Hamburg is a city built on and around water and one of the most beautiful in Germany. The harbor; the canals; and the central Alster Lake give this metropolis a unique maritime flair.

Port of Hamburg

Hamburg’s history as a cruise port stretches back to the 19th cen­tury, when it was a main European port of departure for trans-
atlantic emigration. Today, the city has returned to its transatlantic role thanks to the Queen Mary 2’s extended transatlantic crossings that allow guests the opportunity of completing their voyage in Hamburg. The leisurely approach to the city center as the cruise ship glides along the fascinating waterfront of this ancient Hanseatic League city before arriving at its mooring is a unique experience. The berth is located close to the downtown area, with all the shopping and cultural attractions of a large city.

Germany’s Greenest City

Hamburg is an elegant, rich, sophisticated and entertaining metro­polis and a key element in Germany’s modern transport infrastruc­ture. The Hanseatic city is not only Germany’s second largest city in both size and population, but also Germany‘s greenest. Parks and green spaces; waterways and woods cover almost half the area within Hamburg‘s city boundaries. The magic is in the mix, and that is what has been attracting increasing numbers of visitors to this city on the River Elbe for many years. Hamburg has a population of 1.74 million and visitors flock to its musicals, ballet, opera, theater, film festivals and street festivals as well as to major sporting events and its many other attractions.

Unique Maritime Flair

Hamburg offers a wide range of top-class hotels and a diverse selection of attractions just waiting to be discovered. The “Bal­linStadt”, a museum of emigration located close to the harbor, is one of the newest on offer. Nearly all of the sights can be reached by foot from the main hotels and the Cruise Center. Alternatively, there are many taxis and guided bus tours. The attractive shopping malls in downtown Hamburg carry a comprehensive range of international products and designer brands – enough to satisfy the most avid shopper. There are picturesque boat tours on the Alster Lake and surrounding canals as well as around the historic harbor adjacent to the cruise moorings. In the evening, the world-famous Reeperbahn entertainment district is a magnet, with nightclubs, shows, cabaret acts and restaurants. Lovers of classical music and the arts can enjoy one of the numerous concerts, operas, musicals and theatre productions staged in Hamburg.

Destination Highlights

• BallinStadt
• Hafen City Hamburg
• Old Warehouse District
• Town Hall
• Harbor Promenade
• Shopping District