Book a Flight to Hamburg from €52

St. Michaels: Hauptkirche St Michaels is the largest baroque Protestant church in northern Germany and an impressive building dating back to 1760 with 49 spiral stairs up to its top floor. Visible from any point in the city, it was used as a lighthouse for seamen in the past, showing the way to Hamburg. Address: Englische Planke 1, 20459 Hamburg, www.st-michaelis.de

Hamburg Rathaus: One of the most impressive buildings in the city, the City Hall of Hamburg (Hamburg Rathaus) is an exquisite example of neo-renaissance architecture. Its tower is the highest building in the old city, measuring 112 metres. Its dazzling façade hides more than 647 rooms. Address: Rathausmarkt 1, 20095 Hamburg, www.hamburgische-buergerschaft.de

Hamburg Kunsthalle: One of Germany's top art galleries, the Art Gallery of Hamburg (Hamburg Kunsthalle), is a must-see destination for all art lovers. The two buildings house world masterpieces of art from the 14th to the 20th century. The most impressive collection includes works from German artists of the 19th century such as Caspar David Friedrich. Address: Glockengießerwall, 20095 Hamburg, www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de

Reepebahn: The highlight of Hamburg night-life is the notorious Reepebahn Avenue. The ultimate one-kilometre-long entertainment strip of the city, includes bars, restaurants, theatres, cabarets and the Red Light district. Here, you will also find the legendary Star Club, the live stage that introduced the Beatles to the world in the 60s. Address: Reeperbahn, Hamburg, www.reeperbahn.org.uk

Hamburg Fischmarkt: The famous fish market of Hamburg (Hamburg Fischmarkt) is located by the harbour, next to the St Pauli pier, since 1793. Its early morning fish auction, taking place at 5.30 in the morning into the sounds of live music, is one of the city's most popular attractions. Address: Große Elbstraße 137, 22767 Hamburg, www.fischmarkt-hamburg.de

Port of Hamburg: The second largest port in Europe is an amazing sight with a unique history and rare architectural beauty. The best way to explore it is to get on board in a boat for a trip around the docks, passing by canals, bridges, warehouses and the impressive ship-museums that are docked in the waters of Elbe. Address: Hamburger Hafen, Hamburg, www.hafen-hamburg.de

Deichtorhallen: Housed in two huge formerly roofed markets, built in the period 1911-1914, the largest art space in Europe presents the innovation of modern art and photography, through exhibitions of international acclaim. Address: Deichtorstraße 1-2, 20095 Hamburg, www.deichtorhallen.de

Lake Alster: A stone's throw away from the city centre, the artificial lake Alster is a heaven of recreation for all races of Hamburg. The amazing nature consisting of grass, oak trees, chestnut trees, park swans and ducks surrounding it and the sailboats travelling on its quiet waters, make up an idyllic scenery. In the summer it is an ideal spot for boat trips, while in the winter the frozen waters of the lake transform in a rink for ice-skating and sleigh rides.

Mahnmal St Nikolai: The remnants of the historic neo-Gothic church of Saint Nicholas after the 1943 bombings today operate as an anti-war monument. A museum on Hamburg's history during the war operates in its vault. Address: Willy-Brandt-Straße 60, 20457 Hamburg, www.mahnmal-st-nikolai.de

International Maritimes Museum: The largest private collection of maritime treasures in the world is housed in a huge old warehouse of the historic Speicherstadt district in the port, unfolding the impressive narrative of the international maritime and naval history of 3,000 years. In 10 floors, visitors can admire among others, 26,000 models of ships, 5,000 paintings and graphs, 120,000 books, countless maritime devices and objects as well as historic costumes. Address: Koreastraße 1, 20457 Hamburg, www.internationales-maritimes-museum.de

