Hamburg Germany

It isn't the cheapest, but the area around the Binenalster is probably the nicest. Of course, if you wanted a specific "cultural experience" for a cheap price, there's the St. Pauli district with the infamous Reeperbahn, but I'm doubting that's the kind of culture you had in mind. "Must Do" is a relative term depending on your interests. The merchant sailors who dock in this port city have certain "must do's" involving establishments on the Reeperbahn that might not match your priorities. For me, the International Maritime Museum and Miniatur Wunderland were musts, but that's just me. The Kunsthalle has a pretty good collection, including a number of works by Friedrich Caspar David. If you're into high-end shopping, there's almost nothing but it for several square blocks around the Rathaus. The bombed-out remains of St, Nicholas' church are a great reminder that there are no "good wars". Finally, if you're a Beatles fan, there's a museum dedicated to their stay in Hamburg somewhere in the St. Pauli neighborhood. I didn't see it, but I did see the stylish monument to them on the Reeperbahn.

I really enjoyed the city hall (Rathaus) tour and the harbor tour by boat. We also visited a church Martin Luther preached in.

Oh yeah, the Rathaus... it's bigger and more elaborate than many countries' royal palaces and national parliament buildings.

Camden My wife and I will vicariously tag along with the topic you introduced. We will be in Hamburg in early May. I've not been following the Travelers Helpline long and this is the first posting I've noticed regarding Hamburg.

Hamburg rarely comes up on this website. It's sees the second most foreign visitors of any city in Germany (Munich is first), but a much smaller proportion of Americans. Plus, the Blue Books don't cover it...

Thanks for the responses. Has anyone heard anything about Pension am Rathus in the old city.? I haven't found any reviews.

Can't help you on that particular Pension. I always stay outside of the Hauptbahnhof. Hotel Fürst Bismarck is a three star hotel that is very recommendable, but a block down is Hotel Graf Moltke, also a 3 star, but cheaper than Bismarck. I stay in either of these 2 places if I'm in the mood for some luxury otherwise I choose one of the several Pensions in the Hauptbahnhof area. Definitely, Hamburg is worth going to...it's the cultural centre of North Germany and junction point. If you're going to Schleswig-Holstein, you usually have to change in Hamburg. It's also a place from which to take numerous day trips...Lübeck, Kiel, Bremen, Schwerin, even a dash to Berlin, and the smaller towns.