Did you know Hamburg was the 2nd largest city in Germany? Right after Berlin! It is also the largest harbor in the country, only 2nd in Europe to Rotterdam. It is a very touristic destination due to its beautiful architecture, its canals that remind you of Amsterdam and its artificial lake in the city center. The city also offers a large variety of cultural shows, musicals (the Lion King is running there as well as Mary Poppins), parks and museums so you should never have nothing to do when visiting! Since I had a great time in this city, I decided I would share some recommendations :
What to see and do in Hamburg?
- Go check out the beautiful ElbPhilarmonie.
- Go shopping in the canals area. You have many stores from luxury brands to more common ones.
- Have some fun at the Hamburger Dom. It is the largest fun fair in Northern Germany. It’s named after the former Mariendom Cathedral which was demolished in 1804. The fair is on 3 times a year for a month: in the Spring, in the Summer and in the Winter!
- Visit the old Elbe Tunnel with its impressive and massive elevators which will take you underground.
- Go to one of the beach bars of the city! Also called Strandbars, you will want to go there when the sun is shining. Here are a few of them: Central Park / Max-Brauer-Allee 277 Hamburg del mar / St. Pauli Landungsbrücken Strandperle / Övelgönne 60
- Get your fun picture in the HafenCity Universitat U-Bahn Station
- Cruise the Alster Lakes
Where to sleep in Hamburg?
If there is one thing I would strongly recommend while in Hamburg it’s to stay at The Fontenay Hotel! It is a masterpiece of architecture, bordering the Outer Alster Lake and only a 10 minute walk to the city center. It is a perfect reflection of the amazing architecture the city has to offer.
The hotel stands on the site of the former Intercontinental hotel. It is named after John Fontenay a shipbroker. It was designed by architect Jan Stormer and it opened in march of 2018. Everything in the hotel makes it alive: from the curves of the outside facade to the gigantic 27m high atrium made of 198 satinised, scaled panels of varying shades and LED strips, or the round shaped corridors of the hotel rooms and the in-room technology regulating lights and sounds to perfection. It all feels flawless.
When you walk inside the hotel in the evening the piano music coming from the bar on the 6th floor reaches the lobby level conveying a magic atmosphere in every corner of the building. But the hotel offers many other areas for different purposes: from the smoker’s room to enjoy cigars to the beautifully decorated and quiet library.
Whether for breakfast or lunch you may want to stop at Parkview, the smart-casual and relaxed restaurant of the hotel which also offers outside seating on its summer terrace. For tea time lovers, stop at the Atrium Lounge. There you’ll be impressed with the 27 meter-high space and the 25 meter semi circular sofa to taste one of the delicious pastries by Chef Patissier Marco D’Andrea. For gourmet evening delights you will have to try the unique Lakeside restaurant. Located on the 7th floor of the hotel, it’s the perfect place for fine dining in Hamburg. The cuisine brought to you by 32-year old Head Chef Cornelius Speinle was rewarded 17 Gault Millau points at the end of 2018 and one precious Michelin star in February of this year. Finally, I couldn’t talk about The Fontenay without mentioning its stunning spa. Located on the 6th floor of the hotel its spreads out over 1000m² and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can enjoy a swim in the beautiful 20m indoor/outdoor infinity pool, choose to rest in one of the many beds or warm up in the Finnish Sauna with a giant glass wall enabling gorgeous views of the city skyline. You can also relax in the steam room or choose one of the many treatments with La Mer products. And if you are not lucky enough to stay in the hotel, note that the Spa is also open to non-hotel guests.
There you go, one beautiful German city to discover and the best of places to feel like home! Enjoy your time and don’t hesitate to ask questions or comment below!
Enjoy 🙂