City Overview

Hamburg is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in northern Germany. Today the "Free and Hanseatic City” of Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city, and one of the biggest ports in Europe. A cosmopolitan and elegant city, Hamburg is a city of stunning promenades, impressive shopping districts, beautiful architecture, and of course the ever famous St Pauli and Peeperbahn. It is considered Germany's greenest city due to extensive green areas and parks throughout the city. An intricate network of waterways and open water add a distinctive charm to this great city.

Culturally Hamburg offers a dazzling array of things to see and do. The city is home to over 40 theaters, 50 museums, and an incredible selection of concert halls, music halls and cabaret venues.

Downtown Hamburg is a paradise for shoppers. Traditional old counting houses, glass-roofed malls and exclusive little shops and boutiques make every shopping spree a really special experience. In the mall quarter between the Colonnaden and Neuer Wall you can visit one exclusive shopping mall after another. The shops in the elegant shopping streets like the Mönckebergstraße also leave no wish unsatisfied.

As one could be expected in a city of this size, Hamburg is full of unusual and exciting attractions for young people. The trendiest clubs and discos are in the Kiez in St Pauli, the wildest pubs and dives are in Ottensen and Altona, and Uhlenhorst and Eppendorf offer a wide selection of international restaurants. The best 70s style gear is on sale in the Karolinen quarter. Strolls along the picturesque Alster and Elbe have nothing to do with age, though – they’re for everyone, and part of the Hamburg experience!

Other highlights in Hamburg include:

On the harbor and the Elbe there’s lots to enjoy and discover, from a harbor tour to a walk through the old Elbe tunnel – or visit and explore the museum ships, which offer pleasure and fun for grown-ups and little ones alike.

Sailing and boating, right in the middle of town: take a stroll around the center and relax – the the Alster Lake in the heart of Hamburg defines the city’s image and its lifestyle.

Hamburg’s city center offers more than just shopping; the streets are peppered with historical shop, trading and office buildings and you can also marvel at the imposing town hall.

The historical Speicherstadt – the largest warehouse complex on one single site in the world – is one of Hamburg’s landmarks and indisputably a sightseeing highlight.

Historic blocks of streets with Hanseatic office buildings, warehouses, wattle and daub houses, canals and bridges – discover Hamburg’s romantic historic side!

Hamburg offers so much! We are confident that you will find Hamburg a great place to study German and begin your discovery of Germany!

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