Hamburg

Twenty-Four Hours in Hamburg

October 13, 2016

Speicherstadt. Taken by Marcus Pink via Flickr.

Only a few hours drive from Berlin, there’s no reason not to make a quick stop in Hamburg on your way! Here is my list of what to do if you’ve only got 24 hours to spend there:

Wake up and head to the harbor…

The quarter known as Landungsbrücken is a great spot to sit and watch the city wake up. Stop at one of the many small cafés overlooking the Elbe River for Brötchen (small rolls) with a slice of cheese or meat (a typical German breakfast) and a hot cup of coffee.

If you’re there on a Sunday morning, be sure to check out the famous Hamburg Fishmarkt, located just a short walk from the Landungbrücken Ubahn station. As it is still a relatively active port, there is always some sort of commotion going on.

Next up: HafenCity

As the caffeine from your coffee starts to kick in, you may want to stretch your legs a bit. Head southwest along the line of the harbor towards to HafenCity. Thirty years ago, this area was desolate, abandoned after the once vital port was deemed to small for the new, larger container ships. In recent years, however, it has been revitalized.

With sustainability in mind, the neighborhood has been designed to be a walkable, livable, destination for residents, just a little over a kilometer from the city center. New architectural concepts and innovative urban designs are the things to see here. Points of interest include the Marco Polo House (some of Hamburg’s most expensive real estate), the Unilever building, the Chilehaus and of course, the still-in-construction Elbphilharmonie.

Elbphilharmonie with the Marco Polo Tower and Unilever building in the background. Taken by specialpaul via Flickr.

Then, Head North to the City Center

Walk north up Osakaallee following signs to the Rathaus (Town Hall) and city center. At the corner of Osakaallee and Brooktorkai you’ll find a small little café called Fleetschlösschen. In case you need to warm up this is the perfect little cozy spot! Or, if your hungry for lunch, continue up Bei St. Annen, which turns into Brandstwiete, turn left onto Willy-Brandt-Straße and you’ll find the Gröninger Privatbrauerei, a delicious spot to try some authentic German dishes traditional to northern Germany and Hamburg.

Fleetschlösschen cafe. Taken by Roman Pfeiffer via Flickr.

As you transition from the HafenCity to the city center, be sure to check out the Speicherstadt, a string of large ware-house like buildings that have survived World War II (where most of the buildings in the Hamburg city center have been destroyed) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Speicherstadt. Taken by Marcus Pink via Flickr.

Once you find yourself at Rathaus Markt, take some photos of the historic Town Hall (you can’t miss it). During the Christmas season there is also a really nice Christmas Market there. Other events are held there throughout the year as well.

Relax By The Alster

Cross the main square in front of the Rathaus and head towards Jungfernsteig, walk along the Alster Lake, relax by the water if the weather permits.

Alster Park-compressed — Park by the Alster.

If the weather is nice, also consider taking a stroll in the Planten un Blomen park, which has a botanical garden with tropical greenhouses, an authentic Japanese garden and a rose garden with over 300 types of roses (in the warm weather).

From There, Head Towards Sternchanze

Ratsherrn Pilsner. Taken by Bjoern via Flickr.

Sternchanze is Hamburg’s alternative area, which has lots of cool little shops, cafes and bars. It is also the location of my favorite brewery Ratsherrn. In the Altes Mädchen building you can find the Rathaus Brewery and shop. Sample a few of the craft beers!

Hang out there for a while or hop back on the U3 getting off at Landungsbrücken again. Instead of going towards the harbor, head towards to the Portuguese Viertal (Portuguese neighborhood) to my favorite dinner place, Luigi’s. With a background of Latin salsa beats, energetic waiters shouting “escuzi, bella!” and super delicious pizza, this place is not to be missed! At the end of the meal they also bring a bottle of digestive to the table at the end of the meal, to liven things up a little bit more.

Either call it a night or…

Head to One of Hamburg’s Most Famous Districts: Reeperbahn

Full of clubs, bars, strip clubs, cheap take away food places, casinos and some excellent people watching, the Reeperbahn is a truly unique aspect to the city. There’s always a party somewhere on the strip and on Friday and Saturday you’ll find people partying all night.

Große Freiheit street at the Reeperbahn. Taken by Stimmungsfänger via Flickr.

