Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, has traditionally lived in Berlin’s shadow – but not anymore.

The northern metropolis has become a media and industrial hub in modern times, with Hamburg now one of the most affluent and best places to live anywhere in Europe.

And tourists can’t get enough of Hamburg’s charms. From art to history and music to marathons, the city now attracts over four million visitors each year. Read on to find out about some of the interesting and innovative places to visit when Staying in a Hamburg hotel this year.

St Michaelis Church

A truly iconic landmark of Hamburg, visitors are drawn from across both across Germany and further afield to gaze upon and worship at St Michaelis Church. The glorious Baroque building was originally constructed in 1786 and is dedicated to the archangel Michael. One of the main attractions of the building is the glorious bronze sculpture of Michael vanquishing the Devil, which welcomes tourists as they enter through the main entrance.

Today, visitors can climb St Michaelis’ 132 metre-high spire, where they will be able to soak up fantastic views of Hamburg’s skyline and harbour district.

A view from St Michaelis Church, Hamburg, Germany by Marcus Winter

Tierpark Hagenbeck

Hamburg Zoo was originally opened in 1907 and is the rival of any in Europe. The zoo was the first to pioneer cageless exhibits, and it still uses moats to this day to improve visitor experiences by providing them with panoramic and lifelike enclosures.

The zoo has 210 different species of animals, with tourists able to feed the hugely popular elephants, lions and polar bears during their trip to this highly-respected conservation centre.

Tierpark Hagenbeck, Hamburg Zoo, Germany by Stephan Mosel

Tierpark Hagenbeck: https://www.hagenbeck.de/en/tierpark/start.html

Hamburger Dom

The Dom is the largest fair in Germany and can more than match anything Berlin has to offer in terms of excitement. Held for 30 days in spring, summer and winter, it is located at the heart of Hamburg in front of St Mary’s Cathedral. Tourists can not only enjoy its Ferris wheel and other fairground attractions but buy local delicacies and products from the Dom’s market stalls.

Hamburger Dom, Hamburg, Germany by BineHerzog

Hamburger Dom: https://www.hamburg.de/dom/

Long Night of Museums

This renowned event sees many of Hamburg’s excellent museums and cultural institutions throw open their doors for an all-night extravaganza. The idea might have originated in Berlin but Hamburg has perfected it. Around 40 top attractions, including the Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Deichtorhallen, stay open into the night, allowing visitors to enjoy their collections in the unique moonlit conditions.

Hamburg State Opera

The city’s opera company is the envy of art lovers across the world, with Hamburg one of the leading lights in staging productions. Opera dates back to 1678 in the city and is now housed in the innovative Staatsoper building. The company has received international acclaim for its pioneering programme and tourists are as likely to be able to enjoy a world premiere of new and exciting shows as an operatic classic.

Hamburg State Opera: hamburgische-staatsoper.de

What do you want to visit in Hamburg?

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Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), Germany by Holger Weinandt

Berlin is famous for its diverse architecture, festivals, nightlife, standard of living and contemporary arts. A trip to the city can surely get a comfort feeling besides it is planned well. There are many considerations that come into account such as places to visit, means of transport, food culture and many more. All these can be known by consulting a travel agency that is responsible to provide the entire details of the trip including the travel expenses. If the financial part of the tour looks like a hurdle, one can overcome easily through same day cash loans. There is a possibility where one can secure a holiday loan to enjoy the complete trip immediately without delay. This money can then be paid back once you receive funds. It is also advised to have a travel insurance policy that safeguards you from health emergencies.

The top attractions of Berlin

Berlin wall Eastside gallery

The wall which was not at all famous previously has recently gained a great attraction grabbing many visitors by getting the title of the world’s largest open air gallery. The graffiti artists from all over the world have gathered to make the wall filled with beautiful colours stretching from Ostbahnhof to Oberbaumbruke.

Berliner Dom

The history of the city is hidden in this magnificent basilica that stands top among the rest. It confines more than eighty sarcophagi of Prussian royals that are worth exploring while the other famous areas are the organ, stained glass windows and pulpit.

