My partner is not normally one for city breaks but he was convinced by my itinerary to spend his birthday in May 2018 in Hamburg, an über modern city in north Germany!
But then my itinerary included day trips to Schwerin, Hannover and Lübeck, for which Hamburg was an ideal base.
Where we stayed in Hamburg
Reichshof Hamburg Curio Collection by Hilton
Once again I booked us a really great deal with British Airways holidays and I chose Reichshof Hamburg Curio Collection by Hilton especially for its proximity to the central station.
It’s near enough to Hamburg’s main train station to be convenient (200 metres across the road) but far enough away not to be bothered by loiterers hanging around train stations. It’s also easy to get to from the airport – S1 train from airport to the central station, within walking distance to Hamburg Rathaus and Mönckebergstraße shopping street with lots of eating places
The lobby and bar areas were huge! The restaurant (Stadt) was very elegant. The prices were not cheap but it was an experience that completed our Hamburg experience
As for our room facing the inner courtyard, it was quiet, clean, modern and spacious enough. But the best thing about it was the air conditioning. It was so quiet that made for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Hamburg Rathaus and Rathausmarkt
Hamburg is a vibrant city famous for its lively nightclub scene, Miniatur Wunderland and modern harbour of which I was not particularly interested. However the first glimpse of Hamburg Rathaus and its spacious square had me reach for my camera 📸 as quickly as a cowboy for his gun at a duel!!😂
When I saw it for the first time just before 9.00 on an overcast day, it looked imposing enough.
A few days later, both Rathaus and surrounding areas looked stunning under a blue sky with fast drifting clouds just after a quick shower…..
….. particularly from Alsterarkaden – a Venetian-style arcade along the waterfront with restaurants and cafés.
The interior of the Rathaus was as impressive as the exterior, but the ground at the back was even more spectacular!!
Elbphilharmonie
What an ingenious combination of the old and the new – a concert hall built on top of an old warehouse building!!
It’s near Baumwall metro station on Line U3
Between the brick building and the glass structure is a huge public viewing area right round the whole building. Free entrance tickets to the viewing platform can be obtained at the booking office.
The curved escalator took 2 and 1/2 minutes to get to the plaza where there is also a café. It was a pity that coffee was served in paper cups, which was so incongruous with the classy setting!
Viewing from Elbphilharmonie
Personally speaking, apart from the old warehouses and Hafencity seen from one side of the building, views from the other side facing the river dominated by cranes and containers are pretty uninspiring.
Baumwall embankment
Baumwall embankment is just across the exit of the elevated metro station of the same name. The waterfront views here are more my kind of scenery!
Not so Landungsbrüchen Piers, reputed to be one of the must-see sights. The views of the cranes and crowds queuing up for river boat trips were enough to send me scuttling back on the metro!
Getting around in Hamburg
Once I was convinced that city pass or hop-on-hop-0ff bus was the best way to see a city. Nowadays I find that it really depends on the city.
In some cities public transport tickets are in fact much better value for money, especially in Germany. It is worth doing research beforehand.
In Hamburg, the best deal is the after 9 a.m. day ticket when travelling in a group (up to 5 persons). Such a day ticket costs €9 for 1 person, €12 for 2 persons (and so on) for unlimited travel until 6 a.m.the next morning! It’s valid for going to and from the airport too!!
Got the fridge magnet
and photos 📸
