Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [603]
Return to beginning of chapter
Blankenese
Once a former fishing village and haven for cut-throat pirates, Blankenese, west of Altona, now boasts some of the finest and most expensive houses in Germany. For visitors, the area’s attractiveness lies in its hillside labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets, with a network of 58 stairways (4864 steps in total) connecting them. The best views of the Elbe (nearly 3km wide here) and its container ships are from the 75m-high Süllberg hill. To get to Süllberg, take the S-Bahn to Blankenese, then bus 48 to Waseberg – having passed the clutch of beachfront restaurants and cafes – where you’ll see a sign pointing to the nearby Süllberg. If you alight at the Krögers Treppe (Fischerhaus) bus stop, head up the Bornholldt Treppe and Süllbergweg. Or you can get off once the road starts winding and just explore.
Alternatively, Hadag (p681; adult one-way/return €5.30/10.60, under 16yr €2.65/5.30; 10.30am & 2.30pm Sat, Sun & public holidays Apr-Sep) runs Lower Elbe boat trips from the port stop at Blankenese.
Return to beginning of chapter
ACTIVITIES
The 7.6km paved path around the Aussenalster is a popular jogging, in-line skating and cycling route.
Dr Götze Land & Karte stocks a wide range of local cycling maps and itineraries. For bike hire, Click here.
Hamburgers prefer not to call Tierpark Hagenbeck (Map; 530 0330; www.hagenbeck-tierpark.de; Lokstedter Grenzstrasse 2, Hamburg-Stellingen; adult/under 16yr €16/11; 9am-7pm Jul & Aug, 9am-6pm Sep-Oct & Mar-Jun, 9am-4.30pm Nov-Feb; Hagenbecks Tierpark) a zoo. That’s because its 2500 animals live in very open enclosures over 27 hectares. In addition to elephants, tigers, orang-utans, toucans and other creatures, you’ll find a replica Nepalese temple, Japanese garden, art-deco gate and other similar attractions. A petting zoo, pony rides, a miniature railway and playground mean you’ll have to drag the kids away at the end of the day.
Hamburg’s huge Color Line Arena (Map; www.colorline-arena.com, in German; Sylvesterallee 7, Bahrenfeld) was extensively refurbished for the 2006 football World Cup, and is home to Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. The stadium lies in the city’s northwest, just off the E45/7/27 by car. Alternatively, take S-Bahn 21 or 3 to ‘Stellingen’, which is linked by free shuttle buses with the stadium.
Favourite local team FC St Pauli (www.fcstpauli.com) plays at home in the Millerntor-Stadion (Map; tickets 3178 7451; Heiligengeistfeld).
Return to beginning of chapter
COURSES
Hamburg has several German-language schools offering short and long courses for all levels, including Colón Language Center (Map; 345 850; www.colon.de; Colonnaden 96), and Tandem Hamburg (Map; 381 959; www.tandem-hamburg.de; Schmarjestrasse 33).
Return to beginning of chapter
TOURS
Boat Tours
In addition to the boat tours in the Speicher-stadt Click here and Port of Hamburg, you can also float past elegant buildings aboard an Alster Lakes cruise. ATG Alster-Touristik (Map; 3574 2419; www.alstertouristik.de; adult/under 16yr single stage €1.50/0.75, 2hr round trip €9.50/4.25; Apr-Sep) runs a hop-on, hop-off service between nine landing stages around the lakes, as well as various canal and waterway tours. Free English-language pamphlets and taped commentaries are available.
If you’re the DIY kind, hire your own boat; some travellers tell us it’s the most fun they’ve had in Hamburg. Segelschule Pieper (Map; 247 578; www.segelschule-pieper.de, in German; An der Alster; per hr from €15) rents row boats and sailboats, though you’ll need a sailing certificate for the latter. The tourist office maintains a list of other rental outlets, including canoe and kayak rental.
Return to beginning of chapter
Bus Tours