Hamburg port area

My first Impression visiting Hamburg, Germany 

I didn’t really spend time researching the city of Hamburg since was that I was passing through on the way to Copenhagen and had a few days to discover the city on my own. Sometimes for me that’s way to discover a new place and you’re not planning every second exploring all the main attractions and checking off the must dos.  Germany’s largest harbor does surprise you as you discover things at your own pace exploring the city and seeing what stands out, peaks your interest or grabs your immediate attention. I sometimes find that’s the best way to experiencing a new city and surprisingly, I actually had a great time discovering Hamburg. It is a wonderful place to visit, enjoy the harbor, unique neighborhoods and explore the historic parts of the downtown district.

In this post, I share some of my observations and first impressions to visiting Hamburg in photos below.

A historic port and cargo container business

Hamburg has always been an important port city with a very strong maritime history. This is all clear when you visit the city, the entire harbor area is filled with cargo container cranes lining a big stretch of the harbor. But surprisingly outside of the large harbor, there is also a lot to see and do along the harbor outside of finding a restaurant and eating fish and chips with a cold lager of beer

Who would think this would be a fascinating part of the city to explore, but when you take a slow local ferry the views from the water take on a different perspective. You view the city skyline, historic monuments and architecture in a different light and really understand the significance of Hamburg’s maritime past and importance even to the present.

The Reeperbahn

I was also surprised to find that Hamburg is a city filled with contrasts from the many quirky and eclectic neighborhoods, the harbor area to the busy red light district called the Reeperbahn in St. Pauli. Rivaling Amsterdam’s famous red light district, the Reeperbahn is filled with sex shops and strip shows but also has fun night clubs, bars and restaurants and a lively theater district. I didn’t get a chance to see the area at night when things are more lively and colorful, but walking through during the day is just as exciting and fun to explore minus the sexual energy.

A place where night clubs and popular theater merge

This area of Hamburg is where locals and tourists relax, entertain and enjoy the eclectic night scene and cabaret lifestyle. It’s brash, tacky but also colorful and quirky to explore. I would have wanted to visit here at night, but seeing it late in the afternoon without all the bustle gives you a good enough impression of what the area must be like especially late into the evening.  Risque, raw and in your face, the entertainment district of Hamburg appeals to a different vibe and place in the city’s night life.

Planten un Blomen

A very close walk to St. Pauli is a very large green belt and park area which was a nice diversion from Hamburg’s urban  jungle.  The park area called Planten un Blomen, is a perfect place to sit and enjoy nature right in the center of the city, and it seemed like everything was blooming the moment I walked through the many garden areas of the park. From the some of the grassy areas, you can easily spot many of the landmarks and popular attractions in the city center.

I actually enjoy greenbelt areas and needed a small rest from walking and exploring all these areas and found the park perfect as a small respite to relax and enjoy nature and some greenery.

Magnificent water gardens and fountains at Planten un Blomen

 Schanzenviertel

Continuing my walk and exploring the neighborhood about 15 minutes northwest of the park is an eclectic and trendy neighborhood called Schanzenviertel. Once a popular student hangout spot with trendy shops, restaurants and bars, the area is gentrified and more upscale but cool at the same time. It’s fun to see active and young neighborhoods like this and enjoy great food and people watching at the same time.

When I think of cool neighborhoods to explore, I found Hamburg’s Schanzenviertal area, fun, colorful with lots of exciting street art and places that just inspire you to walk in. Fun walking promenades, cool shops and window shopping and a very clean  and well-maintained area makes this so attractive and fun to explore.

I really thought this neighborhood was delightful and made the walking tour of Hamburg enjoyable and made me want to see more of the area.

Outdoor markets and cafes at Schanzenviertel

Speicherstadt Warehouse District

This historic area along Hamburg’s waterfront area is the Speicherstadt Warehouse District which means the warehouse district touted as the worlds largest warehouse district. This is where the storage areas of the worlds imported goods were stored from vast shipping lines that ruled the ancient and now modern shipping container business. It was established as a free zone so no customs duty would be charged while the goods are in transit.  Many of the buildings in the historic district have been converted to commercial, business offices and galleries including one of the largest model train exhibits in the whole world.

The Speicherstadt Warehouse District is the first site in Hamburg  that has been awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site on 5 July 2015 which is a recent certification.

 Detailed exterior facades of the warehouse district

You’ll find unique architecture and details walking around the neighborhood and the gentrification process done in repurposing the many warehouses into businesses and some active gathering places and venues. I thought that the city did a good job to attract both tourists and locals to enjoy the historic district into today’s needs and attractions.

Central Hamburg and the Rathaus

I finally make it to the Rathaus (city hall) after the extensive tour of the Speicherstadt warehouse district.  It really is an impressive structure along with the town square it sits on with other majestic government buildings, shopping galleries and eateries. I learn that this is still a functioning town hall that represents Hamburg’s parliament, one of Germany’s 16 state parliaments. (comparable to our US state capital buildings). The town hall sits next to the Kleine Alster, which is a major tributary to the Elbe river (one of the major rivers with commercial and historic significance to Northern Germany). The area around the Kleine Alster is now a popular gathering spot with promenades, shopping arcades of the Jungfernstieg and a very scenic spot fronting the Rathaus and town square.

The historic district of Hamburg does shine and show off all the grand buildings and architecture. It’s a photo op everywhere and see the wealth and prestige in Hamburg’s maritime influence and wealth.

Glamorous shopping at the Jungfernstieg

In the historic center of Hamburg next to the town hall is the Jungfernstieg. This area of beautiful old galleries is were all the designer shops and international brands make a presence a the magnificent old shopping arcades and ornate stand alone buildings in this trendy and fashionable area. With a variety of cafes, bars and places to enjoy the water views of the Kleine Alster, or just feed the swans below, it is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.

Conclusion to visiting Hamburg, Germany

Well, that was definitely a long day touring most of the Hamburg’s attractions and unique neighborhoods of the city. I hoped you enjoyed the walking tour and getting a flavor of this wonderful city.  Thanks for visiting and checking out my post on a first Impression of Hamburg, Germany. If you enjoyed the post, could you please share it with any of the social media buttons around the post.

This was my first impression of visiting Hamburg and it was surprisingly lovely, colorful and filled with things to do and see that make this a fun visit beyond just the harbor and maritime past of the city and worth exploring in more detail.

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