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World > Germany > Hamburg
City Guide Hamburg
Overview
General Information
Hamburg lies in the North of Germany and is the second biggest city after Berlin. It spreads a cosmopolitan feeling also thanks to his background in Hanseatic trading. Still today Hamburg harbour plays a dominant role in the city’s economic situation, although over the recent years Hamburg has developed into a major media centre where many leading German and international publishing houses have their head offices. Culturally Hamburg has a lot to offer but the cultural taste differs quite from the South German customs. People are in general very modest, open-minded and helpful. The city is very compact and it is easy to get around also thanks to the well constructed transport system. Nevertheless, Hamburg is not a traditional touristy city with many sights. There are only a few landmarks and only the red-light district of St. Pauli has a so-called iconic status as it is known across the borders of Germany. Although nightlife has developed immensely in this region, the old reputation of its wicked existence still sticks to the area. During the weekend the streets around the Reeperbahn are filled with life and activity. But as one of the city’s characteristics is the water and the harbour it is recommendable to make a boat trip and explore the parkland fridges.
Weather
Hamburg has a mild climate due to its location close to the sea. The warmest month is July with an average of 18 °C, the coldest month is January with about 1 °C. During summer times temperatures can climb up to 28 °C and sometimes even higher. The climate is humid throughout the whole year with approximately 774 mm of rain a year. In winter months are characterised by fog and storms.
Languages
The language spoken in Hamburg is German but English is widely understood. Until the 19th century Low German was spoken but it disappeared from the public usage in the 20th century and was replaced by Standard German. But nevertheless, Hamburg’s locals speak and understand Platt (Low German dialect) and even use it in newspapers and literature. Due to the immigration wave in the 1960s other languages are very common in some parts of the city for example Portuguese in the Harbour region, Turkish and Kurdish in Altona, St. Georg, Veddel and Wilhelmsburg as well as Russian and Polish.
Religion
Hamburg is a Protestant city but also the Catholic Church has a constant number of members. About 43% of the population belong to one of the two Christian churches, 57 % are undenominational. But due to the high amount of foreign people living in Hamburg, there are also other religions present such as Muslims or Jews.
Currency
The currency used in Germany is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 and the coins in use are €2, €1, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05, € 0.02 and € 0.01.
Tipping
Usually, invoices in cafés, bars and restaurants include service costs; nevertheless, it is common to give a 5 – 10 % tip, anyway. Other services such as staff in hotel or taxi drivers also expect a tip of 10%.
Taxes
From January 2007 taxes for purchased products and services rise from 16% to 19%. Not included are staple foods, magazines, books and tickets. Some shops which show the sign “Tax Free” refund taxes to people whose residence lies outside the EU. At the time of purchase a “Tax Free Shopping Cheque” needs to be filled and must be presented to the customs authority. After that you will receive your refund either cash (at the airport) or via bank transfer (to the quoted address).
Telephone
To call Germany you first have to dial +49 and then for Hamburg (0)40. On most of the inner city places are public telephones which can be used with telephone cards or coins. Telephone cards are available with a value of € 5 or € 10 Euro in post offices, telephone and train station shops as well as kiosks.
Internet
Hamburg has numerous internet cafes all over the city but also public libraries and facilities for youths have an internet connection which can be used. There are also hotspots in different parts of the city. Free internet access is guaranteed at the “Alex am Jungfernstieg” and “Sushi Factory Grindelhof” as well as at the restaurants and cafes from Wandsbek to Othmarschen. Here you just need your laptop or pocket-Pc and a W-LAN card.
Emergency numbers
Fire Department: 112 Police: 110 Ambulance: 112
Opening times
Opening times for shops differ and depend on the shop. Bus supermarkets and department stores might be open between 9 am and 10 pm, smaller shops might already close at 7 or 8 pm. Banks are usually open on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm. Most of the banks in the city have 24-hours ATM’s. The exchange rate at the ATMs is very good, so the only extra fee you''ll pay is whatever your bank at home charges for international withdrawals. Usually the post offices are open from 8 am - 6 pm. After that there are some counter for late selling. If you just need a stamp there are machines next to some offices.
