This historic building is synonymous with the culture, history and people of Hamburg. Marked by a neo-Renaissance motif, the building includes 647 rooms, which is more than those at Buckingham Palace, and is capped by an ornate clock tower. The public square in front of the Town Hall is the site of numerous civic and cultural events and features memorial tributes to poet Heinrich Heine, composer G.P. Telemann, and the casualties of World War I. Tours in English last about 35 minutes.

Formerly the famous and historic Flora Theater, this building is now covered with modern graffiti art and is home to a cultural center. This site offers an interesting look at the meeting of old and new in this historic German city.

St. James Church was built during the 14th and 15th centuries and is known for its ornate interior. Particularly noteworthy is the altarpiece depicting Luke, the Gentile physician, who wrote the "Gospel of Luke" and "Acts of the Apostles," and traveled with the Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys. There's also a beautiful pulpit made of marble and alabaster as well as one of the largest baroque-style organs in northern Europe, dating from 1693. Every Thursday at noon there is a guided tour of the organ, followed by a short concert. A guided tour of the church in English is available on the first Thursday of every month at 4 pm. The church tower houses a café with a splendid view over the city; it is run by the congregation and open on the first Saturday of every month. TRANSPORTATION: U3 Monckebergstrasse

Constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries, this stately brick church reflects Gothic influences, as evidenced by its massive, openwork tower. TRANSPORTATION: U1 Messberg

This brick church, built in 1762, is among Northern Germany's loveliest Baroque-style buildings. The tower, which was added in 1786, is the church's signature feature and is also considered Hamburg's definitive symbol. Twice daily, a trumpeter plays a solo from the tower while a full ensemble performs during festivals. At 433-feet high, the view from the tower's platform is breathtaking. TRANSPORTATION: S-Bahn Stadthausbrücke; U-Bahn U3 Rödingsmarkt