Hamburg’s Green Heart: Planten un Blomen Park

By Ronald Ackermann -

June 22, 2016

Planten un Blomen_01 — Planten un Blomen. Taken by Glyn Lowe via Flickr.

One of Hamburg’s most famous city parks, Planten un Blomen, is the perfect destination for families, romantic getaways and casual friendly meet-ups.

The park itself is located right in the city center, connecting the area of St. Pauli to the Alster over a range of 47 hectares. The name of the park comes from Plattdeutsch (Low German) and literally means “Plants and Flowers”, a big hint at what makes this park so special.

Planten un Blomen Map (from 2004). "Hh-plantenunblomen-map" by User Staro1 on de.wikipedia - Öffentlich aufgestellte Infotafel. Fotograf: selbst. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hh-plantenunblomen-map.png#/media/File:Hh-plantenunblomen-map.png — Planten un Blomen Map (from 2004). “Hh-plantenunblomen-map” by User Staro1 on de.wikipedia – Öffentlich aufgestellte Infotafel. Fotograf: selbst. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Planten un Blomen. Taken by Glyn Lowe via Flickr.

Beautiful Gardens

Inside the park you will find the largest Japanese garden in Europe. It was designed in 1988 by landscape architect Yoshikuni Araki according to the strict guidelines, making it a true authentic experience. At the center is a lake with a traditional Japanese teahouse, which hosts tea ceremonies from May to September. There are also workshops available on Japanese calligraphy, taiko drums and Japanese perfume ceremonies.

Japanese Garden. Tkaen by opopododo via Flickr. — Japanese Garden. Taken by opopododo via Flickr.

Japanese Garden. Taken by FouPic via Flickr.

Japanese Garden. Taken by FouPic via Flickr.

Waterfall at Japanese Garden, Planten un Blomen. Taken by Sarahhoa via Flickr. — Waterfall at Japanese Garden. Taken by Sarahhoa via Flickr.

Another famous garden inside Planten un Blomen is the rose garden, which features over 300 varieties of roses including historic roses, shrub and wild roses, climbing roses and hybrid teas. The lay out follows a “classical style” with various arches and corner for sitting and enjoying the atmosphere. As well, during the summer season in the central pavilion you can learn about the different varieties of roses and their care.

Rose garden. Taken by Urban Explorer Hamburg via Flickr.

Don’t forget to visit the botanical garden with a tropical greenhouse with an alpine garden with mountain flowers, mosses and lichens. The complex is divided into five separate areas by plant groups and habitats.

Inside greenhouse at the Botanical Garden. Taken by mike via Flickr.

Greenhouse inside theB Botanical Garden. Taken by geehke via Flickr.

Water Light Show, Theatre, Ice-Skating and much more at Planten un Blomen!

Along with the many gardens, Planten un Blomen is also famous for a water light show with music that takes place every night at 10:00 pm from May to September.

Water Light Show at Planten un Blomen. Taken by Barn Images via Flickr.

If you’re visiting with children, there is also a daily program of shows from a puppet theatre to circus, all free of charge.

Recently, I visited one of the most famous winter attractions at Planten un Blomen, the outdoor ice skating rink. In the summer it serves as a roller and inline skating rink but when the cold weather rolls in it turns into one of the largest open-air artificial ice rinks in the world at over 4300 square meters.

Outdoor ice skating rink. Taken by Graham C99 via Flickr.

There is an entrance fee of 3,90 for under 15 years and 5,50 for adults (plus 5,00 more to rent ice skates) but the atmosphere inside is really great. Each night is a live DJ playing music and there is drinks and food available for when you need to take a break.

Overall, I would definitely keep in mind Planten un Blomen as the perfect afternoon spent on a warm, relaxing day on a visit to Hamburg in summer and the perfect way to end a cold winter evening during the winter!

[Planten un Blomen.de]

Portugiesenviertel: A Taste Of Portugal In Hamburg

By Ronald Ackermann -

March 9, 2016

Portugiesenviertel, Hamburg — People hanging out outside restaurants in the Portuguese Quarter. Taken by Alexander Krumeich via Flickr.

Ryanair offers flights from 18,00 Euros from the Northern German city of Hamburg to the Portuguese cities of Porto and Lisbon. That’s a pretty good deal…

Want to know something else pretty cool? You don’t even have to leave Hamburg to experience a little bit of authentic Portugal. That’s right. Hamburg has it’s own Portugiesenviertel (Portuguese neighborhood) right in the heart of the city.

