Things to do in Hamburg

Escape the city for a day

If you’ve had enough of the urban sprawl, then put a visit to the stunning Duvenstedter Brook Nature Reserve (hamburg.nabu.de/natur-und-landschaft/infohaus-duvenstedter-brook/index.html) on your to-do list. Located just outside the city’s northern suburbs, this protected 800-hectare (1,977-acre) area is comprised of marshlands, forests and heath, all equally stunning.

Sail a sloop on Alster Lake

What could be more pleasant than sailing a boat across the broad tract of Alster Lake on a clear sunny day? Sailing boats such as Skippi 650s, big enough for the whole family, can be hired by the hour or for a full day. The Hamburg Tourist Office (tel: +49 40-300 51 701; www.hamburg-travel.com) has plenty of rental options.

Take a go-kart out onto the streets

If you have a full driving license, then you’ll be able to take a go-kart that’s fully road legal out onto the Hamburg’s highways and byways. Karts have a top speed of 85kph (53mph), and rules of the road obviously still apply – other than that, the whole world’s a kart track. Karts4You (www.kart4you.de) will get you the wheels.

Take a walk through medicine’s history

The Medical History Museum at Hamburg University (www.uke.de/english/index.html) is a fascinating journey through modern medicine, from the 19th-century to modern day. As well a large collection of moulages (wax work models of bodies suffering from disease and affliction), it also has kept the university’s dissection hall in mint condition.

Take to the pool

The moment you catch sight of the Holthusen Baths' (www.baederland.de/bad/holthusenbad.html) gorgeous 19th century facade, it is clear that this is not just any old pool complex. The exclusive swimming pool offers waves generated every half hour, an outdoor pool heated year-round, Turkish baths, steam rooms and, for those who can stand the heat, a traditional Finnish sauna.

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Featured Hotels

Fritzhotel

Located in the Sternschanze area opposite a park and just beside the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations, this is a smart, modern and clean hotel in Hamburg that's intimate enough to have a character of its own. Its 17 single and double rooms are well proportioned, some even have balconies, and the local vicinity, which has a reputation as something of an artists' quarter, offers plenty of pleasant green spaces, cafés and bars.

Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten

Old-fashioned opulence on a regal scale. Many regard this enormous 19th-century townhouse on the edge of the Inner Alster Lake, comprising 156 rooms and 32 suites, as the best hotel in Hamburg, and consequently there's a price tag to match. Well located for shopping but a little off the beaten track for much of the city's nightlife.

Hotel Wedina

A more intimately proportioned boutique hotel situated in a quiet residential area near Alster Lake, this Hamburg establishment's tasteful décor is more focused on comfort than cool. There's an attractive garden with a pool, Staff are friendly, and the hotel prides itself on providing sanctuary to a number of heavyweight literary guests.

Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg

Gastwerk proudly wears the mantle of being the city's first 'designer' hotel. Even those who don't speak German won't be surprised to discover that 150 years ago this grand brick building housed the city's first gasworks. Its proportions and the clever use of space in its conversion are the hotel's biggest attraction.

The Westin Hamburg

One of Hamburg's newest five star hotels, the Westin is located high up above the recently opened Elbphilharmonie concert hall complex, meaning that the views from its rooms and suites are pretty spectacular. It's also in the heart of the harbour district with all its attractions and points of interest.

Le Royal Méridien Hamburg

Spectacular, mammoth and immaculate, this imposing residence offers pretty much everything you could wish for; architecture that seamlessly blends the contemporary and traditional, a swimming pool, solarium, conference and ball rooms, business facilities, a highly regarded ninth-floor restaurant and bar with amazing views, and a total of 284 rooms and suites.

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