Hamburg City Town Guide Water, green spaces, and culture characterize Germany's most colourful city and largest port. In this multi-faceted, cosmopolitan city - a true 'window on the world' - all aspects mingle to create an atmosphere that is wonderfully original and unique: the calm of its well-to-do villas, the uproarious liveliness of its sea-going neighbourhoods, the charm of its parks and river banks and the austerity of its architecture. This is a city that will continue to bewitch you long after the amazement of your first counter with the city has passed. Five ideas for discovering another side to the city -  Pause for a moment on the Lombards Bridge for a superb panoramic view of the city centre's roofs and bell towers. -  Stroll through the numerous arcades that constitute a maze of passageways. Going wherever your feet take you, discover a host of fine shops. -  Don't hesitate to board a boat for an amazing guided tour of the port: Germany's largest port is also the world's third largest. -  Go for an evening's entertainment in the St-Georg: the district's numerous restaurants, theatres and cabarets bear witness to a vibrant, flourishing nightlife. -  Take a trip on the Alster lakes and their canals: a novel way to discover the true heart of this sea-going city. Time difference Hamburg is GMT +1. Summer time runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. To call Hamburg Dial the international code, followed by 49 for Germany, then 40 for Hamburg and the 3 to 10 digits of the person you are calling. Climate Average temperatures by season: - Spring: 6° C - Summer: 15° C - Autumn: 10° C - Winter: 0° C Holidays - 1 January: New Year's Day - Good Friday : in March/April (variable dates) - Easter : in March/April (variable dates) - 1 May: Labour Day - Ascension : in May/June (variable dates) - Pentecost : in May/June (variable dates) - 3 October: National holiday to celebrate reunification. - 25 and 26 December: Christmas and Boxing Day Getting around There are plenty of transportation choices: the metro can take you right away from the city centre, while travel by boat provides a chance to discover the heart of the old town as you meander along the outer Alster lake. However, the car remains the best way to travel the breadth of the 755 km area of Hamburg! Tourist Office Tourismus-Zentrale Hamburg GmbH Steinstraße 7 20095 Hamburg, Germany Tel.: (international n° +49)40 300 51 300 Fax: (international n° +49)40 300 51 220 Hamburg on the Web http://www.hamburg.de Site: http://www.hamburg-tourism.de See our Cultural calendar Back