Hamburg Sights

Planten un Blomen, Bordered by An der Verbindungsbahn to the north, Gorch-Fock-Wall to the south, and St. Petersburgerstr. to the west. (www.plantenunblomen.hamburg.de), This perfect mix of manicured gardens, tranquil lily-pad laden ponds, and wide expanses of grassy lawns is enjoyed by newspaper readers, picnickers, and sun worshippers alike. Wander for miles through scenic paths overgrown with lavender bushes, or sit on white wooden chairs under the shade of towering chestnut trees. Planten un Blomen also contains the largest Japanese Garden in Europe, a rose garden with over 300 varieties of blooms, and a botanical garden with an exotic variety of plants. Children or the young at heart can play on three playgrounds, a water slide, trampoline, minigolf, or water-jet soccer. For the more serious Harry Potter enthusiast, a giant, though inanimate chess set is the arena of many a blood-thirsty competition. Daily performances by groups ranging from Irish step dancers to Hamburg's police choir fill the outdoor Musikpavillion at 3pm from May to September. The nightly Wasserlichtkonzerte draws crowds to the lake with choreographed S21 or S31: Dammtor. Open May-Sept 7am-11pm, Oct-Apr 7am-8pm. Japanese Garden open Mar-Oct M-F 9am-4:45pm, Sa-Su 10am-5:45pm; Nov-Feb M-F 9am-3:45pm, Sa-Su 10am-3:45pm. Wasserlichtkonzerte May-Aug. nightly 10pm, Sept. 9pm.
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Steintorpl. 1 (www.mkg-hamburg.de), This museum of applied arts sets the tone for it's collection with a hammock hanging between two fake palms in a plexiglass bubble suspended above the entrance. Quirky Art Nouveau pieces will have you asking, “Is this art?,” but enjoying the absurdity of foam cactuses all the same. More conventional and equally impressive are the extensive photography exhibits on the first floor, featuring post-war German photographers. Another hall contains over 430 historical keyboard instruments including harpsichords, clavichords, and hammer-klaviers all the way up to the modern piano, and another exhibit traces the history of porcelain through region, which an expansive array of Asian pottery. Walk 1 block south from the Hauptbahnhof. €8, students €5, children under 18 free. Open Tu-Su 11am-6pm, Th from 11am-9pm.
Hamburger Kunsthalle (Hall of Art), Glockengielßerwall (www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de), It would take days to fully appreciate all the world-class art displayed in the expansive Kunsthalle, one of the best art museums in Germany. The collection is organized chronologically. Old Masters and 19th century work is on the upper levels, prints and drawings downstairs, and a contemporary art collection is in the adjacent Galerie der Gegenwart. An impressive French Impressionist and German Realist collection is a can't-miss, especially the gigantic Renoir canvases. The revolving exhibitions in the Galerie der Gegenwart are one of the museum's biggest highlights. Turn right from the “Sitalerstr./City” exit of the Hauptbahnhof and cross the street. The Kunsthalle is identifiable by its domed ceiling. €10, €5 students, under 18 free. Open Tu-W 10am-6pm, Th 10am-9pm, F-Su 10am-6pm.
Rathaus, Accessible from Bergerstr. With more rooms than Buckingham Palace, the 1897 Hamburg Rathaus, which replaced the one that was burned down in the Great Fire of 1842, is an ornate stone-carved monument to Hamburg's long history as a wealthy port city. Its lavish chambers, accessible only through a worthwhile guided tour, are furnished with expansive murals and mind-blowingly designed chandeliers. The building still serves as the seat of both city and state government, while the Rathausmarkt out front hosts a slew of festivities, from political demonstrations to medieval fairs. U3: Rathaus. Tours €3. Only accessible on a tour. English tours run M-F at 11:15am, 1:15pm and 3:15pm, Sa 11:15 and 1:15, and Su 11:15am, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, and 5:15pm. Tours don't run on days that the state government convenes, so call ahead.
Grosse Michaeliskirche, Englishe Planke 1 (www.st-michaelis.de), The towering steeple of the Grosse Michaeliskirche is one of the most recognizable features of Hamburg's skyline. The church has been destroyed and rebuilt more times than Bill Clinton's reputation. To guard against further catastrophe, a larger-than-life statue of St. Michael stands holding his spear over Satan, trapped below his foot. The inside of the church is painted a stunningly bright white with aqua- and gold-guilded accents and a shell motif. A visit inside the church is a must, but don't expect to get much praying done amid the throngs of tourists. Pass on the lower crypt; it's mostly just plaques describing the church's history. Use the elevator (€3) to cut the 462-stair climb to the top of the tower for an incredbile view of Hamburg. S1, S3 of U3: Landungsbrücken. Church free with €2 suggested donation. Tower €3.50, students €3, children under 12 €2.50; crypt €3/2.50/2, combined ticket €5/4/3. Open daily May-Oct 9am-8pm, Nov-Apr 10am-6pm. Organ music daily Apr-Aug at noon. Crypt open June-Oct daily 11am-4:30pm, Nov-May Sa-Su 11am-4:30pm.
Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Deichtorstr. 1-2 (www.deichtorhallen.de), Hamburg's contemporary art scene thrives in these two former fruit markets, which house rotating photography, painting, sculpture, and film installations. The south hall features photography, while the north hall divides its attention between several creative mediums. Both halls are worth the trip, but check ahead to find what exhibit you'll be visiting—some are more “experimental” than others. U1: Steinstr. Follow signs from the U-Bahn station. Each building €7, students €5, families €9.50. Combination ticket to both halls €12/8/16.50, or €4.50 Tu after 4pm. Under 18 free. Open Tu-Su 11am-6pm.
Nikolaikirche, Willy-Brandt-Str. 60 In one of the most powerful war memorials in the country, the blackened ruins of Nikolaikirche shape the Hamburg skyline and stretch over the remnants of the former church's interior. Bombed in World War II, the empty holes that used to hold stained-glass windows and soot-blackened stones that visitors face as they ride the glass elevator up to the top of the skeletal spire are a striking testament to the destruction warfare causes. The view from the top is a stunning panorama of this beautiful city. U3: Rödingsmarkt. Elevator €3.70, €2.90 students, children under 16 €2. Elevator open daily May-Sept 10am-8pm, Oct-Apr 10am-5pm.
St. Petri Kirche, Mönckebergstr. The oldest parish church in Hamburg has records dating back to 1195. Destroyed, in the 1843 fire along with most of Hamburg, it was rebuilt two years later. The interior is cool and darkly lit, refreshingly simple and minimalist, with white brick and high vaulted ceilings with black ribbing. Free organ music concerts happen about three to four times a week. Check the schedule outside for events. Sunday services start at 10am. U3: Rathaus. Open M-Tu 10am-6:30pm, W 10am-7pm, Th 10am-6:30pm, and F 10am-6:30pm, Sa 10am-5pm, Su 9am-9pm.
Fischmarkt, Große Elbstraße 137 (www.fischmarkt-hamburg.de), A Hamburg tradition since 1703, the Sunday morning Fishmarkt is an anarchic mix of vocal vendors hawking fish, produce, flowers, and clothing. Early risers mix with Reeperbahn partyers fresh from a long night out at clubs and bars. Make yourself the least conventional breakfast you'll ever have: fish and beer just as the sun's coming up. Everything's delicious and cheap. Bands of all genres entertain shoppers with loud rock music from the stages of the beautiful three-story brick and stained-glass fish auction hall, but the real action is outside. S1, S3, or U3: Landugsbrücken. Open Apr-Oct Su 5-9:30am, Nov-Mar Su 7-9:30am.
St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Across St. Pauli Hafenstr. from the U-Bahn and S-Bahn station Hamburg's harbor, the second largest port in Europe, is full of lit-up ships and partyers off the Reeperbahn by night. During the day, though crowded by tourists, these piers provide exceptional views of the harbor, and are the starting point for most cruises and tours. Kapitän Prüsse gives tours of the harbor departing every 30min. from Pier 3 (}040 31 31 30 w www.kapitaen-pruesse.de. 1hr. Tours in German only; €14, ages 5-14 €7. Open daily in summer 11am-5pm, in winter 9pm-4pm.). HADAG offers elaborate cuises of outlying areas from Pier 2 (}040 311 70 70 Times and prices vary S1, S2, S3, or U3: Landungsbrücken.
Alster Lakes, Just north of downtown, the Alster river flowing from Schleswig-Holstein branches out into the two Alster lakes before converging with the Elbe. Follow the elegant promenades around the Binnenalster ( U1, U2, S1, or S3: Jungfernstieg), or join the joggers and bikers near the larger Außensalster ( S21 or S31: Dammtor). Rent a sailboat, row boat, or windsurf board and enjoy the water on sunny days. ATG Alster-Touristik GmbH leads 50min. tours of the lakes (}040 357 42 40 w www.alstertouristik.de. Adults €11, children €5.50. Tours every 30min
Alter Elbetunnel, Starts at the domed building in the Ladungsbrücken Construction of the Alter Elbetunnel was completed in 1911, when it became the shortest connection between St. Pauli and the opposite side of the Elbe in Steinwerder. The tunnel runs 23.5m below the river's surface, and 426 m in total length. Cross the tunnel for a view of Altstadt and the Hamburg skyline, but not much else; the other side of the Elbe is industrial, so unless you're a cement pipe and crane-lift enthusiast, a quick look at the city should be all you need. U3, S1, S2, or S3: Landungsbrücken. Free. Open all hours to pedestrians and cyclists.
Hamburger Museum für Volkerkunde, Rothenbaumchaussee 64 (www.voelkerkundemuseum.com), From African masks to an entire Maori house, this museum of world cultures is an anthropologist's paradise. The exhibit on nationalism and the creation of a European culture is especially interesting in the light of the current European Union political situation. Along with impressive English documentation, the museum's geographic and thematic organization makes browsing a breeze. U1: Hallerstr. €7, students €3.50, under 18 free. Open Tu-Su 10am-5pm.

Altstadt

Rathaus. With more rooms than Buckingham Palace, the 1897 Hamburg Rathaus, which replaced the one destroyed in the Great Fire of 1842, towers extravagantly over its surroundings. Its lavishly furnished ...more

Elsewhere In Central Hamburg

Planten Un Blomen. This large expanse of gardens is one of a crescent of parks that arcs from the futuristic TV tower to the Dammtor station and south to St. Pauli. The stunning flower displays ...more

Beyond The Center

Blankenese Steps. Hamburg is home to more millionaires than any other German city, and most reside in Blankenese, a western suburb on the Elbchaussee. Dozens of narrow, cobbled staircases wind down ...more