Germany · City Guide
Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany's most cosmopolitan and stylish city, a proud Hanseatic port of extraordinary architecture, outstanding music culture anchored by the magnificent Elbphilharmonie, a beautiful Alster lake, the famous Reeperbahn entertainment district and one of the finest contemporary food scenes in the country. From the Speicherstadt warehouse district and the Kontorhaus to the fish market and the Elbe waterfront, Hamburg offers a depth of German urban culture that is entirely its own.
Elect's take
"Hamburg has a sophistication and a maritime energy that sets it apart from every other German city. The Elbphilharmonie is one of the great buildings of the 21st century, the Speicherstadt is extraordinary and the combination of outstanding food, music and waterfront life creates a destination of genuine quality."
The Elbphilharmonie, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2017, is one of the most spectacular concert halls in the world, a wave-shaped glass structure rising above the historic red brick Kaispeicher warehouse and providing a public plaza with panoramic views across the harbour. The Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides an extraordinary red brick architectural landscape of canals, bridges and remarkable buildings now housing museums, galleries and design studios. The Miniatur Wunderland is the world's largest model railway exhibition. The fish market on Sunday mornings is a Hamburg institution.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Elbphilharmonie
One of the world's most spectacular concert halls in a wave-shaped structure above the harbour.
Speicherstadt
The world's largest warehouse district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of red brick canals.
Hamburg Music Scene
The city where the Beatles learned their craft, with an outstanding contemporary music tradition.
Fish Market
Hamburg's legendary Sunday morning fish market on the Elbe waterfront.
Hamburg Food Scene
One of Germany's finest contemporary restaurant and café cultures.
Harbour & Elbe
A magnificent working port with outstanding waterfront architecture and river views.
