The grand historic city Hamburg in Germany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Germany’s 2nd biggest city has plenty of sightseeing for visitors. However, your tour of Hamburg is hardly complete if you do not explore the port. Indeed, the Port of Hamburg, called Hafen Hamburg, is an inseparable part of the grand city with a distinct character.
The Port of Hamburg is a tidal harbor that covers a massive area of 100 square km. Also referred as the ‘Gateway to Germany’, it is also a free port with plenty of cargo ships. Exploring the port area will take you on a trip down memory lane may into the bygone era. Like most tourists, you can also explore the area by boat. However, do not miss out exploring the beautiful pedestrian trail towards Warehouse District ('Speicherstadt'). It is an area laden with tall brick buildings that were earlier used to stock spices and foodstuffs. The 3.9-kilometer bridge spanning the harbor aka Köhlbrandbrücke is also worth visiting. For a different but enjoyable experience, do explore the Hamburg Fish Market held on Sundays. While different species of fish may be the star attraction, flowers and clothing are on sale as well. Make sure to check out the amazing museum ships that offer great insight into early maritime history.
Quite a few tour operators offer Port of Hamburg packages and you can pick from small boats to large vessels for a closer view of the historic harbor. You can use subway or taxi to reach the port from other parts of the city.