Many tourists consider the city of Hamburg to be a seaport. This statement is partially true, because large cruise ships call at its port. However, in a strictly geographical sense, Hamburg lies one hundred and ten kilometers from the sea coast. The city stretches along the two banks of the great waterway of Germany - the Elbe, in the place where the rivers Bill and Alster flow into it. Nevertheless, the mouth of this river is so deep and wide that in this case we can talk about the estuary. Therefore, from the North Sea along the Elbe, oceanic ships, both cargo and passenger, freely reach Hamburg. Therefore, a huge role in the life of the city is played by its port. You can even say more: Hamburg would never have reached its peak, if it had not developed the trade transportation by water. That is why a modern port covers an area of ββseventy-five square kilometers. And this is a tenth of the city. Therefore, the port of Hamburg cannot be ignored. Especially if your cruise ship docked there. What to see in the port of Hamburg? This topic will be devoted to our article.
What is the likelihood that our ship will sail to Hamburg
Cruise tourism is now becoming increasingly popular. This is an opportunity to see several countries in one fell swoop, without suffering from formalities when crossing borders. At the same time, you can spend time in the comfortable conditions of floating resorts (this is how modern cruise ships can be characterized). Such sea voyages can be different in length of time and route. There are cruises within the boundaries of one water area, two or three seas. And there are round-the-world voyages or sea voyages along the shores of Europe. As for tourists from Russia, many cruises leave from St. Petersburg. And, if their route is not limited to one Baltic, the ships leave for the North Sea. On the map, it begins immediately beyond the Danish archipelago and extends to the shores of the British Isles and the English Channel. Thus, the German coast is washed by two seas - the Baltic (in the east) and the North (in the west). Hamburg is the largest port in the country. It is even called the Gateway to the World. Most cruises on the North Sea include calling at this huge port in their itinerary.
The city and its harbor. A bit of history
The city and port of Hamburg on a map of Europe is located on the southwest side of the Danish archipelago. The first settlement was formed here in the fourth century AD. But it did not have much political and economic significance, it was constantly attacked by the Normans, Danes and Western Slavs. The impetus for the development of the city was given precisely by the port. In the Middle Ages, roads were too bad, and wherever possible, goods were transported by water. And here it turned out that the wide and deep mouth of the Elbe gives Hamburg great opportunities. The heyday of the city began when Emperor Barbarossa granted its inhabitants the right to levy duties on goods passing by. This event - May 7, 1189 - is called the portβs birthday.
Hanseatic Free City-State
Hamburgers lived and grew rich not only from duties. Crafts and, most importantly, trade began to develop in the city. But here, the port played a key role. Hamburg became one of the first cities of the Middle Ages to join the Hanseatic League - the first trade zone in the history of Northern Europe. Religious authorities in the person of local bishops have repeatedly made attempts to attack the freedom of the burghers. But the inhabitants have always defended them. Therefore, the motto of Hamburg is the phrase: "Let the descendants adequately preserve the freedoms that their ancestors achieved for them." An important point of the Hanseatic League, the city was famous as a trading port, where they bought and sold metal, wood, spices, herring, furs, grain and fabrics. At the beginning of the 16th century, Hamburg added Freie Reichsstadt status to its name. This meant that the city became free from the power of the emperor and received full self-government. This circumstance, coupled with the opening of sea routes to America and Asia, served as a real powerful impetus to the development of Hamburg.
Modern port city
The significance of this settlement did not decrease with the formation of the European Union. Hamburg is a city-state, which, along with fifteen other federal states, is part of Germany. It is second only to Berlin in Germany, and in seventh place in the European Union. By the number of inhabitants (one million and eight hundred thousand people), Hamburg is the most populated non-capital city in the European Union. The port of the city also has not lost its key importance. It is the third largest in the European Union, second only to Rotterdam and Antwerp. Here you can download a wide variety of products, from computer technology and coal to coffee and spices. And in the port of Hamburg there is the largest warehouse for storing carpets. There are more than three hundred berths, and if you calculate the total length of the piers, you get an impressive figure of forty-six kilometers! Hamburg is famous not only as a trading port, but also as a cruise port. Every year, seven thousand passenger flights depart from this harbor to various corners of our planet.
The amazing city of Hamburg
"Gateway to the world" - that's what the Germans call this metropolis. And tourist guides in Germany refer to the city on the Elbe as "Venice of the North". Yes, it is Hamburg, and not St. Petersburg, that deserves this title. There are 2400 bridges and bridges here - more than in Venice itself. This is because in addition to the three main rivers, the city territory is pierced by many canals. Hamburg is a very green village. Moreover, in the parks you will find not only local vegetation, but also tropical flora, which the Germans somehow manage to grow in open ground in the northern latitudes. Hamburg is considered the most greened city in Germany. Harsh requirements of local authorities to the type of houses. There are simply no buildings in the city above ten floors. And on the shores of Lake Alster all the houses must certainly be painted white and have a red tiled roof. The Elbe River (Germany) and its tributaries add charm to the city.