Development Of The Portugiesenviertel

Bird's Eye View Portuguese Quarter, Hamburg. Taken by Glyn Lowe via Flickr. — Bird’s Eye View Portuguese Quarter, Hamburg. Taken by Glyn Lowe via Flickr.

Just next to the famous Landungsbrücken harbor area you will find the Portuguese Quarter, a small collection of streets around the Ditmar-Koel-Straße where Portuguese and Spanish immigrants have settled since the 1960s and 70s. As the neighborhood grew, the new residents brought some of (in my opinion) the best parts of their culture with them in the form of cafes, bars, restaurants and pastelerias.

Today, you will find a mix of southern European restaurants with the majority being Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

How Authentic Is The Cuisine?

Some say that this neighborhood is the best place to get traditional dishes- tapas, fresh seafood and delicious wines from these countries in all of northern Europe!

I’ve visited Italy a few times, Portugal once and lived in Spain for a little over a year. With the experience I’ve gained into the traditional dishes of these cultures, I could confidently say that the food is very authentic, but with a little German influence (like that time I was served boiled potatoes with Calamari at one of the Spanish restaurants there).

People hanging out outside restaurants in the Portuguese Quarter. Taken by Alexander Krumeich via Flickr.

More than the food, you could just get the vibe of the Mediterranean by walking through the neighborhood. Portuguese, Spanish and Italian are spoken in all of the restaurants (typically as the predominent language), people greet each other with kisses on the cheek and on warm days you can find guests lounging outside in chairs sipping on coffee (no filter coffee here) and chatting the afternoon away.

Restaurants of the Portugiesenviertel

Hamburg is famous for delicious and fresh seafood and the Portuguese Quarter is no exception- of course, with a little bit of a Mediterranean twist! The majority of the restaurants there specialize in seafood and you can find big, delicious plates to share at almost all of them. One of my favorite places for this is O Pescador, which has a special plate full of shrimp, lobster, fish, calamari and other delicious seafood!

O Pescador Restaurant. Taken by IK’s World Trip via Flickr.

My favorite of all the restaurants, not only in the Portuguese Quarter but in all of Hamburg is Luigi’s, a lively Italian place where you feel like you’ve just entered an exciting private party right as you enter the door.

Pizza from Luigi's, Hamburg — Pizza from Luigi’s. Taken by Stephan Mosel via Flickr.

The pizza is inexpensive, huge and super good. The salads are fresh and at the end of the meal they give you a bottle of digestif to make sure you’re visit ends on a great note. Just be wary that this place is packed almost every night so expect to wait a while- not to fear, you get a free glass of Prosecco to hold you over while you wait!

[In Your Pocket]

My Favorite Souvenir Holiday Gifts From Hamburg

By Ronald Ackermann -

December 25, 2015

Niederegger Lubeck Marzipan heart. Taken by Alpha via Flickr.

When you live abroad, going home for the holidays is a welcome retreat. One of my favorite things about going home for Christmas is picking out cool presents in Germany that I know my family in the U.S. won’t have access to.

The most important thing for me when buying some Christmas presents is to consider something that is cool and unique to the area that I live in. But at the same time, I also want to give something with a purpose. Needless to say a little figurine of a ship with the word “Hamburg” on it isn’t really optimal.

Plus, bringing presents from another country gives a little bit of an “exotic” factor, so you don’t have to spend very much money for the receiver to get excited!

Instead, here are my top 5 souvenir presents to bring back from Hamburg:

1. Chocolates or sweets

German chocolate and other candies are really delicious. I especially love to bring back marzipan treats from the company Niederegger, which is founded in the city of Lübeck, just an hour or so north of Hamburg. As well as being delicious, I know this is a really good quality product that is made from 100% almond paste and no sugar. Plus, it looks special to bring back a locally produced product.

Niederegger Lubeck Marzipan heart. Taken by Alpha via Flickr.

2. Beer

Everyone knows that Germany is famous for having great beer. Pilsner, wheat beer and other varieties are famous, especially because of huge festivals such as the Oktoberfest in Munich. My favorite kind to bring home, however, is from a craft brewery in Hamburg known as Ratsherrn. As well as being one of my favorite beers ever, they also have lots of cool seasonal flavors that are perfect gifts for the holiday season.

