City Center/Town Hall/Michel (St. Michaelis Church)
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Duration: Inner City Walk: 2-3 hr/ 2.7 miles (4.4 km) St. Michaelis church (Michel): 30 min – 1hr Planten un Blomen: 1-2 hr Start: Metro station Hauptbahnhof (all lines) |
Distance: Hauptbahnhof - Rathausmarkt: 0.6 miles (1 km) Jungfernstieg, Colonnaden, Gänsemarkt: 0.9 miles (1.4 km) Neuer Wall – Michel: 0.6 miles (1 km) Michel – Planten un Blomen (up to metro Dammtor): 1.8 miles (3km) |
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Start the walk along historic landmarks in Hamburg at central station (Hauptbahnhof/all trains) and take the exit “Steintorwall”. The central station’s building (Hauptbahnhof) was erected in 1906 and replaced four train stations in the city.
At the end of Steintorwall to the East next to river Elbe was the location of Berliner Bahnhof (Berliner station). Today the exhibit space of “Deichtorhallen” is located on the property. The other stations were called Lübecker Bahnhof, Klosterthor Bahnhof, and Venloer Bahnhof. The design of the new central station based on the “Galerie des machines” in Paris with neo-renaissance elements requested by the German emperor William II. |
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1st stop: Main shopping area of Hamburg
When you cross Steintorwall at the light in front of the entrance you enter Spitaler Strasse a side arm of Hamburg’s busy shopping area around Mönckebergstrasse. Along Spitaler Strasse you find many smaller chain stores while Mönkebergstrasse is more the hub for big German department stores. Spitaler Strasse merges later onto Mönkebergstrasse and you should continue to the West towards city hall and pass St. Peter’s Church and the Europa Passage (shopping mall).
When you cross Steintorwall at the light in front of the entrance you enter Spitaler Strasse a side arm of Hamburg’s busy shopping area around Mönckebergstrasse. Along Spitaler Strasse you find many smaller chain stores while Mönkebergstrasse is more the hub for big German department stores. Spitaler Strasse merges later onto Mönkebergstrasse and you should continue to the West towards city hall and pass St. Peter’s Church and the Europa Passage (shopping mall).
2nd stop: City Hall
After a few more yards you already can see the square in front of the massive and beautiful town hall (Rathaus). This building replaced the old city hall after the big fire in 1842. The neo-renaissance construction started in 1886 and was finished in 1897. The mosaic above the balcony (middle) shows the city’s patron goddess Hammonia, who represents the city’s values peace, freedom, tolerance, prosperity, harmony, welfare, and free trade. Don’t hesitate to open the heavy doors and enter the city hall since the lobby is open to the public.
If you like to explore more of the inside, like the inner courtyard with the fountain, join one of the guided tours that take place daily from 10 am – 3pm in German. English tours are offered as well. Please call for all tours in advance at: 040 (area code)+ 42831-2064.
3rd stop: Alster arcades
Back on the square walk over the small bridge (Schleusenbrücke) to your left and turn immediately right to walk along the white colored arcades. If you are lucky there is a boat crossing the water gate to enter or exit Lake Alster. The arcades are called Alsterarkaden and were built by Alexis de Chateauneuf in the course of the new city hall construction. While strolling along the oldest shopping passage in Hamburg look up to see the ceiling frescoes. This walkway is one of remaining neo-classical buildings that replaced the burned structures after the big fire in the 19th century.
4th stop: Jungfernstieg and Binnenalster (inner Lake Alster)
At the end to the right you get to Jungfernstieg, another shopping street in Hamburg. To the left follows the famous Alsterhaus a department store somehow comparable to Harrod’s in London. On the other street side is the inner Lake Alster with an inviting path along the lakeshore. Cross the street and follow the path to the left. If you like you can walk further up to Esplanade and turn around to have a better view at the lake’s center. In summer you will see a high fountain in the middle of the lake that is replaced by a tall Christmas tree in winter. On your way you will pass the prestigious Four Seasons hotel and have a nice view towards the large Hapag-Lloyd building on the other side. The building has a teal colored brass roof and is a typical Kontorhaus (old office building) that was constructed from 1901-03 and 1912-23.
5th stop: Colonnaden
Please make a turn into Colonnaden to see another picturesque street in the city with an arcaded walkway. In former times Colonnaden was a private road and most parts are only accessible for pedestrians today. Fashionistas will find here some small boutiques that feature local designers. I recommend having a break at one of the coffee shops to enjoy the beautiful Italian-like atmosphere.
At the end of Colonnaden you reach Esplanade, a former boulevard with neo-classical buildings only. By today, the only building that survived new constructions due to high preservation costs and World War II can be found at no. 37. The huge bright building you are heading to coming from Colonnaden is the city’s casino, a former construction for a grand hotel. Make a left on Colonnaden and turn around at Dammtorstrasse to have a better view at the casino’s entrance. Walk down Dammtorstrasse to the left and towards Gänsemarkt passing the city’s opera house.
