15 photos to inspire you to visit Hamburg

I lived in metropolitan cities all my life and Hamburg is the prettiest metropolitan of them all. Here, I spend most of my time craning my neck admiring the gorgeous architecture in different styles adorning the city.

While strolling in the city center, I wait at a traffic signal to cross the road and find myself spellbound marveling at the landscape towering me in every direction I turn.

A pretty pond reflects off a classic mediaeval architecture. The ducks float on the reflection and make life decisions, a sight I come across very often.

Sitting on the river Elbe, Hamburg is the 2nd largest city in Germany with the 3rd largest port in Europe. The port city also has the most bridges in the world, 2300 to be precise.

Ever since I set foot in Germany, I’ve taken to Hanseatic cities, besides I didn’t have a choice, I’m surrounded by them. Kiel, a beautiful coastal city, where I lived for nearly 3 years is a member of the Hanseatic League. Not so far from Kiel is gorgeous Lübeck, the capital of Hanseatic league. And now I live in Hamburg another fascinating Hanseatic city.

Hanseatic League

Now if you’re wondering what in the world is a Hanseatic league here’s some dope for you:

The Hanseatic cities are located around the Baltic and the North Sea where the major trading took place between the 13th and the 17th centuries. The Hanseatic League is an alliance founded by north German towns or merchant guilds and other merchant communities abroad to protect their mutual trading interests.

A typical sight of Hanseatic town would be the red brick gothic architecture (because of unavailability of stone), stepped gable roofs and a lot of rain, for these cities are close to the sea. There are 187 Hanseatic cities across 16 countries in Europe. And some of the cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites owing to its brick gothic architecture.

The Hanseatic cities take some pride in being associated with the Hanseatic League. Therefore, they do everything in their power to retain their association. Thus, Hamburg’s abbreviation is not HA or HB instead HH, Hansestad Hamburg (Hanseatic-city Hamburg).

If I have to describe Hamburg in a few words, it would be “gorgeous port, beautiful bridges, cobbled stoned streets, shopping centres, offices, hospitals, and hotels set in brick gothic buildings, multicultural-vibe and a lot of rain”.

Also, read My Favourite Things to do in Hamburg