Kicking off our grand European adventure in the underappreciated city of Hamburg, Germany. Located on the Elbe River, this dynamic port city provides an intriguing mix of historical grit, delightful riverside views, and modern amenities, making it an excellent pre-cruise stopover.
We hit the ground running on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with exactly 24 hours to explore before embarking on the MSC Preziosa cruise. As expected, Hamburg didn't disappoint.
We landed at Hamburg Airport (HAM) and instantly benefited from the use of the Hamburg CARD. This excellent value, especially if you're eager to move around the city, offers unlimited public transportation and up to 50% discounts at museums and attractions without needing a rental car.
We jumped onto the S1 S-Bahn line directly from the airport to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Central Station with many shopping options). From the station, a short walk led us to our hotel—the prestigious Hotel Graf Moltke, located at Steindamm 1.
The Hotel Graf Moltke was the perfect pick for our short stay:
After a quick refresh, we were ready to explore Hamburg on foot.
The ideal location of our hotel, close to the main train station, allowed us to easily reach Hamburg's top attractions.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1nNaT1xVQGye9v423Eky5PydOFJeU9gw&usp=sharing
Coffee Cup Icon: Nord Coast Coffee Roastery along the route has waffles and hot chocolate: https://www.nordcoast-coffee.de/ (this is one of the most photogenic areas of the canal)
An exploration of Hamburg is incomplete without visiting the Speicherstadt district, the world's largest warehouse district built on timber-pile foundations. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for:
We enjoyed strolling around the bridges and courtyards, taking in the scenic views, and imagining the bustling port's history.
Just a few blocks off the canal, we stumbled upon the impressive Prototyp Museum. This welcome surprise was extra special with its:
Even if cars aren't your main interest, the museum offers a quiet, cosy environment for a brief respite.
One of our most impactful stops was the moving St. Nicholas Memorial (Nikolaikirche), a potent symbol of peace and remembrance. Once the tallest building in the world, this Gothic church was largely destroyed during WWII and now stands as a poignant memorial and museum.
We took an elevator up the spire for panoramic city views. The crypt museum in the basement narrates the tale of the war's impact on the city and humankind with simplicity yet eloquence.
After a day packed with experiences, it was a joy to find delicious dining options within walking distance of our hotel:
We ended the night with a tranquil walk along the canal, soaking in the reflections of the lights on the water, utterly content and grateful.
After a hearty breakfast at Hotel Graf Moltke and some final photos, it was finally time to embark on the MSC Preziosa. Our hotel's proximity to the Hauptbahnhof made our stay highly convenient. The station serves as a city transportation hub and is surrounded by shops, eateries, and a bus depot where MSC Cruises passengers are transported to the port, making our embarkation day a breeze.
Hamburg proved to be the perfect launchpad before setting sail—the city offers endless beauty and inspiration. Our next destination: Rotterdam! Stay tuned for the subsequent post in our European City Spotlights Series.
