What must we do in Hamburg in January

[lokidoki]

DH & I are going to Hamburg (child free yay)for 4 days at the end of the month. Main reason for going is a concert at the 02 but we do like to see as much of a city as we can.

Any recommendations for things to do, see, places to eat?

Not been there for a long time but the main attractions are the Harbour and the Reeperbahn from memory. It isn't a tourist city really.

Hamburg is the most beautiful city in Germany! Unfortunately it can be quite grim in January.

Take some warm clothes, don't forget your hats, and go for a walk around Aussenalster. If it's not too choppy, boat trip around the harbour and Speicherstadt. Hamburg is great for shopping!

Parts of Hamburg have recently been declared "danger areas" (Gefahrenzone, Altona, St Pauli, Schanzenviertel). Best ask in your hotel whether they recommend going there or not. St Pauli is where Reeperbahn, the famous red light and entertainment area, is.

Plenty of restaurants and bars to explore - from very seedy and alternative to very posh.

See if Deichtorhallen have any good exhibitions going?

Stay inside! Or go to Ernst Barlach Haus in Jenisch Park, which is a lovely art museum.

it's been 15 years since I lived in Hamburg ContinentalKat, but what is dangerous about Altona? i am intriuged.

great for bad weather is das miniatur wunderland
many many spa/adventure baths for example holthusenbad
visit the churches, the 'michel' is on of the most magnificent.
take the train to lübeck (only 30 min away) for magnificent medival architcture and the famous marzipan.
the zoo is great, they have an inside part with aquarium, monkeys, reptiles.
reeperbahn is a must, the street 'große freiheit' just off it housed the famous 'star club' were the beatles came to fame.
harbour: ships to visit and take a harbour tour with one of he small boats through the 'speicherstadt'

schanzenviertel is a bit funny atm, there is an old theater 'rote flora' which is ocupied by leftie sqatters who are being evicted by the owner. situation changes all the time. keep id with you all the time as the police has the powers to do spot checks in certain areas.

oh, and if you are runners, take a run round he lake 'außenalster', about 5 miles for the round. magnificent views!

sorry for going on friesenkeller for authentic northern german food.

The danger zone thing has now been lifted, Matsikula.

It was the usual leftie squatter protest bunch thing going on, think Chaostage.