Brandenburg Gate

It is the symbol of impressive art that is located behind the Berlin wall. Although it was prohibited to access through the gate, the renovations made including the Pariser Platz has made it accessible with a beautiful sight especially at nights.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany by Thomas Wolf

Berlin Jewish Museum

The significant architecture treasure and the lively conducted solitary exhibitions have gained international reputation to the museum. This building is door less and windowless in most of the areas that is built by Daniel Libeskind. The entry of this museum is along the Berlin museum with the invincible aspects of history scattered all over.

Charlottenburg Palace

One of the most ancient and largest palaces of the city is Schloss Charlottenburg. This antique architecture was actually built as summer home for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of the first Prussian king, Elector Fredrick III. The palace is filled with masterpieces and the pavilion of the gardens is really attractive. Although most of the palace was dismantled in the World War II, there are some untouched attractions worth seeing.

Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Germany by Times

About the Author: The guest post was contributed by Michelle, Passionate guest blogger from Manchester, UK. Find out more about her finance related blogs @financeport

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Isar River north of Munich, Germany by Florian Schütz

About Munich

Munich’s 1.3 million population is the 3rd largest in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. It is the capital of Bavaria a free state within Germany. Munich sits at the bottom of the Bavarian Alps and is positioned on the Isar River (pictured above). Germany has had a considerably large amount of economic success in the post-wars years which has helped the city grow into the most popular tourist destination in Germany.

Its economic success has been helped by huge businesses like BMW originating from there; Munich is a high-tech city. Known not just for its beer festivals it is a hub for business. Munich has a great and a spirited night-life with a large number of night clubs and the tradition of drinking beer making everywhere a place to buy alcohol. The city has a sparkling artistic community and opera, theatre, dance and popular music flourishes in Munich where you will find musician’s performing everywhere.

National Theatre, Munich, Germany by Andreas Praefcke

What to do in Munich

As said above the night-life in Munich is full of music, entertainment from clubs to opera to theatre. Indulge yourself in the great brewing tradition of the city and enjoy a beer and give your taste buds a treat with a Weisswurst, a German delicacy, a white sausage traditionally served with sweet mustard and a pretzel.

Why not visit one of the football teams in Munich, Bayern Munich, TSV 1860 and SpVgg Unterhaching all apply their trade in the city of Munich in the Bundesliga. Visit the Allianz Arena (home of Bayern Munich) a huge stadium with a capacity of 71, 137 seats (pictured below). The Munich club are the most successful in German history and a visit to the Stadium would be great for any follower of football or architecture.

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany by Mattes

Munich is a large cultural city and many composers have emerged from the city such as Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Orlando di Lasso amongst others. The city still contributes to the modern music theatre and have theatres to visit in the city such as the Deutsche Theater, which is Germany’s largest theatre for guest performances.

One of the oldest Science museums in the world is located in Munich, the Deutsches Museum or German Museum which is found on an island in the River Isar. Munich also has several coveted art galleries such as the Neue Pinakothek and the Alte Pinakothek.

The home of BMW is in Munich and a visit would be great for any lovers of cars and for those who love sport the BMW headquarters is located next to the Olympic Park.

BMW Head Quarters in Munich Germany by Cccc3333

Conclusion

In conclusion the city of Munich is one of the best cities in the world and you won’t run out of things to see and do. When in this marvellous city, make sure you get a hire car, get lost in the culture of beer and sausages, and enjoy the parties, festivals and night-life. Visit a Stadium such as the Allianz Arena or the Olympic stadium.

For those who are looking for a more cultural aspect visit the theatres and museums, Munich really has something for everyone.

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Holocast Museum

A must see in Berlin is the Jüdisches Museum. This museum shows the story of Berlin’s Jewish population. The museums beauty is more about the architecture itself rather than the artifacts contained within it. A more emotional visit can be had by visiting the Denkmal für die Ermordeten Juden Europas. This is a memorial dedicated to the lives lost in the Holocaust.

Holocast Museum, Berlin, Germany by Studio Daniel Libeskind, Guenter Schneider

Berlin Wall

Anyone interested in more recent history should check out the Berlin wall. Though most of the wall has been destroyed, there is a restored area along the southern border of Wedding and Mitte. A visit to Checkpoint Charlie would be a terrific way to get a feel for the history. Checkpoint Charlie was the famous east-west border control which is now a tourist center. There is a one mile stretch running called the “East Side Gallery” which has been largely left alone to preserve the true history.

