Flight to Hamburg (HAM)

Flying to Hamburg: tips and information for your trip

The second-largest city in Germany, the third-largest port in Europe, with its canals, museums, 19th-century architecture, great cafés, traditional gastronomy, festivals, river, distinct districts, lake and much more, Hamburg is the perfect choice for a weekend getaway or a city trip with friends.

What to do in Hamburg?

1. Walk through Speicherstadt, the old port district is famous for its labyrinth of brick warehouses and narrow canals, dating from the 19th century. Its neo-gothic buildings are also listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
   
   
2. Take a ferry ride: line 62, which is the public line, makes a round trip of 1 hour offering a unique view of the city. For the price of an underground ticket.
   
   
3. Wander along the harbour: the port of Hamburg is the largest port in Germany and the third largest in Europe after Rotterdam and Antwerp. It has made the city what it is.
   
   
4. Stroll along the Alster: this river that crosses Hamburg and flows into the Elbe is 53 km long. It is a great place to take a walk.
   
   
5. Hamburg Kunsthalle: this museum houses one of the largest art collections in Germany, retracing more than 700 years of European art history.
   
   
6. Miniatur Wunderland: this is a gigantic electric train network. This model railway exhibition is the largest of its kind and also features a miniature replica of Hamburg.
   
   
7. The city hall: this neo-Renaissance building houses the seat of Parliament and the Senate but can also be visited. On the facade, you will see representations of the various trade corporations of the time.
   
   
8. Elba Philharmonie: this emblematic building in Hamburg was converted from an old warehouse on the harbour. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, it looks like the glass and metal bow of a ship. Inside the building, there are 2 symphony concert halls and a hotel. It is also possible to take a guided tour and climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the city.
   
   
9. The fish market takes place every Sunday morning. You can buy fish by the kilo at auction or enjoy a fish sandwich while listening to a local band and drinking a beer. It is housed near a market hall dating from the nineteenth century.
   
   
10. Saint Michael’s Church: this Protestant baroque church is the largest in northern Germany. From its 132-metre bell tower, it offers a panorama of the city and the harbour. Inside there is also a multimedia exhibition that gives a blow-by-blow account of its construction.
    
    
11. For partygoers, Sankt Pauli is the nightlife district. This is also where the Beatles gave their first concerts, in the “Top Ten Club” and the “Kaiserkeller”. For a quieter atmosphere, you are better off in the Schanzenviertel and Karolinenviertel, which have smaller, quieter and cosier bars.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights fly into Hamburg Airport. The airport is 13 km away from the city centre. Tram S1 leads directly to the central station, and it takes 25 min to get there. To get to the airport, you have to take the carriages at the head of the train. You can also take a taxi to go to the city centre.
   
  
• Currency: euro. Cash and credit cards are the most common form of payment.
  
  
• Country dialling code and Wi-Fi access: The country code for Germany is +49. Wi-Fi can easily be found for free at bars, cafes and restaurants.
  
  
• Electric sockets: Plug type C and type F (2 round pins). The electrical system runs on a 230 V and 50 Hz power supply.
  
  
• Travel Information: Since Germany is part of the Schengen zone, most EU/EEA citizens don’t need a passport to visit Hamburg. However, citizens from other countries will need a valid passport and may need to apply for a Schengen visa prior to travel.

Dos and Don’ts in Hamburg

• In restaurants, taxes and service are included in the price. Germans generally leave a tip of 5 to 10% maximum of the bill. If you want to do the same, don’t leave the sum on the table, but give it directly to the server.
  
  
• The largest German cities offer free guided tours. This is the best way to visit the city, learn more about its history and have fun without spending a penny.
  
  
• German beer is very strong and very cheap. Drink the local beer and you will save a lot of money. After all, Germany is famous for its beer.
  
  
• The famous Photoautomat Berlin can also be found in Hamburg. These old-fashioned photo booths take black and white silver photos.
  
  
• To save some money, you can buy the “Hamburg Card” which gives you access to public transport and discounts in some restaurants and museums, etc. The pass costs from 10.5 euros per person and per day.
  
  
• Museum lovers can buy the “Kunstmeile Pass”, which gives you access to the 5 art museums in central Hamburg.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Although many Hamburgers are fluent in English, here is a German survival glossary that may come in useful:

• Hello: Guten Morgen or Guten Tag / Guten Abend
• How are you? : Wie geht es Ihnen?
• Very well, thanks, and you? : Sehr gut, danke, und Ihnen?
• Do you speak English? : Sprechen Sie Englisch?
• I understand/I don’t understand: Ich verstehe / Ich verstehe nicht
• Yes/No: Ja / Nein
• Sorry: Entschuldigung
• Goodbye: Auf Wiedersehen
• Thank you (so much): Danke (Vielen Dank)
• Please: Bitte
• No thanks: Nein danke
• How much is it? : Wieviel kostet das?

Cultural events

• The “Hamburg Dom” funfair takes place 3 times a year, in spring, summer and autumn and is considered as a very important folk festival in Germany. This gigantic carnival stretches for several kilometres and attracts children and adults alike.
  
  
• Hafengeburtstag: Hamburg’s big port festival has been held on the second weekend of May for 800 years. During these 3 days, all kinds of ships are exhibited, and there is also a programme of activities such as music, sea excursions, exhibitions, gourmet tastings and rides.
  
  
• For film lovers, every year in autumn the “Filmfest” takes place for 6 days. This festival projects German and international feature films.
  
  
• The Christmas market is the most anticipated event in Hamburg, there are 7 in total in the city but the biggest is “the historic Christmas market” that takes place on the Town Hall Square. The programmes are different depending on the market you choose but you can find wooden chalets with Christmas products, attractions for children, a Santa Claus flying above the Town Hall, a Christmas parade and, above all, a fairytale atmosphere.

When to go to Hamburg?

This port city shares the climatic characteristics of the cities bordering the North Sea coast. Hamburg is rather cold and rainy in winter. For a better chance of good weather, plan your stay between April and October. June and July are the hottest and most animated months.

What to eat in Hamburg?

• Labskaus: a potato dish, marinated herring, corned beef, beetroot and fried egg. It can be found in northern Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Liverpool area.
  
  
• Rollmops: is a marinated fillet of white herring, wrapped around a gherkin, an onion and an olive or cabbage.
  
  
• Fischbrötchen: this sandwich is made of pickled herring or fried herring, onion, gherkin and remoulade sauce.
  
  
• Grünkohl: this winter dish is comprised of cabbage, smoked pork, potato and one or two types of sausages.
  
  
• Eel soup: this soup consists of eels and vegetables. The specialty in Hamburg is to add dry fruit, which creates a sweet and savoury dish.
  
  
• Pears, beans, and bacon: this ragout is typical of Hamburg. A delicious dish for lovers of sweet and savoury dishes.
  
  
• Buchweizentorte: a pie with a buckwheat crust and filled with blueberry jam, whipped cream and chocolate chips.
  
  
• Rote Grütze is the favourite dessert of North Germans. It is made from raspberries, currants and blackcurrants and served with vanilla custard, whipped cream or ice cream.
  
  
• Finkenwerder Scholle is a typical dish of Hamburg – North Sea plaice cooked with onions, bacon and shrimps. You can find restaurants that offer it along the streets of Finkenwerder.
  
  
• Franzbrötchen: cinnamon rolls with butter, in the shape of a crescent.