Due to Covid-19 a planned vacation in Portugal transforms into a shorter, and 1000 km closer stay in Germany. From Lissabon to Hamburg.
Coincidence or not, but both cities have something in common. The Hanseatic league. Started in the 12th century as a confederation of merchant guilds in northern Germany they dominated the maritime trade for 300 years in the Baltic area and central Europe.
To my opinion Hamburg has everything a city needs to offer. A river, historic buildings (although many have been carpet bombed by the RAF), exuberant architecture, musea, plenty of parks, good food, beers, (could be better, hey i’m from Belgium), a grungy & artistic community, culture, Speicherstadt and the Elbe philharmonic.
You can’t mis it when you’re walking along the Elbe river. It’s huge and sparkling. A landmark without saying. And a crowing achievement of 800 million Euro’s, triple the original budget. Do you need to visit it? That’s a no brainer. YES, you really do.
Starting with the entrance, a huge stairway to heaven, in this case an escalator, leading you to the Plaza aka viewing platform. In reality the only area we could visit due to Corona. It gives you an excellent view over the harbour and the city centre.
If you ever had the opportunity to visit Antwerp, and the Museum MAS, you probably recognise the ‘wavy glas panels’. They are exactly the same. Take your time to walk around on the viewing platform and enjoy the 360° view.
Although Hamburg city and port are only separated by the Elbe river, and always within eye contact, it doesn’t feel close by. Remember the port is the 3rd largest of Europe. This is probably due to the lack of a petrochemical industry that is abundant in Antwerp and which i’m used to smell now and then. What you find plenty are the shipyards. Interested? Have a boat tour. (go to Google maps and zoon in to the port area, you will see immediately the difference with Antwerp and the plethora of small canals)
If you suffer from seasickness, you don’t have to worry. The port and certainly the old harbour of Speicherstadt are waveless. The latest is worth a visit on his own.
