Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany, and is still growing. The Baroque Church of St Michael, the Town Hall with its distinctive green roof, the elegant Hanseviertel, the Alster Arcades and the Alster Lake (the biggest lake inside a European city) are principal sights, along with the Arts Mile, location of most important museums and galleries.
During a daytime visit to the Planten und Blomen park, the Television Tower is a highlight. For a small charge, visitors take the lift to the top platform and enjoy a view of the city, the harbour, the northern districts and the surrounding countryside. Just below is a restaurant, which turns full circle in the course of an hour, enabling diners to enjoy every vantage point at their leisure.
The famous St Pauli district includes the notorious Reeperbahn, with its various 'adult' entertainments. With a wide range of harbour trips available, the Speicherstadt historic Warehouse Quarter is a must.
The 100 year old Speicherstadt warehouse district is a very pretty quarter, with Gothic buildings, unusual gables and little towers. Behind the thick walls, goods such as coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and tobacco are stored.
Hamburg enjoys pedestrianised shopping streets, elegant arcades, fine department stores and street cafés. These are concentrated in the area between the main railway station and the Gänsemarkt. Refuge from a hectic day's shopping can be sought by hiring a rowing boat or a paddleboat and exploring the Alster and the intricate network of canals (Hamburg has more bridges than Venice) which extends throughout the city.
On Sundays, a stroll on the banks of the River Elbe is a favourite pastime. The numerous cafes and restaurants make sure that nobody overdoes the walking.
