The 10 BEST Free Walking Tours in Hamburg
Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany is a melting pot of cultures, historical and amazing architecture which can be well experienced on a Hamburg walking tour. Following walking tours can be considered a rather individual and interesting type of sightseeing which grants an opportunity to find some out-of-the-way places, to know some interesting stories, to feel the atmosphere. Travellers who are lovers of history, might be interested in culture and food, the beauty that nature has to offer, there is walking tour that will suit them best in Hamburg.
1. Historic Hamburg Tour
This tour offers an A to Z guide of the entire history of the city of Hamburg for people who are interested in history. Starting your tour at the vast Speicherstadt – the world’s largest warehouse complex that boasts of brutalistically gothic design. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the canals and find out how this port city of Hamburg has developed over time.
Proceed to the Kontorhaus District recognized as the World Heritage that will provide you with the view at the brick’s expressionism. Visit St Michael’s Church familiarly called the ‘Michel’ and go to the top for a view of the entire town. The last important sight to see is the Hamburg Rathaus, the city hall which is a symbol of the city’s past and current success.
2. Culinary Delights Tour
This tour is going to be dedicated to the culinary art as Hamburg is indeed famous for the diverse taste it offers. Begin at Fischmarkt and try freshly bought fish accompanied by the energetic atmosphere of the place. It is advisable to head for the historic ware house district and you can try a Hamburg Labskaus which is traditional meat dish.
Visit the extraordinary neighborhood called Karolinenviertel and have some beer at one of local microbreweries. Taste delicious cakes and sweets in the lovely area of Altstadt, or the historic town. Your guide will also give you more information about the food culture of hamburg and will point out good restaurants in which you can taste the local cuisine.
3. Harbor and Elbe River Tour
There is no doubt that the harbor and the Elbe River are the vital part of the Hamburg’s image. This tour consists in exploring the both the man-made aspects which the city is associated with, and natural resources. Starting at the Landungsbrücken, the splendid pedestrian-marine view, and embarking on a ferry riding to the Elbe River. Admire the impressive container terminals, shipyards, and marvel at the massive cargo ships.
Embark at the fish restaurants area of Finkenwerder and relax at leisure along the riverbank areas of Hamburg. Admire the view of the modern building of the city of Hamburg, as well as the extraordinary Elbphilhamonie concert hall. Wrap up the tour in the St. Pauli Piers area and order a drink on the terrace while observing the ships passing by.
4. Parks and Gardens Tour
This is quite a peaceful and restful tour where we take a tour around some of the green areas in Hamburg. Beginning at the lovely Planten un Blomen park that has beds of flowers, effaced water and in winter they convert the park and turn it into an ice-skating arena. It follows that one could take a simple walk around the Japanese Garden and take a simple pleasure in the tranquillity of the place.
On to the Tiergarten, Hamburg’s central park with water fountains, where one may see different types of birds, a lake for boating or even have a way of a meal. Stadtpark is the last place to visit on your trip and is famous for its lake and also the Planetarium. This tour is ideal for those who seek to get away from the noise of the city’s asphalt roads.
5. Alternative Hamburg Tour
This tour will help those tourists who want to explore something new and different, and are tired of traditional sightseeing in Hamburg. Begin your walking tour in Schanzenviertel that is rightly acknowledged as one of the liveliest and atmospheric quarters of Hamburg characterized by street art, individualistic shops and bars. Understand the area’s history of activism and how it has shaped the culture of the city.
Go for walking tours of the converted warehouses located in Sternschanze district and see more art work of local artists. Go to the local clubs and discover the tone of the Hamburg’s counterculture. This tour is a kind of different, making guests get acquainted with the places which are generally ignored by normal tourists.
Final Thoughts
As has been said above, Hamburg is a city that is wonderful to explore on foot and walking tours can reveal almost all the aspects of the city. Regardless of whether one is interested in history, food, the maritime culture, nature, or the counter-culture, there exists a walking tour for it.
Also, it is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes when at the camp, take a bottle of water with you and prepare for wet and dry landscape. Majority of the tours are guided by experienced and enthusiastic guides who would further enrich your tour using their history lessons. Therefore pack your walking shoes and prepare yourself to have unforgettable experience while exploring the beautiful city of Hamburg.
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