For many travelers, Germany has been synonymous with lederhosen, biergartens, and bratwurst. However, we discovered an entirely different German experience during our weekend trip to the second largest city, Hamburg. In Hamburg, we were greeted by a cosmopolitan, waterfront city filled with diverse attractions. The city has a maritime culture that feels almost Scandinavian, and the streets are lined with historic red-brick architecture and modern cityscapes.
Famous of being one of the largest ports (and third largest in Europe), Hamburg is situated on the Elbe and the North Sea. In fact, it is nicknamed the “Venice of the North” for its numerous picturesque canals. The water is never far away and you can feel the ocean breezes throughout the city. Hamburg is also filled with architectural gems, some of which were recently designated with UNESCO World Heritage status. With so much to see and experience in Hamburg, we knew we had to be there. Here's how to tour Hamburg: Getting there: To get to Hamburg, we took the DB train from Berlin, which runs about every half hour. Tickets start at €20 (about $23) and the train includes a cafe cart. You can also take the Flixbus, a comfortable bus service that starts at $5.99. The transit time is about 2 hours from Berlin, which makes it a great weekend destination.
Accommodation:
We stayed at the Generator Hostel, which is conveniently located adjacent to the DB train station. They offer spacious communal spaces such as a business area, lounge, and bar as well as a variety of types of accommodation including private and shared rooms, starting at around $50 USD.
Where to Eat: Since Hamburg is situated on the water, the cuisine includes delicious seafood dishes. Our favorite is Carls Brasserie, located right outside of the Elbphilharmonie - the perfect place to enjoy lunch or dinner before seeing a performance.
1. Hamburg Maritime Museum -
Located in the HafenCity, the Maritime Museum offers exhibits on Hamburg's ship building and port history. Explore the HafenCity neighborhood surrounding the museum, which is the largest urban redevelopment centre in Europe.
2. Chilehaus -
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, this building is an architectural icon of the city known for its expressionist architecture. The sharp angles of the building's facade are reminiscent of New York’s "Flatiron" building.
3. Elbphilharmonie -
The icon of the city, the Elbphilharmonie was built in 2017 . The exterior glass design includes resembles a hoisted sail. The interior features a curved escalator that leads through an "iPad" looking tunnel to a viewing platform with 360 degree views of Hamburg's harbor, old town, and new city.
4. Historic Architecture -
While many buildings in Hamburg are done in modern design, you can find plenty of unique historic treasures. For example, check out the interior of the Chilehaus which contains vintage details, including a never-ending stairwell and a revolving open-door elevator called a paternoster.
5. Biking the City
Hamburg is a huge city at 292 square miles, so the ideal way to get around is via Hamburg's efficient bike program. The red bikes are located throughout the city and maintained via the Deutsche Bahn. Rent a bike for a half hour for free, perfect for getting from point A-to-B, or for a full day for 12 Euros. Best of all, it comes with a bike lock and is managed via an app.
6. Speicherstadt
The largest warehouse complex in the world and UNESCO site, Speicherstadt appears to float on the water. It was built atop the islands of the Elbe and contains a seemingly endless network of brick structures connected by bridges. This architectural monument is one of my favorites to photograph in the city. Our guide Tomas offers tours in German or English. To book a tour, visit his site. We hope that you get to visit Hamburg soon. It truly is one of the most beautiful and photogenic cities in Germany. What are your favorite places in Hamburg? Comment below!
Berlin is a city as famous for history as it is for its lively artistic subculture scene. The underground art scene sprung up in reaction to the years of political repression as an outlet for individualistic expression. When the east and west united in 1990, the east ended up with many vacant buildings, which paved the way for artists to move in and build studios and clubs.
The best way to explore the underground art scene of graffiti, street art, punk rock, music, and nightlife is through an Alternative Berlin Tour. The tour was lead by a local who took us through East Berlin to find the underground artist spots including East Side Gallery on the Berlin Wall, street art by Blu, and the Urban Spree.
Alternative tour of Berlin Vlog:
Ostalgie Accommodation:
We stay in a retro, GDR themed hostel called "Ostel" located in East Berlin, which is a fun way to get into the spirit of the history. Ostel Hostel - Berlin: ► ► https://www.bit.ly/Ostel
Here are some of the top places to view art in the city:
1. Berlin sign at the Hauptbahnhof:
2. East Side Gallery - This gallery is a memorial for the Berlin Wall that now displays some of the most famous Berlin artwork, including the Fraternal Kiss below.
3. Hackesche Hofe - An alleyway filled with street art, including the Anne Frank mural.
What is your favorite part of the art scene in Berlin? Comment below!
Did you know that you can hit the beach, go island hopping, enjoy serene nature, and explore Caribbean-clear waters - all within the U.K? We discovered exactly that with our recent trip to the Isles of Scilly. The Isles are truly a retreat from bustling city life. Located only a 45 minute boat ride from Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are a laidback getaway filled with nature, boating, beaches, and even some of the best action sports.
Here are the top things to see in the Isles of Scilly:
Map of the Isles of Scilly:
To get to the Isles of Scilly, you can either fly or set sail from Penzance harbour in Cornwall. You can fly with Isles of Scilly and enjoy breath-taking aerial views of this beautiful cluster of islands from the comfort of your Skybus plane. Flights from Land’s End take just 15 minutes or half an hour from Newquay, and operate all year round from Monday to Saturday. To book your journey, phone 01736 334220 or visit www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
Book your ferry journey here: https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/book/
Bryher Campsite - The most scenic place to stay is the Bryher campsite which includes ready-make camping tents with a scenic view of the ocean.
Best Beaches:
The Isles of Scilly have one of the most temperate climates in the UK, which make for the perfect beach vacation. Palm trees even grow near the shores and the sand is pure white. Check out the beach at Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly:
Tresco Abbey Gardens: The Isles of Scilly are known for their flower exports and the Tresco Abbey Gardens are beautifully landscaped with exotic plants from around the world, including pine trees and palms.
Otillo SwimRun:
One of the best activities on the Isles of Scilly is the Otillo Swimrun. The course is a world series hosted in different locations, and draws an international crowd. It is the best way to enjoy the adventure of the island and compete at the same time. Sign up for the Otillo Race here: https://otilloswimrun.com/races/isles-of-scilly/
Have you been to the Isles of Scilly yet? Comment below! |
Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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