Hamburg

Hamburg lies on the banks of the River Elbe in the north of Germany. It is a major international port that welcomes many international visitors, who come here to work, study, or see the sights.

Famous for its many canals and large parks, Hamburg is also known for wonderful live music and great museums. As the biggest trading hub in Germany, Hamburg receives students from around the world and new arrivals soon feel right at home in this friendly, relaxed city.

There's so much to do in Hamburg that it's difficult to choose. The Planten un Blomen Park runs right through the city to the harbour and has many kinds of activity: an ice-skating rink, a mini golf course, a children's playground, and beautiful gardens. On summer Sundays you can take a pony ride through this park or listen to free concerts. The Wasserlichtspiele (water and light display) brings music, coloured lights, and dancing fountains together on many weekends.

If shopping is your idea of fun, then Neuer Wall with its luxury boutiques, Schanzenviertel with cool new brands and student-friendly second-hand shops, and Europapassage's five floors of retailers will ensure you find bargains of every kind. Zardoz on Schulterblat is famous for having recordings of every possible kind of music. And Hamburg was the birthplace of Karl Lagerfeld, so you will find some fine designer clothing too!

Hamburg is also famous for its cultural life. The Museumshafen Oevelgönne in the port has several historic sailing ships for visitors to explore, and a walking tour of the Elbe starts here. Hagenbeck's Tierpark opened in 1848. This zoo was famous for letting its animals wander around big enclosures and it's still a popular place to visit, with evening events like dancing to live music and orchestral concerts. And for those who like clubbing, the "Reeperbahn" offers nightlife to suit everybody.

The Sunday Fischmarkt isn’t just a great tourist attraction, it’s the perfect market to buy fresh-caught seafood to take home for dinner. This open-air market is popular with local bargain-hunters, so look out for vegetable and fruit being sold cheap before the market closes.

Football is a passion here. The local club St. Pauli is close to the heart of many Hamburgers while the more famous Hamburger Sportverein - nicknamed HSV - has an international reputation, so expect to see big, friendly crowds of supporters in football season.

Getting around is easy. The S-bahn trains and U-bahn underground trains offer travel across the city, with trains running 24 hours a day at weekends, and the bus service is also easy to use. There are six different ferry routes around the port, so you can always travel by water. If you prefer to cycle, the StadtRAD Hamburg (city bike scheme) lets you borrow a bike to travel around the city and the first 30 minutes cycling are free!

Learn German in Hamburg for a diverse learning experience!