ExploreHamburg’s various riches— fromchocolate to trade

For centuries, the port cityofHamburg was a powerhouse in maritime trade. These days, Germany’s secondcity is still the country’s main entry point for exotic goods. But it is also a magnet for foodies, fans of the arts and folks who prefer to wander rather than powerwalk their way around a newdestination.

Attractions include a chocolate museum, a historic warehouse district and river boat rides. Just remember, inHamburg you are never far from the water — including the kind that falls from the sky, so go with the flow and carry an umbrella.

Feast your eyes

Maybe you want to start small. Really small. In Hamburg’s old warehouse district an indoor model railway called the Miniatur Wunderland stretches across two floors and takes visitors on a humorous journey around the world.

The warehouse district, or Speicherstadt, was once a free port and its distinctive red brick buildings on timber foundations helped the area gain UNESCO World Heritage status in 2015. It is hardly a museum though. The warehouses are still used to store goods from around the globe and with a little patience visitors can watch Persian carpets and sacks of spices being loaded and unloaded using old-fashioned pulley hoist systems.

Hamburg has a long tradition of appreciating coffee. Enjoy a good brew at one of several coffee roasters around town, including Nord Coast Coffee Roastery.

AtHamburg’s chocolate museum, Chocoversum, learn about the origins of chocolate, what makes a good bean and even try your hand at creating a unique bar of your own. Tours during the week are in German but English-language tours are available on weekends.

A day on the water

Start exploring mankind’s complicated relationship with the sea on dry land at the International Maritime Museum in the warehouse district. It features replicas of ancient ships, including a Phoenician galley and a Viking dragon boat, as well as equipment that helped sailors navigate the seas before GPS and satellite phones.

Onceyouarereadytosetsail—soto speak— walk or take a subway to the Landungsbruecken. During the week, these piers are used by commuters traveling toHamburgonpublic boats. Foramodestfare,hopontheNo62for a ride down the river Elbe, passing some of Hamburg’s impressive maritime industry and not a few towering cargo ships along theway.

Step off at Neumuehlen and head downriver past the charming old sailboats to the Oevelgoenne beach for pizza and a hoppy beer or coffee and cake at a riverside cafe or bar.

A night in town

The Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s notorious red light district. At night it transforms from a quiet street into a gaudy, neon-light affair filled with bars, live music venues and seedy entertainment. Near the Reeperbahn light rail stop is a square dedicated to the Beatles, who spent their journeyman years inHamburg.

For a less touristy and more family friendly evening, head to the Schanzenviertel, a former working class district that became hip a few years ago. There’s cheap food aplenty and a thriving bar culture. Sternschanze is the closest S-bahn stop.

From there, walk to one of Hamburg’s best-known clubs at Feldstrasse 66. Do not worry, you cannot miss it. Known to the Nazis as Flakturm IV, this massive over-ground bunker was too difficult to destroy after WorldWar II and so it was left standing. Nowadays it is home to media companies and the club Uebel und Gefaehrlich — which roughly translates asNasty and Dangerous.

Ifyouareoutall night, greet theday at Hamburg’s legendary Altona fish market. Business starts at 5 am from April toOctober. Inwinter themarket opensat 7am. Donotarrive too late as stalls shutter around 9:30 am.

Grand burgers and culture

For centuries, Hamburg was dominated by a tight-knit ruling class known as the “first families”, whose members had acquired a superior form of citizenship that made them Grossbuerger — “grand burgers”. With the title came lucrative economic and political rights that they used to amass great fortunes and shape the city inways that can still be seen inHamburg’s center with its Venice-like arcades and bridges, fancy shopping streets and lakeside promenade. From the underground stop Rathaus, take a stroll past the imposing town hall toward the Binnenalster, or Inner Alster, a reservoir inside the old city perimeters.

For a bit of high art, head to the underground stop Jungfernstieg and take the U1 two stops to Steinstrasse. From there it is a short walk to one of Europe’s largest contemporary arts centers. The Deichtorhallen, situated in two former market halls built in late art nouveau style, host several simultaneous art and photography exhibitions.

For a grand finale, end your trip at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Completed six years behind schedule and at 10 times the original price, this billion-dollar venue is due to start hosting concerts beginning Jan 11. If you cannot nab tickets it is worth visiting for the architecture, which features a wave-shaped roof, stunning glass facades and a panoramic viewof the harbor.

FRANK BRUENDEL / AP Ships pass by the Elbphilharmonie building at the Hamburg harbor. For centuries, the German port city was a powerhouse in maritime trade.