The official name of Hamburg is Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg (Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), referring to the city’s membership of the medieval Hanesatic League. It is located on the North German Lowlands, about a 100 km from the mouth of the River Elbe, at the point where the Elbe meets the rivers Alster and Bille. Hamburg has more bridges than any other city, including the Köhlbrandbrücke, Freihafen Elbbrücken, Old Elbe Tunnel or Alter Elbtunnel and the New Elbe Tunnel or Elbtunnel.

Hamburg was first settled in the seventh century and is now the second largest city in Germany, with 1.8 million citizens. Famous for its wonderful music, great architecture and strong maritime connections, Hamburg offers a diverse culture and fine examples of a rich heritage. Hamburg is the second largest port in Europe and the ninth largest in the world, and is home to several large business and industrial houses.

Visitors to the city will see the skyline characterized by the five spires of Hamburg’s main churches – the ancient St. Michaeliskirche, St. Nikolaikirche, St. Petrikirche, St. Jacobikirche and St. Katharinenkirche.

The city has a State Opera House and two State Theatres - the Schauspielhaus and the Thalia Theater, 30 private theatres, 29 cinemas, and an amazing 47 public and private museums so there is no dearth of culture for travellers to experience.

It isn’t fiction that the hamburger was born in Hamburg, and Hamburg has a number of interesting special dishes such as the bean, pear and bacon dish called Bohnen, Birnen und Speck; Aalsuppe, Finkenwerder Scholle (plaice); the berry pudding Rote Grütze served with cream, Pannfisch (pan-fried fish), Bratkartoffelnor fried potatoes among a host of other delicacies.

Besides its renown as a musical hub, Hamburg is also known as Germany’s sports capital. Hamburg is the home of several football teams and host to numerous international sports events.

Hamburg is well worth a visit, and travellers are sure to want to visit the city again and again.