If you fancy exploring a whole world in miniature on your city break, then book a holiday in Hamburg. This sprawling city-state has no end of things to see, including St Nicholas' Church, once the tallest building in the world and bombed during World War II, its ruins are now a majestic monument to the conflict. The stadtpark is a huge green space, akin to New York's Central Park, and you have to tour the harbour at Landungsbrucken. The historic Tierpark Hagenbeck zoo is also well worth visiting.
There are plenty of cheap, flights to Hamburg to choose from, with easyJet flying out from London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester. Alternatively, you can take British Airways and Lufthansa from Birmingham, or Flybe from Belfast City and Glasgow International. You'll land at Hamburg Airport, which is just under nine kilometres from the city itself. There are direct trains from the airport to Hamburg every 10 minutes or so, and taxis and buses are also available.
Getting around during your holiday in Hamburg is very straightforward thanks to the extensive and comfortable public transport network. You have your choice of buses, underground and overground trains, and cabs. An attractive alternative is to pick up one of the distinctive red StadtRAD bicycles from one of the many rental points throughout the city. These offer a great, cheap way of exploring the bustling streets of this iconic European metropolis.
From bare basic hostels to extravagant pads, there's a huge variety of hotels in Hamburg. As with any destination, the best thing to do is shop around online, comparing prices and exact locations before you make your decision.
Want to really make the most of your holiday in Hamburg without paying through the nose? Then it might be worth investing in a Hamburg CARD, which as well as giving you limitless access to the public transport network in the city also gives you big discounts on everything from harbour cruises to museums to theatrical productions.
While it can be all too easy to spend a lot of money on a city break, you can be savvy and have a great time in Hamburg without doing too much damage to your bank balance! Make walking and sightseeing an activity in itself – from the historic churches to the world-famous harbour, there's plenty to feast your eyes on at no cost. And there are also the quirky little landmarks to see – such as the Beatles-Platz, an area built in honour of Hamburg's central importance to the history of the seminal band.
Updated 15th May 2013
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