Hamburg · Things to do

Neo-renaissance city hall with a courtyard you can walk into, and arcades along the water beside it. Tours run in English.

1920s brick expressionism shaped like a ship's prow, UNESCO-listed alongside Speicherstadt. Free, and best in low sun.

Two vast former market halls turned contemporary art and photography galleries. Open 11:00-18:00 and rarely crowded.

Independent shops, street art and coffee between the Messe and the bunker. Hamburg without the harbour postcard.

Altona's Sunday-morning market: fish sellers shouting, brass bands playing and Reeperbahn survivors eating breakfast.