HAMBURG CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO - SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS ABOUT GETTING AROUND, SIGHTSEEING, SHOPPING, NIGHTLIFE AND MORE - GOBYSA

HAMBURG CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO

 See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more

Welcome to Hamburg
Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany, is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River.
It's crossed by hundreds of canals, and also contains large areas of parkland. Near its core, Inner
Alster lake is dotted with boats and surrounded by cafes. The city's central Jungfernstieg
boulevard connects the Neustadt (new town) with the Altstadt (old town), home to landmarks like
18th-century St. Michael’s Church.

There is lots to see and do in the City as this guide will show you. So read on so you have a better
                            idea of all that Hamburg has to see and do.

Getting around
Hamburg offers many options for getting from any point A to any point B. In addition to buses, U- and S-Bahns,
you can get around Hamburg by bicycle or the harbour ferry.

Getting easily across the town with the Hamburg Public Transport Association and the Hamburg CARD
Buses, trains and harbour ferries can be used free of charge with all HVV tickets and the Hamburg CARD. Every
important destinations and sights in and around Hamburg can be reached through the well-connected network of the
HVV.
                                                                  Hamburg CARD: Great Hamburg Experiences &
                                                                  Savings!
                                                                  With the "Hamburg CARD" you don’t have to worry
                                                                  about the "How do I get there?", because the
                                                                  Hamburg CARD is valid without exception in all
                                                                  means of transport. It applies to as many journeys as
                                                                  you like across Hamburg and all surcharges are
                                                                  already included (supplement SchnellBus).

In addition, the Hamburg CARD offers the great advantage that it is generally valid before 9 a.m., which means all
day from 0:00 a.m. and up to and including 6:00 a.m. of the following day. As the only HVV product, the Hamburg
CARD offers multi-day tickets for 1 to 5 days for individuals and groups.

Did you know? The group card is worth it from 2 persons and is valid for up to 5 persons. The single ticket is not only
valid for one adult, but also for 3 children (6 - 14 years). Moreover, all children under the age of six travel free of
charge in the HVV.

With the Hamburg CARD and the Hamburg CARD plus Region, you can travel different distances in the HVV area:
The Hamburg CARD, which is available from €10.50, is valid in Hamburgs fare rings AB including the airport and is
therefore the right choice for most guests. The Hamburg CARD plus Region is valid for the fare rings A-E. It is
therefore perfect for day trips and is available from € 21.90.

The most important additional benefit of the Hamburg CARD is that it is far more than just a ticket! You can discover
the city at any time comfortable, flexible and inexpensive, because in addition to the free travel on buses, trains and
harbour ferries, it offers up to 50% on over 150 offers. Customers receive discounts on harbour, Alster and city tours
and save, for example, €5.00 per adult on the Grand Harbour Tour.

There is also reduced admission to sights and museums, and there are discounts at the box offices of theatres and
musicals. More than 60 restaurants and cafés complete the whole Hamburg CARD offer.

S-Bahn and U-Bahn
The key element to Hamburg's public transport system
is the network of rapid transit and regional rail services
that connect the city centre to the greater region.

There are four U-Bahn underground lines, six S-Bahn
suburban lines and nine regional rail services that link
Hamburg to other cities in the region.

                                                             Ferry
Bus                                                          There are six ferry lines serving the harbour and the
The rail network is complemented by an extensive             River Elbe. These routes have two-digit numbers
range of bus services with metro buses (frequent             starting at 61. You can use your HVV ticket to 'set sail'
services), express buses, sprinter buses and regional        and even go on a little trip around the harbour. All
buses (connecting to stations and surrounding towns).        ferries stop at Landungsbrücken.

Bikes
If you prefer riding a bike around Hamburg sign up to
StadtRAD Hamburg, the local city bike programme and
hire a bike at one of the 120 service points around the
city.

The first 30 minutes are free of charge, after that your
trip will cost €0,08 per minute or €12 per day. So, if you
want, you can ride for free all day ─ as long as you
check in your bike at any station within 30 minutes.

To sign up, you need a debit, credit or HVV customer
card. Hamburg is a very cycle-friendly city, with many
wide avenues and bicycle lanes, as well as parks.

Taxi Services
Hamburg has several taxi companies that operate
within the city. The city of Hamburg has rather strict
laws when it comes to taxi services, ensuring that
passengers only deal with professional companies.
You can recognise taxis by their ivory colour and a
taxi sign on the roof of the car.

