Overview

Hamburg's selection of sightseeing attractions is varied enough to ensure that there's something to capture the attentions of the vast majority of visitors. A wander around the Old Town is a good starting point on any self-guided tour of the city, while visits to St Michaelis Church and the Reeperbahn offer sides of the city as opposing as you could expect to find anywhere in the world.

Old Town (Altstadt)

Hamburg's old city district is a charming area, even if it is still relatively young in comparison to some of Europe's oldest municipalities. Most of the structures date back to the mid- to late 19th century, although there are a few that managed to survive the Great Fire of 1842. Among those that survived, the Trostbrücke, the old bridge that connects the old and new towns, is one of the most notable. The Börse, Germany's oldest stock exchange, and the Town Hall (Rathaus) are also notable.

Alter Elbtunnel

Linking the St Pauli district with Steinwerder Island is the Alter Elbtunnel, the oldest of all the Elbe Tunnels. The structure was built between 1907 and 1911 and covers a length of 426 metres and a width of nearly five metres. The tunnel, which is ornamentally decorated throughout, provides passage for motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. A lift and staircase provide access to the unique dome-shaped entrance hall that was designed by Ludwig Raabe and Otto Wohlecke.

St Michaelis Church

Among the best known of Hamburg's landmarks, the current St Michaelis Church dates back to the 20th century, although the first structure to occupy this site was built in the early 17th century. Lightening destroyed the original church in 1661 and another building was erected in 1786, which later met its demise through a fire in 1906. Rebuilt immediately, the subsequent structure suffered terribly through the ravages of the two World Wars. The current church features a church tower that offers great views over the city.

Afrika-Haus

The Woermann Trading Company constructed Afrika-Haus in 1899 as a memorial to Germany's colonial occupation of Africa. At the entrance are two huge bronze elephants while in the courtyard stands a statue of an African native from one of the countries in which the Woermann Company operated. Though the company still uses the building as a base of operations, visitors are permitted access to some areas in order to view documents relating to colonial times.

Museum of Hamburg History (Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte)

The defining events of the past in Hamburg and its surrounding region are explored through a wealth of exhibits at the fascinating Museum of Hamburg History. Starting from the 9th century, items on display trace regional history right up to the present day, with particular emphasis given to the city's period as one of the country's leading shipping centres.

Reeperbahn

There's no disguising the fact that the Reeperbahn is a red-light district but visitors needn't be interested in the services offered here to appreciate its unique character and historic value. Stretching a half-mile in length, the street and the small lanes leading off it are awash with brightly lit venues that were first visited by sailors in the 19th century.

Overview

Whether the weather boasts rain or sunshine, there are plenty of activities available in Hamburg for visitors who are looking for something sporty, energetic or fun-focused. Water sports, golf and walking are best enjoyed in the summer months but in theory can be pursued at any time of the year. With both indoor and outdoor pools available, swimming is a pastime that can also be enjoyed regardless of the season.

Sailing

Alster Lake sits in the middle of the city and when the weather is good, it's the ideal place to enjoy a spot of boating. There are both sailing and rowing boats available for hire at the lake but if you opt for the former, you will need to be prepared for the possibility of strong and unpredictable winds. Canoeing is also possible in the upper areas of the lake and in the waterways that run off it. Alternatively, the Elbe River is a good setting for a variety of forms of boating but visitors need to be aware of large vessels that frequently traverse its length

Walking

There are some good opportunities in Hamburg for stretching one's legs and enjoying either a pleasant stroll or a challenging hike. The pedestrian walkway that runs the perimeter of the Alster Lake is around six kilometres in length, making it a popular walk with locals. A smaller section of the lake is just two kilometres all the way around and is more suited to those preferring a short jaunt.

Golf

Hamburg has a number of golf courses within easy distance of the centre and several others in its surrounds that can be reached within a few hours by hire car. In the former category are the Hamburg Treudelberg Country Club and the Hamburger Falkenstein Golf Club. The Treudelberg Club comes with a driving range and pitch and putt area besides its regular 18-hole course.

Swimming

If you visit Hamburg in the summer season and the weather's good, then the swimming facilities at Kaifu Bad are the perfect way to make use of those warm sunny afternoons. Besides the main 50-metre pool, there's a diving pool and a small pool for children. Alternatively, the indoor pool at Bartholomaus Therme is good for the colder seasons. The pool here comes with water jets, big foam tubes to float on and a mirrored ceiling.

Bowling

Hamburg experiences cold and wet weather on occasions so on days when it's too cold or wet to be doing anything outside, a trip to the city's Gilde Bowling Forty-Four centre is the ideal option. This modern bowling alley, which is also open in the evening, offers locals and visitors alike the chance to enjoy fun-packed 10-pin action regardless of experience.

Dining and shopping

Hamburg offers an excellent dining scene, with local restaurants cooking up all the popular dishes typical of the Saxony region as well as a few creations that are entirely unique to the city.

