Altona: is a delightful quarter of the city to visit, popular with food lovers and those who enjoy having a drink: the city’s fashionable young professionals come here for its cool bars and restaurants. Altona was originally a separate city, swallowed up by its bigger neighbour, Hamburg, in 1937. The Altona Museum has exhibits on the history of the district and features intricate model ships, harpoons, scrimshaw and other nautical memorabilia.

A boat trip around the harbour: or even on one of the city’s lakes will provide ever-changing vistas of city skyline, historic buildings, sailboats and glimpses of nature. A boat trip offers a pleasant diversion from sightseeing by foot or public transport.

The merchants add flair to the already festive atmosphere, cajoling and flirting with passers-by. If you’re looking for something good to eat, the Fischauktionshalle (Fish Auction Hall) offers up a gourmet breakfast, while a band offers up obscure German pop.

Harry's Hamburger Hafenbasar: is a shopper’s delight that really shouldn’t be missed. This shop-cum-museum is the life-long work of Harry Rosenberg, a famous local character known by seamen around the world.

The Kunstmeile (Art Mile): is the place to go if you're looking for the best of the city's culture. On the Kunstmeile it’s all conveniently organised along this stretch of galleries and museums. The Hamburg Kunsthalle boasts a collection ranging from medieval portraits to 20th-century minimalism, with many of the works having survived destruction by the Nazis in the time leading up to WWII. The Galerie der Gegenwart is filled with modern art, as is the Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe.

Neustadt: is another area interesting to wander around. Michaeliskirche, which is found here, is northern Germany's largest Baroque church, as well as Hamburg's most prominent landmark.

The Port of Hamburg: is a must-see as it is the centre from which Hamburg developed. It covers more than 10 per cent of the city’s area, with more than 70 million tonnes of goods passing through it every year. The 1896 windjammer Rickmers features prominently in the harbour, now serving as a museum and restaurant, as does the Cap San Diego, a 11,200 ton ship built in the 1960s. A visit to both boats will be a delight for the children as well.