Finding a taxi
Official taxi stands are located at Hamburg Airport,
all train stations and at popular shopping, business
and tourist locations around the city. It’s also
possible to hail a taxi on the street: if the sign is lit
up, the car is available. You can order a taxi by
calling one of the taxi dispatch centres, book online
on BetterTaxi, or download the myTaxi app.

Not to be missed

The Port of Hamburg, the Hamburger Hafen - also
known as "HafenCity" - encompasses 100 square
kilometeres of tidal harbour and is known as the
Gateway to Germany. It's also where you'll find many of
the city's most-visited tourist attractions, and on
summer evenings and weekends, it's full of local
residents relaxing.

A lovely pedestrian trail takes in the old 19th-century
Warehouse District, the Speicherstadt, with its
continuous lines of tall brick buildings once used to
store tobacco, coffee, dried fruit, and spices. Built up
from 1883 to 1927, it's reputedly the world's largest
such warehouse district and was in 2015 designated a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another landmark of the Port of Hamburg is the
Köhlbrandbrücke, a 3.9-kilometre bridge that spans the
harbour. The newest and most spectacular addition to
the waterfront area, though, is the Elbphilharmonie, the
city's most important cultural venue.

The adjacent Traditionsschiffhafen/Sandtorhafen
harbour lines the peninsula and is a great place to see
vintage tall ships at their docks.

If you've got time, a good way to explore the Port of
Hamburg is by boat, with numerous tours departing
from Landungsbrücken.

Miniatur Wunderland .Although billed as the world's largest model railway, this is really much more than simply a
toy train layout. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in the city's historic Speicherstadt warehouse
district. It's the world's largest model railway, boasting more than 15,400 metres of track and 1,040 trains (so
expect to spend plenty of time here, especially if you're traveling with kids).

Built on a truly massive scale, the attraction covers an
impressive 2,300 square metres. Highlights include
areas dedicated to the USA, Scandinavia, and
Germany, as well as an airport with planes that actually
take off, plus some 100,000 vehicles that actually
move, all of it illuminated by more than 500,000 lights
and containing some 400,000 tiny (and unique) human
figures.

As this is one of the most visited attractions in
Germany, you can avoid a long wait by reserving your
ticket online. Fun, behind-the-scenes guided tours are
available and are highly recommended. Dining and
snacks are available on-site, including a restaurant for
the kids.

The International Maritime Museum (Internationales
Maritimes Museum Hamburg, or IMMH) is a great
place to discover more about Hamburg's rich maritime
history and all things sea-related.

Housed in the city's oldest warehouse, a massive red-
brick heritage building in the HafenCity area, the
museum's fascinating exhibits cover more than 3,000
years of human connection to water.

The oldest artifact displayed is a dugout boat, hollowed
out of a tree trunk thousands of years ago, that was
recovered from the Elbe.

Models show how shipping has progressed, from
Phoenician galleys to Viking long ships to the caravels
of the Golden Age of Discovery. An entire floor (there
are 10 all told) is devoted to the latest in marine
research, with films taken by diving robots and
recordings of undersea sounds. Another gallery is filled
with maritime art.

The newest addition is a superb ship simulator, which
allows you to try your hand steering a container ship. A
variety of tours and workshops are available, and there
is a great little bistro here called, aptly, "Catch of the
Day."

Alster Lakes. The focal points of Hamburg's inner city
area are the Inner Alster (Binnenalster) and Outer
Alster (Aussenalster), two artificial lakes connected to
the rivers Alster and the Elbe. It's here you'll find
Hamburg's most picturesque city squares and historic
avenues, as well as its famous pedestrian areas, the
passagens.

The best routes take in the elegant Jungfernstieg with
its cafés and landing stages used by tour boats, and
the Ballindamm, with the city's largest shopping centre.

The lakes are also popular for sailing and kayaking in
summer and skating in winter, and are lined by many
beautiful parks and gardens. The area is also popular
among cyclists.

Also popular is the Pöseldorf area, with its galleries,
boutiques, and cafés, along with the canals, or
"fleetes," which link the lakes with the Elbe.

If you're visiting in late summer, be sure to attend the
annual, a street fair held around the lakes with great
entertainment, including numerous concerts.

Hamburg Zoo Tucked away in Hamburg's
northwestern suburb of Stellingen, Tierpark
Hagenbeck, the city's zoo, was established in 1907 to
house a collection of exotic animals owned by a local
fishmonger-turned-exotic animal trader by the name of
Carl Hagenbeck. The zoo is still run by his
descendants.

