Does anyone know Hamburg?

[Wiifitmama]

We are looking at a home exchange for a week just after Christmas. Two different options: one in Altona and one in Schanzenviertel. Both seem quite central. Which is better for sightseeing/transport?

They are both right next to each other, with Altona to the west so Schanzenviertel slightly closer to the centre. But they both have good transport options with a main station in Altona and personally I would choose Altona over Schanze which is still quite gritty and alternative (but all depends what you are after!).
Hamburg is a fab city, sure you’ll have a great time!

Thanks! In the end we went with Schanze - just due to it working out better as an exchange with that family. I am thinking it is a bit like SHoreditch in London maybe? In terms of grittiness?

Any suggestions or hints for being there at New Year? We are going on the 27th December for a week. Travelling with 3 boys aged 10, 14 and 17. Thanks!

Yeah I guess it’s pretty similar.
For new year, warm clothes and boots! There are usually fireworks all over cities and large towns in Germany on NYE so my suggestion would be a quiet afternoon at home, later dinner out and watch the fireworks at midnight (pretty sure there will be something happening down at the port or the main alster in the city centre).

Also be aware that shops, supermarkets etc are all closed in Germany on Sundays. And everything will be closed on New Year’s Day too, just so you don’t get caught out over those few days.

The fireworks at new year will be massive, everybody will have their own displays, usually in the street outside their houses. Be prepared for people chucking them about too - it’ll likely go on for some time and be super noisy.

You may need to book for dinner out on Sylvester (NYE) so you may want to look into that in advance.

Yes shops shut on sundays and bank holidays — but you may find that there‘s something open in the main station.

We’re planning a short trip to Hamburg in October (live in Germany anyway) and have earmarked a trip round a Russian submarine in the Harbour, a trip round the Elbphilharmonie — the new concert hall, and possibly a visit to the model railway exhibition which is meant to be very good.

Enjoy!

Hamburg is a pretty compact city, with good public transport. Her are a selection of links all in English,

https://www.hvv.de/en/index.php

https://www.hamburg.com/public-transport/

The first link is to the integrated public transport system, the second is to a visitor's site. Click the 'visitor's tab in the second link for a good overview of tourist attractions. Depending on the weather and how hardy you are, you may want to do different things. A good tip for visiting Hamburg is to just not make plans that rely on good weather.

• as PP says, the fireworks at new year's eve will be lovely, especially round the harbour or if you can wrangle an invitation to someone,s flat with views of the lakes (alster, its actually a river but you wouldn't know by looking at them

• a tour of the harbour by boat (if they run in winter) would be interesting to appreciate the size and scope of the harbour

• a visit to the new Elbphilharmonic opera house would be great, there is a viewing platform. We also enjoyed eating there in the relatively informal https://www.stoertebeker-eph.com there, the hotel has a more formal show off type restaurant

• as a city state within the federal republic of Germany, Hamburg has its own parliament buildings, the Rathaus, or city hall, is worth a visit and a tour. Tours in german are held about every hour or so in winter, there will also be an english speaking and a french speaking tour most days. Used to be a midday, but best check for current times

• shoppers are well provided for, especially along, Neuer Wall, Jungfernsteig and surrounds.

• adults and children alike might enjoy the model railway, miniatur welt

• a trip in a ferry will take you across the river elbe to a theatre, they were showing The Lion King last time we were there

• starting in the wee small hours, in the fish market a flee market is held on Sunday morning, with revellers returning from parties and others up very early, great for local colour

• i like to walk along the walkway over the main line platforms in the main station, just to see the many destinations, on the way to visit the many museums, film, modern art in that area

• a trip would not be complete for me without a walk along Waitzstrasse, a 'high street row of shops' around Othmarschen

It all depends on what you are interested in, HH ( Hansestadt Hamburg, one of the original city's of the Hanseatic League for trading) has pretty much everything and is relatively small and accessible

Great tips - thanks all! We like historical buildings and museums (no art museums). Music and musical instrument museums. Walking around historic centres. We note there is an indoor swimming complex near us with slide and spa. Love walking along rivers, canals etc. Boat tours are a definite yes!