| Hamburg is Germany's second largest city and | | | | underneath the river all the way across. |
| remains to be one of the country's most | | | | Museums, shops, and cafés line the harbor, |
| prized metropolitan areas for the economic | | | | making it a fantastic spot to spend the day |
| importance of its ports. Hamburg is located | | | | or even multiple days. |
| on the river Elbe in the northern German | | | | |
| state of Schleswig-Holstein and has direct | | | | Families will enjoy Carl Hagenbeck's |
| access to the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. | | | | Tierport; one of Europe's most respected and |
| Since the Elbe is traditionally the lifeblood | | | | respected zoos. It houses over 2,000 animals |
| of the city, many of its attractions, | | | | and has a variety of elephant, dolphin, and |
| festivals, and much of its history revolves | | | | other wildlife exhibits and shows. |
| around the great river. | | | | |
| | | | Visitors to Hamburg interested in more |
| Hamburg hosts several large events annually. | | | | risqué affairs will possibly be drawn to |
| Hafengeburtstag celebrates the anniversary of | | | | the city's red light district of St. Pauli. |
| Hamburg becoming a free port. Hafengeburtstag | | | | The city has made advances to capitalize on |
| takes place in early May and is a large draw | | | | the notoriety of the area and it is now a |
| for Germans across the country. | | | | viable and mostly respectable place for |
| Alstervergügen, an international festival | | | | legitimate night life. The area is |
| that takes place in August, presents | | | | well-policed and is considered exceptionally |
| fireworks displays, sailing, and watercraft | | | | safe. St. Pauli now boasts upscale bars, |
| events. The single largest fair in north | | | | taverns, nightclubs, and restaurants in |
| Germany is Hamburger Dom, which takes place | | | | addition to the seedier offerings for which |
| three times a year; from March to April, July | | | | it has become famous. Reeperbahn is the name |
| to August, and November to December. The | | | | of a famous street here. The name is derived |
| festival allows Germans to enjoy their fair | | | | from the term "rope street," which it was |
| weather with rides such as roller coasters | | | | called because it used to be a major |
| and Ferris wheels and other attractions. | | | | manufacturer of strong hemp rope. |
| | | | |
| Hamburg is a popular destination for its | | | | Hamburg is a shopper's paradise, with upscale |
| stage productions, particularly large | | | | malls and shopping arcades almost everywhere. |
| musicals and plays. Ballets, variety shows, | | | | Mudsberger Centre is a very popular point for |
| cabarets, concerts, and circus-like | | | | shopping as well as another located |
| performances are also plentiful in Hamburg, | | | | Rathausmarkt and Jungferstieg. Credit cards |
| cementing the city as a strong player in the | | | | are not always as accepted in Germany as in |
| stage arts worldwide. | | | | other countries, such as the United States, |
| | | | so it is probably best to plan ahead. It is |
| Hamburg Port is a large tourist attraction as | | | | little surprise that Hamburg offers shops and |
| well as being the economic backbone of the | | | | distributors of fine items, as it is called |
| city. There are tours available all year | | | | home by more millionaires than any other city |
| long. A site that no visitor to the city will | | | | in Germany. |
| want to miss is the Elbe Tunnel, which runs | | | | |