{Hamburg ~ August 21-23, 2015}
Having every district like a unique little world of its own, Hamburg is one of the greatest cities to spend a long weekend.
With its famous red-light district, its old cobblestone art areas or its wide choice of musicals, Hamburg has something to offer for everyone.
SPEICHERSTADT
Just recently Hamburg’s “Speicherstadt” has been added to the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage and that for good reason.
Entering the “Speicherstadt” [=city of warehouses] is like traveling back in time. The area is right at the port and has multiple huge warehouse blocks that are all connected thru short canals. The entire setup of the “Speicherstadt” reflects the consequences of the rapid growth of international trade in the late 19th early 20th century. Buildings and architecture are fascinating and if you continue your walk to the adjacent “Kontorhaus” district, you will discover the districts massive office buildings, especially the iconic “Chilehaus”.
WAREHOUSES IN THE SPEICHERSTADT
THE CANALS IN THE SPEICHERSTADT
THE CANALS IN THE SPEICHERSTADT
SPEICHERSTADT
SPEICHERSTADT
THE ICONIC CHILE HOUSE
THE ICONIC CHILE HOUSE
THE BEAUTY OF THE SPEICHERSTADT
HAFEN CITY
“Speicherstadt’s” absolute opposite can be found further down in the brand new HafenCity area. Walk thru the streets called ‘Shanghaiallee’, ‘HongKongstrasse’ or ‘Koreastrasse’ and see amazing building such as the Unilever house or the Elbphilharmonie.
HELLO CHINA
JUNGFERNSTIEG
If you’re exploring Hamburg by bicycle you can slowly cycle back towards the famous ‘Jungfernstieg’ and have a coffee and watch people. Or you can go for a stroll along the Alster.
BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE OF THE JUNGFERNSTIEG
GAENGEVIERTEL
The ‘Gaenge’ quarter is my favorite little spot to explore. It has been saved from the wrecking ball in 2009 by artists and political activists. If you stroll thru the narrow lanes you can see the beauty of the 19th century architecture. Free exhibits, concerts and other events are offered in this creative space.
GAENGE VIERTEL
GAENGE VIERTEL
SCHANZENVIERTEL – STERNSCHANZE
If you’re into little individual boutiques, galleries, cafes and global eateries and you want to be far away from posh, polished and sleek shopping malls, then the Schanzen Quarter is the right place to be.
I stayed in the My Place Hotel that is located right in the middle. A really cute little boutique hotel.
Please also read my review on TripAdvisor: My review
Have a drink in Tim Maelzer’s restaurant ‘Bullerei’ that is in the center of Sternschanze.
TIM MAELZER’S BULLEREI
HELLO adidas ORIGINALS
adidas ORIGINALS
ST PAULI
‘Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb 1…’ Hans Albers singing about the Hamburg’s sin-quarter.
Even if you visit Hamburg only for a very short trip, you should never leave Hamburg without a walk thru its famous red-light district St. Pauli.
It looks trash at daytime but as soon as it’s getting evening, the night life starts.
If you’re a women you’re not allowed to walk thru the ‘Herbertstrasse’. Out of respect I would also not encourage you to do that. The short street between Davidstrasse and Gerhardstrasse is exclusively for guys only.
ST PAULI’S RED LIGHT DISTRICT
ST PAULI
ST PAULI AND HANS ALBERS
ST PAULI – WOMEN NOT ALLOWED!
ST PAULI AT DAY TIME
LANDUNGSBRUECKEN & ELBTUNNEL
You can spend an entire afternoon walking along the Elbe River. Right at the Landungsbruecken is the Old Elbe Tunnel. It’s definitely worth it going underground and walking 26 meters under the Elbe River to the other side.
The Old Elbe Tunnel is almost 500 meters long and the entrance on the city side is a beautiful art deco looking tower.
Once you’re on the other side of the river you have a great view of Hamburg.
Back at the Landungsbruecken continue your walk along the river and you will pass the famous St. Pauli Fish market. There are a lot of old and new restaurants along the area and if you’re an early bird then go to the Fish market in the morning around 5am.
OLD ELBE TUNNEL
OLD ELBE TUNNEL
ELBCHAUSSEE
Further west along the river is Hamburg’s quarter ‘Altona’. Here the Elbchaussee starts. A long street that will end up in Hamburgs wealthy quarter ‘Blankenese’.
But before you enter the world of villas, gardens and peaceful silence, you should pass by Hamburg’s Elbe Beach ‘Oevelgoenne’.
Along the Elbe River are beach bars, restaurants and beautiful, traditional houses. You can spend a day on the beach, chill out and watch the ships on the river. For dinner go in one of the nice restaurants with a view over the river.
To get back into the city take public Ferry 62 for a few Euros. It will stop at the Landungsbruecken.
ELBCHAUSSEE
BLANKENESE
Best way to get to Blankenese is to hire a bike and cycle from the city along the Elbe River to Blankenese.
One way is around 15 km.
On the way you pass by beautiful villas and huge gardens until you finally end up in Blankenese.
Refresh yourself in one of the nice cafes and if you’re too tired to cycle back then hop into the metro back to Hamburg city.
WEEKEND TRIP
Here are some tips how you can plan your weekend trip to Hamburg.
DAY 1]
If you’re staying in the Schanzenviertel, then start your day with a beautiful breakfast in one of the many cafes.
Spend some time walking around the area. There are lots of little boutiques and if you are into graffiti, then you definitely have to stop every 10 meter for another cool street art graffiti.
From Schanzenviertel you can walk towards Jungfernstieg. On the way you should definitely explore the Gaenge Viertel. You find the Gaenge Viertel on Valentinskamp.
Explore the area of Gaensemarkt before you finally get to the Jungfernstieg.
Jungfernstieg has a lot to offer and you can spend the rest of the day with shopping, walking along the Alster, watching people or further walk down to the Rathaus, St. Petri Church and Chile House.
Walk thru St. Pauli on the way back and explore the red-light district at night.
DAY 2]
Hire a bicycle and cycle in the early morning to the Speicherstadt. Since the entire area is cobblestone, you better lock your bike somewhere and walk thru the blocks.
Cycle further down to HafenCity and then back along the river to the Landungsbruecken, Old Elbe Tunnel, Fish market all the way west to Oevelgoenne.
Relax in one of the beach bars. From here you can go back thru Altona and take St. Pauli with you if you want to see it at day-light.
For me, Hamburg is a city you can never finish exploring. I love the contrasts of the different districts, the beautiful architecture and the artsy quarters.
I’m not into musicals, but for everyone who loves musicals, Hamburg offers some of the best shows in Germany.
enjoy Hamburg!
Cheers, a*
