Hamburg: The Gateway to the World

• HelloMoin
  [moin]
• GoodbyeTschüss
  [chüss]
• YesJa
  [ya]
• NoNein
  [nine]
• Please/You're welcomeBitte
  [bit-te]
• Thank youDanke
  [dahn-keh]
• Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung
  [ent-shool-dee-goong]
• How are you?Wie geht es dir?
  [vee gate es deer]
• Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?
  [goot oont deer]
• Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?
  [shpre-khen zee eng-leesh]
• I don't understandIch verstehe nicht
  [ikh fer-shtay-eh nikht]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte bitte die Speisekarte sehen
  [ikh merkh-te bit-te dee shpy-ze-kahr-te zay-en]
• I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch
  [ikh es-se kine fli-sh]
• Cheers!Prost!
  [prohst]
• I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bitte zahlen
  [ikh merkh-te bit-te tsah-len]

• Help!Hilfe!
  [hil-feh]
• Go away!Geh weg!
  [geh vehg]
• Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei!
  [roo-fen zee dee poh-lee-tsay]
• Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt!
  [roo-fen zee i-nen ahrts]
• I'm lostIch habe mich verloren
  [ikh hah-bee mikh fer-loh-ren]
• I'm illIch bin krank
  [ikh been krank]

• I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen
  [ikh merkh-te ... kow-fen]
• I'm just lookingIch schaue nur
  [ikh sh-ow-eh noor]
• How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?
  [vee feel koh-stet das]
• That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer
  [dahs ist tsoo toy-er]
• Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?
  [ker-nen zee den price zehn-ken]

• What time is it?Wie spät ist es?
  [vee shpayt ist es]
• It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr
  [es ist iyn oor]
• Half past (10)Halb elf
  [halb elf]
• MorningMorgen
  [mor-gen]
• AfternoonNachmittag
  [nahk-mit-tahk]
• EveningAbend
  [ah-bent]
• YesterdayGestern
  [gehs-tern]
• TodayHeute
  [hoy-teh]
• TomorrowMorgen
  [mor-gen]
• 1Eins
  [iyns]
• 2Zwei
  [tsvay]
• 3Drei
  [dry]
• 4Vier
  [feer]
• 5Fünf
  [fuhnf]
• 6Sechs
  [zeks]
• 7Sieben
  [zee-ben]
• 8Acht
  [ahkt]
• 9Neun
  [noyn]
• 10Zehn
  [tsayn]

• Where's a/the...?Wo ist ...?
  [vo ist]
• What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?
  [vas ist dee ah-dreh-suh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir das zeigen (auf der Karte)?
  [ker-nen zee meer das tsay-gen (owf dare kar-te)]
• When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?
  [van kohmt dare nikh-stuh (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ...)
  [iyn tee-ket (nakh)]

Hamburg was officially founded in 808 AD by Charlemagne. The city’s original name, Hammaburg, derives from the word 'Hamme' meaning 'meadow' and 'burg' meaning 'fortress.' Its strategic location along the Elbe River made it an essential trading post and fortified settlement.

In the 13th century, Hamburg became a key member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful economic and defensive alliance of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe. This affiliation brought wealth and prosperity to the city, establishing it as a major center for trade and commerce.

One of the most significant events in Hamburg's history was the Great Fire of 1842. The fire broke out on May 5th and lasted for three days, destroying about a third of the city, including approximately 1,700 buildings. The reconstruction that followed led to modern urban planning and the establishment of the city’s characteristic grid layout.

During the Industrial Revolution, Hamburg’s port underwent significant expansion, turning it into one of the busiest ports in Europe. The construction of the Speicherstadt, a large warehouse district built on timber-pile foundations, began in 1883 and was completed in 1927. This development solidified Hamburg’s importance as a global trading hub.

Hamburg was heavily bombed during World War II, particularly during Operation Gomorrah in July 1943. The city suffered extensive damage; thousands of buildings were destroyed, and tens of thousands of lives were lost. The post-war reconstruction shaped much of Hamburg’s modern architecture and urban landscape.

After World War II, Hamburg was rebuilt with a focus on modernity and economic recovery. The city continued to develop its port and became an important center for media and publishing. The establishment of the University of Hamburg in 1919 also contributed to its cultural and educational prominence.

In recent decades, Hamburg has experienced a cultural renaissance. The opening of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in 2017 marked a new era for the city’s cultural scene. Hamburg is now known for its vibrant arts, music, and culinary scenes, attracting visitors from around the world.

Hamburg is well-connected to the rest of the world through the Hamburg Airport (HAM), which is located approximately 8.5 kilometers north of the city center. The airport offers numerous international and domestic flights. You can reach the city center from the airport via the S-Bahn (S1 line), which takes around 25 minutes. Alternatively, taxis and ride-sharing services are available. Hamburg is also accessible by train, with the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (central station) being a major hub for Deutsche Bahn (DB) services. If you prefer driving, Hamburg is connected to several major highways (Autobahnen), and there are long-distance bus services as well.

Hamburg boasts an efficient public transportation system, including buses, trams, ferries, and the U-Bahn (subway) and S-Bahn (commuter train) networks. The HVV (Hamburger Verkehrsverbund) operates this network, and tickets are valid across all modes of transport. Day passes and group tickets offer good value. Biking is another popular way to get around, with many bike rental services and dedicated bike lanes throughout the city. Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available, and for those who prefer driving, car rental services are plentiful.

The official currency in Hamburg, as in the rest of Germany, is the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments or markets. ATMs (Geldautomaten) are ubiquitous, and you can use international cards to withdraw euros. Note that some places may not accept American Express, so having a Visa or Mastercard is recommended.

Hamburg is generally a safe city for tourists, but like any major urban area, it's wise to stay vigilant. Areas such as St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn are known for their nightlife and can be rowdy, especially at night. While these areas are popular with tourists, they also have higher instances of petty crime such as pickpocketing. It's advisable to avoid walking alone late at night in these neighborhoods. Keep your belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings in crowded places.

In case of an emergency, dial 112 for medical emergencies or fire services, and 110 for police assistance. Hamburg has several hospitals with emergency departments, including the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Pharmacies (Apotheken) are well-distributed across the city, and many offer 24-hour services. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For non-urgent health issues, numerous clinics and doctor's offices (Arztpraxen) are available.

Fashion: Do dress neatly; casual wear is acceptable, but avoid overly revealing clothing in more conservative areas. Religion: Do respect places of worship. When visiting churches, dress modestly and keep noise to a minimum. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding and have it ready for inspection. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a firm handshake. It's customary to make eye contact during the greeting. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes like Fischbrötchen and Labskaus. Don't ask for tap water at restaurants; bottled water is the norm.

To experience Hamburg like a local, visit the weekly markets such as the Isemarkt or the Fischmarkt. Take a stroll around the Alster lakes or have a picnic in the Planten un Blomen park. For a unique experience, explore the HafenCity district, home to the impressive Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Enjoy a ferry ride on the Elbe River, which is part of the public transport network and offers great views of the harbor. Don't miss the local breweries and beer gardens for a taste of Hamburg's beer culture.