Please make a turn into Colonnaden to see another picturesque street in the city with an arcaded walkway. In former times Colonnaden was a private road and most parts are only accessible for pedestrians today. Fashionistas will find here some small boutiques that feature local designers. I recommend having a break at one of the coffee shops to enjoy the beautiful Italian-like atmosphere.
At the end of Colonnaden you reach Esplanade, a former boulevard with neo-classical buildings only. By today, the only building that survived new constructions due to high preservation costs and World War II can be found at no. 37. The huge bright building you are heading to coming from Colonnaden is the city’s casino, a former construction for a grand hotel. Make a left on Colonnaden and turn around at Dammtorstrasse to have a better view at the casino’s entrance. Walk down Dammtorstrasse to the left and towards Gänsemarkt passing the city’s opera house.
6th stop: Gänsemarkt
Gänsemarkt (geese market) is a large square at the end/beginning of the shopping area in the inner city. Its name is kind of misleading since this was never a market nor was it a geese meadow. However, some beautiful, old office buildings (Kontorhaus) are surrounding the square and the statue of Lessing, a German poet. Some of the nicest are the:
Girardet House at Gänsemarkt 21-23 built in 1896
Lessinghaus at Gänsemarkt 35 built from 1908-09
Stadtbäckerei at Gänsemarkt 44 constructed in 1913. By the way the bakery inside the building was founded in 1650.
7th stop: Poststrasse
Continue the walk through Gerhofstrasse, a small shopping street that merges into Poststrasse. Along Poststrasse you will see even more Kontor houses, e.g.:
Streitshof, Poststrasse 14-16 (built from 1908-09),
Ottoburg, Poststr. 29-31 (built in1907);
Leopoldshof, Poststr. 1-7/Neuer Wall 24 (built in 1903).
Another famous landmark is the “Alte Post” the former post office that bundled different smaller post offices spread over the city before the big fire in 1842. By today the historic landmark that is based on Italian renaissance buildings was transformed in a shopping mall. The construction was finished in 1847 and is located at the corner of Poststrasse and Grosse Bleichen.
8th stop: Neuer Wall
Follow Poststrasse towards the city hall and make a right into Neuer Wall. The street is the city’s “fifth avenue” and listed under the top ten luxury shopping streets in Europe. Besides high end designer stores many companies settled in the lovely old office buildings. The canals that border Neuer Wall were part of the city’s fortification in the 16th century and the street replaced it in the beginning of the 18th century. Before the big fire in 1842 Neuer Wall was lined with town homes of wealthy merchants and diplomatic missions. Kontor houses replaced most of the destroyed buildings after the big fire. Two of them are located at Neuer Wall 32 and 37 (from 1911 and 1903). A building that actually survived the fire is the Goertz-Palais at Neuer Wall 86. The palace was built from 1710-11 as baroque town home for a merchant.
At the end of Neuer Wall follows Stadthausbrücke, the connection between old town and the newer part of the inner city. At the corner of Neuer Wall and Stadthausbrücke is the impressive Stadthaus (city house) that was built in 1814 as seat for the city council and police. With the Nazi regime this beautiful building became a place of horror since it was turned into the Gestapo headquarter where many people were tortured, abused, and killed. Today the building is occupied by the agency for urban development and environment.
Follow Poststrasse towards the city hall and make a right into Neuer Wall. The street is the city’s “fifth avenue” and listed under the top ten luxury shopping streets in Europe. Besides high end designer stores many companies settled in the lovely old office buildings. The canals that border Neuer Wall were part of the city’s fortification in the 16th century and the street replaced it in the beginning of the 18th century. Before the big fire in 1842 Neuer Wall was lined with town homes of wealthy merchants and diplomatic missions. Kontor houses replaced most of the destroyed buildings after the big fire. Two of them are located at Neuer Wall 32 and 37 (from 1911 and 1903). A building that actually survived the fire is the Goertz-Palais at Neuer Wall 86. The palace was built from 1710-11 as baroque town home for a merchant.
At the end of Neuer Wall follows Stadthausbrücke, the connection between old town and the newer part of the inner city. At the corner of Neuer Wall and Stadthausbrücke is the impressive Stadthaus (city house) that was built in 1814 as seat for the city council and police. With the Nazi regime this beautiful building became a place of horror since it was turned into the Gestapo headquarter where many people were tortured, abused, and killed. Today the building is occupied by the agency for urban development and environment.
