{"id":154519,"date":"2025-06-03T10:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/154519\/"},"modified":"2025-06-03T10:05:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:05:21","slug":"german-city-dubbed-gateway-to-the-world-has-28-return-flights-and-2500-bridges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/154519\/","title":{"rendered":"German city dubbed \u2018Gateway to the World\u2019 has \u00a328 return flights \u2013 and 2,500 bridges"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tThis under-the-radar German city is a vibrant place where old meets new (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

In the shadow of Munich\u2019<\/a>s beer halls and Berlin<\/a>\u2019s, well, everything, you\u2019ve got to feel a little sorry for historically overlooked Hamburg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Built on the banks of the River Elbe, the port city in northern Germany<\/a> is best known as a hub for maritime trade. But beyond the harbour front is a place of vibrant contrasts, where elegant architecture meets dusk-to-dawn party stamina.<\/p>\n

Recently touted as an alternative to Amsterdam<\/a> for its red light district and hundreds of crisscrossing canals, Hamburg is more than its rough and ready reputation.<\/p>\n

I spent 48 hours in the \u2018Gateway to the World\u2019 and discovered rich history, culinary delights and thumping nightlife that rival more famous destinations, making Hamburg the perfect choice for a city break<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tHamburg is a city of striking contrasts, perfect for a weekend break (Picture: Jed Bradley)
\nHow to get to Hamburg<\/p>\n

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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Like the rest of Germany, Hamburg is easy to reach from the UK, with direct Ryanair <\/a>flights from London Stansted<\/a>, easyJet from Gatwick<\/a> and Eurowings from Heathrow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You could fly out with Ryanair on Tuesday, July 1 and return on Friday, July 4 for just \u00a328.<\/p>\n

The airport is conveniently located less than a 30-minute drive from the city centre, but the best way to get around is to buy a Hamburg Card, which offers unlimited travel on all U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus and ferry routes.<\/p>\n

The S1 train whisks you right from the airport terminal into the city. <\/p>\n

Daily passes cost \u20ac11.90 (\u00a310) and come with discounts of up to 50% for 150 of the city\u2019s museums and restaurants.<\/p>\n

The best things to do in Hamburg<\/p>\n

Much of Hamburg\u2019s charm is the meeting of old-world warehouse districts and post-World War II<\/a> architectural marvels. <\/p>\n

I start my sightseeing at the Elbphilharmonie, an imposing concert hall-hotel known locally as the Elphi. <\/p>\n

Sitting atop a 1960s brick warehouse, Hamburg\u2019s tallest residential building is a handy place to get your bearings with a 360-degree outdoor observation platform to gaze over the city to the north, and the bustling port to the south. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re lucky enough to see a performance in the Great Hall (they often sell out months in advance), you\u2019ll get to see the magnificent construction of the 2,100-seat theatre and acoustics so important, the hall is separated from the rest of the building.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe 1966 fa\u00e7ade of the Elbphilharmonie was preserved at the base of the building (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n

Hamburg has more bridges than London, Venice<\/a> and Amsterdam combined (it has around 2,500), with a labyrinth of canals that flow into the mighty Elbe.<\/p>\n

I visit in October, but every May, more than one million people descend on the waterfront for the Port Anniversary, the biggest event in Hamburg\u2019s calendar. Sailing ships parade down the river, live performances fill the streets and food stalls serve local delicacies before the night ends with a spectacular fireworks display.<\/p>\n

The river path stretches for miles, with plenty of riverside bars and restaurants to rest your feet in before you head back towards the city centre.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Hamburg\u2019s grand City Hall, The Rathaus, dominates the skyline. Finished in 1897, it\u2019s now the nucleus of the shopping district, with high-end boutiques in the northern Old Town and high street giants like H&M and Zara to the south. <\/p>\n

Wide, pedestrianised promenades are dotted with restaurants along the way, providing plenty of opportunity to refuel after retail therapy.<\/p>\n

If it turns into a retail nightmare, head to Binnenalster Lake, a popular respite from the frenzy of city life. Stroll along tree-lined paths, enjoy a drink at the waterfront restaurants, or simply unwind with a decent book. In the summer months, you can also catch the\u00a0nightly water and light show.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018The most sinful mile\u2019<\/p>\n

Forget Berlin\u2019s judgmental bouncers and stuffy black dress codes, Hamburg\u2019s legendary nightlife district \u2013 the Reeperbahn \u2013 is all about having fun.<\/p>\n

Known as \u2018The Most Sinful Mile,\u2019 its neon-lit streets has evolved from a red-light district to a mix of underground clubs and trendy dive bars \u2014 and scarcely a thump of techno.<\/p>\n

I traipsed through venues like Gro\u00dfe Freiheit 36 and Molotow, where The Beatles<\/a> played in the early 1960s before they became a household name, before perching myself at Le Lion, a famous speakeasy that serves expertly crafted drinks. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe Rathaus is a dominating presence (Picture: Mediaserver Hamburg\/ThisIsJulia Photography)<\/p>\n

If you want to dance until dawn, check out one of the district\u2019s iconic nightclubs like Dollhouse or \u00dcbel & Gef\u00e4hrlich, housed in a sprawling war bunker.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chocolate and coffee in Hamburg<\/p>\n

Hamburg\u2019s trade roots remain important today with huge quantities of coffee and cocoa flowing through its port. If you\u2019re a chocolate lover (who isn\u2019t?), a visit to Chocoversum (\u20ac25\/\u00a321) will not disappoint like Glasgow\u2019s Willy\u2019s Chocolate Experience<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Sample delicious treats made in-house and learn about the journey from from bean to bar. But the main draw is making your own block. Picking between dark, milk and white is the easy part. More difficult is choosing between the dozens of toppings. From savoury nuts to salted caramel, it\u2019s your souvenir sorted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

When you crash from all the sugar, Burg Coffee Museum is on hand for a pick-me-up. Along the 90-minute tasting tour (\u20ac21\/\u00a318) through one of the original canalside warehouses, you\u2019ll see why Hamburg\u2019s tax exemption for raw beans made it the coffee capital of Europe. Try everything, especially the most exclusive Kopi luwak, made from the excrement of a jungle cat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWhere to stay in Hamburg\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Right in the middle of the action is the new four-star Novotel Hamburg Central Station<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Aside from obvious transport links, its central location is superb, just a few minutes walk from the city\u2019s top restaurants and shops.<\/p>\n

Standard rooms are simple but cosy, with Nespresso machines and huge smart TVs to unwind with after a day pounding pavements. The hotel has co-working spaces, a fitness centre and a bar, lounge and restaurant that serves buffet breakfasts.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"The
\n\t\t(Picture: Jed Bradley)<\/p>\n

Jed Bradley was a guest of Accor<\/a>. Jed stayed at Novotel Hamburg Central Station<\/a> where prices start at \u00a3110 per night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ryanair flies to Hamburg from London Stansted from \u00a328 return in July.<\/p>\n

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