This excellent facility was the first in the world to use
open enclosures surrounded by ditches as opposed to
cages, increasing the free-range area of the animals. It
was also the first zoo to group animals by species,
ideas that inspired the owners of other zoo parks to
adopt.

Other family attractions worthy of a visit is Planetarium Hamburg, located in an old water tower, and the
CHOCOVERSUM Chocolate Museum, a fun interactive museum with displays focusing on chocolate making. And
yes, you can make your very own chocolate bars!

The Beatles in Hamburg

‘I might have been born in Liverpool, but I grew up in Hamburg’, John Lennon allegedly once quipped when a
journalist asked what growing up in Liverpool was like.

Between 1960 and 1962, the Beatles played an estimated 281 concerts in Hamburg’s notorious red light and party
district, sometimes starting at 7pm and finishing at 7am. In two short years, they played more live music hours in
Hamburg than anywhere else in the world in their entire career.

It was in Hamburg where they learned how to play as a band, how to improvise and to entertain any audience. It was
here that they made their first recording, that John, Paul and George first played together with Ringo and that they
acquired their iconic mop-top haircuts. Just ten days after their last Hamburg concert in 1962, the LP Please, Please
Me was released and took the world by storm.

Beatles-Platz On the corner of the Reeperbahn and
the Grosse Freiheit lies the Beatles Square,
commemorating the band’s Hamburg history.

The circular, black-paved plaza is shaped like a vinyl
record, and engraved titles of The Beatles’ most
famous songs decorate its edges. On it, five life-size
steel silhouettes of the musicians provide fans and
passersby a unique photo opportunity.

Yes, five—back in the early 1960s the band was
composed of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George
Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best. As the latter
had been replaced by Ringo Starr in the last Hamburg
concerts, the drummer statue is a hybrid of both
musicians.

The original lineup of the Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best regularly
performed at different clubs in Hamburg, West Germany, during the period from August 1960 to December 1962; a chapter
in the group's history which honed their performance skills, widened their reputation, and led to their first recording, which
brought them to the attention of Brian Epstein.

The Beatles' booking agent, Allan Williams, decided to send the group to Hamburg when another group he managed, Derry
and the Seniors, proved successful there. Having no permanent drummer at the time, they recruited Best a few days
before their departure. After breaking their contract by playing at another club, Harrison was deported for being underaged,
and McCartney and Best were arrested and deported for attempted arson.

The Beatles first met Astrid Kirchherr in Hamburg, who was instrumental in their adoption of the mop topped Beatle haircut.
During their period in Hamburg, Sutcliffe decided to leave the group to continue his studies. In April 1962, less than a year
after leaving the group, he suffered a brain hemorrhage and died as a result.

The Beatles began their Hamburg stint on August 17,
1960, in the Indra Club, playing multiple sets a night
and, allegedly, sharing the stage with a strip show.

The music was mainly covers of their favourite tunes
and requests from the drunken crowd. While in
Liverpool, the guys were used to playing while standing
still, in the Indra Club’s boss requested them to ‘macht
shau’ – make a show.

When the Indra Club had to close a few months later,
The Beatles moved down the street to the
Kaiserkeller.

Here they shared the stage with Rory Storm & the
Hurricanes, another Liverpool band whose drummer at
the time was Ringo Starr.

It turned out that George Harrison, who was only 17, was too young to be working in the clubs, so on November
20th German authorities ordered George Harrison deported. He stayed up all that night teaching John his guitar parts,
so The Beatles could continue without him. Harrison left on November 21st.

In his anthology he wrote: It was a long journey on my own on the train to the Hook of Holland. From there I got the day
boat. It seemed to take ages and I didn’t have much money – I was praying I’d have enough. I had to get from Harwich
to Liverpool Street Station and then a taxi across to Euston. From there I got a train to Liverpool. I can remember it now:
I had an amplifier that I’d bought in Hamburg and a crappy suitcase and things in boxes, paper bags with my clothes in,
and a guitar. I had too many things to carry and was standing in the corridor of the train with my belongings around me,
and lots of soldiers on the train, drinking. I finally got to Liverpool and took a taxi home – I just about made it. I got home
penniless. It took everything I had to get me back.

