This immense statue commemorates the German leader who unified the country in the 19th century. The statue was built at the turn of the 20th century and provides a great look at the history of Germany and its development into a modern state.

Planten un Blomen (plants and flowers) is the name of the green belt stretching alongside the city center all the way down to the harbor, and incorporating the Wallringpark. Features include a Japanese garden, an apothecary's garden, lakes and tropical greenhouses. As well as a skating rink and crazy golf, there is a huge playground for the kids, complete with pony rides on Sunday afternoons. Several cafés offer coffee and snacks, and even dancing on a Sunday afternoon. The music pavilion provides free concerts every weekend throughout the summer. All Hamburg flocks to the Wasserlichtspiele, a combination of fountains, colored lights, and music on the lake in the middle of the park. TRANSPORTATION: S-Bahn Dammtor/U3 St. Pauli

This historic building is synonymous with the culture, history and people of Hamburg. Marked by a neo-Renaissance motif, the building includes 647 rooms, which is more than those at Buckingham Palace, and is capped by an ornate clock tower. The public square in front of the Town Hall is the site of numerous civic and cultural events and features memorial tributes to poet Heinrich Heine, composer G.P. Telemann, and the casualties of World War I. Tours in English last about 35 minutes.

This brick church, built in 1762, is among Northern Germany's loveliest Baroque-style buildings. The tower, which was added in 1786, is the church's signature feature and is also considered Hamburg's definitive symbol. Twice daily, a trumpeter plays a solo from the tower while a full ensemble performs during festivals. At 433-feet high, the view from the tower's platform is breathtaking. TRANSPORTATION: S-Bahn Stadthausbrücke; U-Bahn U3 Rödingsmarkt

Situated on the Elbe River, this "welcome point" salutes ships by dipping the Hamburg flag as they pass, signaling "Bon voyage." Sailors are also welcomed with the playing of their national anthem and a greeting in their native language. There is also a museum for ships-in-bottles and shells housed here, opening hours 10am-6:30pm. S-BAHN: Wedel