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Hamburg is a wonderful city even though it doesnt have some of the grand architecture so common in other European cities. Largely due to the bombings of World War II, many areas in Hamburg were completely flattened. Also, because of its location, Hamburg is a major vein for ships and vessels transporting goods from around the world and therefore the city didnt put a lot of importance on grand palaces. In fact, most people who visit Hamburg come because there is a concert or sporting event that is drawing them here. But if thats all you see, youre missing out on what else Hamburg has to offer.

There are three rivers that flow throughout the city. The Alster fills the two lakes that are in the center of the city and it runs into the second river, the Elbe River, a major waterway in central Europe. The third river is the Bille, a small river that runs into the Elbe. Youll find beautiful estates and parks located along its banks. The Port of Hamburg is near impossible to miss. Its a hub of activity and covers a good chunk of Hamburg. Locals are proud to lay claim that they have more bridges than Venice. Its quite a site to see the massive ships bring in their wares. There are two ships that you can board. The 1896 Rickmer Rickmers has a wonderful museum and restaurant. Also open to the public is the Cap San Diego, which was built in the 1960s.

Hamburgs skyline is peppered with the spires of five churches. Their green copper roofs make it an even more beautiful site. The five are St. Nikolai, St. Petri, St. Katharinen, St. Jakobi and St. Michaelis, with the later two being the most visited. St. Jakobi was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and is well known for its beautiful interior. The organ from 1693 and the marble pulpit are a site to see but the altarpiece telling about the disciple Luke is the real drawing card. The most famous church in Hamburg is also a well-known landmark and is located in the Neustadt district. Dedicated to the archangel Michael, the St. Michaelis church was built in 1762 and has a 132-meter high spire, which can be seen by the many ships that sail up the Elbe River. A trumpeter plays a solo twice a day from the tower and the view from its platform is quite amazing.

Hamburgs Kunstmeile, the Art Mile, is perfect for those who enjoy strolling through museums. The benefit here is that the Art Mile is a string of galleries and art museums, which range from contemporary collections to medieval works of art. The beautiful town hall, known as the Rathaus, is still used today by the local government. There are 647 rooms, which is more than what the Buckingham Palace has. The clock tower can be seen from miles around and the square in front is often used for many civic and cultural events. Hamburgs more unusual landmarks are located throughout the city center where youll find 100 Hans Hummel figures. These brightly colored figurines stand at about 6 feet tall and weigh close to 530 pounds. In honor of Hamburgs famous water carrier, they have been brightly decorated and donated by local firms, banks and individuals. Hamburg is also home to the Chilehaus, a unique building constructed out of 4.8 million bricks. It symbolized the economic recovery after WWI and its unique structure is worth a visit. For lack of a better description, it looks like a ship coming out of water. Its really a site to see considering it was built in the 1920s.

Every city has an infamous street but Hamburgs Reeperbahn is known around the globe. Located in the St. Pauli district, this street is both the center for a lively nightlife as well as its red-light district. There are countless brothels and strip joints located here but youd be surprised to find that the Reeperbahn also has a huge selection of restaurants and is also home to Hamburgs Operettenhaus, a music hall where youll be able to enjoy fantastic musicals and theater performances. If it makes you feel any better, the Beatles played at a few of the clubs located on the Reeperbahn and is credited for giving the fab four the jump start to their career.

Binnenalster is located just south of the Reeperbahn along the Elbe River. Its a favorite among the locals as well as the tourists. Theres great shopping, a selection of delicious restaurants and the famous waterfront Fischmarkt. Opened since 1703, the Fischmarkt is packed on the weekends when its cobblestone streets become a huge market filled with fresh fruit, vegetables, and seafood.

Shopping is a great experience in Hamburg. There are many unique streets that offer a wide range of items worth buying. The Jungfernstieg is a well-known promenade in Hamburg with many stores and boutiques. The Hof area located here has the high-end fashion boutiques for those who dont mind spending a few euros on the latest trends. The Neue Wall is also the place to be for boutiques such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Hermes. If youd prefer to have some money left over to eat, there are plenty of other great shopping areas. The Mnckebergstrasse, known locally as the 'M', is a mile long and is filled with great stores. Whatever your budget and style, Hamburg has the perfect shopping district for you.

Although the war altered the look of Hamburg forever, it continues to be a beautiful city. Whether youve come for the sporting events, concerts, infamous nightlife, museums, shopping or dining options, Hamburg has created itself in being a fantastic place to explore.