Bremen: Bremen is an industrial city that brims with personality and traditional architecture. Only an hour and 20 minutes from Hamburg by car, Bremen’s highlights include the old city (known as the ‘Schnoor’), which has cute independent shops and one of the smallest hotels in the world. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a stein, head to Viertel where there are plenty of bars and restaurants. Just remember not to drink and drive.
Lübeck: Known as the ‘Queen City’ of the Hanseatic League, Lübeck was founded in 1143 and is still characterised by medieval architecture. Around 70km kilometres north-east of Hamburg, Lubeck is famous for making marzipan — so make sure you visit Niederegger, the marzipan factory, to discover how the delicacy is concocted.
Ahrensburg Castle: A 35-minute drive from Hamburg is the glistening Ahrensburg Castle. A typical Renaissance structure with a moat, the castle is now a museum showcasing furniture, porcelain and paintings. Events such as concerts, an outdoor cinema and a medieval market are regularly held on the grounds.