HAMBURG (GERMANY)

HamburgHamburg is definitely my favourite city in Germany. I must admit I love several German cities (I have a weakness for Germany!), their squared easy way of doing, their "fachwerk" houses, their cathedrals and why not... the German beer!
Hamburg offers several faces of the same city: Take a boat around the Alster and look at the amazing houses around, go to the "sex streets" at the Repperbahn & Sankt Pauli, walk around the "Altstadt" (Old City) and see famous architectural buildings. The most well-known are probably the Chilehaus (Chile House) and the Kontorhäuser (Office Buildings) at Burchardplatz but also Sprinkenhof, Mohlenhof and Messberghof...

General advices:
Buy the Hamburg Card. This is the convenient discovery ticket for free travel on public transport and discount on entrance fees. Use the Hamburg CARD advantage as it is already cheaper than a normal ticket if you visit one place of interest and a restaurant – from 8,90 €!
Information on Hamburg Airport link here
Public transportation in Hamburg: HVV
From the airport to any hotl around 20-25€
Rent a city bike StadtRAD
Walking city tours, choose your subject most convenient: historical whore tour,

What to see in 2 days

Da 1: The nicest and easiest way to start sightseeing in Hamburg is on an Alster tour by Alster steamer. The tour starts at the Jungfernstieg and also takes you along the numerous canals where you can admire the splendid villas from their backyard garden. If you prefer to be on dry land, you can alternatively enjoy a city tour.

You’re bound to find an exhibition to suit your taste near the Alster: right next to the station, the Hamburg museum row extends from the Kunsthalle past the Kunstverein and the Museum for Arts and Crafts (Museum for Kunst und Gewerbe) down to the Deichtorhallen!

Do you feel like replenishing your strength in the city right now with something to eat? You can do just that in the Alsterpavillion on the Jungfernstieg – view of the Alster included.

 
Day 2: The very special highlight for the next morning is a long harbour tour which departs from the Landungsbrücken. On the trip itself the captain gives you a lot of very interesting information about the Port of Hamburg. 

Afterwards, it's only a stones throw away from the Elbe Tunnel, which is always open for pedestrians. From the other side - the shipyard island Steinwerder - you can enjoy the unique Elbe panorama with a view of the harbour quay, the "Michel" and the Rickmer Rickmers - one of three famous museums ships which can be explored.

On with the tour, the 132-metre-high tower of St. Michaelis, the "Michel", is the landmark of the hanseatic city. Its lookout point offers a marvellous view over Hamburg. If you did not go through the Storehouse City (Speicherstadt) on a harbour tour, you can admire the historical warehouses by a walk, instead of visiting the Michel.

Still got time and energy? Then why not go to Blankenese, the refined Elbe neighbourhood, either by HVV harbour ferry or by bus. After that, you can admire the sunset on Elbe Beach as well...

The Beatles Museum almost new in town, another must

Shopping

It's also a shopping-paradise: Mönckebergstrasse, Spitalerstrasse and Neuer Wall. As far as shopping is concerned, there’s nothing you can’t buy in the downtown area: no matter whether you prefer to indulge your shopping urge in chic little boutiques, shiny shopping malls or superlative department stores. You can find any price in Hamburg. Stroll along the Alsterarkaden to the Town Hall, which dominates the city centre with its impressive architecture.
My favourite shops:
Flowery fashion at Gudrun Sjödén  kind of hippy happiness. Not cheap
The Tchibo outlet at Grindelallée 117
Strauss Innovation in any of its shops, all ober Germany. Every thing, nice designs and nice prices
All you can find shop, Strauss Innovation
Depot home decoration with good prices

My hotels

Mövenpick Hamburg
A very unique business hotel, like a boutique, located in an old water tower. Walking distance from the Messe (exhibition Center) and a whort distance from city centre. Nice wellness area and perfect terrace for the summer days. Lovely place to stay.
My pictures link here
My review in Spanish only, link here

Barceló Hamburg
The newest business hotel located at the lake and at the shopping area. Great contemporary decoration touches. Perfect place to stay for weekends and to enjoy the city from its heart.
My pictures link here

Le Méridien
Very nice business hotel at the Alster. Brekfast can be better.GOOD: top location at the Alster, great wellness area, nice room

My Restaurants
Parlament the restaurant below the Rathaus (city hall), typical German food in a higher niveau 
Büllerei From well known tv chef Tim Mälzer, modern gastronomy in an industrial decoration, old meatpacking factory
My pictures link here
Mama a casual Italian with great choices