The third port of call on Anne and Vera’s Northern Europe City Escapes Cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruises was Hamburg. Holding special meaning to them, these sisters enjoy their 1-day in Hamburg, Germany walking through time to the courtship of their parents in the late 1940s, discovering echoes of romance in the history of this beautiful city, post World War II.
History and Romance Echo Across Time in Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg, with its old-world charm, is a beautiful historic city for anyone to visit, but it also holds special personal significance for my sister and me – it is the city where our parents had met many years ago.
1-Day in Hamburg, Germany
As we walked through the streets and down by the harbour, it felt both thrilling and nostalgic to follow in the footsteps of the past and imagine our mother and father living here. It was shortly after the Second World War ended when they arrived, so much of Hamburg was in ruins from the bombings, but as we learned, certain buildings and structures had not been totally destroyed and those were the most amazing for us to see on our 1-day in Hamburg, Germany.
The Alter Elbtunnel, also called St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel, was one such structure that had been spared total destruction in the bombings of World War II, and experiencing this historic tunnel under the Elbe River proved to be ‘cool’ in every sense of the word. Riding the large old-fashioned elevator several floors down felt like an adventure in itself, as if we were descending into a mine shaft. However, when the elevator doors opened to the brightly lit tunnel, it felt like anything but. As we strolled through the clean and modern-looking tunnel we admired the glossy tiles featuring aquatic and traditional themes, many of which had survived the war. Had our parents walked here too? What must of all this seemed to them in the late 1940s.
Another elevator ride back up brought us to the lively Landungsbrucken waterfront, where we wandered by shops and cafes, and gazed at the many boats in the bustling marina. This busy harbour is part of the Port of Hamburg, notable for being the largest port in Germany and the third largest in Europe. We pictured our parents in 1948, perhaps getting on a ship in this same port as they departed Hamburg to start a new life together in England.
As we headed further into the city center towards our next destination, our path took us through a delightful blend of old and new, with a bit of romance sprinkled in along the way. We passed by mostly large modern office buildings typical of any large city, but here and there were traces of history preserved, predominantly in the old churches that still stand.
St. Michaelis Church, dating back to the 17th Century is one such historic church. With its grand appearance and its stunning steeple, it is one of Hamburg’s most iconic landmarks, known simply as the ‘Michel’ to locals. To my sister and me, the name of the church had a rather special added meaning in that Michael was also our dad’s name.
St. Petri Church, the oldest church in Hamburg, is another landmark church towering so high we couldn’t miss it. While it was entirely consumed by the flames during Great Fire of 1842, just seven years later, it was fully reconstructed and open for worship again. In July of 1943, during World War II, the air attacks of ‘Operation Gomorrah’ caused another massive fire in the Hamburg, destroying half the city. Fortunately, this time the steeple wasn’t seriously damaged.
Should you have the time and energy, climb the 544 steps to the viewing platform at the top of St. Petri Church steeple. You will be met with a beautiful view through the steeple’s windows, that overlook the entire city centre, including the port far in the distance.
Our route also took us past the historic Speicherstadt district, which over a hundred years ago was a busy warehouse district. Today, Speicherstadt – the ‘City of Warehouses’, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, earning this designation as an outstanding example of a 19th-century, industrial, harbour-based warehouse and office complex, and as such has become a tourist hub with shops, restaurants, and museums.
Along the way we meandered over a few very picturesque canals. Some of the lovely curved bridges are romantically adorned with what are known as ‘love locks – padlocks fastened by couples as a symbol of lasting love, with the keys then tossed into the water below.
Arriving at our ultimate destination, the historic Hamburg Town Hall, this majestic-looking building seemed to cap off our walk in a grand way. Towering above the huge bustling Rathausmarkt Square, with 20 statues of emperors and kings lining its façade and 647 rooms inside, it looks more like a palace than a working government building. Inside it is equally grand, with an intricately decorated interior, spiralling staircases, and stunning chandeliers. After lingering awhile we wandered through the square before heading back.
As we walked through town and along the harbourfront, we pondered all the old and new that we had seen in Hamburg, and we couldn’t help but think of our parents walking these streets decades ago. History and romance – echoed in this beautiful city.
Tips & Recommendations for 1-Day in Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg City Card – Get your Hamburg City Card for free public transportation and discounts on 150 sights and museums.
- Alter Elbe Tunnel – A fantastic experience walking through this well-lit tunnel, with its unique elevator.
- Port of Hamburg – A lovely waterfront promenade with shops to peruse and cafes to enjoy a drink and a bite at while watching the boats in harbour.
- Hamburg Town Hall – A beautiful historic building with a stunning interior. I highly recommend a visit.
- Rathausmarkt Square – The huge busy square by Hamburg Town Hall that hosts concerts and seasonal markets.
- Love Locks – For a bit of romantic reading and imagining, watch for these romantic symbols fastened onto bridges over canals.
What Are Your Tips in Visiting Hamburg, Germany?
While we loved the romance of our 1-day in Hamburg, Germany, to be fully enveloped in the romance and history of this beautiful city, we wished we’d had longer. There is so much to do, see and experience, that we are all going to have different experiences and see and do different things. What are your tips in visiting Hamburg, Germany? We’d love to read them in the comments below.
Hamburg, Germany Accommodations Map
Spending more than 1-day in Hamburg, Germany? Check out this interactive map to different accommodations available in Hamburg.
Tune into Other Ports of Call on our Northern Europe City Escapes Cruise
- London Calling, 3-Days in London, England
- 1-Day in Oslo, Norway: Walking with Art, Peace, Sauna and History
- Delighting in Fairy Tale Beauty, 1-Day in Copenhagen, Denmark
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