Situated on the bustling river Elbe, Hamburg is the second largest port in Europe. However, the city is home to much more. Grand townhalls, beautiful lakes, European art, feeding zoos, crunchy pretzels and spicy currywurst. There is much to be done in two days.
Day 1
Morning
Hamburger Kunsthalle
The city’s famed art museum is a must-visit for all tourists. The museum focuses on 14th century Hamburg artists, paintings by Dutch and Flemish artists of the 16th and 17th centuries, French and German paintings of the 19th century and contemporary art.
Lunch and Afternoon
Hamburg Rathaus
This is Hamburg’s grand city town hall, and the seat of the city’s government. It is one of the few completely preserved buildings of historicism in Hamburg. Built in a period of great prosperity, the look of the Hamburg Rathaus expresses the wealth and independence of the State of Hamburg. Here you will find a majestic balcony surmounted by a mosaic of Hamburg’s patron goddess Hammonia and an inscription of the city’s Latin motto “Libertatem quam peperere maiores digne studeat servare posteritas”
Currywurst
Currywurst is a quintessential German dish consisting of steamed pork sausage cut into slices and seasoned with warm curry ketchup. The Rathaus metro station leads to a bustling passage known as ‘Rathauspassage‘. Here you will find many small eateries and cafes, all of them serving different varieties of currywurst. Be sure to try the ‘cheesewurst’, which comes with sliced sausages and smoked German cheese.
Binnenalster
Binnenalster or Inner Alster Lake is one of two artificial lakes in Hamburg which are formed by the river Alster. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat. Pick up some hot pretzels from the many bakeries around the lake. You can enjoy them on a bench overlooking the water.
Dinner and Evening
Views of Elber
A great place to visit is the St. Michaelis church.The 132-metre high Baroque spire of the church is a prominent feature of Hamburg’s skyline and has always been a landfall mark for ships sailing up the river Elbe. Tourists are taken up the spire on a lift to glimpse magnificient views of the city.
Jäger-Schnitzel & Beer
Sample an authentic Jäger-Schnitzel at Cafe Borchers. This is a veal or pork schnitzel (deep fried meat) topped with a burgundy-
Day 2
Morning
Planten Un Blomen
Hamburg’s botantical garden is a haven of bright colourful flowers, landscaped gardens and sculptures. The park is famous for their innovative ‘concept’ gardens like Japanese garden, apothecaries garden and lake gardens. Also famous for its water-light concerts, be sure to check if there is one being held during your visit.
Lunch and Afternoon
Tierpark Hagenbeck
The famous Hamburg feeding zoo is a delight for kids and adults. Visitors can find lions, elephants, donkeys, goats, tigers, birds of prey, tropical birds, giraffes and more. There are regular feeding sessions and interactive demonstrations held throughout the day. There is also an interesting cafe for families to relax in the park.
Seafood Fiesta
Sample fresh seafood from the Elbe at the fine-dining restaurant Porto. Grilled sardines, fried fish, barbequed prawns, boiled squid and fresh crab can be served to your liking. A different type of German cuisine but one that is equally popular amongst locals and tourists alike.
Dinner and Evening
Elbe Cruise
Take a cruise on the Elbe at sunset. The cruise takes passengers through the many historic bridges of the city and back. It is wonderful during sunset and provides plenty of happy memories of the city for tourists to take away.
Waterfront Dinner & Ice Bar
Enjoy a meal sitting by the glowing lights of the Elbe. The Indochine restaurant is the most popular waterfront dining joint in the city. Be sure to book ahead if going on a weekend. This is also home to Germany’s only Ice Bar. Constant -5 ° C is maintained in the bar and all drinks are served in frosty glasses. A great place to end your stay on a fun note.
Let us know about your experiences
If you have visited Brussels, let us know which experiences made your trip there perfect. Did you visit any of the above? What did you think? Tell us in a comment below.