The Reeperbahn
No visit to Hamburg, Germany, is complete without hitting the Reeperbahn, Hamburg's legendary nightlife mile.
Located within the district of rebellious St. Pauli, it is home to one of Europe's biggest red-light districts and is a
theme park of neon. It harbours the city's seedy (but largely safe) underbelly and is a must-visit in Hamburg.
Nicknamed die sündigste Meile in German—the most sinful mile—this area is not to be missed if you're looking
to have a good time in Hamburg.
Tips for Your Reeperbahn Visit
The Reeperbahn really comes to life in the evening
hours. A good time to visit is on the weekends,
beginning at 8 p.m. and continuing until the
morning hours. The area is fairly safe thanks to the
high police presence, but you should still be
cautious and beware of pickpockets. Violent crime
is rare, but petty crime is fairly common.

Most strip clubs charge a cover of 30 euros, be
clear about what you expect to spend and know
your limits.
If you are lured into a strip club with free entry,
expect to shell out at least 20 euros for your first
drink. Drinks usually come with a heavy surcharge.

Bars
While this particular area is especially known for its
strip clubs, cabarets, and red-light district, it's also
a popular area for locals and tourists alike to go
out for drinks. This hip neighbourhood offers
everything from dive bars to elegant cocktail
lounges.

Clubs
Reeperbahn is the core of the St. Pauli party
district, so if you want to continue the night after
dinner you no shortage of options. Docks is a
staple of the neighbourhood, hosting crowds of up
to 1,500 people since 1988. Molotow is one of
Hamburg's most famous underground clubs, and
has hosted several world-famous bands back
before anyone knew who they were, such as The
White Stripes and The Killers. Whilst Prinzenbar is
another popular dance club with weekly events
and an art nouveau vibe,

Red Light District
The most notorious and exclusive street of
Hamburg's red-light district is Herbertstraße. Just
like in Amsterdam prostitutes sit in dimly lit
windows and display their charms for customers.

If you are worried about your tender eyes (or those
of your family), know that Herbertstraße is closed
off by a wall and minors and females are generally
verboten (forbidden) from entering. While they may
officially enter this street, it is strongly discouraged
by the police. Prostitutes here can be hostile to
visitors who just want to look.

Dining in Hamburg

The Hamburg food scene is both dynamic and alive. Locals and tourists cram into casual eateries from dawn to
dawn since many joints stay open until the wee hours of the night, with some open 24 hours.

Numerous Hamburg restaurants serve German food favourites like Currywurst as well as Hamburg food
specialties like Labskaus and Franzbrotchen. However, it just as easy to eat global cuisine from the likes of
Austria, Asia and the Middle East.

If you can manage it, we recommend booking dinner at an upscale restaurant (or two) to get the full
Hamburg food experience. If you do, the following Hamburg restaurant is well worth visiting:

Jellyfish - Weidenallee 12, 20357 Hamburg
Considering that Hamburg has Europe’s third
busiest port after Rotterdam and Antwerp, this is a
city where you will want to eat as much fish and
seafood as humanly possible.

At Jellyfish, Chef Stefan Barnhusen creates
stunning plates using sustainable fish and seafood,
much of it locally sourced.

Diners at Jellyfish choose between five, six and
seven-course meals. The meals range in price from
€115 to €149 with the extra courses featuring Pike
Perch and Breton Lobster. The base, five-course
menu features Oysters, Sardines, Jellyfish,
Monkfish, Plaice, Mussels and Salmon.

Other excellent restaurants are; Vienna - Fettstraße 2, 20357 Hamburg, which features hearty European dishes
including several Austrian classics and Restaurant Heldenplatz - Brandstwiete 46, 20457 Hamburg - which
offers eclectic food combinations which can be ordered individually or as multi-course tasting meals as late as
midnight.

When in Hamburg why not eat a Hamburger?! There are several American themed restaurants in Hamburg,
here are a few of the best:
                                                              Anchors and Hearts in the St Pauli area is an
Burger Kultour (Eimsbüttel)                                   American-style eatery which offers hearty meals for
Order at the bar and enjoy fresh burgers grilled to           meat-lovers, vegans and everyone in between. The
perfection at this neighbourhood burger joint. Keep an        seitan spare ribs are legendary!
eye out for their food trucks too!
                                                              Otto's Burger (Various locations)
The Bird (St. Pauli)                                          The only joint in town to serve the sought-after Beyond
Burgers as good as they get. Enjoy homemade                   Burger, veg(etari)ans and carnivores alike love this
patties and hand cut fries from one of Hamburg's first        local burger chain.
authentic burger joints.

