"FIFA came & went! But There's Still Lots To Do!" Top 5 Page for this destination Hamburg by ericaj.

Hamburg Travel Guide: 1,453 reviews and 3,460 photos

Strolling Down Colonade, Untouched by WW2

My "New" MidwesternTown

The city of the 5 Spires. An undiscovered gem of a European town that boast more canals than Italy's beloved Venice, Hamburg is a city of interesting contrasts. Conservative, but progressive, provencial, yet urban. Chicly attired, yet casually hip. Its' inhabitants are cool and curt, yet warm and engaging. There's enough European panache here to live out your usual Continental travel fantasy clichés, but enough vibrant imput from the incredible mix of immigrants ranging from Turkish to Thai, to feel like you're roaming the streets of any bustling western metropolis in the world from London to New York. Centrally located, in the thick of all things EU, it's the perfect city for travelers who want a taste of the West, the East, and everything in between at an urban pace, with a repspectful nod to provencial sensibilities.

Some Backround on The Hanseatic City State

Bankside View At The Alster

Throughout the past 700 years or so the names and borders and types of government rule that comprise what we now know as Germany have changed so many times it's difficult to be cognizant of them all, unless you were a top notch student in your Advanced Placement World History class. That being said, it's interesting to note that there small pockets of Hamburg neighborhoods today that used to be territories of other European nations, some not becoming part of "Hamburg, Germany" itself until the early 20th century.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Hamburg has become Germany's second largest city (after Berlin). It has one of the unique distinctions of being both a city AND a state however, and still retains Germany's largest port, which has been the shipping lifeline to and from Northern Europe since approx. the mid 1100's. In addition to the usual paper, pharmaceutical, and raw materials, Hamburg's port receives the largest transhipment for coffee and tea in Europe. Hard to imagine, but even the British have to wait for their tea to arrive through the port of Hamburg before they can sit down to crumpets!

The city is called the Free and Hanseatic State (of Hamburg) due to it's membership in the Hanseatic League, a trade alliance that held the shipping and trade monopoly over all of Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea between the 13th and 17th centuries, quite similar to the hold Venice had over THE REST of the continent at that time. Though it's not exactly like the Venetian city literally built on the sea, it does (in my imagination) explain why there are so many canals in older parts of the city, as in those days they were necessary for trade. These days the canals in the more posh areas are dotted with cafés, restaurants (casual and upscale), old fashioned ice cream parlours, and a few small docks for canoe rentals. Warm summer days are few and far between in Hamburg (due to winds coming in from the Sea), so when it does manage to become sunny and break above 65°F, the canal and lake areas become the busiest places in town. People sail and catamaran on the Alster, canoe on the canals, and claim territory on any other waterfront spot they can find to enjoy their food, friends, and a few relaxed hours under the sun.

A quaint tobacco shop on the exclusive Colonade

Pros and Cons

Pros:All the excitement and urban comforts of London, Prague, and New York.
Cons:Don't make shopping plans for Sunday, stores are closed. Better to substitute a coffee or museum date instead.... Besides, it'll probably be raining anyway.
In a nutshell:The perfect mix of Europe- old and new....

Intro Updated Mar 8, 2007
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (69)

Fido Becomes A Bit Tense Hearing Forceful Chants - Hamburg

If You Suddenly See Police Tanks &... Warnings and Dangers (7)

Hamburg is one of the safest cities one can encounter in Europe. People can generally walk freely at night without fear... more travel advice

"The Altar" a photo inside IBC Hamburg by C. Vogel - Hamburg

Attend English Speaking Church,... Things to Do (8)

Right in the heart of downtown just steps away from S Bahn Stadthausbrücke, one can find English language church service... more travel advice

APRIL, AUGUST, DECEMBER Carnival for... Things to Do (8)

Another of Hamburg's oldest traditions is the DOM Fun Fair Carnival dating back to the 14th century. It takes place once... more travel advice

Spielbundsplatz, Reeperbahn Musical Theatre Home - Hamburg

The "Other" Reeperbahn:Music & Theatre... Things to Do (8)

No trip to Hamburg is complete without a stroll along the fabled red-light district, the Reeperbahn. Although in... more travel advice

Hotels (3)
See All Villa Hotel Great for Women, Art...
Local Customs (5)
See All JULY-AUGUST: Duckstein Food and Music...
Restaurants (18)
See All A Full Menu Japanese Restaurant
Shopping (10)
See All Pleasant Shopping In The City's Center
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Former Fishing Dynasty w/Quiet...

Nightlife (7)
See All Summertime by the Riverbank
What to Pack (2)
See All Sometimes Summers are COLD Here!
Sports & Outdoors (3)
See All WORLD CUP 2006-" WM NIGHTS", a VIP Event
Transportation (3)
See All JASPER Airport Shuttle: Only 5 Euro!
Tourist Traps (1)
Reeperbahn Strip Clubs

Comments (17)

Reply
- Report abuse
kyoub Jan 8, 2011 at 5:27 AM

Great restaurant tips for Hamburg.
Reply
- Report abuse
Vijith Sep 24, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Hi Erica, I am visitng Hamburg on the 7th and 8th of December 2009. Your pages were very helpful. Many thanks. Any chance of arranging a small VT meeting?
Reply
- Report abuse
DreamHolidayTravels Nov 21, 2008 at 4:32 AM

Nice page. Very helpful info for the travellers.
Reply
- Report abuse
sourbugger Mar 13, 2008 at 8:47 AM

glad i foundyour pages. great stuff. i'll be back.
Reply
- Report abuse
Toshioohsako Dec 18, 2007 at 7:22 AM

Abaton It is a familiar name to me. i used to work near this movie house and went to movies a couple of times. But I have not been here for a while. Its a nice area with a lot of restaurants, right next to the University.
Reply
- Report abuse
ghosthunter Dec 11, 2007 at 2:59 PM

Hi Erica, Yes agree with Trekki about your Hamburg page & as you are today's meet a member just wanted to say 'hi' .
Reply
- Report abuse
Trekki Dec 10, 2007 at 11:49 PM

What a fantastic wealth of tips for anyone who wants to visit Hamburg :-))) Excellent insight and thoughts :-)) Ah, and no one should be left hungry given your very much delicious restaurant tips :-))
Reply
- Report abuse
RickinDutch Nov 21, 2006 at 9:31 AM

Well thought out tips. Thanks! Birthday greetings from Alaska!
Reply
- Report abuse
BluBluBlu Nov 21, 2006 at 1:42 AM

Excellent restaurant tips...enjoy your birthday! Blu
Reply
- Report abuse
rcsparty Sep 25, 2006 at 5:32 AM

Thinking about a weekend trip to Hamburg, good tips. Also, hello from another midwesterner (Detroit) in Germany, that shares your b-day. Ciao.