Germany’s second largest city is one of bridges, waterways, parks and smart neo-Renaissance style buildings. There is much to see within the compact city centre including impressive museums and churches, while the notorious Reeperbahn is worth a look day or night. The 'Hamburg Card' is very useful to tourists, providing unlimited use of public transport in the city and discounted admission to popular sights and museums.

Afrika-Haus
Africa House was a very successful trading company (Woermann Trading Company) with the African continent in the early 20^th century and today can be toured to discern its interesting forms. The two huge bronze elephants at the entrance and a snazzy façade set the scene, while inside the staircase is lined with photographs covering the history of the house. Walter Sintensis's statue of a native African sits in the courtyard. Phone: +49 40 35 76 96 52.

Alsterpark
Lying to the north of the city centre along the western bank of Alster Lake, Alsterpark is one of the city’s many green areas and offers some of the best views. The park features 180 acres of manicured parkland with loads of shady spots and colourful flowers galore plus lots of opportunity for walking and cycling.

Alter Elbtunnel
Part of the history of developing Hamburg, the Alter Elbtunnel links Steinwerder Island with St Pauli and is cheerily decorated with ornaments and tiles. The tunnel was built in the early 1900s, stretches for a third of a mile and one can drive it, walk it or cycle it. The north entrance features a dome-shaped entrance hall built by Otto Wohlecke and Ludwig Raabe.

Altona Fish Market
Hamburg’s Altona Fish Market has been running since early 1700 and is a popular Hamburg icon in its own right. Although it started out as a fish market, today just about anything can be had here on Sunday mornings with the Fish Auction Hall is still the main affair. There is also a restaurant in here as well as live musical entertainment. Phone: +49 40 380 120.

Hamburg Rathaus
Hamburg's impressive city hall Rathaus lies at the end of the busy Mönckebergstraße and was constructed out of sandstone in 1897 in neo-Renaissance style. This huge building features a 360-foot high tower and several spectacular halls which can be seen on a guided tour that are available in several languages.

Heinrich Hertz Fernsehturm
Located on Lagerstraße at the northern tip of Planten un Blomen park, the television tower, known locally as 'Telemichel', is a large dot on the Hamburg landscape and a great place for a photo of the city. The 890-foot tower has an observation deck at about 466ft which is thankfully served by a lift. There is also a rotating restaurant up here as well as a bungee-jumping platform off the notorious ‘Iron Ramp’. Phone: +49 40 43 8024.

Reeperbahn
Hamburg's red light district is located to the east of the centre of town in St Pauli and is one of Hamburg's main attractions. The half-mile long street is loaded with prostitutes, bars and naughty clubs and buzzes at night. Reeperbahn (Rope Street) was so named for its production of ship rope in the neighbourhood and came about in the 19^th century when sailors were encouraged by the powers that be to keep out of the town centre.

St Michaels Church
The 17^th century Lutheran church of St Michael is a major Hamburg landmark which was destroyed by lightning and fire in 1661 and rebuilt in the baroque style in 1786. It was again destroyed by fire in the early 1900s and rebuilt to the original style immediately after, although two world wars seriously damaged the church once more. One can climb the clock tower for superb city views and watch the trumpet player belt out a hymn. Phone: +49 40 37 67 80.

Tierpark Hagenbeck
Founded in 1848, Carl Hagenbeck's Tierpark is one of Europe's best zoos, home to thousands of animals across hundreds of species. The dolphin and sea lion performances are spectacular while elephant and camel riding, a children's playground, and a natty train ride are also here. The site is very well landscaped and the animals well looked after. Phone: +49 40 540 00 10.

Cruise the waterways. This can be done either along the harbour front on the River Elbe while dodging the huge cargo ships or on one of the many lakes within the city. Boat tours leave regularly from the Alster jetty and sailing is also popular on this lake in the summer months.

Check out the Reeperbahn. The main drag in St Pauli and Hamburg’s most notorious quarter was once home to rope makers. Take a look at the Erotic Art Museum for some weird art or Grosse Freiheit street for strip clubs, or head for one of the myriad of bars and drinking establishments.

Paddle the Aussenalster.  This is a good activity if you want to get away from the bustle of the city. Rowboats and paddleboats can be rented out at Hamburg’s Outer Alster Lake between April and September.

See the Port of Hamburg. Take a position above St Pauli Landundgsbrücken to discern the enormity of the carriers and freighters in this massive harbour. At the same time why not check out some of the history of the place at the 1896 windjammer Rickmer Rickmers museum and restaurant, and the Cap San Diego.

Shop at Harry's Hamburger Hafenbasar. This is a museum which features a huge collection of the extrovert’s worldly souvenirs, including such items as Zulu drums and the like. Entry is free as long as you buy.

Stroll the Altstadt. This is located to the south of the Elbe and here you can discern Hamburg's oldest buildings, which incidentally aren’t that old due to the Great Fire of 1842 and WWII. Take in the ancient St Petri, the Rathaus, the historic Trostbrücke bridge and the now ruined St Nikolai church.

Stroll the Neustadt. From the north of the Elbe it is possible to see northern Germany's largest Baroque church, Michaeliskirche, the cobbled and atmospheric Peterstrasse, the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte, which covers the Great Fire and WWII bombing, and the snazzy Gänsemarkt shopping district.

Take a look at the Fishmarket. This market has been running just about every Sunday morning near the Reeperbahn since 1703. Most items are available, including the fish, while the noisy stallholders are an attraction unto themselves. Visitors can see further entertainment in the Fish Auction Hall (Fischauktionshalle), with gourmet breakfasts and live German pop music.

Visit nearby Stade. This lies on an Elbe tributary just to the west of Hamburg and features some delightful architecture and a lovely harbour. Be sure to check out the 14^th century St Wilhadi Kirche, with its leaning tower and impressive baroque organ, the ancient Church of St Cosmas and Damiani, and the Schwedenspeicher food warehouse museum.