Hamburg Car Hire

Guide to Hamburg

Geography

After Berlin, Hamburg is Germany's second-biggest city, and it is also the EU's largest non-capital city, with a population of over 1.84 million people. It is formally known as the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. More than 5 million people live in the greater metropolitan region around Hamburg's urban centre, which has a population of about 2.5 million. As a result, it is situated along the Elbe River and two of its tributaries: the Alster and Bille rivers. With the north and south borders of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, Hamburg is one of Germany's 16 federal states.

Climate in Hamburg

Because of its location on the coast and the marine influences that originate in the Atlantic Ocean, Hamburg has an oceanic climate. Winters are mild, with just a few days of snowfall per year, and summers are pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20.1 to 22.5 °C.

The best time to visit Hamburg is the months between May and September.

Culture

Hamburg's Hanseatic League and Holy Roman Empire past are reflected in the city's official name. Until 1919, it was a civic republic governed by a class of hereditary great burghers, known as the Hanseaten, until Germany was unified in 1871. In the face of several catastrophes, like the Great Hamburg Fire, the 1962 North Sea Flood, and military wars such as the World War II air attacks, Hamburg has always been able to bounce back stronger and richer than before.

Things to do in Hamburg

Explore the iconic Port of Hamburg

Hamburger Hafen, often known as "HafenCity," is a 100-square-kilometre tidal port that serves as the gateway to Germany. Even on warm nights and weekends, the area is a popular hangout for locals looking to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. The historic 19th-century Warehouse District, known as the Speicherstadt, has a magnificent walking route that takes in the uninterrupted lines of brick buildings. The Köhlbrandbrücke, a 3.9-kilometre bridge that crosses the port, is another feature of the Port of Hamburg, and Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg's most prominent cultural institution, is the most recent addition to the waterfront area. Landungsbrücken's Landungsbrücken Pier is a fantastic place to start if you want to see the Port of Hamburg by boat.

Take your kids to Miniatur Wunderland

Hamburg's Miniatur Wunderland, although being marketed as the world's biggest model railway, is really much more than just a toy train layout. In the city's historic Speicherstadt warehouse neighbourhood, this is one of the nicest sites to visit. There are 1,040 trains and more than 15,400 meters of track on the world's biggest model railway, so prepare to spend a lot of time here if you're travelling with children. The attraction spans 2,300 square meters and is built on a gigantic scale. An airport with aircraft taking off, 100,000 cars that really move, and some 400,000 small (and distinct) human figures are just some of the highlights of the world's largest indoor theme park, which is lit by more than 500,000 lights. You can avoid a lengthy wait by purchasing your ticket online.

Admire the Hamburger Kunsthalle

This German art gallery, located on the Glockengießerwall in three different but linked structures, is one of the best in the country. Artworks by local painters from the 14th century and Dutch masters from the 16th to 17th centuries are among the highlights. Among its other notable features are its extensive collections of 19th-century German and French paintings, as well as significant modern and contemporary art. It is possible to go on a tour and participate in enjoyable activities for youngsters. The Deichtorhallen, one of Europe's biggest galleries of contemporary art and photography, has an additional noteworthy collection.

Stroll around the Hamburger Rathaus (City Hall) and Mönckebergstraße

On Hamburg's Rathausmarkt rises the city's imposing City Hall. This enormous Neo-Renaissance structure was finished in 1897 and houses the city's annual Long Night of Museums event. The Kaisersaal's ceiling, which symbolizes the significance of German commercial ships, is one of the most notable elements. With its 133-meter bell tower, the 14th-century St. Peter's Church in Hamburg's Mönckebergstraße is one of the best examples of brick Hansa architecture in the city. An artwork entitled "Christmas 1813" hangs on a column in the south portion of the cathedral, remembering the residents who were imprisoned in the church that year for refusing to feed Napoleon's soldiers.

Pay a visit to the Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis

St. Michael’s Church, Hamburg's most renowned church, was erected between 1750 and 1762 in the Baroque style and is one of the city's most notable monuments. Ascending the 132-meter-high "Michel" tower, a local favourite, is a must-do for every visitor to this catholic church. Accessible by escalators and steps, the tower's observation platforms provide spectacular views over the city and harbour, which are made even more enjoyable by the tower's frequent late-night hours. Keep an eye out for the magnificent bronze figure of Archangel Michael slaying the devil, which adorns the building's main entrance. St. James's (Hauptkirche St. Jacobi), a magnificent 14th-century edifice that has medieval altars and an Arp Schnitger organ, is another adjacent church of interest.

Eating out in Hamburg

Hamburg's restaurants range from fine dining establishments to hole-in-the-wall eateries serving lip-smacking delicacies. Start your gastronomic tour at Jellyfish. This Michelin-starred restaurant boasts dishes that not only taste great but also look incredibly visually pleasing. Oysters, sardines, jellyfish, monkfish, plaice, mussels, and salmon were among the seafood options on their basic five-course tasting menu. At Vienna, you’ll find several Austrian classics are on the menu, along with other hearty European dishes. Their Wiener Schnitzel is absolutely divine, with a light crispy breading around a juicy, pounded middle.

The late-night hours of Heldenplatz, a chef-driven restaurant known as "Place of Heroes," serves sophisticated Hamburg food till the wee hours of the morning. The sesame mayo-flavoured Hamachi and the decadently rich Bresse Pigeon are game-changers. The juicy, plump game is served rare and goes well with an elderberry-pistachio purée.

The Bird is an American-style diner that serves fried chicken and steak in addition to burgers. It is said that hamburgers originate from Hamburg, although that is open to discussion. Frau Möller (i.e. Mrs Möller) is a traditional Hamburg pub serving regional specialities like Labskaus and Currywurst as well as a broad selection of hamburgers. It's an excellent place to end a bar tour with a drink. Don’t miss the Labskaus, a reddish, cosy North German mash of ground beef, beets, potatoes, and onions. It was traditionally consumed with fried eggs on top and rollmops (pickled herring wrapped around pickles).

Hamburg Transport

Airport

Hamburg's second-largest city, Hamburg International Airport, is situated 8.5 kilometres northwest of the city centre. The airport has been around for more than a century, and in typical German fashion, it is environmentally friendly.

Getting around Hamburg

Rapid transit and regional rail services link the city's centre to the surrounding area and are critical components of Hamburg's public transportation system. Nine regional rail services connect Hamburg to other cities in the area, including four U-Bahn subterranean lines, six S-Bahn suburban lines, and nine regional train services. With metro buses (frequent service), express buses, sprinters, and regional buses to choose from, the rail system is well-rounded (connecting to stations and surrounding towns). A total of six ferry routes operate between the harbour and the Elbe River. A wide variety of single, daily and weekly passes that may be used on all buses, trains and ferries can be purchased at HVV ticket vending machines. Tourists should get the Hamburg CARD since it offers discounts on a variety of cultural and recreational activities in addition to free public transit.