Schmap Hamburg Neighborhood Guide

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Hamburg - Neighborhood Guide
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Hamburg Home
Schmap Hamburg guide and map

A harbour city located in the far north of Germany, Hamburg has been known for centuries as the "gateway to the world". One of Hamburg's most famous sons, novelist Wolfgang Borchert, lovingly described the city as "more than a heap of stones, roofs, windows, beds, roads, bridges and street lamps. It is more than factory chimneys and traffic jams - more than the screeching of seagulls, squeaking of trams and thundering of the railway - it is more than ships' horns, whirling cranes, curses and dance music - oh, it is so much more!" Even writer Heinrich Heine, who did not always sing Hamburg's praises, returned again and again, just as many visitors do. Hamburg has an air about it: on the one hand, it is a busy and bustling metropolis; on the other, an elegant and cosy seaside idyll. Whatever your impression may be, you'll never get tired of Hamburg!

Altstadt/Old Town

The city centre, which lies between Lake Alster and the River Elbe, sets the pace for the rest of the city - commercially, politically and socially. Its magnificent boulevards are lined with shops, and you could never guess that most of the area lay devastated at the end of the War. Those in search of culture need look no further: the Kunsthalle, opera house and the two main theatres (the Thalia Theater and the Deutsches Schauspielhaus) are here, as too are the stock exchange and the extravagant town hall. The Altstadt (old town) contains many of the city's most historic buildings, including the 9th century Hammaburg, and Hamburg's major churches: St. Michealis, St. Katharien, St. Jacobi, St. Petri and the ruins of St. Nikolai.

The historic Kontorhäuser (commercial buildings) that lie between Steinstraße and Meßberg are architectural rarities. Indeed, the Kontorhaus Quarter is a different world: the narrow streets around Burchhard-Platz are lined with enormous red-brick buildings such as Chilehaus and Sprinkenhof. Despite their size, these buildings are not over-imposing, but are proud, solid and dignified. They stand in ordered rows, display a similar architectural style and give this district its distinctive feel.

Pöseldorf/Harvestude

The upmarket Pöseldorf/Harvestude district lies on the Outer Alster's western shore. Dominated by rows of late-19th century town houses and ornate, neo-classical mansions, this area is a favourite with young professionals. Everything is perfect and extremely trendy, which has led to the district being christened 'Schnöseldorf' (little snot's town) by locals. Harvestuder Weg, home to many foreign consulates and company headquarters, is one of the city's most sought-after addresses, while Alsteruferweg is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Universitätsviertel

The Universitätsviertel (University Quarter) lies to the west of Rothenbaumchausee. As you may expect, this is an exciting part of town with plenty going on. Most of the people who hang out in the bars, cafés and clubs are either students or media types. Hamburg University's main building is located on Edmund-Siemers-Allee, and if you venture westwards from here, you get to the Grindelhochhäuser (Grindel Tower Blocks), built in 1924-28.

Eppendorf

Eppendorf is another popular residential area. The streets are lined with elegant turn-of-the-century town houses, and numerous small rivers flow through the district. Be sure to visit the Isemarkt, located under the viaduct on Isestraße. Eppendorf's market square contains a memorial to writer Wolfgang Borchert. Inscribed with the words of his poem Say No!, the memorial reflects his deeply-held anti-war beliefs.

Altona

Altona used to be an autonomous Danish city until being annexed by the Nazis in 1937. The most heavily-populated part of Hamburg, it is working class, multicultural and full of character. Architecture junkies will love the 'Kontorhäuser', the renovated factories, the imposing classical Palmaille and the exquisite villas on Elbchausse. The Altoner Town Hall is built in the typical style of the Wilhelmenian era (1888-1918).

Blankenese

Lined with ancient trees and ornate villas, the 10km-long Elbchausee has been described as the "most beautiful street in the world" and leads the way from Altona to the exclusive district of Blankenese. Famous for its white fishing huts, historic country residences, parks, gardens, views of the River Elbe and - of course - its winding paths and narrow stairways, this a favourite haunt for locals and visitors alike.

Schanzenviertel

You may be forgiven for thinking that time has passed the Schanzenviertelby. This district is extremely multicultural and is great for people-watching. Its numerous watering-holes, tea rooms and ethnic shops make it a perfect place to visit night or day. Yet the fact that they have been "discovered" means that their original character is struggling to survive.