Hamburg is a modern shopping metropolis. Somewhere between elegant art nouveau arcades, ultra-modern shopping centres, exclusive boutiques and open air markets, visitors will find everything, from unique antiques to the latest fashion in clothes and luxury goods. The routes you can take are countless. The stately Neuer Wall is the ultimate go-to destination of international luxury brands, while the majestic Jungdernstieg Avenue is where you will find some classic German department stores, with expensive brands, such as the legendary Alsterhaus. The main commercial streets of the city are Mönckebergstrasse Street, with all the famous international chain stores and the department stores Karstadt and Kaufhof with well-known international brands, and Spitalerstrasse Street. For alternative chic shopping head for Sternschanze and Karolinenviertel streets, where Hamburg's hipsters and trendsetters hang out. For more atmospheric shopping, the arcades housing the luxurious shopping centres Hanse-Viertel Galerie Passage and Europa Passage provide infinite choices in clothes by local and international designers, electronics, books as well as restaurants. The Mecca of foodies is always the famous Fischmarkt of Hamburg, where every day early in the morning you will find the yummiest delicacies from the sea and the liveliest atmosphere in the city. Similar atmosphere you will also find in the Saturday Flohschanze Flea Market, the perfect place to discover amazing antiques and vintage clothes.

Hamburg is the ideal place to taste exceptional fish and seafood. Fishing boats arriving every morning in the famous fish market of the city supply the local gastronomy with the freshest seafood available. Hamburg's cosmopolitan quality is reflected in its entire culinary scene, with countless ethnic food restaurants, from the Balkans and the Middle East to Korea and India. Naturally, you should try the traditional cuisine of German North with dishes such as the “Birnen, Bohnen und Speck” (pears, green beans and bacon), Aalsuppe (vegetable soup), Labskaus (famous seamen dish with cured beef, potatoes and beetroot with fired egg and herring roll) and Rotes Grütze (red berries in cream). Little needs be said for the legendary and international hamburger, which does taste different once you try it in the place it was born. Most restaurants are in the city centre, in streets such as the tourist Deichstrasse and Colonnaden streets, Grossneumarkt square and Ditmar-Koel-Strasse near the port. For dining on a lower budget, head for student-friendly Schanzenviertel street. Night-life in the German port is like no other in any other European city. The city is famous for its “wild nights” and the best place to find this out is a night “safari” at Reeperbahn Street at St. Pauli district, the most famous avenue for partying till dawn. Although for decades it had a reputation as a red light and strip club district, today it has been significantly upgraded and is the “party mile” with dozens of bars, clubs, pubs, theatres and the best discos of the city.

• Hafengeburtstag Hamburg (Port anniversary): Every year (8-10 May), the city celebrates its maritime tradition and the anniversary of its announcement as a free port in 1189, with the greatest festival of the type in the world. Events culminate with the arrival of historic ships from around the world in the port. Cruise ships, warships, steamboats and tug boats participate in the grand parade.
• Hamburger Dom: With a tradition dating back to 1892, the greatest open air festival in Northern Germany is held three times a year (March, July, November), in Hamburg's Heiligengeistfeld area and has all typical characteristics of a fair; from colourful tents and nostalgic roundabouts to funfair with hi-tech rides and food kiosks.
• Alster Festival: Four-day summer festival held every August in the area around Alster lake. Having an idyllic setting as a background, more than 10,000 visitors have the chance to enjoy unique shows with the participation of 500 artists, acrobats and athletes from around the world, concerts in four different stages, delicious food and a spectacular fireworks show every night.

Transportation from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands on Hamburg Airport [HAM], 8 km north of Hamburg city centre. Here you will find many duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, ATMs and foreign exchange offices. The airport's Wi-Fi is free for 60 minutes and then available for a fee. The fastest way to get to the airport is to take the S1 line of the suburban train (S-Bahn) from Hamburg's Central Railway Station (Hamburg Hauptbahnhof) to the airport (Hamburg Flughafen). Trains depart every 10 minutes and the journey takes 25 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the U1 subway line to Ohlsdorf station and then change from there to S1 line to the airport.