9th stop: Michel (St. Michaelis Church)
Cross the street towards the small fleet island (Fleetinsel) that brings you later to the Michel (St. Michaelis Church). Before you continue in this direction make a short detour and turn right towards the bridge at Stadthausbruecke and Herrenfleet (canal). From here you have a beautiful view over the canal that is lined by red brick buildings and storage houses that received deliveries over the waterway. Standing here, turn around to see the full front of the stunning Stadthaus.
Walk back to the corner of Neuer Wall and Stadthausbrücke and continue the walk by crossing the little square between the shopping mall and Steigenberger Hotel. Walk over the bridge to your left to follow Herrengraben at your left. At the corner of Herrengraben and Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse cross the light (otherwise you will be run over by the heavy traffic) and turn right into Martin-Luther-Strasse. At Wincklerstrasse make another right and you are standing in front of St. Michaelis Church better known as Michel.
The baroque church is a “Hamburgian” landmark and visible from many areas in the city. The name is based on archangel Michael who also decorates the main entrance. The building had to be constructed three times since the church burned down twice. Today’s construction was finished in 1912 with steel and concrete replacing the prone wooden structure.
Don’t hesitate to enter the church if there is no service or event taking place since the inside is stunning. Furthermore you can access the tower to have a jaw dropping view over the city from almost 350 ft (over 100m). If you make it here by 9 am or 10 pm you can listen to a trumpeter playing classic music from the tower.
Cross the street towards the small fleet island (Fleetinsel) that brings you later to the Michel (St. Michaelis Church). Before you continue in this direction make a short detour and turn right towards the bridge at Stadthausbruecke and Herrenfleet (canal). From here you have a beautiful view over the canal that is lined by red brick buildings and storage houses that received deliveries over the waterway. Standing here, turn around to see the full front of the stunning Stadthaus.
Walk back to the corner of Neuer Wall and Stadthausbrücke and continue the walk by crossing the little square between the shopping mall and Steigenberger Hotel. Walk over the bridge to your left to follow Herrengraben at your left. At the corner of Herrengraben and Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse cross the light (otherwise you will be run over by the heavy traffic) and turn right into Martin-Luther-Strasse. At Wincklerstrasse make another right and you are standing in front of St. Michaelis Church better known as Michel.
The baroque church is a “Hamburgian” landmark and visible from many areas in the city. The name is based on archangel Michael who also decorates the main entrance. The building had to be constructed three times since the church burned down twice. Today’s construction was finished in 1912 with steel and concrete replacing the prone wooden structure.
Don’t hesitate to enter the church if there is no service or event taking place since the inside is stunning. Furthermore you can access the tower to have a jaw dropping view over the city from almost 350 ft (over 100m). If you make it here by 9 am or 10 pm you can listen to a trumpeter playing classic music from the tower.
10th stop: Portuguese quarter
Continue your walk through the small park that adjoins the church leading you down to the harbor. When you turn into Ditmar-Koel-Strasse next to the Norwegian seamen’s church you enter the Portuguese quarter, a residential area with many Mediterranean restaurants and bars. If you like garlicky and tasty dishes have a break at one of the restaurants. For more info on them please click here. The quarter is located in between metro station Baumwall (U3) and Landungsbrücken (U3, S1, S21, S3).
11th stop: Tour Extension to Planten un Blomen (central park)
If this isn’t enough to fill your day you can extend the walk to beautiful Planten un Blomen, the city’s small Central Park. You get there by walking up Hafentor, and continue on Kuhberg before you make a left onto Venusberg. From there make a right into Neumayerstrasse that becomes Zeughausmarkt and cross Ludwig-Erhardt-Strasse. Enter the park at Holstenwall (to your left) next to the “Historische Museen Hamburg” (museum).
Walk through the park to the North and cross Sievekingplatz and Jungiussstrasse to get to the Botanic Garden and the Japanese Garden within Planten un Blomen (lower German for plants and flowers). During summer you can roller or inline skate at the skating rink to your right that is turned into an ice skating rink in winter. At the end of the park you reach metro station Stephansplatz (U1) and Dammtor (S11, S21, S31).
If this isn’t enough to fill your day you can extend the walk to beautiful Planten un Blomen, the city’s small Central Park. You get there by walking up Hafentor, and continue on Kuhberg before you make a left onto Venusberg. From there make a right into Neumayerstrasse that becomes Zeughausmarkt and cross Ludwig-Erhardt-Strasse. Enter the park at Holstenwall (to your left) next to the “Historische Museen Hamburg” (museum).
Walk through the park to the North and cross Sievekingplatz and Jungiussstrasse to get to the Botanic Garden and the Japanese Garden within Planten un Blomen (lower German for plants and flowers). During summer you can roller or inline skate at the skating rink to your right that is turned into an ice skating rink in winter. At the end of the park you reach metro station Stephansplatz (U1) and Dammtor (S11, S21, S31).