Like many other northern European cities, Hamburg is known to most as the Venice of the North, although comparisons with the Italian city still remain very vague.
In any case, it is still a very important industrial hub for Germany, one of the ports that is a real crossroads for trade, warehouses and old wharves now redeveloped and made anchorage points for impressive cargo ships.
The beauty of the historic center of Hamburg, however, attract many international tourists who choose to charter a private jet to travel there, a travel solution that allows them to enjoy maximum flexibility, privacy, speed through the various airport controls, and a range of exclusive services that ensure full relaxation during the trip.
Between historic buildings, churches, monuments, and fascinating neighborhoods, Hamburg is certainly a city not to be underestimated in tourism; but what are its main attractions?
We analyze that and more in this guide!
Historical and geographical background on Hamburg
The precise geographical location of Hamburg is northwest Germany, an area located between the Lander of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, one of the German federal states. The town lies on the banks of the Elbe River, precisely at the junction of the Alster and Bille rivers, small streams that then flow into the Elbe. Its resemblance to Venice is discernible from the many canals that run through the city, known as Fleete, but also from a natural harbor that bathes some central neighborhoods. The earliest historical traces of Hamburg date back as far as the Neolithic period thanks to the various archaeological evidence found in the area where its center now stands; however, it was Charlemagne who founded its first settlement by also having a fortress built to defend the town from Slavic attacks. Over the centuries, Hamburg was destroyed several times by different peoples such as the Abodrites and Vikings before Frederick I Barbarossa granted it the status of a free city from the Holy Roman Empire. This event ushered in an extremely prosperous period for Hamburg, as it gave it the right to trade freely, thanks in part to the construction of the present port, which quickly became one of the most important crossroads in Europe. In modern times, Hamburg was for long years under Danish sovereignty, welcoming many Protestants from France and the Netherlands; it was also for some years annexed to the territories conquered by Napoleon in the early 19th century. Around 1850, the city suffered extensive damage from the Great Fire that broke out overnight: entire neighborhoods were swept away and thousands were left homeless, forcing residents to rebuild much of the city over 40 years. Due to the outbreak of World War I, Hamburg lost several trade relations with as many European ports, but after German reunification in the 1990s, its port again began to cultivate the goal of becoming one of northern Europe's most important ports again. Today, Hamburg is undoubtedly a very vibrant city and at the center of the German economy thanks to the many trade routes that its huge port carries out, but it is also a tourist destination that has increased its attractiveness considerably in recent years.
What to see and do in Hamburg
The harbor and the historic center
When visiting Hamburg, one cannot fail to visit its port, a huge center of commerce of spectacular beauty that has always been bustling at all hours of the day. Therefore, wealthy tourists have the opportunity to participate in guided, private boat tours exploring one of Europe's largest harbors, also noting the various majestic yachts anchored or the many sports competitions organized throughout the year. Alternatively, it is possible to charter a private boat directly to set sail from Hamburg's harbor and enjoy wonderful views of its historic center, thus visiting the Speicherstadt, also known as the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gothic designed urban area. From the sea, one can also see the various oak structures that once served as warehouses, as well as the small stores that still exist today and their daily activities.
The International Boat Fair
Water sports enthusiasts and VIP tourists looking for new vanguards in the nautical industry cannot miss Hanseboot, a special annual trade show that celebrates boating in all its aspects. At this glamorous event that the city of Hamburg is hosting, manufacturers present the newest innovations dedicated to sailboats and powerboats while giving some tips and hints to private yacht owners on how to customize their boats to their own specifications. Wealthy tourists can also go directly to Traditionswerf, the Hamburg shipyard that installs a wide variety of technologies on yachts, yachts and sailboats, effectively implementing what was noted at the fair very quickly.
Embarking on a cruise ship sailing from Hamburg.
In addition to being a trading port of international significance, many cruise ships sail from Hamburg on their way to Scandinavia to explore the Norwegian fjords or to lap the Danish coastline stopping at the most characteristic spots. The Steinwerder cruisecenter operates a large number of luxury ships such as the Queen Mary II and many others, vessels that increasingly resemble huge floating cities that can offer an exorbitant amount of exclusive services to make travel an unforgettable experience.