Ratherrn Beer. Taken by By PiaHonolulu (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons — Ratherrn Beer. Taken by By PiaHonolulu (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

3. Ornament or Decoration

German Christmas markets are the optimal place to find nice ornaments or decorations that are a great gift for the holiday season. You can definitely find ones that are in English, but I think it’s more special to give an ornament that says something in German such as “Frohe Weihnachten” (Merry Christmas). This way, it can always be a reminder of your time abroad and it’s a great conversation starter hanging on the tree! One of the most famous makers of German Christmas decorations is Käthe Wohlfahrt, which you can find at most Christmas Markets such as the Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market.

Käthe Wohlfahrt shop in Germany. Taken by By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work (own photograph)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

4. Souvenir mugs

For those who love their morning coffee or tea, a souvenir mug is a great idea. I love to collect mugs from the different places I’ve visited along the way. Each morning, drinking out of one of my many souvenir mugs, I am always reminded of that happy memory of my trip. If you want to a bit of a rebel, the best souvenir mugs come from the Christmas markets themselves. You have to pay a deposit when you order a drink that comes in a mug anyway, so if you don’t return the mug you don’t get the deposit back… but hey who doesn’t want a cool mug with an interesting back-story?

Christmas market mugs. Taken by Alex Liivet via Flickr.

5. Typical foods

It may sound silly to someone who grew up in Germany, but one of my favorite things to bring home is the bread spreads known as “streichcreme” that are sold at any supermarket. They are super typical for Germans, but as someone who grew up in the U.S. I’ve never had that before and they are totally delicious!

What are your favorite souvenirs?

Visiting Local Farms: Getting to the Root of the Culture

By Ronald Ackermann -

December 23, 2015

Harvesting Celery Root, Kattendorfer Hof-compressed — Harvesting celery root!

The common destinations when traveling through Europe usually consist of the big cities- London, Paris, Madrid, etc. But what happens outside of the city walls can actually give you a much closer look of the real backbone of the cultures.

And what could be more basic than food? Because of my thesis topic, I’ve had the chance to visit some of the farms surrounding Hamburg- essentially the roots from which the local, traditional foods has grown.

Harvesting celery root at the Kattendorfer Hof.

What’s the best part?

You don’t have to be a local to visit some of these farms. Especially one, the Kattendorfer Hof in Kattendorf (just 40 or so kilometers north of the Hamburg city center), lets you visit for the day, work on the farm and even spend the night if you wish.

At this farm, they work with the Demeter certification, which is essentially a more ambitious production technique than organic, known as biodynamic agriculture. Essentially, the Demeter certification requires that the biodiversity and ecosystem preservation is a focus, soil husbandry, livestock integration, prohibition of genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) and viewing the farm as a living “holistic organism” with a closed circle approach.

Along with the physical techniques of farm production, Demeter also works with a philosophical holistic approach– to recognize, restore and support natural cycles and interrelationships.

So what is interesting for a visitor or traveler on a farm?

Most interesting for me, especially as someone who lives in a city, is the potential to get your hands dirty and some fresh air. I had the chance to help harvest some celery root, but also to meet with some of the locals and gain a deeper insight into what foods are local and fresh here in northern Germany.

Plus, I got to meet some pretty friendly farm animals too!

An overly friendly pig... — An overly friendly pig…

This can also be helpful for your eating experience when you trek back inside the city walls. You can learn how the restaurants use the local, seasonal ingredients and get a taste (no pun intended) of what the traditional roots of the culture are.

Looking to save some money? Find ingredients using the local ingredients and make dinner yourself at your hostel, Airbnb or hotel. One of my favorites using the seasonal pumpkin or squash found in Germany in the fall is a curried butternut squash soup.

How else do farms connect with traveling Europe?

Have you ever heard of WWOOFING? This is an international organization that connects hosts to volunteers. In exchange for your work, you can get food, accommodation and even gain valuable skills in the organic farming sector. This is a great idea for young people or people traveling on a budget! I haven’t yet tried WOOFING, but definitely will in the future, so stay tuned for more information…

Hamburg Town Hall Christmas Market

By Ronald Ackermann -

December 11, 2015

Rathaus at Hamburg Christmas Market. Taken by Jan Kraus via Flickr.

The Hamburg Rathaus Weihnachtsmarkt (Hamburg Town Hall Christmas Market) is full of history, tradition and Hanseatic heritage. Plus, it has maybe one of the most beautiful backdrops you’ll ever see- the Hamburg Rathaus (Town Hall)!

