Hamburg – port of call

Calling at a port

I like port cities very much, they’re so called the “Windows to the world”. Usually they’re very varied and unusual. So after Rotterdam and Antwerp, I decided to go for a trip to Hamburg.

The port in Hamburg, just after Rotterdam, is the second largest in Europe and its history goes back to over 800 years. To see it you can buy a special cruise for € 20 or use public transport. The shuttle no. 62 goes from the Landugsbrucken to Finkenwerder. The ferry costs 3 € but welcome drink on board is excluded 😉

During the cruise, you can admire a large port with containers and ships, as well as the interesting, diverse houses. Grab some food and blanket and make a stop at the beach.

The City of warehouses

The mandatory point on the map of Hamburg is Spicherstadt, so-called Garners District. This is a huge complex of over 100-year-old storage buildings, separated by channels and built like Venice on oak stakes.

Five –storey builidngs, built of red bricks, have very interesting, industrial architecture. There used to be storied such goods like: coffee, tea, tobacco and various spices. Currently, part of it is still used as warehouses and others are the venue of cultural activities.

It’s better to visit warehouses in the evening when there are interestingly lit. It is also worth going a little farther to the modern district called HafenCity. Designer condos in amazing way match to the raw, industrial nature of nearby warehouses.

Some alternative culture…

Another interesting place is Gängeviertel so called the art corner, consists of historic buildings, narrow passages and alleys, where you can find various kinds of works and art compositions.

Of course, for me the most interesting were murals and professional steam bath made inside the car! In the picture, there’s a towel hanging outside the car and even a shower!

Place number two is Rote Flora. A building with a rather turbulent history where used to be the theatre and next became the headquarters of radical left-wing movements. It has survived numerous demonstrations and arsons. Now many cultural events are organized here, such as concerts or exhibitions. There are many murals around the building.

Let’s go underground

More specific to the Alter Elbtunel, the tunnel under the Elbe river which was built at the beginning of the 20^th  century. Located 28 meters underground and reaching more than 400 m long, it was once considered as an innovative project. But the most interesting thing is its old, slightly industrial appearance.

Lights of the city

Once John Lennon said, ” I was born in Liverpool, and I raised in Hamburg.”, saying these words he meant hundreds of concerts which the Beatles performed in clubs located in the Hamburg district of Reeperbahn. Actually, here in clubs like Indra club or Kaiserkeller, the Beatles began to play their first concerts in the beginning of their international career. Now Reeperbahn is called the Red Light District, where, as in Amsterdam, you can meet here the girls dancing in the windows.

Hamburger steak once!

While in Hamburg, try the famous Hamburger steaks. The history of this fast food goes back to the 12^th century and its connected with Tatars who transport minced meat under the saddle. With the development of trade, the 17^th  century tartar reached the port in Hamburg. Here’s the recipe was improved by frying the meat in a breadcrumbs.The steaks became an integral part of food which emigrants took to the United States, there they quickly became popular as hamburgers. The best in the city ar served at Otto’s Burger with the homemade buns and BBQ sauce.

Another popular fast food, which must be tried in Hamburg is the famous German curry wurst, and the best are served at Grosse Bleichen 68 St., in Edelcurry.

A wurst tastes the best with the famous drink in Hamburg – Alsterwasser, beer mixed with lemonade. You can taste it in the atmospheric and cosy Zoë 2 Restaurant.