Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city after Berlin, is located at the mouth of the Elbe’s long funnel-shaped estuary. Because of its location, it serves as a vital link between the sea and Germany’s extensive network of inland canals and islands. The Port of Hamburg, the city’s most prominent harbor region, is the city’s most well-known feature. Hamburg has grown into one of Europe’s most important cultural and commercial centers, as well as a major tourist attraction, in addition to being a key transit hub. Here are the 5 best things to do in Hamburg to explore more of it.
Speicherstadt- Check out the many museums in this historical district
The tangle of brick warehouses and small canals that make up Speicherstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hamburg, dates back to the 19th century. It’s one of the world’s largest warehouse complexes and a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture, built near the Elbe River. Museums, cafés, and restaurants have been converted into several buildings. The Hamburg Dungeon and Miniatur Wunderland are popular tourist attractions. You may either walk around Speicherstadt or take a motorboat ride through the canals.
Miniatur Wunderland – See the world’s largest model railway
Thousands of miniature models of famous towns, railway networks, ports, and airports can be found in Miniatur Wunderland. Everything you see here has been meticulously crafted, and it even moves like its real-life counterparts. One of the museum’s most popular attractions is its model railway exhibit, where you can view little engines sailing along the 15,400-meter-long track. Miniatur Wunderland also has a recreation of Hamburg with 50,000 human miniatures and notable sights like Hagenbeck Zoo, Hamburg Central Station, and St. Michaelis Church.
Fischmarkt – Stop by this historical market for breakfast and the live fish auction
Fischmarkt is a typical market with hundreds of vendors selling fresh fruit, souvenirs, apparel, and street food. This is Hamburg’s oldest market, dating back to 1703, and is best known for its busy Markthalle (Auction Hall). Every Sunday morning, the market is held, and you’ll find a joyful scene with sellers peddling various seafood to marketgoers passing by their stalls. There are plenty of food sellers selling beer and German delicacies like fischbrötchen (fish sandwiches), wurst (sausage), and pretzels, making it a wonderful site for breakfast or brunch.
Fischbrötchen – Sample some of Hamburg’s best fish sandwiches at Brücke 10
Fischbrötchen is a sandwich that consists of pickled or soused Bismarck herring, onions, remoulade, pickles, and horseradish sauce. If you visit Hamburg in May, you can sample fischbrötchen made with unusual ingredients such as fish roe, eel, crabmeat, mackerel, shrimp, and salmon at the annual Port Birthday. This basic dish is available all year at most restaurants along the Elbe River and food sellers within the Fischmarkt (Fish Market). Brücke 10, which is located on the Landungsbrücken Piers, is a popular hangout.
