Strandperle

Don’t forget to pack your swimwear; Strandperle is Hamburg’s beloved city beach location. This sun-kissed spot directly on the Elbe boasts deck chairs, umbrellas and a laid-back bar serving beer, wine, cocktails and simple food, from a fish sandwich to a hearty dish of chilli con carne. Unsurprisingly, it’s particularly popular on warm weekends and evenings, but it’s open throughout the year (in winter with a heated marquee), and a perennial favorite for Hamburgers young and old. The views across the harbour, with its giant cranes and container terminals, may not be everyone’s idea of picturesque, but they’re certainly pure Hamburg; for some locals it’s even the perfect backdrop for an engagement or wedding. Service at Strandperle is friendly, if sometimes slow, but this isn’t a place to rush through anyway: Sit back, relax and watch the ships go by.