The Berlin Zoo

Though not the most famous in the world, the Berlin Zoo, is still a massive tourist attraction. The zoo contains almost 14,000 creatures, including many rare and endangered animals. The Berlin Zoo opened in 1841 and is the most popular zoo in Europe. A visit to the Berlin Zoo would be terrific for a family with children.

Charlottenburg gardens

No visit to Berlin would be complete visiting Charlottenburg gardens. The gardens are not only beautiful to see, but are rich in history. These gardens were restored after world war 2, and certainly will amaze anyone.

Charlottenburg Palace and gardens, Berlin, Germany by Imamon

Getting Around

The Best way to get around Berlin is by rent a car it is really easy to drive in Berlin and the biggest car rental company in Berlin is Sixt Rental Cars. 

But the public transportation is also good but sometimes you can wait more then expected so renting a car is the safest bet.

Berlin is a remarkable and vibrant city. Whether young or old and no matter the activity preference, there is something to do for everyone. Berlin is a renowned tourist destination year round, as the ambiance is comfortable at all times. Often-times, because the city is so large, it is easy to find cheap lodging and transportation. A visit to Germany without seeing Berlin is an incomplete visit.

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South Berlin is a vast district and has some of the most lush forests surrounding Berlin’s biggest lake, and is perfect for exploring the old towns and getting back with in touch with nature. For the ultimate camping adventure in and around the city of Berlin, here is a list of some of the best sites:

Zeltplatz Saatwinkel

Just 100m away from the beach, the Zeltplatz Saatwinkel Campsite is situated on the banks of the Lake Tegel Saatwinkel, in the Reinickendorf district in Berlin. There are stunning camping areas available on the vast site. Spanning 17000sq mm, plenty of water sports and other amenities like a soccer field and volleyball court are available, as well as a large area for camp bonfires in the evening. There is also a clubhouse with games like foosball and pool for when the weather is miserable.

Lake Tegel, Berlin, Germany by Aconcagua

The Camping Club, Breitehorn, Berlin

The perfect setting for a wonderful family holiday right on the banks of the River Havel, there is space for caravans and tents as well as plenty of fun and exciting activities. The site hosts a summer festival every year under the big shady trees. People camping here can take their dogs with them to enjoy the outdoors, and the campsite is really close to the beach. There are also washing facilities available on site. Play table tennis, darts or enjoy a gas BBQ with your friends and family.

Wohnmobilepark, Tegel

Just 20 minutes from Berlin city center, Wohnmobilepark is located at Tegel Creek, in the beautiful, tranquil countryside. Main amenities and facilities are excellent, with the shower block having undergone refurbishment in 2008. Spaces are expansive and the grounds are really well kept, harkening back to the days the site was a nursery. This is the ideal spot for a peaceful stay but within easy access of all the sights and sounds of downtown Berlin.

You may have heard of Tentstation. This was an urban campsite, just a five minute walk from Berlin city center. Unfortunately, recently the license wasn’t renewed so city camping is currently suspended in Berlin. It is worth keeping an eye out for news though, as the organizers of Tentstation are looking for a new site.

Tips for Camping in Berlin

Find out in advance if you are able to rent tents, gas burners and other essential camping equipment. Berlin is really jacked up in terms of tourist infrastructure and tent rentals could save plenty of money at the airport with overweight baggage fees.

Rent a car. Many of the campsites are not serviced by public transport as they are too far out of the city.

Don’t pack like you are going to the jungle. Casual wear that is comfortable will be perfect, as you are not going on safari, and are still fairly close to the city. So if you want to explore some of the sites in the city, you won’t be doing so in hiking boots.

If you are camping during the months from October to April, it’s going to be rather chilly being winter and all. Make sure you have warm sleeping bags and thick socks, gloves, hats and coats.

Author Bio:
Guest post contributed by Justin Epley on behalf of the Marriott Hotels – find out about hotels in Dallas. Justin is a freelance travel writer. He loves sharing his travel insights on various blogs.