If you're not afraid to be adventurous and sample the local fare, then dishes such as aalsuppe (eel soup), stubenküchen (hamburger steak) and labskaus (cured meat with potatoes, onions, pickles and herring in a beer-based sauce) are among those most associated with the city.

There are plenty of venues at which to enjoy traditional Hamburg cuisine, many of which adjust their menus according to the seasons and the availability of produce. In the spring time, the plaice dish known as maischolle makes an appearance on many menus while in summer, the herring with bacon and beans dish known as matje is a popular addition to many eateries' specials boards.

Unlike many European cities, Hamburg's best restaurants are not located in the city centre but rather in areas such as Univiertel and Schanzenviertel (around the streets of Schulterblatt and Schanzenstrasse). There are, however, pubs and bars across the city at which cuisine of a relatively high standard can be enjoyed at reasonable prices.

International restaurants are as prevalent in the city as those offering local cuisine and among the many varieties on offer, visitors can enjoy Japanese, Thai, Indian, Greek, Italian and Turkish food.

For shopping, Hamburg offers an impressive selection of retailers featuring both covered and outdoor areas within which are large, well-known stores and smaller independent ones also. Mönckebergstrasse is the city's main shopping street and where you'll find popular German department stores such as Karstadt plus a wealth of other smaller chain outlets.

With a similar selection of retailers and located fairly close by is Spitalstrasse. For something a little more upmarket, Grosse Bleichen and Neuer Wall, both situated parallel to the city's canals, are the best places to head to.

For an indoor shopping experience, the city has a total of nine covered shopping areas offering shopaholics abundant opportunities to indulge their retail addictions. Hanse-Viertel and Levante-Haus are the classiest while Mercado, with its collection of 60 different outlets, is the closest thing to a traditional mall in terms of prices and ambience. Many of the centres have restaurants also, with Hanse Viertel offering some of the most upmarket venues.

Also attracting upmarket shoppers is Eppendorf, a suburb of the Hamburg municipality that claims to be its oldest village, having been around since at least the mid-12th century. Meanwhile, for fashions from the catwalks of New York, Paris and Milan, the boutiques between Klosterstern and Eppendorfer Markt are the best options to be found anywhere in the city. The same district is also home to antique shops and traditional craftspeople with onsite workshops.

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants in Hamburg, especially where style of cuisine offered is concerned. Fish and seafood are a dominant theme, which is understandable in view of the city's proximity to both sea and fresh water sources. The Fischmarkt Restaurant is the one establishment in this category that you should not miss if your budget can stretch to include a meal here.

Overview

Hamburg International Airport provides the chief gateway to Hamburg and other destinations in the Lower Saxony region and is the means by which the majority of international visitors reach the city. For EU visitors, buses and trains provide cheaper but slower travel options. The city's excellent public transportation system makes light work of getting anywhere within its limits and to destinations beyond also.

Airports

Hamburg International Airport lies less than 10kms from the centre of the city and is a busy two-terminal facility that's the fifth largest of the country's 16 commercial airports. Terminal 1 serves international airlines such as British Airways, Continental, Air France and Emirates, while Terminal 2 is used mainly by Lufthansa and low-cost local carriers.

Between the two terminals, connections are maintained with a large number of international destinations including many of the EU's capitals, as well as important transatlantic cities.

The selection of facilities in both terminals is impressive and includes essentials such as cash machines, currency exchange booths, dining and refreshment outlets and a variety of retail establishments. Additionally, there are fax and photocopy facilities available, public computers with internet access and wireless internet connectivity.

To reach the city from either terminal, passengers can take a bus as far as Ohlsdorf Station then travel the remainder of the journey by train, arriving ultimately at Hauptbahnhof or alternatively at Jungfernstieg Station, both in the city centre. The entire journey can be made by bus if preferred, with the Airport Express running every 15 minutes to Hauptbahnhof during the day. Taxis are available from outside both terminals for passengers preferring the extra comfort and convenience.

Public transportation

It's possible to reach Hamburg from other cities in Germany and from neighbouring European countries by train, with the majority of services terminating at either Hauptbahnhof or Altona stations. Hauptbahnhof serves most continental trains plus those arriving from the south and east of the country, while services from northern Germany usually arrive at Altona.

Eurolines bus company offers services from across Europe to Germany, while the country's own national bus network connects Hamburg with most of its major cities. Services terminate at the city's central bus station, which is located close to Hauptbahnhof.

Getting around the city is easy and uncomplicated, with a transportation system comprised of buses, metros and trains. The bus network is extensive and provides connections between the centre and major attractions as well as to destinations in the suburban areas. The metro system, meanwhile, operates three lines and its routes have both overground and underground sections. The regular train services provide travel to suburban areas and regional and national destinations.

Taxis are widely available and can be hailed in the street or hired from stands. Fares are metered and considered reasonable by European standards. Ferry services also operate, providing transportation from the harbour along the Elbe River and take in some of the city's best sights along the way.