Every one of the museum's collections is important in its own right but in combination they have an immense impact. The museum presents the medieval altars of Master Bertram and Master Francke, 17th century Dutch paintings and 19th century German paintings with extensive groups of works by Caspar David Friedrich, Philipp Otto Runge, Adolph Menzel and Max Liebermann. Works of the Classical Modernist period include paintings and sculptures by Wilhelm Lehmbruck, Edvard Munch, Emil Nolde, Paul Klee, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, Lyonel Feininger, George Grosz and Max Ernst. The contemporary art section features alternating exhibitions, which have included Georg Baselitz, Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, Mona Hatoum and Jenny Holzer. The Department of Prints and Drawings comprises more than 120,000 works and is a museum in its own right. The Kunsthalle also runs the 'Museum At Home' initiative where art historians give their expert opinion on paintings (on canvas and wood), drawings and prints for a small fee.

The 100-year-old Speicherstadt, the world's largest warehouse complex, is situated between the Deichtor Halls and Baumwall. It is a very pretty quarter – not at all the kind of place visitors expect to find in an international port – with its Wilhelminian brick Gothic buildings, unusual gables, little towers and winding lanes. Behind the thick walls, high-value goods such as coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, tobacco and now computers are stored in a temperature-controlled environment. This is also the location of the world's largest Oriental carpet store. The Speicherstadt is one of the main attractions on the great harbour tour.

The Reeperbahn in the St. Pauli district, where the Beatles shot to fame in the 1960s, is Hamburg's top entertainment quarter. It has everything and anything you could wish for. The street on which the 100-metre ropes or reep were once braided is now home to any number of bars, pubs, discotheques, clubs, snack bars and, of course, red light establishments. There's also plenty of more wholesome entertainment on offer at venues ranging from the 'Operettenhaus', Schmidt Theatre and Schmidt's TIVOLI to Café Keese and the Quatsch Comedy Club.

This six-storey office block on the banks of the Elbe is one of Hamburg's most extraordinary buildings. Designed in the shape of a parallelogram slanting from east to west, it juts out 40 metres over the river, slicing through the air like the bow of a ship. The striking construction was built on a specially raised spit of land. Accessed via steps on the eastern side of the building, the public viewing platform on the sixth floor offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Elbe and Hamburg. Other special features include two sloping glass lifts up to the individual floors.

Expanding Hamburg's inner city: HafenCity – currently Europe's biggest urban regeneration project – is a model for new waterside developments in city centres all over Europe. While the historical warehouse district with its neo-Gothic brick-built architecture has long been a dominant feature of Hamburg, the new development at HafenCity is bringing a refreshing new twist to the old harbour. This addition to Hamburg's inner city sets a new benchmark in Europe and beyond. Covering an area of 157 hectares, the vibrant district is a fascinating mix of office and residential buildings, retail outlets, leisure facilities, restaurants, cafés and culture.

From The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King to Mamma Mia, Sister Act and Tarzan: Hamburg shares an affinity with New York and London as Germany's home of blockbuster musicals. Millions of visitors flock to the city's three big musical theatres every year, and hundreds of thousands more visit smaller venues such as the St. Pauli theatre. These are the domain of home-grown showpieces such as the captivating musical Heisse Ecke – a favourite with virtually every Hamburg resident, set around a busy snack bar in St. Pauli, the 24-hour party district.

The Elbe Philharmonic Hall, designed by leading Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, is a prestige urban project and a new cultural centre for Hamburg. This distinguished venue will offer a mix of classical and 21st century music as well as lighter entertainment with a sophisticated flair. The project will blend the new cultural identity with the harbour's former role as a gateway to the world. Visitors are going to travel up an escalator through the Kaispeicher A to a public plaza 37 metres above the ground. From here, they can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the harbour, the river Elbe and the city. Read more

Gateway to the world, beautiful seafaring hub, maritime capital of the north – even the normally reserved locals find it hard to conceal their pride in their home city, its ambience and its cosmopolitan charm.