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After a recent trip with friends to Cologne, here are 5 sights worth seeing in the city:

1. Visit the Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

A trip to Cologne cannot be completed without visiting the Cathedral. This historic landmark in the centre of the city attracts 1000s of tourists every single day. Standing at over 140 metres tall, there are 533 steps to the top. These are accessible for a €3 fee. Be warned though; the staircase is narrow and winding, with those coming down passing those on their way up. And there’s no lift.

Cologne Cathedral / Pedro Szekely

The Cathedral is situated outside Cologne’s central train station (Köln Hauptbahnhof/ Köln Hbf); easily accessible to tourists. During this recent trip I embarked on, a train ticket from our nearest train station was just €11.10 for a group of five of us to get to the central station. And yes, the trains were on time.

2. Visit the Zoo (Kölner Zoo)

If you’ve made a trip to Cologne with your family and children, then a trip to the zoo is on the cards for you. A day pass sets you back just €15, while students and children get in for cheaper.

Cologne Zoo is the largest zoo in Germany; there are thousands of animals and species in the surroundings. This is home to Northern Europe’s largest elephant park as well as a large aquarium.

3. Visit the No. 4711 Shop

Eau de Cologne perfume originated in this city on way to becoming a very famous, well-known toiletry. If you’re going with a lady friend, or are a lady for that matter, a trip to the forty-seven eleven shop is a must. Bottles of the Cologne come in all shapes and sizes here.

The 4711 shop we stepped into during our trip had a running tap by the door. This allowed us to take in the very strong, distinctive smell of the perfume.

4. Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke)

The Hohenzollern Bridge crosses over the river Rhine. A bridge that survived World War II, today is home hundreds and thousands of love padlocks. Attached to the fence between the sidewalk and tracks, there are padlocks in all colours and sizes, firmly secured with the names of many couples.

Certainly the most romantic gesture I’ve come across by a train track. A visit to this site with your partner awaits. Secure your padlock onto the fence and throw your key into the river, joining the many couples who have previously visited:

Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge / Jiuguang Wang

5. Visit the Local Bars

Cologne is popular amongst beer lovers. The city has its own locally brewed beer, going by the name of Kölsch. Thirteen different breweries produce their own Kölsch. During our time in Cologne, we tested Gaffel, Früh and Dom Kölsch to name just a few.

Being a Brit use to drinking a pint of beer, the sizes were a little disappointing in Cologne. The majority of time we were served in 0.2L glasses that made you feel like you had taken just a sip when you reached the bottom. At around €1 a glass it also worked out a little pricier than what we are use to paying back home (even in London!).

Another recommendation when trying the beer… buy yourself a barrel. Just like we did one evening:

Photo of Barrie Smith pouring Gaffel Kölsch from his barrel

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Berliner Dom Museum Island, Berlin, Germany / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Beny Shlevich

We can never get away from the fact that Berlin is in central Europe, therefore you are not going to be tanning it up on any beaches (even though it is landlocked, it does have a man-made beach!) or sipping cocktails in the sun all of the time, so it’s worthwhile noting the numerous excellent museums that the city has to offer. There is something for everyone, be it art, architecture, music or the history of the city itself.

There aren’t many cities in the world that can boast a place called Museum Island, but Berlin certainly can and it houses five of them. Situated in the middle of the Spree River, the island is home to the Altes and Neues (Old and New) museums, a national gallery and the Bode museum, which displays an excellent sculpture collection amongst other fine art. The jewel in the crown however, is the Pergamon Museum which shows off huge reconstructions – some life size – of different architecture of the last 3,000 years. It is truly a sight to behold.

Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin, Germany / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by dalbera

If you like your art more pop than classical, then a good place to visit is the Hamburger Bahnhof. Set in a disused railway station, this huge space is home to works of some of the greatest contemporary artists including Warhol, Lichtenstein amongst many others. Fans of Joseph Beuys will be especially happy, as an entire wing of the gallery is taken up with some of his rarer works.

If the moving image is more your thing, then the Kinemathek museum – just off the Potsdamer Platz – should be your first stop. Everything from scripts to props is available to see, from the beginnings of German cinema, through the Weimar era and the war propaganda up to the present day.

