Hamburg Attractions
Hamburg, Germany offers a wide variety of attractions to choose from. Outdoor activities as well as indoor activities are available. Visitors may purchase discount cards to be used for savings on many of Hamburg’s attractions and also the public transportation.
A popular outdoor attraction in Hamburg is the Alster Lake area. Alster Lake was formed in the thirteenth century by the damming of an Elbe River tributary. The Aussenalster, or Outer Alster, has an abundance of parks and trees. The Binnenalster, or Inner Alster, is surrounding by three shopping, eatery, and entertainment promenades. Boating, sailing and lake cruises are activities enjoyed by many visitors to Alster Lake.
The Hamburger Dom, one of Europe’s largest fairs, runs for one month three times a year. During the months of March, July, and November, nearly nine million patrons visit this family-oriented amusement fair. Fairgoers find the traditional amusement rides, such as roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and carousels. There is also a large assortment of traditional foods and sweets to choose from. Families can purchase discount tickets on Wednesdays, and a fireworks display is featured every Friday night.
A slightly unusual Hamburg attraction is the Alter Elbtunnel, or Old Elbe Tunnel. The Old Elbe Tunnel was built during the early 1900’s and is the oldest tunnel under the Elbe River. It was built for both pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle use. Eighty feet underground and measuring almost 1,400 feet in length, the tunnel connects central Hamburg to the south side of the Elbe River. Visitors on foot and in vehicles take the ride down to the tunnel on huge lifts. Newer tunnels are used more often today for everyday traffic, but the Old Elbe Tunnel is a popular route for visits to Steinwerder Island.
Blankenese is a quaint area near Hamburg that was previously a fishing village. Many local residents visit Blankenese along with the tourists. The houses are built very close together on the steep terrain, with narrow streets and alleys between them. There is quite an assortment of cafes and restaurants located in the village.
The Speicherstadt is a red brick warehouse complex built over one hundred years ago. Today this complex houses a diverse collection of attractions, including an old Russian submarine, a spice museum, a miniatures exhibition, and an open air theatre. The Speicherstadt is a wonderful sight when it is illuminated at night.
Hamburg Dungeon is one of the attractions within the Speicherstadt. This museum features gruesome events that are a part of Hamburg’s history. Using dramatic special effects, Hamburg Dungeon displays presentations of events including the years of plague, attacks by Viking warriors, The Great Fire of 1842, and World War II.
Hamburg is home to several other museums. The Museum of Hamburg History presents historical information about Hamburg from the 8 th century to the present. The displays focus on the growth and events of that particular region. The Zoological and Botanical Museum is another favorite of both residents and visitors.
The Hamburger Kuntshalle is an art gallery that features exhibitions of art from the Middle Ages to the present. An emphasis is placed on art education at this gallery, and the art presentations are changed often in order to expose visitors to many art forms.
