Hamburg
Sightseeing in Hamburg:A good starting point for a sightseeing tour is the Rathausmarkt, the main town square in the heart of the city. Visit the splendid town hall, an imposing sandstone building with a copper roof, built in an interesting architectural mix of Italian and Northern renaissance. From the town square it's just a few steps to the Binnenalster, or Inner Alster Lake, an artificial lake formed by the river Alster. Take a boat trip from the pier, or just sit on the stone steps to soak up the lively atmosphere. The Binnenalster goes over into the Außenalster, or Outer Alster Lake. Covering an area of about one square mile, with little piers, pathways and public parks along its banks, the Außenalster is a popular recreational area. Between the Old Town and the harbour you find the Baroque Michaelis church, or Michel as the locals lovingly call their city's most renowned landmark. Enjoy the splendid view from the Michel's bell tower. Don't miss a visit to the crypt, it has recently been renovated and is now open again for visitors. If you love maritime flair and want to get a whiff of the real soul of Hamburg, visit the harbour. Walk down to the Landungsbrücken, a floating dock half a mile long. With a wild mix of souvenir shops, ice cream parlours and fish restaurants it's a great place for strolling, relaxing and just enjoying the atmosphere. You can take a harbour tour, board a river ferry to explore the shores of the river Elbe, or go on a cruise through the Speicherstadt, a picturesque complex of old warehouses, built from red brick along a sweeping network of narrow canals. If you're around on a Sunday, don't miss the Fish Market! Starting at 5 in the morning and closing at 9:30, it's great fun for early risers and all those still up from Saturday night.Shopping in Hamburg:Hamburg's most famous shopping street is the Jungfernstieg. Its west side is lined with exclusive shops, mainly shoe stores and jewellers. In their midst you find the Alsterhaus, a palatial department store. From Jungfernstieg it’s just a short stroll to Mönckebergstraße, a shopping street boasting huge sports shops, electronics stores, shoe stores, department stores – it's a shopper's paradise. If you're looking for designer brands, visit Neuer Wall, a shopping street bursting with big labels from the fashion world. A special treat for every passionate shopper – especially on a rainy day - are Hamburg's luxurious shopping arcades. The best known is the Hanseviertel, a vibrant mix of specialist shops and boutiques, cafes and bistros. For a completely different shopping experience, visit Sternschanze, a truly multi-cultural quarter. Turkish greengrocers, Arabic takeaways, Italian pizzerias, Japanese sushi-places, grungy hotchpotch shops and funky scene boutiques – Sternschanze has it all, and in a wild and vibrant mix.Nightlife in Hamburg:If you want to explore Hamburg's nightlife, the Reeperbahn and St. Pauli are a must! The Kiez, as locals call this traditional district, has much more to offer than the strip joints and sex shows it's so famous for. You get a great pint in the small traditional local just around the corner. If you're in party mood, visit one of the hip clubs. Soul, House, Rave, Metal, Underground, Crossover, Seventies or Dance-Classic – on the Kiez you find it all. You can even enjoy a good musical or a visit to the theatre. The number one hot spot for the alternative scene is the Sternschanze, a motley quarter for everybody who is or feels young and doesn't want to follow the main stream.Comments
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