In recent years, Hamburg has attracted more and more visitors from the USA and Canada, who come for cruises, the sophisticated lifestyle, maritime flair, Beatles history and to witness the development of this sea faring harbor city into Germany’s “most livable” and architecturally stunning metropolis. With top events, openings and highlights, Hamburg has even more to offer in 2014.
New attractions and 2014 events include:
The “Hamburg Bach” – 300 years Carl Philip Emanuel Bach
For the 300th birthday of Carl Philip Emanuel Bach (Johann Sebastian’s 2nd oldest and quasi equally talented son), Hamburg will join five other German cities in highlighting authentic locations of the great composer’s life with musical programs and special events. A birthday concert at St. Michael’s Church on the actual date of his birth, March 8, is only one of a series of concerts performed throughout the anniversary year. The acclaimed younger Bach worked as Hamburg’s director of music and cantor from 1767, and was in charge of 200 concerts annually, performed in Hamburg’s five churches. Known for his passionate and deeply emotional compositions, C.P.E. Bach died in Hamburg in 1788 and is buried in the crypt of the city’s St. Michael’s church. Information and events at www.cpebach.de/en/2014/hamburg/calendar.
First International Music Festival Hamburg
May 09 – June 15, 2014
Under the motto “Seduction”, the first International Music Festival Hamburg, will present a series of world class concerts, from classical music and opera, to jazz and world music. Local and visiting orchestras and celebrity performers such as Anna Netrebko, Maria Joao Pires, Anoushka Shankar and many others will make for a music-filled early summer in Hamburg. Venues range from traditional concert halls to open air stages. A special emphasis will be on the yet-to-be-completed Elbe Philharmonic Hall, which will host open-air performances at Europe’s most well-known cultural construction site. Program and details at www.musikfest-hamburg.de (English pages available soon).
Twelve Michelin Gourmet Stars for Hamburg in 2014
More gourmet stars are shining on Northern Germany’s culinary skies. For 2014, the prestigious Michelin Guide awarded 12 stars to Hamburg’s top eateries, including three 2-star restaurants. Two stars each went to Haerlin (www.restaurant-haerlin.de) and chef Christoph Rüffer, Jacobs Restaurant with chef Thomas Martin (www.hotel-jacob.de), as well as Süllwerk Seven Seas, with its classical French cuisine (www.suellberg-hamburg.de). Newcomer Anna Sgroi’r restaurant by her name www.sgroi.de joins the one-star ranks of Küchenwerkstatt (www.kuechenwerkstatt-hamburg.de), Landhaus Scherrer (www.landhausscherrer.de), Le Canard Nouveau (www.lecanard-hamburg.de), Se7en Oceans (www.se7en-oceans.de) and Piment (www.restaurant-piment.de).
New Scene, new Clubs at Hamburg’s Reeperbahn District
What used to be Hamburg’s (in)famous red-light district and the rather seedy launching pad for Beatles’ fame, has in recent years developed into a lively entertainment district with an array of outstanding bars, music and dance clubs.
Recent openings include the stylish Clouds, featuring Hamburg’s highest restaurant and roof top terrace on the top floors of the Hadi Teherani designed “Dancing Towers”. Cuisine is French-inspired traditional European, the view is priceless. www.clouds-hamburg.com.
Open since July 2013, the party at the trendy live-music venue Noho Hamburg takes place on two floors and two roof top terraces. Program varies. www.noho-club.de.
Newer accommodation and restaurants close by include the privately-run Arcotel Onyx, www.arcotelhotels.com/en/onyx_hotel_hamburg and the high-end Lokal1 restaurant which features minimalist design and a 6-course menu, which changes daily www.lokal1.com. Both opened in 2012.
Each September, the Reeperbahn goes wild during the legendary Reeperbahn Music Festival, when some 300 bands from Europe and beyond will be performing in more than 70 clubs, pubs and theatres across the St. Pauli district. September 17-20, 2014 www.reeperbahnfestival.com.
More Hotels to Open in 2014
Hamburg currently boasts 302 hotels (not included are guest-houses, inns, holiday accommodations and camping) with a total of 48,919 beds. In 2014, more hotels are scheduled to open.
With the planned June opening of the four-star Indigo Hamburg St. Pauli, Hamburg will add another stylish design hotel to its growing hotel-scape. The Indigo will boast six floors of individually designed rooms, with each floor representing the styles of a past decade; from the 1950s to 2000.
Scheduled to open in the summer of 2014, the four-star Ameron Hotel Speicherstadt will be the first hotel in Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt warehouse district. The design of the 192 rooms and eight Junior Suites has been inspired by Nordic design and German “Gemütlichkeit”, and aims to offer best in comfort and luxury. From the hotels terrace right on the famous Fleet canal, patrons can soak in the unique atmosphere of the highly photogenic Speicherstadt district. www.hotel-speicherstadt.de.
The Citadines Michel Hamburg is scheduled to open right in the city center during the fourth quarter of 2014. The four-star property will feature studios and one-bedroom apartments with fully-equipped kitchen, en-suite bathroom and separate living and work areas to create a “home-away-from-home” feeling. www.citadines.com/en/germany/hamburg/michel.
Save Big with the Hamburg Card
Hamburg’s popular city card grants free public transportation by bus, train or harbor ferries (HVV) and savings of up to 50% on selected tours, attractions, restaurants and more.
Visit Hamburg, www.hamburg-travel.com