Germany’s exciting, historical and highly-cultured second city

Germany's second largest city, Hamburg, lies on the River Elbe. It was founded in the ninth century by Charlemagne, and prospered as a major seaport and trading centre. Hamburg has a network of canals that run throughout the city, and there are over 2000 bridges - more than even Venice and Amsterdam. A richly cultural city, Hamburg has over 40 theatres and 60 museums, as well as cinemas, concert halls, nightclubs and music venues. There are also a huge number of public green spaces, with parks and gardens dotted throughout the city. Hamburg is undoubtedly a fun place to visit with all sorts going on, whether you like the culture of museums and art galleries, splashing your cash in shopping malls, or hitting the town in restaurants, bars and lively nightclubs.

Why Go?

 Holidays in Hamburg can be absolutely anything you make them, and the diverse appeal of Germany’s second city knows no bounds. From cultural treasure-trove to party central, come with friends, family, or on a romantic break as a couple; Hamburg will reveal itself as a richly rewarding holiday destination.

When to Go?

Booking a Hamburg holiday in summer means you can expect the warmest temperatures, although the city never gets particularly hot and rainfall can be higher during summer months. Hotel prices are also at a premium in the summer, so if cost is a major consideration, June, July and August should be avoided. Spring and early summer (March-May) is a good time to avoid the crowds, and it also is has the lowest average rainfall.

How to get there?

You can get a cheap flight to Hamburg Airport with easyJet from London Gatwick or Luton. Scheduled carriers British Airways and Lufthansa both operate Hamburg flights from Heathrow, but only Lufthansa operates the Manchester to Hamburg route. However Bmi also flies from Heathrow and Manchester on a code share system with Lufthansa.  For anyone in the Midlands, Flybe offer flights to Hamburg from Birmingham International.

Must see

For a fascinating insight into the city, visit the Museum of Hamburg, with exhibits highlighting the changing face of Hamburg throughout the centuries. The Altona Market has been a Sunday morning fixture for three hundred years, and is a lively, colourful place to pick up a few souvenirs. Hamburg is known for the epic scale of festivals that take place throughout the year, such as the Hamburger Dom, a giant beer-festival-come-funfair, held in spring, summer and winter. Much like the Amsterdam equivalent, Hamburg’s famous red light district, The Reeperbahn (Rope Street), attracts millions of curious tourists to the adult bars and the well-known Erotic Art Museum.