Hobby florists and professional botanists pay attention: The botanical garden of the Loki Schmidt Foundation is home to amazing and exotic plants. The good news is that admission to the Flower Wonderland is free for all visitors. In the "Planten un Blomen" the original greenhouse can be admired, the newly created garden is at home in Osdorf. 

You can discover large parts of the harbour, the UNESCO World Heritage Speicherstadt and HafenCity on a walk. On a tour (ideally starting at the Baumwall subway station), you can easily pass the Elbphilharmonie concert hall without the crowds, walk along the waterfront promenade and take a detour into the red historic buildings of the Speicherstadt. Top tip: The small Wasserschloss (water castle) which also houses a tea store and a café.

At the Elbphilharmonie Plaza you can see the whole of Hamburg. At a height of 37 metres, the circular path on the outer edge of the building offers a unique panoramic view of the city and the harbour. Escalators take you to the viewing platform in a matter of minutes. A visit to the Plaza is free of charge.

In the museum harbour Övelgönne traditional sailors, historical deep-sea cutters and listed steam barges have found a berth. Information boards and exhibits provide expert background knowledge. Admission to the open-air maritime museum is free. Bonus: On the opposite side of the Elbe, you can watch the hustle and bustle of the modern container port.

Boring museums? Not in Hamburg! The Zoological Museum of the University of Hamburg offers exciting insights into the animal world. With over 10 million objects in its collection, the Zoological Museum in Grindelallee is one of the largest and most important research centres for natural history. The exhibits include specimens of exotic and native animals. Among the highlights of the exhibition are huge whale skeletons. Every Sunday there are family guided tours for more specialist knowledge. Admission? Free!

The composer Johannes Brahms lived and worked in Hamburg, the Beatles started their career on St. Pauli, famous musicians from near and far enthuse millions of people on the stages of the Hanseatic city. A life without music is hardly imaginable in Hamburg. Many clubs and bars leave the microphone to unknown artists. The musical performances are free of charge for the listeners. The Birdland Jazz Club in Eimsbüttel organises jam sessions every Thursday. It's worth listening!

The opening of the St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel on 7 September 1911 marked a milestone in road construction. Pedestrians, carriages and motor vehicles could now cross the Elbe without having to board a ship. Today, the Old Elbe Tunnel reminds us of days gone by. Road traffic has been routed through the New Elbe Tunnel since 1975. A crossing of the old tubes on foot or on the bicycle is nevertheless worthwhile. Those who pass the 426.5 metre long tunnel can enjoy the unique harbour panorama from the Elbe island of Steinwerder.

In Hamburg, we call sweets Bonsche. You can see how they are made at the Bonscheladen in Altona. In the free show productions, you can see how the little treats are lovingly made by hand. Always Tuesday to Friday at 4:15 pm and Saturdays at 2:30 pm. Maybe you'll find a souvenir or two to take home afterwards.

Even established city dwellers long for a break from hectic city life from time to time. In the Niendorfer Gehege you get the best recreation - on more than 15 kilometres of hiking trails you can walk, jog or look at the diverse flora and fauna. In a clearing in the forest you will find the fallow deer enclosure: there you can watch roe deer and stags. For children, the forest playground with climbing house, ropeway and slide is a real highlight.

Riding a bicycle is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. With the StadtRAD you can cycle through Hamburg for the first 30 minutes free of charge. Bicycle tours in less than half an hour: once around the Außenalster or from the Elbphilharmonie to the Schanzenviertel. The StadtRAD stations are spread all over Hamburg.