This really depends on what you like, as Hamburg has a lot to offer. You might enjoy walking around the diverse neighborhoods, do a little shopping, have a coffee in one of the many cafés, etc. Or, if you are into art, check out the museums Kunsthalle and Galerie der Gegenwart. Cruises on the Alster Lake and in the harbor are a must, as is a walk along the Elbe. If the weather is nice, you should go the "Strandperle" in Oevelgoenne, a beach on the River Elbe with an outdoor bar/café that is frequented but young people. Popular are also the beach clubs along Grosse Elbstrasse -- artificial beaches with a club-lounge atmosphere. A good starting point of your Hamburg trip is the Tourist Office inside the central station. Enjoy!

I would like to add the Deichtorhallen near the Main Station (changing exhibitions of photography and modern art). If you are interested in food, try the Farmer's market on Isestraße (Tuesday + Friday mornings).

In addition to the things already mentioned you could go the huge Stadtpark where there's also a planetarium. You could climb the 'Michel' church from where you get magnificent views of the city. If you're interested in history, you could visit the History Museum or the imposing Nickolaikirche that was destroyed in WW2 and now houses a museum all about Hamburg during the war.

You shouldn't miss "Lange Reihe". It's a street south of the main station in St. Georg with some nice multi cultural as well as other interesting shops and bistros. For having lunch or just a coffee in that area I would either suggest "Max und Konsorten" (Spadenteich 7, at the very beginning of Lange Reihe when you are coming from the main station) or Café Uhrlaub (Lange Reihe 63). Both places also have tables for sitting outside when the whether is nice. The Max & Co. has them on the street where you can watch a lot of interesting people passing by and Café Uhrlaub has a nice romantic courtyard. Both have moderate prices and offer great things to eat.

Check these links for a review:

mytravelguide.com/restaurants/profile-788682…

mytravelguide.com/restaurants/profile-788706…

Some other must-sees in Hamburg are:

-Planten un Blomen

http://www.plantenunblomen.hamburg.de/

The website is in German only but at least you can see some puíctures. Planten un Blomen is a great park with a tropical greenhouse, lakes, many canvas chair to relax,...

-Krameramtsstuben (near the Michel)

www.international.hamburg.de/artikel.do…

- Hamburger Fischmarkt

starts at 5 o'clock in the morning. The best way to start Sunday morning (or to finish off a great Saturday night). Fruit, vegetables, plants, cheese ... are sold, there is a flea market, there is live music (Rock), you can have breakfast there, ...

The atmosphere is really unique - may be a little touristy nowadays but the fish market is definitely worth a visit especially because it's on the river Elbe near the harbour.

- Der alte Elbtunnel (old Elbtunnel)

…city-map.de/city/db/030102011601.html

It was built for pedestrians and vehicles between 1907 and 1911. It's about 450 long and it's a great feeling to walk under the river Elbe.

- Friedhof Ohlsdorf (Europes largest cemetry)

http://www.friedhof-hamburg.de/ohlsdorf/ When you scroll down a bit you can go chose the English language).

Really impressing and an unique atmosphere.

To get an idea of the different looks of Hamburg you should go to different districts. It's fascinating to see the different districts and their peculiar flair. Go to the following areas to get an impression about the variety:

-Schanzenviertel / Karoviertel:

hamburg-tourism.de/…

-Blankenese:

on the river Elbe, formerly a poor fishing village, now famous for its villas, the picturesque streets and old little fishing houses the great view on the river Elbe, the downhil walks, numerous steps that are linking the narrow streets,...

-St.Georg (already mentiones above - the district where Max und Co. and Café Uhrlaub are)

- Eppendorf / Hoheluft

One of the wealther districts of Hamburg. Not in the outskirts as Blankenese but near the city center . It's where the Isemarkt is (mentioned in one of the other posts above) but that area is also great for shopping (especially Eppendorfer Baum Eppendorfer Landstrasse, Hegelstrasse). Some of the shops are quite exquisite but they are great to look at and in some of them (Kaufrausch: http://www.kaufrausch-hamburg.de/) or Octopus (http://www.octopus-versand.de/) one can also afford to buy some stuff (although I'm afraid men don't really like strolling through the shops in Eppendorf). However, if you go there just to get an idea of this area - and it's really worth going there - you should stop at the "Petit Café in Hegestrasse 29 and try one of the delicious homemade cakes! In case you don't want to go to the shops in Eppendorf, you can just stroll along along Eppendorfer Baum, Eppendorfer Landstrasse, Hegelstrasse, Lehmweg,... and easily combine this walk with a visit to the Isemarkt which is nearby. If you want to do some shopping though, you should think about going there on another day, because it already takes some time to stroll over the market. If you are after sweets, you should go to Pingel on the Isemarket - they sell homemade sweets and pralines - really delicious - but they are really famous and you can easily spend 1 hour in one of the three queues until you get served.

There are millions of areas to go shopping at but it would be easier to recommend something if you can tell us what you are after. Same with nightlife - what kind of music do you like?

And do not forget the British Isles Arcade to buy an Irish souvenir, just in case you forgot to bring one for you host.

Stresemannstr 169 S-Bahn holstenstr. 0408514478

www.english-books-hamburg.de