If you’ve never visited Germany before you might be tempted to visit the capital. However, the city of Hamburg is definitely worth a trip. Although it may be the second largest city in Germany, for many tourists it’s second to none when it comes to culture, fun and quirky surprises. Hamburg is a young and vibrant city but still retains its traditional charm.
Wandering around the city centre you’ll spot St Michaelis church, the Kunsthalle and the Rathaus (town hall). The traditional architecture is interspersed with modern buildings and shopping streets but is definitely not overshadowed.
Culture-lovers are well catered for. Hamburger Kunsthalle near the main train station is a huge art gallery where you could easily spend the whole day getting lost in the amazing artwork. Lovers of music should also check out Beatles-Platz, where you’ll find metal sculptures depicting the great band themselves. The Beatles famously performed in Hamburg several times during the start of their career so you’re sure to find remnants of their legacy throughout the city.
If you enjoy vintage shopping and antiques then you’ll find an abundance of second-hand shops in Hamburg. St Pauli is a good place to head as it holds a great flea market selling everything you could wish for!
For a different kind of market, you might want to check out the famous Fischemarket (quite literally the fish market!) You’ll have to get up early for this one though. Many people get there at 5am to get their hands on the freshest catches of the day. All the seafood comes straight off the boat so you can’t really get any better than that!
If nightlife is more your thing then Hamburg won’t disappoint. The Reeperbahn is the place to be as this is where the majority of bars and clubs are found. It’s only a short tube ride away from the main station and it’s worth asking the locals to see where they recommend on a particular night.
Hamburg is a great city to visit, whether you want to party with friends or soak up some culture. Although it’s a large city, it still retains a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. There’s a certain charm about Hamburg which keeps many people returning year after year!
Bio: Emma is a 22 year old travel blogger at Inspiring Travel where she shares her travel tips and experiences. She hopes to inspire people to get out there and see the world and show that anyone can travel no matter what their budget, age or work commitments! You can find out more about her trip to Hamburg on her blog.
