If you visit the Hamburg harbor, you can not only enjoy boat tours, strolls along the waterfront, or excellent seafood dinners, but also take a fascinating glimpse into the past and future of the city.
Between 1850 and 1939, more than 5 million people from all over Europe emigrated from Hamburg to the New World. The museum complex "Ballinstadt", which is located adjacent to the harbor, recreates this life-changing journey on historic grounds; see the original emigration halls, and an extensive interactive exhibition. You can even trace back the journey of your own family by studying the original passenger lists and the largest genealogical database in the world.
If you are more interested in Hamburg's future, head over to "Hafencity", the largest urban building project in Europe of the 21st century. At 155 hectares, this harbor city within a city is expected to double the population of downtown Hamburg with thousands of new waterfront apartments, gleaming high-rises, stores, restaurants and a new symphony. The ambitious project will be finished in 2025, but you can already enjoy some of Europe's most visionary architecture here.
Hamburg Travel Tips
- Hamburg City Guide
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- Best Hamburg Hotels Under 100 Euros
- Hamburg's Red Light District
(Photos: Getty Images/Sean Gallup; GNTB/Rainer Kiedrowski)