Hamburg's famous 'Michel' church is not only the most important baroque church in northern Germany; it could also be seen as one of the world's tallest lighthouses. For many years, it has served as an important landmark for boats travelling on the river Elbe. The 132 metre tower has almost 450 steps leading up to a viewing platform, which offers wonderful panoramic views of Hamburg and the harbour – especially at night. Other attractions include the 52 metre long nave with its impressive 20 metre high altar and Germany's biggest clock tower, whose hands alone weigh 130kg each.

The Inner and Outer Alster lakes are right in the centre of Hamburg. The most important waterways in the city after the Elbe, they consist of several sections. The source is in Henstedt-Rhen just outside Hamburg. Covering an impressive 164 hectares, the shores of the Outer Alster are popular with locals and visitors alike. Many people come to jog around the lake and there are always plenty of small sailing and rowing boats out on the water. The Alsterpark and any number of other green spaces with shady trees and panoramic views of the lake are perfect for escaping the bustle of urban life.

Starting from Gänsemarkt square on the southern shores of Hamburg's Inner Alster lake, the historical Jungfernstieg promenade is now a popular shopping street in the heart of the city. In days gone by, wealthy families would walk their daughters along the Jungfernstieg in the hopes of attracting a would-be suitor. The buildings along this magnificent boulevard also look back on a proud heritage. A mix of old and new, they are home to the best hotels in the city, a number of banks and the entrance to the Europa Passage, one of the most exclusive shopping centres in Hamburg.

One of Hamburg's most popular parks, the Planten un Blomen has much more to offer than just plants and flowers. In addition to the flora, fauna and well-maintained lawns, there are tropical hothouses, an apothecary garden, streams and lakes. Visitors can also look forward to the Japanese teahouse, stroll through the beautiful rose garden, skate, rollerblade and go pony riding – although the latter is for children only. People of all ages, however, can enjoy the miniature golf and trampolines. Older visitors make a beeline for the beer gardens and everyone is welcome at the romantic water and light shows every evening. Read more

Built between 1886 and 1897 in the neo-Renaissance style, Hamburg's town hall is one of the most striking parliamentary and government buildings in Germany. It's also the city's pride and joy. Situated in a central location between the Alster lake and Elbe river, it is larger than Buckingham Palace with almost 650 rooms. The triple-wing granite and sandstone masterpiece with its 112m wide, beautifully decorated facade, 112m high tower and copper roof certainly makes an impact. On the side of the building facing onto Rathausmarkt square, bronze sculptures between the window recesses depict 20 kings and kaisers from the days of the Holy Roman Empire, from Charlemagne to Franz II.

There are 15,000 metres of tracks, ensuring that the 15,000 HO carriages reach their destination. 5,000 houses and bridges, 250,000 trees and 250,000 individual figures have also been used in the creation of this gigantic set. Almost half a million lights make the model railway look even more realistic and create an impressive atmosphere. The technology used behind the scenes is equally impressive: 60 computers are needed to control the trains.

Bales of rubber, coffee sacks and sampling implements are just some of the exhibits you can see displayed in a warehouse that is more than 100 years old. Old photos and plans bring the history of this unique architectural monument to life. Other subjects covered include the tea and coffee trade and the transport of goods to silos by barge.

Opening times:

summer: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm; winter: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

Exhibitions tend to focus on 'classic modernism', with artists such as Picasso, Kokoschka and Kahlo, but other periods are represented too. The layout of the rooms is changed according to the works being shown. The museum's programme of events also features concerts, talks and readings.

Opening times:

daily 11am-7pm, Thursday 11am-9pm

As well as the House of Photography and the Hall for Contemporary Art, there is a branch displaying the Falckenberg Collection in the Harburg district of the city. These historical buildings between downtown Hamburg and HafenCity provide plenty of space for major one-off exhibitions. The Deichtorhallen also hosts international exhibitions of 19th and 20th century photography and the digital photography of the future.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm

On the ground where the emigration halls once stood, three reconstructed pavilions bring the travellers' histories, hopes and dreams vividly to life. The award-wining BallinStadt concept includes 2,000 square metres of exhibition space for interactive and multimedia exhibits and over 1,500 original items.

Opening times:

November-March: 10am-4.30pm; April-October: 10am-6pm