Hamburg is known Germanyas the "gateway to the world" and is the largest port in the countryand the second largest in Europe. The city is proud of its status as anindependent city-state and on its trading history, to which the city owes muchof its wealth. Today, Hamburg is known as one ofthe richest metropolises in Europe, along with Brussels and London.
The busy port of Hamburgis situated on the River Elbe, 100 kilometres from the North Sea. You can learnabout Hamburg’s maritime past at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg andin the museum ship, Cap San Diego.
The port may be the heart of Hamburg,but the city has far more to offer, especially in the field of art and culture.Visit the massive Hamburger Kunsthalle Art Gallery and the contemporary artscentre Deichtorhallen, which holds world famous international exhibitions. Withits extensive subway system, it’s easy to find your way around Hamburg.Don’t forget to visit the Miniatur Wunderland, one of the most visited touristattractions in Germany.
The city centre of Hamburgis made up mostly of modern office buildings, since many of the medievalbuildings were lost in the Great Fire of 1842 or during World War II, when itwas bombed to rubble. Visit the Hamburger Rathaus (Town Hall), which has beenpainstakingly rebuilt and restored to its original 19th century state.
Stroll through warehouse district and theHafenCity, with its renovated former port warehouses and ambitious modernbuildings of glass and steel. Admire the architecture, dine at the bestrestaurants and stroll the boutique shops for unique luxury items. This urbanrenewal project is currently the largest of its kind in Europe and it’s herethat Hamburg shows itself embracing change andconfidently moving into the future.
Near the centre you will find several large parksand lakes. Visit the Planten un Blomen park to unwind in the JapanischerGarten. Rent a car or take advantage of the fast and reliable national railnetwork to explore nearby historic sites.