Outdoor Seating
What's better than dining or drinking al fresco in beautiful weather? Hamburg has plenty of spots for
outdoor beers and bites. Here are some of our favourites:

LeseCafé am Rosengarten (Winterhude)
Located in a brick house from 1914, this small café offers refreshment and relaxation in the middle of the Stadtpark.
The large terrace invites you to linger over its garden views. All cakes, soups and small dishes are homemade from
seasonal and regional ingredients
.
Restaurant Engel (Blankenese)
Restaurant Engel is located on a former viewing platform near the Teufelsbrück neighbourhood and offers stunning
views over the water. The modern, European menu offers up fish, meat and game dishes, as well as a sumptuous
brunch on Sundays. The restaurant is also recommended as a destination for a delicious ‘cake break’ if you happen
to be walking or cycling in the area.

Rive (Altona)
There’s no better place than this fish restaurant’s beautiful terrace to enjoy delicacies like sushi, scampi, salmon
tartare or even the Hamburg classic Labskaus. Wash these dishes down with a cool drink in the midday or evening
sun as you watch the cruise ships right next door.

Budget
Travelling on a shoestring or simply hungry for a quick bite? These restaurants are kind to your belly —
and to your wallet.

Azeitona (Sternschanze)                                        Kiez Curry (St. Pauli)
Located in a narrow backalley, this cosy falafel joint is      A kingdom for a real German currywurst! There's hardly
exactly the retreat needed after a long day (or night) in      a better time to have one than during a night out on the
bustling Sternschanze.                                         Reeperbahn.

Beach Bars.
Want to feel the sand between your toes in the middle of the city? Catch some rays on a lounge chair by the Elbe
river as you watch the ships go by, drink in hand? If this sounds like paradise to you, why not explore Hamburg’s
many beach bars, beach clubs and outdoor bars. Here are some of our favourites.

Dock 3 Beachclub (St. Pauli, Parkdeck
Landungsbrücken)

Hamburg's first beach club is located on the parking deck
of the Landungsbrücken piers. It has plenty of space for
lying around and catching that summer feeling. There are
even hammocks!

You can see the giant cruise ships pass by or meet friends
for a cool cocktail.

 Anleger Hamburg Beach Club Bar & Grill (Groß
 Borstel)

 The perfect beach club for watching the paddle
 boarders and rowers pass by on their Alster
 excursions. But why not get in on the fun? The Anleger
 also rents out canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-
 up paddle boards, so you can start the day with some
 action and finish it with your feet in the sand and a cool
 drink in your hand.

 The location can be rented for grilling parties as part of
 a birthday or other celebration.

 Central Park (Schanzenviertel, Max-Brauer-Allee
 277)

 There might not be any water in the middle of
 Sternschanze, but you can still relax with your feet in
 the sand. You’ll find this alternative beach club behind
 the colorful wooden fence on Max-Brauer-Allee,
 complete with deck chairs and hammocks. Children
 have plenty of room for digging and a spot for table
 tennis.

 The bar concept is straightforward, the dishes on offer
 range from simple bratwurst to more sophisticated
 grilled specialties at the various special events
 organised by Central Park. A separate area can be
 reserved for 30 or more people - perfect for an outdoor
 party or event.

Nightlife
Hamburg being a lively port city offers a varied nightlife.

Both day and night, Whatever your idea of fun, This city is able to offer you the right alternative. Young, lively and
multicultural, Hamburg is a city suitable for all ages and all budgets, with many free or cheap nights.

The hub of nightlife in Hamburg is the St. Pauli, where the
famous Reeperbahn, almost a kilometre long road full of
bars, night clubs, theatres and burlesque shows.

You can find along the Reeperbahn the best nightclubs
and pubs in Hamburg where to party and dance all the
nights until dawn, In addition to numerous restaurants,
theaters and strip bars:

This is the beating heart of the Hamburg's nightlife, where
people and alcohol flow in rivers.

Also worth a visit is Hans-Albers-Platz, a square full of bars where drinking beer and listening to good live
music, and Hamburger Berg, preferred meeting point for students and academic and party place with bars in stile
anni ' 60.

Located west of Hamburg, Altona is a residential and shopping district with a quiet nightlife: Here you will find
theatres, cinema and relaxing lounge-bars. The atmosphere is creative and multicultural, especially in the area of
Sternschanze, a great place for a late night snack.

