Living in the Hamburg area

This section will give you a brief introduction to life in this Hanseatic city.

A great deal of more detailed information about Hamburg, its numerous sights and neighbourhoods, and its history can be found on the Hamburg city website.

With its historical port, Hamburg is a city that constantly is looking forward. Many communities of different cultures have developed across the city, and the city puts on many cultural events to reflect the city’s diversity. You can get details of many of these events at the Hamburg Welcome Center, located in Hamburg’s city hall or Rathaus.

Hamburg is well-known for its arts and music culture. Many museums exist throughout the city, and arts festivals are a frequent occurrence. Many popular acts from across Europe and the world pass through Hamburg. Musical theatre is also very popular here.

 

Additionally, Hamburg is a major science city, with several major research institutions (including, of course, European XFEL). Every two years, the city puts on the Night of Science to showcase its role in scientific advancement for humankind.

Economically and culturally, Hamburg is the centre of Northern Germany. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and the sixth largest city in the European Union. Situated on the river Elbe, the port of Hamburg is the third busiest port in Europe (after the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp) and fifteenth busiest worldwide. The city is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors; Hamburg ranked 17th in the world for liveability in 2012. With its long history in trade, Hamburg has always been an outward-looking city and one of Germany’s gateways to the world. Recent estimates put the number of people with a migrant background at 30% (515 000). Immigrants come from 180 different countries. Communities from nearly every country in world live together in Hamburg.

Hamburg has an oceanic climate which is influenced by its proximity to the coast. Snowfall is rare, generally occurring once or twice a year. The warmest months in Hamburg are June, July, and August, with daytime average temperatures of 19.9 to 22.2° C (68 to 72° F). The coldest months are December, January, and February, with daytime average temperatures between 3.5 and 4.6° C (38 to 40° F).

One of Europe’s major rivers, the Elbe travels through the centre of Hamburg. Throughout the city, a group of historic canals channel water from the river and connect the city’s Alster lakes with the river. Many parks throughout the city follow the path of these canals and lakes, and in the summer, citizens frequent the beaches along the river’s banks.

The two major local football teams in Hamburg are Hamburger SV (HSV) and FC St. Pauli. Both have many passionate fans, and there is a strong but mostly friendly rivalry between the two fanbases.

Besides Hamburg, Northern Germany includes the coastal Federal States of Bremen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Beautiful historic sites in the surroundings of Hamburg include Lübeck, Lüneburg, Schwerin, Stade, and Celle. You will find beautiful landscapes during excursions to the North Sea coast and the North Frisian Islands, such as Sylt, or to the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Work and live in Hamburg, one of the most beautiful, interesting, and international cities in Europe!