Public Holidays in 2008
New Year’s Day 01.01. Good Friday21.03. Easter Monday 24.03. 1. Mai 01.05. Ascencion Day 01.05. Whit Monday 12.05. Day of German Reunification 03.10. Christmas Day 25.12. Boxing Day 26.12.
Safety
Hamburg is a more or less safe city like every other big city in Europe. All central and historical places are not only safe during the day but also during the night. And also the harbour area which had a wicked reputation or St. Pauli are not frightening locations. Of course it is always recommended to watch out for pick-pocketing and minor crimes. So leave worthy belongings at home.
Sightseeing
Museum für Hamburgische Geschi
The Museum of Hamburg History shows many aspects of the town''s history.
Speicherstadtmuseum
Treat yourself to a unique experience - come face to face with a piece of Hamburg steeped in its rich trading tradition! Sacks of coffee, tea-chests and bales of caoutchouc, box-hooks, Griepen (a gripping device that facilitates lifting operations), and samplers... - in the authentic surroundings of a 100-year old warehouse the Speicherstadtmuseum (Museum of the Warehouse Complex) displays typical implements and samples.
The Altonaer Museum
The Altonaer Museum shows exhibitions about fishing and navigation and about the history of art and culture in Northern Germany. (Open Tue. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
Brucerius Art Forum
The exhibitions of the Bucerius Kunst Forum illustrate artistic associations and show relationships between periods and disciplines. The Forum thereby creates a common bond between classical and modern art, and between recent European culture and those of ancient times and foreign countries. The exhibitions are supplemented by events related to the theme, tours and an extensive educational program. Many exhibitions are preceded by symposia open to the public, the results of which are published in the exhibition catalog.
Hamburger Kunsthalle
The Kunsthalle considers itself primarily an institution for the citizens and guests of the city of Hamburg. Its aim is to introduce its visitors to old and new forms of art - for the education of the mind and the creation of aesthetic awareness - and for pleasure!
Museum der Arbeit
Over the past 150 years enormous changes have transformed the working and living conditions of men and women. In its exhibitions the Museum tries to show what impact the process of industrialization and the extensive social, cultural and economic upheavals to which it gave rise have had on man, society and nature.
Discovering Hamburg
Hamburg is the second biggest city in Germany and has a history that goes back more than thousand years. It presents itself as a pulsating and lively metropolis with high-contrast architecture and many worthy sights. The long trading tradition and the active exchange with the rest of the world have shaped the cosmopolitan character of Hamburg which is famous for its exceptional harbour ambience and the avenue of pleasure: St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn. The sightseeing areas are concentrated in the city centre and around the harbour. Hamburg’s city centre is located around the Binnenalster and is broken by so called Fleeten which can be translated with canals. The formation splits the centre into the Old Town, the New Town and the Klostertor. Hamburg’s historical centre has twice been consumed by fires (1842 and 1943). Therefore it is not surprising that the architecture is mostly modern with only a few ancient houses. Its promenade, the Jungfernstieg, invites for a stroll and an exiting view on the many sights that are en route. The Hall of Art (Kunsthalle), the city hall (Rathaus), Alsterarkaden, the Thaliah Theatre, many bridges and, of course the two churches St. Jacobi and St. Petri. The harbour section of the city presents the second biggest harbour in Europe and provides visitors with boat tours, museum ships, the Speicherstadt warehouse museums and the colourful comings and goings of any major port. Passes The Hamburg Card, which can be purchased at the tourist office, gives unlimited travel on all public transport in the Greater Hamburg area and also grants free or reduced-price admission to many top attractions and excursions. Tourist Information The main office of the Tourist Information is at the Central Station with the entrance on Kirchenallee. There are also offices at the St Pauli Landungsbrücken (between piers 4 and 5), in the airport arrival area, at Dammtor Station and at Jungfernstieg Station.