Hamburg, Germany

We returned to Hamburg after we finished our Norwegian cruise. No video to share today. Just a few pictures.

Our hotel was in an area of Hamburg called HafenCity, one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe. The architecture is modern and the buildings impressive.

The city is served well by transit systems and bike paths. Many of the light rail train routes are suspended, like the one pictured below.

There are generous public spaces to be found across Hamburg. Some of them pay homage to historical figures with swords.

I did not get close to the statue to determine the source for the statue. But you could see him from quite the distance.

I love the design of European buses particularly the front mirrors. It just seems like a great way to place them on a coach. Generally do not see this design in North America and I’m not sure why.

Many of the roads in Hamburg use pavers. It creates a unique feel to the city.

Most of the historic buildings have been converted to apartments or, like this one, office space.

Closer to city centre and the office buildings are contemporary and yet draw from the past.

We loved all of the open air cafes and the number of streets that had been converted to pedestrian use only.

Water levels in Hamburg were extremely low. It may be related to an unprecedented heat wave that hit much of Europe. It was hot and humid when we arrived in Hamburg. It was hot and humid when we left Hamburg.

An example of the new architecture in HafenCity.

The Elbphilharmonie is a concert hall in HafenCity, one of the largest concert halls in the world. and it can seat over 2,000 people. You can enter the building and take escalators up to the viewing deck which is located just where the brick meets the glass.

This photo is from the viewing deck although I shot the window which offered a reflection of the city, so it really is just a picture of part of a window on the viewing deck, depending on your perspective of course. The building used some very high quality glass!

Another perspective of the docks in HafenCity.

Walking through Hamburg you will find an extensive network of pedestrian footbridges and wide walkways. This part of the city was certainly designed with people in mind.

As evening descended in Hamburg, I took a few final golden hour shots and we made our way back to the hotel.

Waking up, we had only a couple of hours to take in the city before making the long trip back home.

Generally, I reverse the order, that is if I were a coffee drinker.