Hamburg Tourist Information and Tourism

(Hamburg, Germany)

Second only to Berlin, both in terms of size and overall population, the city of Hamburg is equally impressive and by no means second rate when it comes to tourism. Hamburg is a very different city, since it is home to one of the biggest harbours in the whole of Europe, together with a series of large lakes and winding waterways, which include the River Elbe.

The true heart of commerce in the city of Hamburg is located within the Merchant's District, which is dominated by imposing historic red-brick architecture and many major companies. With a famous red-light district (St. Georg), an exciting local fish market (Fischmarkt) in the St. Pauli area, fine dining with river views, boating along the Speicherstadt canals, and a huge selection of top nightspots around the university quarter (Universitatsviertel), tourism in Hamburg is thriving.

Hamburg Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

Many visitors to Hamburg choose to purchase one of the city's discount cards, such as the Hamburg Card and the Power Pass, both of which provide big savings on admission and public transport. These cards are available at the Hamburg Tourismus (tourist information centre) at the Hauptbahnhof, together with the main youth hostels and hotels.

Hamburg is a city of increasing tourist appeal and home to plenty of sightseeing for all ages. Highlights include the vast Alster Lake and its surround recreational space, the historic Alter Elbtunnel (Old Elbe Tunnel) which leads to the island of Steinwerder, the seasonal Hamburger Dom amusement fair, the huge concentration of bars and theatres within the lively Reeperbahn area of Hamburg, and the many horticultural highlights and plant collections within both the Arboretum and the Klein Flottbek Botanical Gardens. More information about Hamburg Tourist Attractions.

Strewn around the city of Hamburg are many dramatic landmarks and eye-catching tourist attractions. Hard to miss is the Heinrich Hertz TV Tower, which dominates much of the Hamburg skyline, and the ornate buildings which are part of the Justizforum courts buildings. Also worth noting and standing within the Free Port area, the harbour side red-brick Speicherstadt building is of great local significance. More information about Hamburg Landmarks.

Culture lovers will also appreciate Hamburg's diverse collection of museums, which cover a range of topics and offer interesting local information. For the ghoulish, the guided tours of the Hamburg Dungeon are designed to make you jump, while the Museum of Hamburg History suits history buffs and provides in-depth information about the region, dating from the Middle Ages. Also notable is the highly acclaimed Zoological and Botanical Museum, St. Pauli Museum, and the many art-related attractions and galleries lining the 'Art Mile' (Kunstmeile), which are to be found between the Deichtorstrasse and Glockengiesserwall. More information about Hamburg Museums and Hamburg Art Galleries.

Close to Hamburg are many tourist friendly locations, which include a number of neighbouring islands, reached by boat and offering sandy stretches of beachfronts. Also nearby Hamburg, the city of Stade contains many waterfront attractions based around its busy harbours, while for traditional German scenery, including a number of medieval villages, the area of the Luneburg Heath is worth searching out. More information about Hamburg Attractions Nearby.

More Hamburg Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Germany (Northern Germany)
• Location: Federal State of Hamburg
• Status: city
• Area: approximately 292 square miles / 755 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 1.8 million
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Time zone: GMT + 1 hour
• Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz - flat two-pin plugs or third round pin are used, adaptors may be necessary in Germany
• Country dialling code: +49
• Telephone area code: 040
• Religion: selection of Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Protestant churches
• Average daily Hamburg January temperature: 2°C / 36°F
• Average daily Hamburg July temperature: 21°C / 70°F