Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and one of the 16 federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Hamburg is both a city and a state. Over 3.5 million people liven in the metropolitan region of Hamburg, which is a shopping and metropolis paradise. Known as the “Gateway to the World,” Hamburg Harbor is the largest sear harbor in Europe and ninth in the world. It has always been a key asset of Hamburg, The Outer Alster lake located in the middle Hamburg’s city center is really a river. It has a lovely park surrounding it that is a great spot to walk or run or people watch. Once the home of Johannes Brahms, Hamburg is a city rich with history that includes cathedrals, a city hall supported by dozens of pillars, museums, parks, zoos and gardens. Hamburg is also a fun city with wonderful beer halls and the St. Pauli District, as well as the famous fish market that sells much more than fish. Hamburg is an interesting place to visit because there is lots to do and see. Known as the “greenest” city in Germany, there are more parks in Hamburg than any other city in the country. There are theaters, concert halls, museums and other things you won’t want to miss when you visit this great city.

	Top rated hotels
	1. Sofitel Hamburg Alter Wall Alter Wall 40 4. Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg Airport Flughafenstrasse 1-3. 2. Grand Elysee Hotel Hamburg Rothenbaumchausee 10 5. Lindner Hotel Am Michel Neanderstrasse 20 3. Hamburg Marriott Hotel Abc Strasse 52 6. Le Royal Méridien Hamburg An der Alster 52-56 View more Hamburg hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In Hamburg 1. The Puppen Museum Falkenstein If you are traveling with children (little girls preferred for this activity), go to The Puppen Museum Falkenstein (doll museum). This children’s museum has a collection of more than 300 mostly European dolls and about 60 dolls houses, kitchens and grocery shops from eight generations.  « hide 2. Zitronen-jette Henriette Johanne Marie Müller, (Zitronen-jette) was born in 1841 in Dessau, and died July 8th, 1916 in Hamburg. She was a funny woman who sold lemons (not available everywhere at that time) during the day and in the evening walking from one inn to another "Zitroon, Zitroon." There have been plays created about her life and a monument raised in her honor.  « hide 3. Mönckebergstrasse Everything around Jungfernstieg on the Alster revolves around shopping, so bring cash and credit to this shopping niche where classy boutiques rule and are waiting to be explored. If jewelry is your pleasure the streets are lined with jewelers' shops -- Wempe, Brahmfeld & Guttruf, and Hintze to name a few. There are also fabulous clothing boutiques such as Linette, Ursula Aust, Selbach, Windmöller, and Jäger & Koch. When you are done shopping, you can go to the Streit’s Cinema or find a place to eat in the Alsterpavillon.  « hide 4. Hamburger Kunsthalle This premier art gallery in Hamburg gives visitors the opportunity to view works from the Middle Ages through to the present day, with the goal of educating and promoting art, rather than showcase particular art treasures. Exhibitions are constantly changing in this interesting museum to introduce new forms of art.  « hide 5. Altona Fish Market Sunday mornings would not be Sunday mornings in Hamburg without a trip to the Altona Fish Market. Billed a fish market since 1703, this place has just about anything and everything on sale – with fish being the main attraction. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment. This is definitely a must see place in Hamburg.  « hide 6. Hamburg Dom In Hamburg, there are three annual festivals called Hamburg Dom. They take place in the spring, summer and winter and are always held at the Heiliggeist-Feld, close to Reeperbahn. Local and tourists have a ball at these festivals where carnival rides are featured and eats lots of junk food that is simply delicious.  « hide 7. Speicherstadt Speicherstadt is the world’s largest warehouse complex built in the late 19th century. The buildings are made of brick with copper roofs – some as high as eight stories. Some of the buildings are still used to store spices and carpets Many today have been converted into attractions like Miniatur-Wunderland, Hamburg Dungeon (spooky), Speicherstadt Museum, Deutsches Zollmuseum and Dialog im Dunkein – the world of the blind. Miniaturwunderland features one of the largest model railways in the world. More than 450 trains with a total of 7,000 carriages and countless trees, figures, cars, platforms, houses and bridges make up a fantastic model landscape. The Speicherstadt Museum documents the construction of the merchants’ quarters and the everyday life of its inhabitants. In the Deutsches Zollmuseum visitors can read about interesting events relating to customs and smuggling, and which form an integral part of this port city's history. The Dialog im Dunkein takes guests on a tour of total darkness to experience the daily life of the blind.  « hide 8. Hulbe-Haus - Hanseatic Architecture At Its Best The main shopping street in Hamburg, Moenckebergstrasse, houses the Hulbe-Haus. This house was built in Dutch renaissance-style in 1911 and is considered to be the most beautiful house on the street. There is exquisite detail all over the house including a golden "Kogge" on the roof (it used to be the typical type of ship used by the Hanse-merchants). These handsome Hanseatic houses can be seen throughout the area, so keep an eye out. They historically belonged (and still do) to rich merchants and ship owners.  « hide View more Hamburg attractions » « View less Hamburg attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Schauermann Today, you will find well-dressed diners in the St. Pauli district – trying out German cuisine at Schauermann – a chic harborside restaurant on Hafenstrassee. The food at Schauermann is German with some Mediterranean influences. The seafood dishes are said to be outstanding.  « hide 6. Rive The Rive is a modern restaurant that rests in the harbor of Hamburg. It serves only the freshest, most delicious seafood and has an excellent oyster bar as well. The lobster and clams are delectable and served in a variety of ways and the atmosphere at Rive is trendy and exciting.  « hide 2. Zirkus Erich Zirkus Erich is a restaurant that is spacious with plush leather seats and mirrors that give one the impression that the space is actually larger than it is. The menu, which changes twice a week, features a variety of Italian and Asian food.  « hide 7. Eisenstein A true fine dining experience at the Eisenstein includes Japanese and Thai cuisine laced with French and Italian flavors. The cuisine is exquisite and the atmosphere, which is hip and rustic definitely makes this restaurant a place to see and be seen,  « hide 3. Artisan Artisans serves interesting tapa-style dishes in an informal atmosphere. It is informal at lunchtime, with dishes prepared in front of you. It is dressier by night, when white tablecloths and a seven-course menu come into play.  « hide 8. The Landhaus Dill The Landhaus Dill is a bright elegant restaurant that offers European, International and Mediterranean in a formal setting. The famed lobster salad or tempting rack of lamb are highly recommended, as are the traditional German desserts.  « hide 4. Machwitz The Machwitz on Schanzenstrasse is a café and pub that is known for its colorful motifs painted on its outside walls. The Machwitz serves a fabulous breakfast, as well as other pub fare and beverages.  « hide 9. The Old Commercial Room Ambiance in a casual rustic environment describes The Old Commercial Room nicely. The European, German and regional cuisine is delicious and the emphasis is on fresh seafood featuring oysters, lobsters, and caviar entrees. The service is excellent.  « hide 5. Bok Bok is an excellent Asian restaurant that is extremely popular in the Schanzenstrasse neighborhood. So much so, that there are two Boks very close to one another. The Thai and Mandarin dishes are excellent, but remember to bring cash because credit cards are not accepted.  « hide 10. Angie's Nightclub Angie's Nightclub is a real lounge-like club, very similar to an old speakeasy during prohibition. It has a great bar and lots of comfortable lounge seating and live entertainment. A great place to lay back and relax and sip on a few beverages.  « hide

