is not only the greenest city in Germany, but one of the most beautiful and certainly among the most friendly.

And being located on just the other side of the North Sea, there really is no excuse for not making the effort.

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