Blankenese, Hamburg

This quaint town on the steep Elbe hillside was once a fishing village favoured by retired ship captains. Today it has become popular with locals as a weekend excursion from Hamburg, and visitors also throng the narrow alleys and stairways between picturesque houses packed together on the cliffside. The village offers an abundance of cafes and restaurants where patrons can relax and watch ships steaming in and out of the harbour, and there are more than half a dozen pretty parks in which to spend a few hours on a nice day.There is a ferry service to Blankenese from St Pauli-Landungsbrucken in Hamburg's Free Port.

Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg

Hamburg's premier art gallery offers the chance to view works across the time spectrum from the Middle Ages through to the present day. The Kunsthalle's main aim is to educate about art, rather than showcase particular art treasures, and exhibitions are constantly changing to introduce new forms of art. There are several cafes in the gallery, including a bistro with a nice view of the Binnenalster.

Getting There:
S1, S2, S3, S4, S11, S21, S31; or U1, U2, U3 to Main Station; or bus 112

Opening Times:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm; closes 9pm on Thursdays. Closed Mondays.

Admission:
General admission: EUR10 (adults); guided tours EUR3. Concessions available, children under 18 are free.

St Michaelis Church, Hamburg

St. Michaelis began as a humble church, which was extended in 1600. In 1647 construction began on the grand building that stands today. Like many important buildings in Germany, the church suffered major damage in World War II. Michaeliskircheoffers tours of the 270-foot (82m) tower; the crypt, which contains the bodies of Johann Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach; and there is also an interesting presentation on the history of Hamburg.

Opening Times:
November to April 10am-5:30pm; May to October 9am-7:30pm.

Hamburg Warehouse Complex, Hamburg

The world's oldest warehouse complex, built of red brick with gables and turrets, is a century old and still in use for storing exotic goods from around the world. Known as the Speicherstadt in German, this historic section of the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall has been turned into a tourist attraction by the addition of an open air theatre, spice museum, miniature exhibition and an old Russian submarine open for exploration. Another attraction is the 'Hamburg Dungeon', an interactive experience showcasing the more unpleasant and gory aspects of the city's history. The Speicherstadt is illuminated at night, creating an enchanting spectacle, particularly viewed from a boat on a harbour night tour.

Altona Fish Market, Hamburg

It may be billed as a fish market, but there is just about anything and everything on sale at this lively, colourful Hamburg market that takes place early on Sunday mornings, and has done continuously since 1703. There is a restaurant in the historic Fish Auction Hall, along with some live musical entertainment, to rejuvenate tired shoppers.

Opening Times:
Daily 5am-12pm; from 7am in winter.

Hameln, Hamburg

Hameln, the famous town of the Pied Piper tale told to children around the world, is a popular tourist destination in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, lying beside the River Weser. The old town centre has been reconstructed with several Renaissance buildings, and some wood-frame historic buildings, all adding to the fairytale atmosphere that brings alive the legend of the piper who offered to rid the town of rats, and ended up stealing all the children. A short musical version of the story is performed each Wednesday in the old town between May and September at 4:30pm, and the Pied Piper himself conducts tours around the town! Most of the tourist attractions in Hameln are close together, so it's easy to see everything on foot, then enjoy a meal at one of the town's cafes and beergardens. Hameln also hosts a popular Christmas market from late November through December.

Sylt, Hamburg

The island of Sylt is Germany's most northern point, lying off the northwestern coast in the North Sea. The island boasts some lovely sandy beaches and stunning views, and its main town, Westerland, has become a popular seaside resort. The island also has miles of bicycle paths meandering through pine forests. The island offers plenty of entertainment for tourists, including shops, spas and exclusive restaurants. Trains arrive several times a day from Hamburg. The island is connected to the mainland by the six-mile (10km) long Hindenburgdamm bridge.

Reeperbahn, Hamburg

Hamburg's notorious red light district to the east of the city centre in the St Pauli zone has become its second-greatest tourist attraction, according to the city management. The Reeperbahn (Rope Street) is where rope used to be produced for the ships in the harbour. It is now a half-mile long street which, along with its cross-streets, is filled with bright lights and flirtatious prostitutes, crammed with bars and establishments offering erotic entertainment. The Reeperbahn became the neighbourhood where sailors of old were encouraged to seek entertainment after they were banned from invading the city's more respectable areas in the 19th century. The district also boasts an Erotic Art Museum (at Nobistor 10A), which is privately owned and restricted to persons over 16.

Getting There:
U3 to St. Pauli; or bus 36, 37, 112

Museum of Hamburg History, Hamburg

The Hamburg Museum gives a detailed description of the city of Hamburg from the 8th through to the 20th centuries. Scale models have been used to illustrate the changing shape of the city's famous harbour. Exhibits also include reconstructions of various typical rooms, such as the hall of a 17th-century merchant's home to an air raid shelter from World War II.

Getting There:
U3 to St Pauli; or bus 112 to 'hamburgmuseum' stop

Opening Times:
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 10am-6pm.

Admission:
EUR8 (adults); concessions available

Planten un Blomen, Hamburg

In the middle of Hamburg is an oasis of green lawns and trees, with colourful flowers and fountains providing a lovely backdrop to relax in. You can stroll around the Japanese garden and enjoy the tropical flower collections and teahouse, and children will enjoy the range of attractions including playgrounds, pony rides, miniature golf, and a roller rink and ice skating rink. There are also concerts and theatrical performances on a regular basis.

Opening Times:
May to September 7am-11pm; October to March 7am-8pm; April 7am-10pm.

Admission:
Free

Lübeck, Hamburg

Lübeck lies 41 miles (66km) north east of Hamburg, close to the Baltic coast. Not only is this historic town the home of a couple of noted Nobel Prize winners, but as a living monument to the wealthy Hanseatic merchants of the 13th century, it sports some architectural treasures that have ensured its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's famous sons were Willy Brandt, the West German chancellor who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971, and Thomas Mann, whose novel Buddenbrookswon the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. As far as the architecture goes, the town is known for its steeples and spires, high-gabled houses, strong towers and massive gates. The town is also billed as the world capital of marzipan, having been the spot where this delightful confection was first devised (there is a legend attached, of course). Samples of marzipan are freely available in Lübeck, along with tastes of wine from the region.

Miniature Wonderland, Hamburg

Train enthusiasts will love Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg. With over 4,000 square metres of floorspace, there is much to see with tiny models of various regions, both local and international. The largest of its kind, there are 900 trains with 12,000 carriages; 300,000 lights, 200,000 trees and 200,000 human figures. Sections include Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps, Hamburg and the Coast, America, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. Construction has begun on an expansion that will add five new sections, including France, Italy and the UK, by 2014.

Getting There:
U-Bahn line U3

Opening Times:
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30am-6pm; Tuesday 9:30am-9pm; Friday 9:30am-7pm; Saturday 8am-9pm; Sunday 8:30am-8pm.

Admission:
EUR10 adults, EUR6 children under 16. Concessions available.