Impressions of Hamburg (Germany)

I am going to start off by saying that this place is probably one of the most beautiful urban areas you'll find in the world. While Berlin only gradually grew on me (right after Germany's unification it resembled one big construction site and before that it just wasn't that interesting), I instantly fell in love with Hamburg the first time I visited. I lived here for two years and it's the one place I truly regret not having spent more time in, which is why I make the effort to return whenever I can.

Rathaus / Town Hall

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city (after Berlin) and like the nation's capital, it's a city-state that's marked with contrasts. Blessed with the two beautiful 'Alster' lakes in the city center, it also has a large harbor and so many canals that to this day, it's still the city with the most bridges in the world (2300 in total - more than what Amsterdam and Venice have combined). You'll find impressive old warehouses in the 'Speicherstadt', stunning houses and mansions belonging to the rich upper-class, many yachts and sailboats parked around the docks and large avenues filled with high-end shops and boutiques.

One of Hamburg's many canals and bridges off the 'Aussenalster' Lake

Alsterarkaden near Jungfernstieg

At the same time, Hamburg also has a very impressive alternative and indie scene. Towards St. Pauli you'll find the Schanzen- and Karoviertel filled with smaller cafes, clubs, vintage shops and old cinemas catering to artists, musicians and students. This area is also home to Europe's largest red-light-district around the Reeperbahn, which has become so touristy, that you'll find just as many bars, restaurants and clubs attracting anyone from teenagers to pensioners (currently the Mamma Mia musical is showing here) as you will the usual sex and strip club haunts.

Grosse Freiheit in the red-light district off the Reeperbahn

In any case, if you love to shop, Hamburg is the ideal place to do so. Most might associate hip fashion with Berlin, but let's not forget that Hamburg gave us Karl Lagerfeld, who was born and raised here, as well as Jil Sander. Because of its proximity to Scandinavia, many local independent designers will favor a more retro vintagey style and you'll find a great selection of Danish and Swedish labels in smaller boutiques.

Whatever you do, don't just go to Berlin if you're ever in Germany (or Europe for that matter), because you'll be missing out on one of the most amazing cities I've ever been to.

High-end boutiques on Neuer Wall

Speicherstadt/Warehouse district

Harbor

Independent & vintage boutiques on the Marktstrasse in the Karoviertel

Binnenalster - Hamburg's inner lake

View of the Aussenalster - the outer lake

High street shopping on the Mönckebergstrasse