Karolinenviertel

You may be forgiven for thinking that time has passed the Karolinenviertelby. This district is extremely multicultural and is great for people-watching. Its numerous watering-holes, tea rooms and ethnic shops make it a perfect place to visit night or day. Yet the fact that they have been "discovered" means that their original character is struggling to survive.

St. Pauli

St. Pauli, Hamburg's notorious red-light district, is the liveliest and most vibrant part of town, and the 30,000 people who live here an eclectic mix of young and old. The legendary Reeperbahn runs the length of the district and is lined with clubs, sex shops, fast food joints and bars as far as the eye can see. If you explore the side streets, you may be in for a surprise! Located at the eastern end of the Reeperbahn is the Heiligengeistfeld, which hosts the Hamburger Dom (Hamburg Fair) three times a year. St. Pauli stretches from the Wallanlagen (now known as Planten un Blomen) to Hafenstraße and the Landungsbrücken.

The Harbour

The harbour (see Hafen) is the heart of the city. Visit it and you will soon find out why Hamburg is known as the "gateway to the world". It is one of the world's largest harbours and its 75 square kilometres make up over one-tenth of the city's entire area. Especially worth seeing are the Köhlbrandtbrücke, the Landungsbrücke, Old Elbe Tunnel and the Speicherstadt, whose warehouses contain goods worth millions upon millions of Marks. In the 1990s, building work began to create a modern living and business quarter on the Kehrwiederspitze, known as "Harbour City".

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Altona

Hamburg
Germany

Altona used to be an autonomous Danish city until being annexed by the Nazis in 1937. The most heavily-populated part of Hamburg, it is working class, multicultural and full of character. Architecture junkies will love the 'Kontorhauser', the renovated factories, the imposing classical Palmaille and the exquisite villas on Elbchausse. The Altoner Town Hall is built in the typical style of the Wilhelmenian era (1888-1918).

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Nils Pickert

Photo: Bernd Klement

Photo: Tilo 2006

Photo: Frank

Photo: Temmo Bosse

Photo: Christoph

Photo: Prio Adhi Setiawan

Photo: George Moga

Photo: Milo Vermeulen

Photo: Mike Stich

Photo: cja0201

Photo: Ursula Havlicek

Photo: Dominique

Photo: //anttironkainen

Photo: Jan

Altstadt/Old Town

Hamburg
Germany
The city centre, which lies between Lake Alster and the River Elbe, sets the pace for the rest of the city - commercially, politically and socially. Its magnificent boulevards are lined with shops, and you could never guess that most of the area lay devastated at the end of the War. Those in search of culture need look no further: the Kunsthalle, opera house and the two main theatres (the Thalia Theater and the Deutsches Schauspielhaus) are here, as too are the stock exchange and the extravagant town hall. The Altstadt (old town) contains many of the city's most historic buildings, including the 9th-century Hammaburg, and Hamburg's major churches: St. Michealis, St. Katharien, St. Jacobi, St. Petri and the ruins of St. Nikolai.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Tomas
Photo: oldmanklaus
Photo: Oliver Wilke, Berlin
Photo: eXtreme.SyroxX

Blankenese

Hamburg
Germany
Lined with ancient trees and ornate villas, the 10km-long Elbchausee has been described as the "most beautiful street in the world" and leads the way from Altona to the exclusive district of Blankenese. Famous for its white fishing huts, historic country residences, parks, gardens, views of the River Elbe and - of course - its winding paths and narrow stairways, this a favourite haunt for locals and visitors alike.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: die_gabel
Photo: Alexandre Bourdeu
Photo: Alexandre Bourdeu
Photo: Carsten Kisslat
Photo: maximilian.kreuzer
Photo: www.3DOGcamping.eu
Photo: Günter Stück
Photo: Nick Henneberry

Photo: tilo 2005
Photo: kati
Photo: Marion M. White
Photo: sabwe65
Photo: Karin Gartshore
Photo: Jan Michael Ihl
Photo: LillyLain
Photo: Sören Schulz

Photo: Kai
Photo: fredi1703

Eppendorf

Hamburg
Germany
Eppendorf is another popular residential area. The streets are lined with elegant turn-of-the-century town houses, and numerous small rivers flow through the district. Be sure to visit the Isemarkt, located under the viaduct on Isestraße. Eppendorf's market square contains a memorial to writer Wolfgang Borchert. Inscribed with the words of his poem Say No!, the memorial reflects his deeply-held anti-war beliefs.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: J.Rollfinke
Photo: Jens Hoffmann
Photo: Torsten Olt, Hamburg
Photo: Jan
Photo: Diem & Joern
Photo: christoph juergens