How to get to the port
The city flourished thanks to the transport of goods by water. Therefore, his beating heart is a port. But do not think that it is a boring docks, warehouses, cranes and floating platforms. The port of Hamburg, whose address is St. Pauli Fishmarkt, 27 (St. Paul's Fish Market), is itself one of the main attractions of the city. Therefore, it should definitely be visited. How to get there? If you did not arrive in Hamburg on board a cruise ship, the subway is the best way to get to the port. Local subway stations are also a tourist attraction. There are light shows to the music of famous composers. A branch from the main train station leads to the port. The metro station where you need to get off is called Hafen City. The name itself - Port City - testifies to the size of the harbor of Hamburg.
Port sightseeing tour
Even if you arrived in Northern Venice aboard a cruise ship and used to looking at the water surface from the height of the seventh deck, you should ride along the harbor with a breeze. Such excursions, lasting three hours, cost one hundred and twenty euros. But, in addition to tourist boats, the surface of the harbor is plowed by ordinary sea trams. These trips are covered by a regular public transport ticket . These boats have open and covered decks, a minibar, and a toilet. Therefore, you can significantly reduce the cost of your own individual journey through the port. These trams scurry about in different directions. After all, the port covers an area of ββa small city. A simple trip brings a lot of pleasure. Port activity is seething everywhere: cranes are working, pilot boats lead ships to the berths, sirens are buzzing. It is especially exciting to swim on a tiny tram at the very side of a huge cruise liner, the height of a skyscraper and the length of an airport.
Interesting places
We have already said that the Hamburg seaport located on the river is a tourist attraction. And this is not only because trade activity is boiling here and the loading and unloading of goods is ongoing. The port performs not only its direct function. This is really the very heart of the city. Here are concentrated museums, shopping centers, galleries, and representative offices of well-known companies. Like any city, the port is divided into quarters. For tourists, the most interesting area is Zandthorhaven. Ancient ships lined up at the piers. Pleasant shopping awaits you in the Office District. There, on the Daihstrasse street, the drains of well-known companies were concentrated. You can relax after sightseeing on the port on the terraces of Marco Polo or Vasco da Gama Square. You can see the beautiful cruise ships from above, if you rise above the harbor by balloon. There is also a sacred structure in the port. The highlight is that this church is floating. It is installed on an old centenary ship. Hamburgers love to marry and baptize children there. And tourists just drop in there out of idle interest.
What else to do in the city
Despite the fact that the port is the main activity center, Hamburg can surprise the traveler with other attractions. These include the artificial lake Alster, the Fish Market on the outskirts of Altona, the beautiful Blankenese quarter, which is built up with villas, the town hall, the churches of St. Michael and St. Nicholas from Mir Lycian. If you come to Hamburg with a child, be sure to visit the Hagenbeck City Zoo. It is known for the fact that here for the first time in Germany they began to use open enclosures, where the conditions are as close as possible to the habitat of animals. There are many museums and art galleries in the city. Hamburg's life does not subside after sunset. It has its own street of bar counters, as well as many nightclubs.
When is the best time to come to Hamburg
The city is always happy for guests. The mild climate with warm winters and cool summers allows tourists to feel comfortable year-round. Hamburg's port is also always open for ships, as the Elbe does not freeze. The North Sea cruise tourism has its low seasons, but Hamburg is constantly bubbling with life. Three times a year - in winter, spring and summer - the city hosts the largest fair-festival in Northern Germany. This "Hamburger House" lasts, no less, a whole month. The fair opens with a giant parade. And the stalls, beer restaurants, etc. are located on the territory of more than three square kilometers. Over all this seething fun rises a giant Ferris wheel, which is definitely worth a ride.
Hamburg as a tourist center
Tour operators have developed a variety of cruises in the North Sea. On the map of this water area, many routes are laid. And almost always cruise ships call at the port of Hamburg, although for this they need to sail one hundred and ten kilometers inland along the Elbe River. This city also has an international airport, railway stations, and bus stations. A concentration of attractions makes Hamburg a popular tourist destination.
Sea voyages: what is the charm?
See Denmark, Norway, Germany, Great Britain in one fell swoop, stand on the pier in Dover and drop into romantic Paris - modern cruises give this opportunity to travelers. Their prices depend on the duration of the voyage, route, type of ship and cabin. The shortest cruises in the North Sea last five days. But you can surf the waves for two weeks. The North Sea can also be seen as part of a larger trip, such as the transatlantic, or around the shores of Europe. It is possible to go sailing on a huge cruise ship, ferry or sailboat.
North Sea: cruises, prices
We have already said that you can arrive in Hamburg on board a huge ship from St. Petersburg. But a much larger number of cruises depart from the port of this city. And you can get to Hamburg by air. Where to go from this port city? Very popular routes for the natural beauties of the North. They suggest sailing along the British shores with the entry into the fjords of Norway. No less popular are cruises in the cities of Northern Europe. Ships call at Amsterdam, Southampton, Cork, Dublin, Le Havre (with an excursion to Paris), Newcastle, Invergordon, Queensferry and other equally interesting and sightseeing ports. The cost of such cruises starts from 700 euros for seven nights in an economy class cabin, but you can find a tour for 550 Π. A standard sea voyage from Hamburg for ten days will cost a traveler 1000, or even 1400 Π.