Holiday lettings in Hamburg

Hamburg is a city of nearly two million people, so as you can imagine, the various districts all have distinct and varied personalities. If you really want to embrace Hamburg’s nightlife, consider renting a holiday apartment in Sankt Pauli, an area crammed full of bars, restaurants, clubs… and of course the infamous Reeperbahn. For a different view of the city, you might like to base yourself in Eimsbüttel, an upmarket area with hip bars and cool shops. Generally in Hamburg, proximity to the water pushes up the desirability of a neighbourhood. The borough of Altona and Ottensen is proof of this fact. This upscale neighbourhood has undergone a massive revival, with nineteenth-century factories and industrial plants being transformed into apartment blocks and social centres.

As a long-standing German trade and transport hub, it is no surprise Hamburg is one of the country’s wealthiest cities. It gives Bavaria a good run for its money on beauty, with inspiring architecture and famously more canals than Venice. Take the Maritime Circle Line from Miniatur-Wunderland (the life-like miniature model city, complete with Alps and a fully functional airport) to Auswanderermuseum BallinStadt (Hamburg’s emigrant museum), and enjoy 95 minutes of stunning views along the way. For an insight into what life was like for residents of the former fishing village, take yourself a little outside the centre to the leafy suburb of Süllberg Hill and wander the cobbled streets lined with some of the city’s most expensive houses. For a touch of culture, head to the eastern edge of the Old Town and check out some the Hamburg’s best museums.

With its influx of media creatives and a prosperous economy, Hamburg is now considered one of the gourmet centres of Germany. The city thrives on a permeating desire for the next big thing and, from the fish market to the small side-streets of St Pauli, good eateries are thick on the ground. There are good restaurants spread across the city - even in the more touristy spheres of Deichstrasse and Colonnaden - but you must be willing to pay a little more than most other German cities for the privilege. Due to Hamburg’s position on the mouth of the River Elbe, fish is a staple of the local food scene. There is a plethora of herring options, but one fish that is especially worth seeking out is the Pannfisch, a local speciality of fish, mustard and baked potatoes. Wash all this down with Astra, Hamburg’s locally-brewed beer.

Hamburg Airport is located 5 miles to the north of Hamburg city centre. The best way to reach the airport is by taking the S-Bahn metro system which will take you into the city centre in 15 minutes at the cost of €2 –a bargain! Getting around Hamburg is very straightforward, so don’t worry too much where your accommodation is located. The extensive U-Bahn and S-Bahn metro systems serve every part of the city. It is an efficient and clean system and you’ll find yourself singing its praises! There’s also a good bus network, and ferries operate along the River Elbe that runs through Hamburg out to sea. It is possible to cycle around Hamburg and the city is generally considered to be bicycle friendly.