St. Georg

The Hamburg district of St. Georg probably offers the most exciting mix of the city - the variety of the inhabitants as well as gastronomy, shopping offers and culture is second to none.

Ironically, the most sensual and intense neighbourhood in the heart of Hamburg bears the name of a saint. The seeming contradiction is significant for St. Georg. "Global village" is what residents call their district.

At only 1.8 square kilometres, a unique scene has developed in the crossover of cultures, controversial and fascinating at the same time. St. Georg is unusual and sinful, chic and gay and always good for lurid headlines. Life plays out on an iconic stage here. Prominent artists and creatives feel at home on the colourful streets, just as much as business people, yuppies, junkies and lost souls. It's just the allure of difference that makes this area so attractive to tolerant people.

On the "other side" of the central station, behind the tracks, is where St. Georg begins. From here it is only a few steps to the popular Museum of Arts and Crafts. And to Germany's largest theatre, the Schauspielhaus. Directly after begins the Lange Reihe - probably one of the craziest, most diverse and most earthy stretches in Hamburg. In addition to long-established crafts, international specialist shops, corner pubs and hip bars, the "luxury world" is now also increasingly discovering the district. Luxury boutiques and trendy bars lure people in. In between life's whirls and dances - and not just on Christopher Street Day, the parade for the confident gay and lesbian scene.