Hamburg's top hotels
The accommodation options in Hamburg are many and perfectly suited to meet the needs of the wealthiest tourists. Among them is the Hotel Atlantic, a majestic hotel that makes opulence its calling card: located in the pulsating center of the city, it offers several luxury amenities such as a gourmet restaurant, a business center, and a high-class concierge. Also worth mentioning is the Fontenay, a luxurious property also equipped with an in-house spa and special packages for VIP tourists, not to mention the Grand Elysee, which provides a swimming pool, spa, solarium, bar, and private restaurant based on local delicacies.
Climate and best time to visit Hamburg
Hamburg's prevailing climate is oceanic, that is, characterized by very cold winters and sunny but mild summers. The spring period is marked by days that gradually begin to lengthen, but by temperatures that exceed 15°C only starting in May; rainfall still remains quite abundant, although the likelihood of incurring sunny days is increasing as we approach summer. The summer period, in fact, is dominated by pleasant temperatures that average around 25°C during daylight hours and 20°C at night; rainy days are never lacking, but the beautiful weather holds sway and allows for the many events planned each year. In autumn, the weather cools down considerably with temperatures dropping as low as 10°C in October and November; in general, the atmosphere in the city is as close to Christmas as possible thanks to the preparation of the classic Christmas markets that open in November. Like all northern European cities, Hamburg's winter is characterized by very cold temperatures that rarely exceed 5°C, with heavy snowfall also quite frequent. That said, the best time to charter a private jet to Hamburg is definitely spring or early summer, segments of the year where the weather is pleasant and you can visit the city without worrying too much about the temperatures.
How and why to fly private to Hamburg
Hamburg International Airport (ICAO code EDDH) is Germany's oldest hub: it was first built in 1912, although at that time it was used exclusively as an airship hangar. Over the past few years, numerous expansions and renovations have made it Germany's fifth largest airport with more than 160,000 aircraft movements and about 16 million passengers passing through each year. Thanks to the presence of a dedicated general aviation terminal, travelers moving via private jet can have access to a range of high-quality VIP services such as catering, a large VIP Lounge, VIP parking spaces, personal assistance, free WiFi, stores, dining options, and faster check-in. In addition, as many as 2 runways present make it possible to fly to Hamburg in all weather conditions and with any class of aircraft without any restrictions whatsoever. The distance of about 8 km from the city center can be covered by various transfer services such as cabs, rental cars with or without drivers, and limousines to move from the airport to anywhere in the city.
How much does it cost to fly private to Hamburg
Despite its location in the far north of Europe, Hamburg is well connected to multiple European airports such as Paris Le Bourget, which is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by air; chartering a Light Jet, a Medium Jet, and a Large Jet is available for about €8,000, €15,000, and €23,000, respectively. It is also possible to depart from the French Riviera, i.e., from Nice, to reach Hamburg in about a 2-hour flight: chartering a Light Jet implies an expense of about €11,000, while opting for a Medium Jet or a Large Jet requires about €20,000 and €28,000, respectively. Hamburg then is very well connected with Scandinavia and with, for example, Oslo Airport from which to leave by a flight of about 1 hour and 35 minutes: the cost of a Light Jet is €8,000, that of a Medium Jet is €15,000, and that of a Large Jet is €24,000.
The best jet to fly to Hamburg
The Cessna Citation CJ4 is definitely a high-performance light jet because of its top speed of more than 750 km/h and its range that exceeds 3500 km that can be traveled on a single tank of fuel. There are 7 seats, and the amenities offered by its cabin make for a comfortable and quick trip. Among the medium jets, mention should be made of the Learjet 60/60XR, an aircraft with the same number of seats as the above aircraft, but with a top speed that easily touches 800 km/h with a range of more than 4,000 km. To travel longer distances thanks to a range of more than 6,000 km, it is an excellent choice to opt for the Gulfstream G450, Large Jet that consists of as many as 13 seats in its spacious interior cabin that offers tables, sofas, reclining seats, an onboard WiFi connection and other amenities to make the trip a memorable experience!
Most frequent flights to and from Hamburg
Below of the most frequent connections to Hamburg:
