Hamburg City Centre offers visitors an abundance of cultural sites and a rich maritime history. The city centre is home to myriad museums, theatres, markets and verdant parks. Discover first-class art collections and miniature worlds or explore the vibrant port and its maritime displays.
There are many central highlights which visitors will enjoy in Hamburg. The most famous are Chilehaus and The Old Elbe Tunnel. The Chilehaus shows a wonderful example of 1920s Brick Expressionism architecture. The large angular building is designed to look like a ship’s prow and was constructed using 4.8 million dark Oldenburg bricks. An entirely different experience is available 2 minutes’ walk away, at the Chocoversum Chocolate Museum. Guests are given a 90 minute guided tour through the Chocolate Museum. Discover the transformation of the cocoa bean into a bar of chocolate, sample delicious offerings and create a unique chocolate bar. St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel allows visitors to regress to the early 1900s. The old pedestrian and vehicle tunnel lies 24 metres beneath the surface of the river and is where two tubes connect central Hamburg with the shipyards on the south side. Inside the tunnel, art exhibitions line the white tiled walls with glazed terracotta ornaments and reliefs. Each picture depicts aspects of river life with a variety of fish and crabs on display. Other must-visit landmarks include St. Nikolai Memorial, St. Peter’s Church, International Maritime Museum of Hamburg and Miniatur Wunderland. Some of Hamburg’s best shopping malls are within the city centre. One of the best shopping streets to explore is Mönckebergstrasse located between the central station and Town Hall. There are world-class shopping malls and independent stores here to suit all budgets. Eating out in Hamburg is a fun pastime. Charming restaurants serve traditional German fare or a variety of international cuisine.
Walking around Hamburg City Centre is both enjoyable and time friendly. Most attractions are within 40 minutes’ walk to the furthest point. Hamburg Metro operates throughout the city and buses run around the clock. Hamburg has both S-Bahn and U-Bahn subway lines. They link the outer suburbs of the city with the centre. Taxis and Uber are available throughout central areas. Alternatively, live like a local and consider hiring a bicycle to get around.
Hamburg was once part of the Hanseatic League, a merchant group who controlled medieval trade throughout Europe. Today, thanks to its trade heritage, the harbour is still known at “Gateway to the World” and ranks as the second largest in Europe. Hamburg attracts visitors from all over the world, keen to explore its rich medieval heritage, cultural prowess, maritime culture and the hidden city secrets.