Even if you’re not a fan of the New York punk legends The Ramones, you will be amazed at the expanse of the collection on show at this museum dedicated to Joey, Dee Dee and the boys. Crudely basing the museum frontage on the famous CBGB’s club in New York, owner-curator Flo Hayler started his collection with a couple of pin badges and a ticket stub after seeing the band live in the city a generation ago, and now the museum is filled with all things Ramone.

Ben Gallivan is a well-travelled Welshman with an appreciation for the finer things in life, including museums, music, and currywurst. He writes for One80 Hostel in central Berlin.

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Brandenburger Gate, Berlin, Germany / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Bernt Rostad

Brandenburger Gate

Located near the boulevard of Unter den Linden, the Brandenburger Gate was built around 1780 serving as an entrance to part of an old wall that once surrounded the city. Today the gate is the only remnant of the former wall. Designed to resemble the gate entrance into the Acropolis of Athens, the Brandenburger Gate has been the setting of much history. After being damaged by WWII bombings, the historical gate structure was later the scene of much celebration and peace in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Holocaust Memorial

Constructed in 2004 to remember the genocide of six million Jews by Hitler and his Nazi regime, the memorial is situated in close distance to both the Brandenburger Gate and the remains of Hitler’s bunker. The memorial is built with 2,711 slabs of stone, all designed in a wavering, unstable pattern to reflect the insecurity of the Nazi era.

Museum Island

A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Museum Island is located near the Spree River. The Museum Island is composed of a group of five museums that began with the Altes Museum in 1830. The other museums include the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Neuses Museum, the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum. These museums feature recreated villages, reconstructed buildings and many ancient artifacts such as the Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate, the Altar of Zeus and the bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. Museum Island is in close proximity to quality dining, shopping and apartments in Berlin.

Berliner Dom Museum Island, Berlin, Germany / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Beny Shlevich

Berlin Wall

First erected in 1961 by the Russians as a barbed wire fence and later replaced by the high wall, the Berlin Wall was built to serve as a barrier between communist East Germany and democratic West Germany. The decline of communism resulted in the fall of the wall in 1989 with cheers from around the world. Most of the wall has since been demolished with some sections still surviving in different locations where people can visit such as at Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie. With many Berlin accommodation rentals nearby, visitors can feel right at home during their stay in Berlin.

Reichstag

Constructed in 1894, the Reichstag building contained the German Parliament until it was heavily damaged by a fire in 1933. Left in disuse after World War II, the building was later reconstructed to once again house the German Parliament in 1999. With Reichstag located in the heart of the city, visitors can find quality places to stay in Berlin apartments.

There are many different places to stay when travelling round Europe.  A lot of companies offer short term accommodation rentals in Berlin, Rome, London and you can even rent apartments in Paris.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jannis Andrija Schnitzer

The cathedral was built over 600 years. Its eastern part with the chorus and part of the two towers were built in the year 1300. In the 15th century there was added the second floor to the south tower where was placed a bell. Towers were connected with the chorus through a long low building. Cathedral, as we know it today, was built in the 19th century of neo-Gothic style.

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Its official name is Hohen Dom zu Köln. The total length of the cathedral is 144.58 m, width is 86.25 m, and height of tower is 157 m. The median nave is 119 meters long and over 45 m wide, the higher one is the only cathedral in Beauvais, France (48.5 m). The church could accommodate 4,000 people and all windows cover an area of 10,000 m².

Everything that was newly built since 1842, was built according to the original medieval plans.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael Mertens

Every year it holds several big events that remind the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. Castle of Frankenstein lies hidden in the beautiful countryside. You can get here quite easily by a transport from the modern metropolis Frankfurt am Main. Frankenstein’s Castle was built in the mid 13th century by Count Konrad Reiz von Breuberg. Later there was built a hospital but from the late 18th century this wonderful medieval building began decay. The real glory of this place then came with the mentioned novel written by Mary Shelley.

During your visit in the Castle of Frankenstein in Mühltal you will certainly enjoy a big amount of adventure. It will be very interesting for the lovers of nature and historical monuments as the beautiful scenery can be found everywhere around castle.

Regardless of the name and history associated with the Castle of Frankenstein, people still make weddings in the chapel in ruins. But the best time to visit Castle of Frankenstein is probably October, when the castle holds Halloween party.

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