By day…

…and night!

Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market from afar. Taken by Marc Wellekötter via Flickr.

I recently wrote about my visit to the slightly alternative St. Pauli Christmas Market in Hamburg. After visiting the historical and authentic one in the city center just a few days ago, that got me to thinking…

Where Does the Christmas Market Come From?

The idea of an open-air street market has been around in Europe long before anyone even celebrated Christmas. During the Late Middle Ages, there were special winter markets that would open for a day or two, allowing townspeople to stock up on food and supplies they would need during the upcoming cold months. There were many examples of this, but they were never officially considered “Christmas Markets”.

Over time, these markets evolved to sell other craft items such as baskets, toys or woodcarvings as well as specialty foods such as almonds nuts, gingerbread and other baked goods. Many times, these items were given as gifts for Christmas or New Year’s Day.

The first claims of documentation of a “Christmas Market” come from Munich (1310), Bautzen (1384) and Frankfurt am Main (1393), though their authenticity as official markets has been called into question. The Striezelmarkt in Dresden perhaps has the most official claim of being the first Christmas Market, dating back to 1434.

The Hamburg (Rathaus) Town Hall Christmas Market

Entrance to the Hamburg Town Hall Christmas Market. Taken by Jan Kraus via Flickr.

Rathaus at Hamburg Christmas Market. Taken by Jan Kraus via Flickr.

This Christmas Market is located directly in the large square (Rathausmarktplatz) in front of the Town Hall. Each year, nearly three million visitors come to see and feel the magical spirit of Christmas time at the market- which includes a Santa Claus flying his reindeer sled above the roofs of the market, telling the story of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer (at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm each day).

Carousel at Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market.

Traditional Items and Foods for Sale

Like many other Christmas markets, craft items are the majority of things for sale. The Hamburg Town Hall Christmas Market takes this to another level with the Spielzeuggasse (Toy Street), where rows merchants from around the world sell different gadgets and play things for children.

Walking through the pathways made from the various wooden vender booths, you can see tons of other craft items as well. Decorations from the Erzgebirge region and looked after by woodcarvers from Tyrol, bakers from Aachen, gingerbread makers from Nuremberg and pottery made from artists from the Lausitz region.

Shop at Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market.

Beeswax candles at Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market.

As well, there are many other traditional artisan crafts for sale such as beeswax candles or the shop with endless handmade Christmas decorations by Käthe Wohlfahrt.

Käthe Wohlfahrt crafts. Taken by Alan Samuel via Flickr.

When you’re done shopping, head to one of the many food and drink booths to enjoy some traditional German Christmas Market gastronomy- sausages straight from the grill, meat from the rotisserie, a hot cup of Glühwein (mulled wine) and a delicious baked good.

People having drinks at Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market.

[Germany Christmas Market], [Hamburg Tourism]

Glühwein at the Hamburg Rathaus Christmas Market.

A Little Added “Spice” at the St. Pauli Christmas Market

By Ronald Ackermann -

December 9, 2015

Winterdeck at St-compressed — Winterdeck at the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

The Santa Pauli Weihnachtsmarkt (St. Pauli Christmas market), in the infamous Reeperbahn district of Hamburg, Germany, is anything but ordinary…

Entrance to the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

Tradition With A Little Added “Spice”

When you think of German Christmas Markets, ideas of classical music, Glühwein (hot mulled wine), perhaps some sausages from the grill and sweet schmalzkuchen may pop into your mind. Add to that a strip show, “porn karaoke”, a fortuneteller, and lines of wooden booths selling erotic toys and you’ve got yourself the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

The strange part? It doesn’t feel strange at all! Somehow, it manages to be the perfect blend of the traditional Christmas Market mixed with the alternative culture of St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn. Hoards of people gather under the wooden-roofed tables that accompany each of the bar and food stands, chatting, laughing and the “cheersing” the holidays with the traditional “Prost!” (German for “cheers”).

Drink stand at the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

Lights at the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

Of the many Christmas markets I’ve visited in Hamburg, I also think the one at St. Pauli is among the most beautiful. Located in the center strip on the main drag of the Reeperbahn the market glows, even in comparison to the bright lights coming from the buildings that surround it on both sides.

Winterdeck at the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

There is also live music each night, and when I visited the artist, Prita Grealy (from Australia) was really great.

Live Music at St. Pauli Christmas Market

What makes the St. Pauli Christmas Market special, you ask?

