Hamburg city breaks - Germany

Germany's second city

Built around a 9th century castle, Hamburg is Germany’s ‘second city’, and an important cultural and financial centre – it has its own stock exchange and banking system, and museums exhibiting everything from art to erotica.

Tours are run exploring the city’s varied architecture, which includes many hints of its past as a seat of the Hanseatic League, a 13th to 17th century trading partnership which stretched across northern Europe from Antwerp in the west to Estonia in the east.

Hamburg is a surprisingly green city with lakes and rivers punctuating its landscape. It can all be explored in style on one-and-a-half-hour hot air balloon trips which depart from six sites around the city.

The landmark St Michael’s Church, with its 132-metre (433ft) copper-clad spire dates from 1687, but was rebuilt twice in the 20th century, most recently as a result of bombings during the Second World War.

The city’s unique house numbering system, where the lowest numbered houses on every street point towards the city centre, helps visitors on a Hamburg city break navigate their way around.

Hamburg Zoo is another major attraction, largely thanks to its well designed enclosures which mimic each animal’s natural habitat. The giant outdoor elephant enclosure is especially popular, and you can feed the residents fruit and vegetables. A recently-added adventure aquarium recreates tropical jungle and ocean environments which can be explored at close quarters.

The city’s port still provides much of the fish which is the base for a good proportion of the specialties of its restaurants. Maischolle, or spring plaice, is very widely served late in the season, while aalsuppe isn’t true to its literal meaning – eel soup – but is rather a broth containing a variety of vegetables, along with ham and sweet prunes.

experience the nightlife in hamburg

Hamburg is surprisingly well served for trendy, modern style bars, with Bar Fusion a stand-out with its cool, chic décor. This is a far cry from the Reeperbahn, the city’s well-known nightlife centre, in the St Pauli district, which is the city at its most lively and brash. The area houses the Star Club, renowned as the first place where The Beatles ever played live.

And of course, the city shares the rest of Germany’s passion for beer. The Holsten brewery is part of the multi-national Carlsberg empire, but more individual local brews can be found at the Brauhaus Johann Albrecht, and Gröninger Braukeller, just a short walk from the Town Hall.

Hamburg is also a paradise for shopping, and you’ll be able to do so to your heart’s content in the hundreds of stores located in Jungfernstieg. After that, why not wind down with a walk through the beautiful Planten un Blomen park, or visit the fairytale houses and charming cafes of the elegant suburb of Blankenese?

The city’s theatres are very highly regarded throughout Germany, with visitors from all over the country often visiting the Schauspielhaus, Thaliatheater or many others to take in a show.

Accommodation covers all types and budgets, from to the five-star luxury of major international chains to more homely, family-run establishments, so if you’re looking for a Hamburg short break or longer Hamburg holiday, you’re sure to find something right up your street.

Check out the latest city break deals available for Hamburg today at The Co-operative Travel, where you can also get advice to help you get the most from your stay.