Well, yes, Hamburg is a city shaped by water, but it boasts a great amount of green space, too. Planten un Blomen © Valentin Wolf / Getty Chill like a local Ignore the endless debate about whether this earthy snack was invented in Hamburg or Berlin when sinking your teeth into these plump wieners, for instance at cult purveyor Imbiss bei Schorsch.

Carnivores, meanwhile, salivate over Currywurst, a pork sausage drenched in tangy tomato sauce and drizzled with curry powder. Home-grown mini-chain Franz & Friends, with several branches around town including a handy one in the main train station, has an especially mouthwatering selection. Meanwhile, the cure for sugar cravings is the Franzbrötchen, a cinnamon-and sugar-laced croissant-type roll that’s reportedly a left-over from the Napoleonic occupation (1806 to 1814). You’ll find them everywhere, but Brücke 10 down by the port has some of the best in town. The classic Hamburg quick-food fix is the Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich) – a white bread roll stuffed with pickled or brined herring, onion slivers and remoulade sauce.

But while locals happily devour ceviche, ramen, poké bowls and other trendy eats, they’re also fierce fans of native dishes that have stood the test of time. This colossal rock was found during dredging work in the river in 1999.Shoppers peruse a local fish market © Westend61 / Getty Eat like a localĪs befits Hamburg’s cosmopolitan nature, the city’s food spectrum spans a United Nations of tastes and flavours. Today, clubs like Hamburg City Beach Club, Lago Bay, Hamburg del Mar and StrandPauli provide a relaxed summer atmosphere with a view over the Elbe.Īlso worth mentioning is the 'Alter Schwede' – a 217t stone pulled out of the Elbe River. The 'Strandperle' (lit.: beach pearl), in walking distance of the Övelgönne ferry stop, is considered the mother of all urban beach clubs. Along the beach a small path leads past several cafés and restaurants. In summer, the Elbe beaches (Elbstrände) around Blankenese are a beloved location to spend sunny days sunbathing, barbecuing, or simply enjoying the view of the container port on the other side. There are plenty of shortcuts, and return ferries depart from many points along the way.

You’ll pass beautiful Övelgönne and eventually reach the Landungsbrücken piers. Biking routeĬycling enthusiasts can also enjoy the 23 kilometres of the Elbewanderweg path which leads from Wedel past the nature reserve Wittenberger Heide to Blankenese. On the other side, you can continue on to discover the district of Wilhelmsburg. On weekends, the tunnel is closed to traffic, making it a calmer time to pass through. Today, it’s best admired on foot or by bicycle. The Old Elbe Tunnel, built in 1911, was the first river tunnel on the European continent and is considered a historic masterpiece of civil engineering. For the price of a regular public transport ticket, HVV-ferries take visitors to the industrial port, the Elbe river beaches or to the musical theatres on the south bank. The Landungsbrücken Piers are a great point of departure for an exploration of the Elbe river. It’s safe to say Hamburg owes its multicultural vibe and worldly character to this mighty river. At approximately 100 km from the North Sea, the Elbe has been the city’s gateway to the world, at least since the days of the Hanseatic League. Without the Elbe river, Hamburg wouldn’t be the economic power it is today.

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