Of course, the strip show, “porn karaoke”, a fortune teller, and lines of wooden booths selling erotic toys…

Check out this trailer for a basic idea:

Each night starting at 6pm there is a line-up of burlesque, female and male strips shows in the tent located at the end of the market, next to the “Winterdeck”. You must be 18 to enter and the show is definitely quite interesting and something you may want to see just once in a lifetime.

There is also a “naughty” theme to the whole market, which you can see by the decorations of scantily clad Santa figures or the shot on many menus called “Ficken” (if you’re not sure what that means just trade the “i” for a “u” and there you go!).

Photo Booth at the St. Pauli Christmas Market.

What I especially love about the St. Pauli market (because, of course, I’m obsessed with food) is the variety of food choices available there. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good grilled Bratwurst, but at the St. Pauli market they have also Mexican food, the best burger I’ve ever had in Europe, vegetarian stands, rotisserie meats and naturally, the traditional Grühnkohl and sausages.

Because of the location of the Christmas market in Reeperbahn, it’s also a great place to meet with friends before heading out to the strips of bars and clubs just a few streets down.

So what are you waiting for? The market runs only until the 23^rd of December!

Fresh fish, beer and dancing at the Hamburg Fish Market

By Ronald Ackermann -

September 18, 2015

The perfect night out wouldn’t be complete without friends, dancing, perhaps some drinks, great music, a fun venue, and of course… a Fischbrötchen! Well, at least in Hamburg, of course.

The Hamburg Fishmarkt (Hamburg Fish Market) has been a cultural staple for people of all ages, from all walks of life since 1703. Located on the Elbe River in the city of Hamburg in northern Germany, the famous fish market attracts 70,000 visitors every Sunday.

Who can you see there?

Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the fish market is not necessarily all of the various items for sale (I’ll get to that later), but actually the kind of crowds it attracts. When the market is first opening (at 5 am April to October, 7 am November to March), you will most likely encounter those who’ve successfully made it through a night of partying in Hamburg’s famous nightlife district, the Reeperbahn.

Not only does the promise of delicious Fish sandwiches (no, that is not a joke) to satisfy the hunger built up from a night of dancing and carousing bring the crowds, but also the opportunity to continue the party in the historic Fischauktionshalle (Fish Market Hall), with live rock music, great atmosphere, and of course, more beers… at 7am…

Music, dancing and beer inside the Fish Market Hall. Yep, it's 7am.... — Music, dancing and beer inside the Fish Market Hall. Yep, it’s 7am….

As the morning rolls along, those who still have not gone to bed start to dwindle out and are replaced by the early risers, just beginning their day, looking for discounts on anything from fresh fruits, fish and even apparel.

The absolutely eclectic mix of people almost makes me feel as though I’m in a twilight zone. There are families with little kids walking around next to 20-somethings who are so wasted they can barely walk, all surrounded by a chorus of hawkers selling their products, chanting “10 Euros, 10 Euros!”, “2 mangoes, 2 Euros!” and of course, the most famous “lecker, lecker lecker!” (“delicious, delicious, delicious!”).

What can you buy there?

Better question: what can’t you buy there? There are fruits and veggies from all corners of the globe, fresh coffee, baked goods, meats, spices, clothes, decorations, trees, flowers, and you can’t forget fish. Smoked fish, fresh fish, fish sandwiches, fried fish, baked fish, whole fish, and fish filets, anything you can imagine.

One of the many fish venders selling their fresh catch!

Prices are generally less expensive than at the grocery store and for the most part the quality is quite high. To get the best deals, try not to buy when there are tons of crowds around, as they may give you a better deal. Haggling is also expected in many of the stands, and rumor has it that if you go when the market is near it’s close the venders will practically be giving away their goods, especially the perishables.

If you’re buying one of the famous fruit baskets, keep in mind that while the fruit on top will look delicious and in perfect condition, the ones on the bottom may not be so hot. The cost of the baskets is always 10 Euros, but if you hesitate to buy a little, they may top on some extra fruits for free.

Taking a break from the market to enjoy a coffee by the Elbe River.

And lastly: When you’ve finished filling up your refrigerator, or simply need a break, take a coffee and fresh Franzbrötchen (typical cinnamon pastry) and sit out on the bank of Elbe River, watching the city wake up and enjoying the fresh breeze.

[Official Hamburg Website], [Hamburg Travel]