Car Rental Hamburg - Exploring Hamburg

If you're looking to escape the city's bustle, a pleasant daytrip is 60km west to Stade, a pretty town with stunning buildings and a picture-perfect harbour. The main attractions here include St Wilhadi Kirche, a Gothic church that dates back to the 14th century and the Schwedenspeicher, a history museum that was used as a food warehouse during the Swedish occupation of Stade.

Altona is a short drive to the city's outskirts for those in search of funky bars and gourmet restaurants. You can also visit the Altona Museum, which houses an interesting collection of nautical treasures. Most afternoons you'll find locals gathered in Platz der Republik playing a game of boules.

Also nearby is Lübeck, in Germany's northernmost state - Schleswig-Holstein. It’s a glorious medieval town that's earned its place on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

On Sundays the Fishmarkt in Hamburg opens on the banks of the Elbe, south of the Reeperbahn. Stall owners will entice you with fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables, like they've been doing since 1703. For live entertainment, head over to the Fischauktionshalle (fish auction hall) where you can listen to a local band while eating a hearty German breakfast.