Our guest blogger, Robin Hinck, is a German exchange student currently working with ClickandGo. Here’s his advice for visitors to his native city of Hamburg.
About Hamburg
This is just a short overview of what you can experience in Hamburg. As there is a huge variety of hotels in Hamburg, my city is perfect for a short city break or a longer vacation. We always did and do welcome people from all over the world, so get to know the northern German mentality and one of the most exciting places in Europe.
There are daily Aer Lingus flights to Hamburg airport from Dublin, and with a flight time of just two hours, getting there couldn’t be easier.
Hamburg, officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second biggest city in Germany and the seventh biggest city in the EU with a population of over 1.8 million people. Situated on the river Elbe, Hamburg has always been influenced by shipping and its port is the second largest in Europe. Since medieval times Hamburg has been independent and has a proud history as a member of the Hanseatic League.
Some little-known facts about Hamburg include, for example, that Hamburg has the biggest red light district in Europe and that Hamburg possesses more bridges than London, Amsterdam and Venice combined. There are so many things to experience in Hamburg and I would like to give you some advice about what you can do while visiting “The Gateway to the World”.
Maritime Life
There would be no such city as Hamburg without the river Elbe and Lake Alster. The Elbe has always connected Hamburg to the North Sea and to the rest of the world. Explore the city centre and the harbour on a Hafenrundfahrt or harbour tour. You’ll drive along the Elbe and the canals, probably guided by a real Hamburg seaman. You can also rent all different kinds of boats and take a trip on Lake Alster, the large lake in the city centre. Have a picnic on a boat in the middle of the lake and feed one of the 130 swans, who settled there 400 years ago.
Parks
In 2010 Hamburg was officially recognised as the “Greenest City in Europe” by the EU and for good reason. There are countless parks in the city anonin nearly every street you can find trees. The most popular parks are Planten un Blomen and the Stadtpark. Planten un Blomen has a huge amount of different plants and flowers and is also home to a Japanese Garden. When the temperature rises, thousands of people flock to the Stadtpark to have picnics, barbecues or play sports.
Sports
If you’re interested in sports Hamburg is the right place for you. The options are endless. You can go rowing, sailing, indoor rock climbing, ice-skating… or you can be more passive and just watch others exerting themselves.
Football is the most popular sport (of course). You can watch Hamburger SV play a game in the “1.Bundesliga”. They’re the only club in Germany to play continuously in the top division since its foundation. But if you really want to have a unique football experience you have to go to one of FC St. Pauli’s games – the club with (without exaggeration) the best fans in the world! The fans don’t only watch the game, they feel and live the game, no matter how well or badly the team is actually playing. The atmosphere is amazing and you’ll never forget this experience. You can watch a short documentary about the club here.
Next to football, Hamburg also has a good handball team, HSV Handball, who are always in contention for the league title and the champions’ league. Another top team is the Hamburg Freezers, who play in Germany’s top ice hockey division.
Special Events
At various times during the year there are special, unique events in Hamburg. These include the Hamburger Dom, one of Germany’s biggest carnivals. It takes place three times a year and is visited by over 10 million people annually. At the beginning of May we always celebrate the Hafengeburtstag – the birthday of our harbour. Over three days more than one million people watch the impressive ship parades with visitors from all over the world. If you’re in Hamburg during the advent season you have to visit one of the several Christmas markets as well. With a Bratwurst and a Gluehwein you can look forward to Christmas.
Special Places
Nearly one third of Hamburg’s population come from migrant backgrounds. In the 1970’s lots of Portuguese immigrants settled in the Portugiesenviertel (Portuguese district) where today you’ll find Spanish and Portuguese restaurants, cafes and pastelarias.
In the Steindamm (the street next to the central station) you can experience the Turkish side of Hamburg, the biggest immigrant group in the city. If you want to know what Hamburg tastes like, try a Doener Kebap, the most popular fast food in Germany or visit the Fischmarkt to eat a Fischbroetchen (a fish bap). On Sundays, the 310 year old fish market welcomes everyone to buy fresh fish and other gastronomic specialties.
Believe it or not, you can also have a beach holiday in Hamburg. Along the Elbe there are a number of beaches. Young people often meet at the Oevelgoenne beach to have a barbecue or to relax. There are also some beach clubs in the city with great atmospheres. The Speicherstadt, the old harbour storage district, is also a must-see, as is the Hafencity with the new city symbol, the Elbphilharmonie, under construction.
Cultural Events
Hamburg is the third most significant place in the world for musicals (after New York and London). As well as “The Lion King”, the new “Rocky” musical is running in Hamburg with a spectacular show. You can find many different theatres in Hamburg including the oldest English theatre in Germany.
Nightlife
There is no place in Europe like the Hamburger Kiez which is Europe’s biggest red light and party district. Around the Reeperbahn you can find nightclubs, restaurants, all kind of bars, strip clubs and (legal) brothel and bordellos. In contrast to other European countries, there is no closing time and so you are free to have fun till the sun rises. Magical things can happen during a kiez-night and you’ll never forget it. Another great spot for going out is the alternative Schanzenviertel district, famous for its creativity, restaurants and bars.
About the blogger
I am a 23-year-old exchange student, now living in Dublin to improve my English skills and to discover the Irish country and mentality. Hamburg is the place where I was born, where I grew up and where I’m studying at the moment. I moved several times in my life, but always inside the city boundary of Hamburg, so I would say I’m a Hamburg-insider influenced by my city and its people.
– Robin Johannes Hinck
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