Hamburg Vs Cologne: Which German City Should You Visit?

Hamburg or Cologne? The choice is yours, but here's a quick overview of what each city has to offer. Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city, with a lively atmosphere and a mix of modern and historic architecture. It's known for its vibrant nightlife, including the famous Reeperbahn red-light district, and its beautiful natural areas and green spaces. Hamburg also has a rich musical history and is a great destination for foodies, with both cosmopolitan and traditional German cuisine.

Cologne, on the other hand, is a big city with plenty of sights and activities for tourists. It's famous for its stunning Cologne Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, and its festive Christmas markets. The city offers a mix of shopping, museums, and nightlife, with plenty of breweries and pubs serving local cuisine and beer. It also has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene and is known for its friendly people.

So, whether you choose Hamburg for its port city charm and musical heritage or Cologne for its historical sights and vibrant nightlife, you're sure to have a memorable trip.

Cologne's Old Town: A historic neighbourhood with colourful buildings, cobbled lanes, and a preserved cathedral

Cologne's Old Town, or 'Altstadt', is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Located on the banks of the Rhine, in the heart of the city, it is a lively hub of activity, with tourists and locals alike spilling out of bars, pubs, and restaurants.

Although much of the Old Town was destroyed during World War II, it has been carefully rebuilt, and there is still plenty to see. The area is known for its quaint yet impressive houses, colourful buildings, and cobbled lanes. The Gothic-style cathedral is a stand-out feature, with its intricate design and impressive size—it is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other must-see attractions include the 16th-century Town Hall, the Romanesque Groß St. Martin Church, the Roman-Germanic Museum, and the Museum Ludwig.

The Old Town also offers picturesque squares lined with cafes, perfect for relaxing with a coffee. For a glimpse into the city's past, stroll through the historic streets and alleyways, or visit sites such as the Old St. Alban Memorial and the Stapelhaus. And don't forget to sample the local brew, Kölsch, which can be found in abundance in the Altstadt.

Cologne's Old Town truly has something for everyone, whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just looking to soak up the local culture and atmosphere.

Cologne Cathedral: Gothic cathedral with intricate stained glass, twin spires, and a challenging tower climb

Cologne Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people a year. The cathedral is a medieval building that was constructed very solidly, but it requires continuous maintenance and renovation.

The cathedral's intricate stained glass windows are especially impressive. The Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory, is one of the oldest. Some windows from the Middle Ages have been preserved, while others have been restored according to old sketches. The cathedral also features more modern stained glass, including a window by Gerhard Richter, which consists of 11,263 colour squares in 72 colours, arranged randomly to create an abstract tapestry of colour that changes with the light.

The cathedral's twin spires are an iconic feature, making it the tallest twin-spired church in the world at 157 metres (515 feet) tall. The towers give the cathedral the largest façade of any church globally. Visitors can climb 533 steps to a viewing platform about 100 metres (330 feet) above the ground, which offers a scenic view over the Rhine.

Cologne Cathedral is located near the main railway station and is easily accessible by public transport or car. It is usually open from 6 am to 8 pm, with tourist visits possible outside of liturgical times. All guided tours of the interior must be conducted by authorised or registered cathedral guides and are subject to registration.

Hamburg's Old Elbtunnel: A great engineering feat and a unique way to cross the river

Hamburg's Old Elbe Tunnel (or St. Pauli Elbtunnel) is a must-see attraction and a great feat of engineering. The tunnel, which opened in 1911, was a technical sensation at the time of its construction. It is 426 metres long and 24 metres below the surface of the Elbe River, connecting central Hamburg with the docks and shipyards on the south side of the river.

The tunnel was built to provide a more direct route for dock workers to cross the river from the Landungsbrücken piers in St. Pauli. It features six large lifts on either side, carrying pedestrians and vehicles to the bottom. The tunnel is free for pedestrians and cyclists to use, and open 24 hours a day.

The Old Elbe Tunnel is a preserved historic site, with symmetrical lighting and Art-Deco beauty, making it particularly popular with photographers. The tunnel walls are decorated with glazed terracotta ornaments displaying items related to the river, such as fish, crabs, litter and rats.

The tunnel has been featured in several films, including The Odessa File, Matchless, and The American Friend, as well as the music video for "One (Always Hardcore)" by German band Scooter.

Hamburg's Portuguese Quarter: A vibrant area with excellent seafood and Mediterranean food, popular with Spanish and Portuguese immigrants since the '60s and '70s

Hamburg's Portuguese Quarter, or Portugiesenviertel, is a charming neighbourhood just behind the harbour. Since the 1960s, it has been the centre of Hamburg's sizeable Portuguese and southern European community. The area consists of just a few streets around Ditmar-Koel-Straße in the Neustadt district, but within this small area, you'll find over a dozen Portuguese restaurants, bars and pastelarias.

The Portuguese Quarter is a great place to sample authentic tapas, fresh seafood dishes and Portuguese wines. The restaurants are quite nice, and the area is lively at night. It's a good place to stroll when the weather is mild, and there are plenty of benches to sit on and watch the world go by.

The Portuguese Quarter is a popular destination for locals, tourists, party-goers and commuters from nearby media agencies and big companies. It's a great place to search for lunch or dinner, and some say it's the best place in Northern Europe for Portuguese food and wine.

If you're visiting Hamburg, the Portuguese Quarter is well worth a visit, whether it's for a stroll, a drink or a meal.

Cologne's Roman Germanic Museum: Showcases lots of old Roman artefacts

Cologne's Roman Germanic Museum showcases a plethora of Roman artefacts, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts. The museum, located near the Cologne Cathedral, was established in 1974 to preserve the Roman cultural heritage of the city. It is built on the site of a 3rd-century Roman villa, discovered in 1941 during the construction of an air-raid shelter.

The museum boasts an extensive collection of Roman glassware, with the world's largest collection of locally produced glass from the Roman period. This includes glass from funerals and burials, showcasing the Roman tradition of glass-making and its importance in their cultural rituals. Additionally, the museum houses an array of Roman and medieval jewellery, with pieces dating back to the early Middle Ages.

Beyond its glass and jewellery collections, the Roman Germanic Museum offers a glimpse into everyday life in Roman Cologne. Visitors can explore portraits, such as those of Roman emperor Augustus and his wife, Livia Drusilla, as well as inscriptions, pottery, and architectural fragments. One of the highlights of the museum is the renowned Dionysus mosaic, which dates back to around AD 220/230 and remains in its original place in the basement of the building. The museum's inner courtyards are designed to mimic the layout of the ancient villa, providing a unique perspective on the historical site.

The Roman Germanic Museum also serves as an archaeological site and research centre. It exercises archaeological supervision over the construction of the Cologne underground, ensuring the preservation of any ancient artefacts that may be discovered during the city's development. The museum's archives include documentation on historical monuments and a specialist library with 30,000 volumes, making it a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Roman history.

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