34909GER
Facts and Free Time
Hamburg Harbour Cruise
Hamburg harbour is a working harbour – one of the world’s most important shipping ports. The harbour cruise gives an insight into what has for centuries been the city’s greatest industry and indeed the activity that has made the city what it is today.
The bus will drop you at the harbour (St-Pauli-Landungsbrücken) where all the departure piers are numbered. The number of your pier will be on the voucher. Take the group along to the relevant pier and get them to wait while you exchange the voucher for tickets. The cruise has commentary but it’s worth phoning ahead to ensure that this will be in English. There are bathrooms and places to buy drinks on board. More bathrooms can be found on the docks.
NB: If no commentary in English, arrange that you translate!
TRANSPORT
U and S Bahn – For practical purposes, there is no difference between the U and S lines. A single ticket costs €3.90 or a day ticket costs €7.80. A group day ticket for up to 5 people is €15.60.
Taxis – These are licensed to carry three passengers. Tip 10 – 15%.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Changing money – Reisebank operates a currency exchange service at the Hauptbahnhof, 7.30am – 10pm, on the second floor. There are many ATMs.
Post Office – One at the Kirchenallee exit of the Hauptbahnhof. Open Mon-Fri 8am –8pm, Sat 9am- 6pm and Sun 10am – 4pm.
Brochures & Maps – The Tourist Information office at the Hauptbahnhof can provide maps, brochures and programs of events. Hotels often have some free. There is another tourist office at the harbour, where the cruise leaves from, between docks 4 and 5 on St-Pauli-Landungsbrücken.
TOURIST INFORMATION
At the Central Station and at the Harbour between piers 4 and 5. Website: www.hamburg-tourism.de
MAJOR SIGHTS & MUSEUMS
For comprehensive opening times, prices and telephone numbers, see Yellow Pages for Germany.
General opening times – Nearly all museums are closed on Monday except that of Hamburg History.
Average Charges – Average admission charge is €8.00 for students.
Hamburger Kunsthalle
Fabulous art museum with works from the Renaissance to the modern day. Includes many European greats from Germany and Holland as well as a large collection of French Impressionist works. It has Warhols, Picassos and even a pair of Levi’s nailed to the wall and is one of Germany’s finest art collections.
U-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof.
City Hall
The spectacular neo-renaissance town hall dates to 1887. It represents the political heart of the city and can be visited hourly between 10am and 3pm. It has 647 rooms – 6 more than Buckingham Palace. U-Bahn: Rathaus.
St Michaelskirche
An 18th century Baroque church, “Michael” has a great view of the city, the port and the river. The tower (82m) can be climbed by elevator or on foot Mon – Sat 9am-6pm and is well worth the effort. At weekends in the summer a multi-media presentation of the city is projected on 5m high screens in front of the church, Thurs-Sun every hour from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Speicherstadtmuseum
A history of the Spice trade and Hamburg ”Speicherstadt”. U-Bahn: Messberg
Planetarium
Whatever the weather, see the skies of Northern Germany lit up on a 21-metre dome! U-Bahn: Borgweg
Altstadt
Go for an evening wander in the old town. Deichstrasse is full of 17th and 18th century merchants’ houses converted now into bars and restaurants. From the Hohebrücke you have lovely views of the old city and can see the pulleys used to shift cargo on the warehouse gables.
THINGS TO DO
Row and Paddle Boat Hire
Boats can be hired on the Aussenalster from Segelschule Kpt Pieper opposite the Hotel Atlantic at the end of the Kennedybrücke. Open daily 10am – 9pm.
Planten un Blomen
A beautiful park close to the university district, it has lots of shady outdoor cafés. In the summer there are free concerts in the Musikpavilion and at 10pm every night the fountains are lit up and play to music.
Bicycle Tours
O’Neil bikes, Beethovenstrasse, 37. German language bike tours of the city.
Fischmarkt
On Sunday mornings from 6am – 10am early risers can visit the mayhem of the fish market. It’s a buzzing, lively mix of sounds and smells which is hard to find elsewhere. Groups should mind their heads as fruit vendors have been thrown to throw free pineapples into the crowd! U-Bahn: Landungsbrücken.
SHOPPING
Main Shopping Area
The main area is along Monkebergstrasse a pedestrian zone stretching from the town hall to the train station.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
Fountain Display
Summer fountain displays in Planten un Blomen at 10pm (see Things to Do section).
Red Light District
The infamous Reeperbahn has entertained many a sailor and according to “Let’s Go Germany” “makes Las Vegas look like a Sunday Church”. Very busy with sex shops etc. Consult your GL before suggesting this to the group!
Student Cafes and Bars
Sternschantze is the more alternative or “creative” side of town, popular with students and hip society.
Concerts, Opera and Theatre
Check the local publications for listings.
Discos, Jazz Clubs
Head for St-Pauli. The Mojo Club on the Reeperbahn is said to be Germany’s best club. The Jazz Café next door features acid jazz. Calm, live jazz can be found at Indra, on Grosse Freiheit 64. the Molotow (Spielbudenpl.5) plays a mix of hip-hop, garage and salsa!