First things first: how to get there? You can drive to Hamburg from the center of the Netherlands by car in just over four hours. By train, Hamburg takes five hours from Amsterdam. We did the latter and highly recommended. Flying is also possible. For just over €100 you can fly to Hamburg within an hour.

Once in Hamburg, a bicycle – or electric scooter – is easy to do. There are cycle paths in most areas. Bee StadtRAD you rent a shared bike that you can locate and take with you via the app. Or fall asleep The Fontenay Hotel (we will come back to this) where they have bicycles available.

What do you mean, small New York? Into the historic warehouses Speicherstadt are a must visit and are reminiscent in style of the warehouses in NYC's Meatpacking District. Bee Water castle viewpoint you look out on the beautiful Water Castle, which now houses an excellent tea shop with terrace and shop.

The adjacent district hafencity is new and futuristic. On the quay of Versmannkai you will find cozy catering establishments. Climb HafenCity Aussichtspunkt up for a beautiful view over the water, the harbour, Lighthouse Zero and the modern buildings.

A must Elbphilharmonie (on the River Elbe). This architectural tour de force can be visited with a (classical) concert or with a single ticket of €2 Plaza viewing point to look out over the city and harbors. A sunset view and your heart is full for the day.

Neustadt en Aldstadt are a mix of old river houses, largest state buildings such as the Rathaus and all major retail chains, but also small coffee bars, wine shops and restaurant districts. Where to start? At the “back” is the Kunstmeile. The five major art institutions of Hamburg at a glance. You can have one for €25 3 day pass with access to these museums. But time for one museum? We loved the Deichtorhallen Photography Museum.

In the middle of the districts lies the unmissable Inner Alster lake; the center of Hamburg. The city, like Amsterdam (New Amsterdam, New York, get it?) is located around the city center. Wherever you go, you often end up around the fountain. Not as special in terms of looks as other parts of the city, but it is relaxed with the water and people walking around the lake. A relaxing, safe downtown.

Continue to the Elbe and you arrive at Portugiesenviertel. A lively neighborhood with Portuguese restaurants. A pleasantly busy, slightly touristy part of Hamburg.

From here you can roll straight on to the jetties In the district St. Pauli. Touristy yes, but not to be missed. Formerly the passenger terminal for shipping, but now also the starting point for a cruise through the harbor with a view of the city. Be sure to visit the Alter Elbtunnel at the beautiful old passenger terminal building. You will be hoisted down with four historic wooden lifts and walk through the St. Pauli Elb Tunnel (from 1911) under the Elbe.

Do you want to unwind from all that hustle and bustle? BeachPauli is a cozy beach bar à la Woodstock Bloemendaal (a bit of a shipwreck feeling) where you can have lunch and dinner by the water.

Are you looking for a hotel that is located in the middle of all these great neighborhoods? Where it is so nice to stay that you can also stay in your hotel for an afternoon or evening (or all day if you want). With a spa, one restaurant, a second restaurant with a Michelin star and a rooftop bar. See here The Fontenay with a view over the whole of Hamburg. The hotel is located next to the Außenalster lake in a luxurious neighborhood (say, the Upper East Side of Hamburg) where you can quietly walk or cycle along the water. In terms of interior, the hotel and the rooms are lavishly furnished. On the roof you will find the spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and massages. The friendliness of the crew, the luxurious feeling, the spa and the amazing view together ensure that your city trip to Hamburg becomes a relaxing weekend.

For the East Berlin (or Williamsburg NYC) feeling you have to go to the adjacent neighborhoods star jump en Karoviertel. Here you will find many small restaurants and bars, the hippest coffee places, small shops from local makers and lots of graffiti. A lively neighborhood both during the day and in the evening. No real cultural must-see here but the whole district is an entertaining place. Stroll through the Marktstrasse, along the Flohschanze (some days flöhmarkt) and around the Sternstrasse en Schanzenstrasse direction the former slaughterhouse where Bullerei and the roastery van Elbgold is sitting (a bit of a Westergas feeling). Please take your time coffee, for lunch or go out in the evening. It's nice here!

This city park receives a special mention Planten un Blomen. We have always had a preference for city parks as green beacons of tranquility in the busy city. But this park also reminded us of Central Park. Lots of greenery, beautiful walking paths, benches everywhere to sit and every now and then (slightly less than the NY variant) a tall building peaks out from behind the trees.

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a while and relax in this green oasis. Planten un Blomen is a large botanical garden with special plants, a Japanese garden, the old indoor botanical garden (glass greenhouse) and several restaurants where you can eat or drink something.

The surprise as far as we are concerned is the Eppendorf district. It's a bit away from the center but with a walk or bike ride along it outer Alster more than that it is a pleasant activity. There are large, stately (former) houses along the lake, making this urban green area one of a kind upper class vibe has. Once in Eppendorf you will find nice coffee shops, tasty lunch spots and restaurants and a pleasant bustle with young people going out here. You can shop, eat and drink around the Lehmweg en Eppendorfer Baum.

Although there are several nice shops, we still give Tip-of-Flip hello love where you can find nice accessories for yourself and your home.