Karolinenviertel

Hamburg
Germany
Karolinenviertel, like Schanzenviertel, is a neighbourhood on the rise. As is the case in many cities around the world, however, despite the improved arts and culture scenes that accompany an influx of young and diverse trendsetters to an area, gentrification has its drawbacks--namely rising rents and a dissipation of the charms that attracted the crowds to the district to begin with.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Tom Chesky

Pöseldorf/Harvestude

Hamburg
Germany
The upmarket Pöseldorf/Harvestude district lies on the Outer Alster's western shore. Dominated by rows of late-19th century town houses and ornate, neo-classical mansions, this area is a favourite with young professionals. Everything is perfect and extremely trendy, which has led to the district being christened 'Schnöseldorf' (little snot's town) by locals. Harvestuder Weg, home to many foreign consulates and company headquarters, is one of the city's most sought-after addresses, while Alsteruferweg is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: bittersweetchoc

Schanzenviertel

Hamburg
Germany
You may be forgiven for thinking that time has passed the Schanzenviertel by. This district is extremely multicultural and is great for people-watching. Its numerous watering-holes, tea rooms and ethnic shops make it a perfect place to visit night or day. Yet the fact that they have been "discovered" means that their original character is struggling to survive.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Stefan Töpfer
Photo: Johann B
Photo: yaniruma
Photo: Stefan Töpfer
Photo: alexandra bartsch
Photo: aliasali
Photo: Zsuzsanna Kiràly
Photo: jot*be

Photo: Andy Weisner
Photo: Almut Becvar
Photo: Nils Weber
Photo: Pascal Jeschke
Photo: M. Berger
Photo: ev-o-mat
Photo: Lionel Kreglinger
Photo: phipag

Photo: Gabriele Biasizzo
Photo: solartrooper
Photo: Oliver Hey
Photo: Monique
Photo: Felix Kauholz
Photo: Regina Doormann

St.Pauli

Hamburg
Germany
St. Pauli, Hamburg's notorious red-light district, is the liveliest and most vibrant part of town, and the 30,000 people who live here an eclectic mix of young and old. The legendary Reeperbahn runs the length of the district and is lined with clubs, sex shops, fast food joints and bars as far as the eye can see. If you explore the side streets, you may be in for a surprise! Located at the eastern end of the Reeperbahn is the Heiligengeistfeld, which hosts the Hamburger Dom (Hamburg Fair) three times a year. St. Pauli stretches from the Wallanlagen (now known as Planten un Blomen) to Hafenstraße and the Landungsbrücken.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Stefan Dinkhoff
Photo: Markus Lampe
Photo: mukone
Photo: koeter_40591
Photo: Heinrihs Puciriuss
Photo: Rolf
Photo: Sabrina Blechinger
Photo: Kohlenklau

Photo: Arne List
Photo: Sarfraz Svar
Photo: Serviervorschlag
Photo: Telespeck
Photo: Rudi Daugsch
Photo: Stephanie Kemena
Photo: Hope and Glory
Photo: elijah rutschman

Photo: andreas wiethop
Photo: Kai Wilken
Photo: Verena Dilk
Photo: blinkfish
Photo: Marco Ermini
Photo: Lukas White
Photo: swen11
Photo: Claudio Stefanutti

Photo: elise hix
Photo: Stefan Beck
Photo: Raphaël Labbé
Photo: André-Pierre
Photo: Kesp1

Universitätsviertel

Hamburg
Germany
The Universitätsviertel (University Quarter) lies to the west of Rothenbaumchausee. As you may expect, this is an exciting part of town with plenty going on. Most of the people who hang out in the bars, cafés and clubs are either students or media types. Hamburg University's main building is located on Edmund-Siemers-Allee, and if you venture westwards from here, you get to the Grindelhochhäuser (Grindel Tower Blocks), built in 1924-28.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Niels Heidenreich

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Hamburg - Neighborhood Guide"
Hamburg
Hamburg - Historical Background
Hamburg - Where to Stay
Hamburg - Dining & Drinking
Hamburg - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Berlin (258 miles)
Copenhagen (292 miles)
Dusseldorf (340 miles)
Cologne (358 miles)
Amsterdam (366 miles)
Bonn (373 miles)
Frankfurt (396 miles)
Antwerp (459 miles)
Gothenburg (475 miles)
Brussels (486 miles)

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