An idyllic urban retreat in Hamburg’s Planten un Blomen Park
On a recent trip to the city of Hamburg, a vibrant port city in northern Germany, we were lucky to be staying near the beautiful Planten un Blomen park (‘Plants and Flowers’ in the local dialect).
The 47-hectare park is a lovely green heart in a bustling city. Hamburg weather in the sprintime is-understandably-iffy at best. During our four-day April visit we were lucky enough to enjoy two days with blue skies and sunshine, and on one of those days we took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to explore the pretty park.
The park is narrow, but long, and beautifully landscaped with streams, lakes and theme gardens.
Urban R&R
There were also lots of comfortable chairs in landscaped corners of the park, idyllic spots to relax with a good book, watching the world pass by while holding the chaos and traffic of city life at a safe distance.
Our kids quickly discovered the playgrounds (at the southern entrance of the park)- a welcome respite from all the museums and sightseeing. There was also a large skating area for older kids and teens. Summertime schedules announced a series of concerts and events and organized activities for kids, unfortunately kicking off after our stay.
Its water-light performances are another highlight of the summer months.
We enjoyed visiting the wonderful greenhouses, opened in 1963 and maintained by the University of Hamburg.
I can imagine I’d be a frequent visitor here in the frigid winter months, with the greenhouses’ tropical ecosystems – trees, plants, cacti, and flowers from around the world. We happily shed layers as we worked away around these greenhouses.
Planten un Blomen also boasts an impressive Japanese garden – apparently the largest in Europe. It was a wonderful, peaceful place to relax and enjoy the Japanese sensibilities for harmonious nature, and impressive landscape architecture.
There’s even a Japanese tea house in the middle of the park.
So if your travel plans take you up to Hamburg and the sun is shining, be sure to set aside some time to explore the beautiful Planten un Blomen Park.
It all looks so green and beautifully kept when one is used to Rome! I’d love to visit the Japanese tea house.
Haha. Too true – really a shame that Rome doesn’t maintain its parks better. How great would a park with lots of comfy chairs for lounging and reading in Rome be? Although, to be fair, there’s lots and lots of rain in Hamburg to keep those parks so green. : )
I have been to Hamburg several times but totally missed this park, which seems gorgeous. Glad you found it and enjoyed the different opportunities.
Salutations d’Albanie! Keep in mind I’m a bribing mother, as in ‘You go to this art museum, you behave well and learn something, and then we can go play in the park.’ Don’t know if it’s the correct parenting tool, but it certainly gets me to enjoy my art and history museums, and they get to run around in playgrounds/parks. : ) Probably why I always seek them out in new places…
Sounds delightful. I love greenhouse gardens – always my favourites. I was astonished by the parks in Berlin a while back. Accessible and so relaxing. Sounds like a great trip.
Aren’t trips always great, Catherine? : ) Yes, I love greenhouses, too, especially when it’s cold outside…
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