A cruise ship captain says a historic city with a 300-year-old fish market, huge river, and historic tunnel is one of the best places to visit on a cruise to Europe
A former cruise ship captain has revealed one of the “best destinations to visit” in Europe. Nico Berg has been a ship captain, travelling around the world, for over two decades now, firstly on cruises and then on freight ships.
He believes Hamburg in Germany is a destination that travellers must see if they get the chance. Nico, who worked for German firm Aida, says there is “nothing like” sailing up the Elbe in the morning.
The expansive river leads through some of Europe’s most picturesque destinations, including the Giant Mountains of the Czech Republic before flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven in Germany. The river spans a total length of 680 miles as it carves through Europe.
Nico reflects fondly on sailing up the river into Hamburg’s Port. Speaking to Wine Traveller , he said: “There’s nothing nicer than traveling up the Elbe in the morning and entering Hamburg Port.
“In summer months, when the ship is just in front of the curve of the harbor piers (Landungsbrücken), the sun usually rises behind historic Hamburg Michel (church) and the view is just amazing. Although I’m at home all over the world as a seafarer, Hamburg always gives me a feeling of coming home. When our ship leaves Hamburg Port, tourists stand along the Elbe and excitedly wave at us.”
Nico suggests people visiting Hamburg should consider taking a small barge through the city’s Speicherstadt – which translates to City of Warehouses. The area, considered the largest industrial estate in the world, has a series of small canals that weave through the massive units.
The industrial estate was built between 1883 to 1927 and was designed to be a free zone, meaning goods could enter the area without paying customs fees. While a variety of goods, including cocoa, coffee, tea, spices and electronics, are produced in the Speicherstadt today, it doubles up as a huge tourist destination.
It is home to a number of museums including the Hamburg Dungeon and a model railway. Visitors to Hamburg can enjoy a whole host of historic destinations during their stay.
As well as the Speicherstadt, visitors can take in the Elbe Tunnel, also called St Pauli Elbe Tunnel, which opened in 1911. The distinctive St Pauli Landungsbrücken transported people and machinery 24m underground to cross the river.
Elsewhere visitors to Hamburg can also take in the city’s historic fish market. Having first run in 1703, the traditional fish vendors operate on the city’s streets every Sunday morning.
It’s not all about the fish however, auctioneers have been selling almost anything that isn’t nailed down for over 300 years now. There’s a variety of tropical fruit, clothing, souvenirs, and, of course, the fish.
For those wanting a more modern attraction, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall has already welcomed over two million visitors, having only opened in 2017. Located on the harbour in Hamburg’s Hanseatic city, the hall’s plaza offers a central meeting point for both tourists and locals alike.
The glass hall towers 110m into the skyline with the glass reflecting the sky and water of the city.