	Hamburg Insider tips
	1. Avoid Steindamm Area At Night Hamburg is a typical European city and has more or less the same concerning safety standards. Because the government has been rather liberal when it comes to drug dealing, that has led to drug related crimes in the Steindamm area, especially at night.  « hide 2. Red Light Distant Turning Orange – But Caution is Necessary The red light district in St. Pauli is less dangerous then it was, but there is still a drug scene in some of the districts squares and parks. If you go clubbing or pubbing in the area, don’t go alone and take cabs or public transportation rather than walk.  « hide 3. Taking the Autobahn Traveling on Hamburg’s roadways (autobahn) can take up a lot of time and patience, as there is always a traffic jam when you travel by car or bus. It is advisable to listen to traffic reports on the radio or TV before heading out – or find alternative routes.  « hide 4. Dipping in the Elbe River If you’re determined to swim in the Elbe River it can and is done, but stay away from structures in the river and keep out of the way of ships. Container ships passing by sometimes create surprisingly large waves.  « hide

	Hamburg nightlife
	In Hamburg 1. CULTCLUB This club is popular and there is a small cover charge to get in. However, it is one remarkable bar with lots of red felt, black lights, aquariums and a giant mirror ball adorning its interior. -- A true disco bar with a true disco ambience – a throwback from the days when energy was high and dancers vibrant. The CULTCLUB is a definite hotspot in Hamburg.  « hide 2. The Banque National Club This club is upscale and made for dancing. It is housed in what used to be a bank – the lobby is now a dance floor, as is the former safe room. The upper area might as well have been the vault, because it is now the VIP area and only seats privileged guests (who probably spend lots of money while there). The Banque National is definitely for those who like music and style.  « hide 3. LOUNGE The laid back groovy soul tunes, world beat, electronic mix sound of the LOUNGE makes it a very special place in Hamburg. It’s a small club but very comfortable with an illuminated ceiling over the dance floor and music playing that can’t be placed in any one category other than to say its good!  « hide 4. MOLOTOW If you’re looking for an established club in Hamburg that offers an alternative style, then check out Molotow – a comfortable, unpretentious alternative rock club on Spielbudenplatz. The Molotow hosts concerts every night and has a club scene going on at the same time. It has a main area with a bar and dance floor, as well as a small lounge and a second bar.  « hide