"Hamburg - Behaving like a big city" Hamburg by Airpunk

Hamburg Travel Guide: 1,453 reviews and 3,457 photos

St. Pauli / Landungsbrücken by night - Hamburg

I don't know if Hamburg and me will ever be friends. I mean, I have been living here since 2002 and I really don't feel home or even know what's about this place. Sure, people visit Hamburg to see the red-light district of St. Pauli, walk along the Landungsbrücken to see the harbour and perhaps have a look at the one or other museum or church. There are also some nice places tourists miss, for example the Schanzenviertel, an alternative, lively area within "hanseatic" Hamburg. But somehow, I am still missing something - may it be the size of big Berlin, the more cosmopolite atmosphere of smaller Bremen or the warm-hearted people of the Rhine area. I don't know, so I started to force me to explore the city in 2005. I will add Hamburg tips from time to time, so that you can follow my progress...

Why do I say: Behaving like a big city? Of course, Hamburg is a big city - it's Germany's second largest city after Berlin. But it wants to play a bigger role, so it promotes itself a lot and the local government is starting so-called prestige projects like new shopping malls or the reconstruction of old harbour areas (HafenCity). However, there are many other problems to be solved which in my eyes have more priority and make Hamburg look small compared to other cities. One is the access to the airport which takes you at least half an hour by bus although it is one of the most central airports among Germany's big cities. Smaller Hanover has managed to construct a fast train connection in 2000, but here, the inauguration of a similar service has been delayed several times. And the discussions about some of the projects seem to be endless. Other cities (Rotterdam for example with its Kop van Zuid) do not talk too much but start to work.

It is difficult to start discussions about that with mosts locals as they are very proud of their city. However, there was a statement I found quite interesting: Hamburg consists of a large number of districts, each one a small town for its own. Alone, they are too small to play a big role, but together they form Hamburg. Sounds like a football (soccer) team consisting of many great players - but without teamspirit.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Nightlife, recreation areas
Cons:distances too far, you love it - or hate it

Last visit to Hamburg: Sep 2005
Intro Updated May 17, 2006
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Reviews (13)

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Typical Schanze restraurant/pub/café - Hamburg

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Building of the Bismarck - Foundation - Hamburg

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Favorites (1)
Big cruising ships
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Comments (5)

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craic Jun 26, 2009 at 8:26 AM

very interesting stuff
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JourneyOf1 Jul 5, 2006 at 10:20 AM

Very interesting intro on Hamburg. Nice to actually read someone's "real" opinion on a place and not something just to be "flowery". Greetings from Yvette in Berlin
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Propermark Jul 4, 2006 at 5:08 AM

Nice intro on Hamburg! I'd like to visit it one day. Ciao!
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Mariajoy May 17, 2006 at 10:31 AM

Hi Airpunk! I was in Hamburg last month, but didn't see the museum.. I was only there for a day! Love the intro pic here, I DID manage to see that ! :))
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hunterV May 17, 2006 at 10:21 AM

Hello, Airpunk, thanks for the tips! Vielen Dank!