Every year the HEW Cyclassics Cup puts Hamburg into a cycling frenzy, with the finest cyclists in the world pitting their wits against each other in the recently redesigned 251km cycle route in and around Hamburg.

Hamburg in cycling frenzy
Alongside the cycling pros, around 20,000 amateur cyclists also take part. The routes range from 55 to 155km depending on how fit you are. These professional cycling races are so popular they are even broadcast live across Germany.

The port is the second-largest container terminal in Europe and Hafencity is Europe's largest urban construction project. The river Elbe, where the port is located, has been vital in shaping the city's development throughout history. The Alster lake is a recreational area in the heart of the city. Blankenese is an exclusive residential suburb; the baroque church of St. Michael is Hamburg's most famous landmark. The Speicherstadt warehouse district is the world's largest former warehouse complex – and last but not least there is the Reeperbahn, the renowned "red light district”.

The Hamburg Kunsthalle art gallery houses the city's largest art collection. Great entertainment is provided by world-famous musicals and at theatres such as Schmidt's TIVOLI (music and variety) and the St. Pauli Theatre (comedy and cabaret). The Hamburg State Opera House (opera and ballet), the National Theatre (Deutsches Schauspielhaus) and the Thalia theatre are all venues for world-class performances.