This is also home of the historic brewery Altes Mädchen (Lagerstraße 28b, Hamburg), which produces craft
beers: excellent choice of wine tasting 5 beers, details of which will be presented by the waiters themselves.

The District of St. Georg, located close to the central station (Hauptbahnhof) and the banks of the Alster Lake,
provides a quiet and romantic nightlife, Thanks to a great variety of bars and restaurants.

Getting there
  Hamburg Airport is very close to the city centre. The following airlines fly there from the UK and Ireland.

  Aer Lingus from Dublin
  British Airways from London Heathrow
  Easyjet from Edinburgh, London-Gatwick and Manchester
  Eurowings from London-Heathrow
  RyanAir from Dublin, Edinburgh and London-Stansted

  Know before you go

  For Germany the plug type is F. Germany operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

  The currency used is the euro

  112 for Emergency Services
  Dial emergency telephone number 112 in case of acute medical or fire-related emergencies. The operator will notify
  medical emergency and fire brigade services and, if necessary, contact the police.

  110 for Police Emergencies
  Dial police hotline 110 (nation-wide) if you require immediate police assistance, for instance if you've been victim or
  witness to a crime or hazardous situation. Examples are house break-ins, traffic accidents or domestic violence.

  Out-of-Hours Medical Care
  If you require medical assistance outside of regular doctor's office hours, dial 116 117 (nation-wide) to contact the
  local on-call medical unit. The operator will determine what next steps to take, for instance if a doctor should come
  by, or if you should visit the nearest out-of-hours doctor's practice

  Non-Emergency Police Contact
  Should you need to contact Hamburg police in non-emergency situations, you can dial +49 (0) 40 4286-50. The
  operator will connect you to your nearest police station, where you'll be further advised.

  British Embassy
  The consulate of the United Kingdom in Hamburg is located at Alsterufer 36 and can be contacted by telephone on
  40 30 08 26 90 as well as by email nicholas.teller-honcon@fcowebmail.fco.gov.uk and office@honcon-uk.de. The
  consulate of the United Kingdom in Hamburg is supervised by the embassy in Berlin.

 How do I make a ‘phone call from Germany?
For many foreigners, dialing in Germany can be confusing:

  •    To call a local number within your own area, dial the number only.
  •    To call to another area, dial the respective area code first. When calling from within Germany, you have to
       dial "0" followed by the area code (i.e. 089 for Munich). Area codes and phone numbers in Germany are
       variable length: the bigger the city, the shorter the area code, so that 089 is Munich, but 07252 will be a
       smaller town.

 Other than cash how can I pay?
 Somewhat surprisingly, Germany remains largely a cash-based society and credit card use is not as common as you
 might think. International hotel chains, high-end restaurants, department stores and fancy boutiques usually accept
 credit cards, but enquire first, just to be on the safe side. Mastercard and Visa are more widely accepted than American
 Express and Diner's Club. ATMs are ubiquitous. Be wary of those not affiliated with major banks as they charge
 exorbitant transaction fees. ATMs do not recognise pins with more than four digits

Is tipping mandatory?
There is no hard and fast rule about the acceptable amount to tip in Germany. The general custom is a nominal
tip, as indicated by the German word for tip (Trinkgeld, or money for a drink). Many people simply round off the
bill to the next euro or add a couple more, which is perfectly acceptable.

Public holidays
New years day     Friday January 1st 2021
Good friday       Friday April 2nd 2021                   Whit monday               Monday May 24th 2021
Easter sunday    Sunday April 4th 2021                    German unity day        Sunday October 3rd 2021
Easter monday    Monday April 5th 2021                    Reformation day        Sunday October 31st 2021
Labour day       Saturday May 1st 2021                    Christmas day       Saturday December 25th 2021
Ascension day    Thursday May 13th 2021                   2nd day of christmas Sunday December 26th 2021

How can I send a letter or postcard?

To send mail internationally you have pretty much the same options as you do when sending them within
Germany, it is just more expensive. Deutsche Post allows you to calculate the cost online and then you can
either buy stamps online and print them off, or head to the post office.

Sending packages internationally can be done at the post office. You can also buy the postage online and then
have your parcel collected or drop it off at a Paketshop or Paketstation, but you can’t buy postage at these
outlets.

Sometimes smaller post offices won’t offer all services, such as express shipping so it can be better to go to the
main post office when you want to send mail internationally.