The Alster divides into the Binnen- and Außenalster at the Lombardsbrücke bridge. The Außenalster in particular offers excellent recreational opportunities with its numerous parks and adjacent sports facilities. The banks of the Alster in Harvestehude, Uhlenhorst and Winterhude are the preferred living quarters of the wealthy Hamburg residents.
The huge lake in the middle of the city centre has always been a meeting point for tourists, but also for long-established Hamburg residents. No surprise: the view over the lake with its steamers and sailors does not get boring even the hundredth time. On the left and right side of the Alster foreland there are remarkable sculptures. During a tour of the Alster you will pass many of them and have a beautiful view of the silhouette of Hamburg and the water sports life on the Alster. The most beautiful view of a sunset in summer can be seen from the east side of the Alster. Here you will find the popular Alsterwiesen Schwanewik and the Park Schöne Aussicht (Beautiful View), which more than lives up to its name.
Sports Paradise Außenalster
This is without doubt the most popular jogging route in Hamburg. A circuit is almost exactly 7 km long and is also suitable for cycling or skating. Numerous sports and play equipment has been installed here in recent years. And with a little luck you will also meet a few jogging celebrities here. Around the Alster you will find various sports clubs and rental places for sailing boats, which you can drive without a sailing license, pedal boats and of course canoes.
Good to know
The Alster is actually a river that was dammed up to a millpond by a miller around 1250.
The Außenalster has an area of 164 hectares. This corresponds to the size of 230 football pitches.
The Außenalster is one of the most difficult sailing waters in Germany due to the up and down winds from the surrounding buildings.
Tip
Starting from Jungfernstieg, you can make various Alster round trips with the small steamboats all year round (in suitable weather conditions), during which you not only have a wonderful view of Hamburg, but also get to hear many stories and a lot of information about Hamburg and the Alster.
