Hamburg Tourist Attractions

As the largest airport in Northern Germany, Hamburg Airport attracts some 17 million passengers every year. When the totally refurbished and practically new airport opened in 2008, the country’s economic situation was very tense but despite the worldwide downturn in aviation traffic, Hamburg Airport managed a 0.5 per cent growth in that year, showing that both passengers and the company running the airport were committed to support the venture.

In December 2008 the airport was connected to the S-Bahn, Hamburg’s metro railway network, operating at first just between the airport and Hamburg’s central station (Hauptbahnhof) via the S1 line. In just 25 minutes passengers can travel from the airport to the main train station, connecting Hamburg to all major cities in Germany and most regional stations in Northern Germany. The S1 line operates every 10 minutes.

Hamburg tourist attractions are plentiful, but the airport building itself offers great entertainment: the Airport Model Exhibition showcases a miniature version of Hamburg’s airport – at a scale of 1:500 every terminal building, every hangar, taxiway, runway and landing strip has been lovingly recreated. Some 8000 light-emitting diodes light up the model. An accompanying show, lasting 45 minutes, tells visitors many interesting facts about aviation’s history from Zeppelins to today’s aircraft industry.

Hamburg Airport has several observation decks. The panorama terraces in Terminal 1 and 2 provide fantastic views of the apron, the landing strips and the runways. Access to the observation decks is signposted. In Terminal 1 passengers will find the HMS HOST terrace and in Terminal 2 they will enjoy a glance of the hustle and bustle at the Mövenpick terrace and the Panorama terrace next to the Model Exhibition.

A 45 minute journey by hired car via the A7 Autobahn (motorway exit Schnelsen-Nord) or one hour’s journey by train from Hamburg Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) will take visitors to the medieval city of Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage site and founding place of the mighty Hanseatic League, the most successful trade organisation in medieval times. Visit the museum in the Holstentor, one of the original gates and defence towers of the walled city. Parts of the city walls can still be seen outlining the original city’s limits with the heavily leaning Holstentor standing on an island at the center of today’s city. 12 kilometers further down the coast (a 15 minute journey by train) visitors can enjoy a trip to the beach at the Baltic resorts of Timmendorfer Strand and Travemünde. Famous for their white sandy beaches and world class sailing, both resorts are ideal for guests looking for a weekend break by the sea, with fresh seafood and pleasant walks along the leafy green promenade or in the forests surrounding the resorts.

Hamburg tourist attractions are so plentiful that visitors will be hard pressed to make a choice: gardening enthusiasts for example will love a trip to Planten un Blomen (Plants and Flowers), home to Hamburg’s famous Botanical Gardens as well as the largest Japanese gardens in Europe. During the summer months visitors can enjoy free water-light concerts, music festivals and theater performances.

Miniatur Wunderland is a wonderful place for children and those young at heart. Located in Hamburg’s famous Speicherstadt right in the heart of the city, guests will fall in love with the largest miniature train set in the world. Miniatur Wunderland is one of Germany’s most popular attractions. Hundreds of tiny buildings, landscapes, trains and people have been recreated to show the changing fortunes of train travel.

Hamburg’s famous Speicherstadt district is the world’s oldest and largest warehouse complex. Once storing trade goods from around the globe, the former harbour warehouses are now home to fine dining restaurants, wine bars, coffeehouses and chic boutiques.

Art lovers shouldn’t miss a trip to the Hamburger Kunsthalle. In three architecturally stunning buildings visitors will find one of Germany’s most impressive art collections. While the highlights include paintings by Edvard Munch, Caspar David Friedrich and Rembrandt, the Kunsthalle is famous for displaying some 700 years of art history, incorporating ancient carved altar panels and modern paintings alike.

Michel, as the baroque church of St. Michaelis is affectionately known, is the emblem of Hamburg. Erected in the years 1648 to 1661 the white and golden church is large enough to accommodate 3000 faithful souls. A spiraled top observation tower allows marvelous views over the city and Hamburg’s port.

Finally, a shopping trip to the illustrious Alster Arkaden, elegant historic arcades built to resemble Venetian architecture, where well-to-do Hamburger society goes shopping in chic boutiques, branded outlets and designer shops. Most romantic at night, when lit up by wrought iron lamps, the arcades lead along the canals to the main square and the stunning city hall.