Germany Disembarking in the port of Hamburg to the fish market for travel gourmets

Hamburg is worth a visit for tourists in several ways – who of course also come from all over the world. Even a travel gourmet, i.e. a holidaymaker who during his stay in the Hanseatic city, which is also known as the “gateway to the world”, gets his money’s worth here. The reason for this is not only the numerous international restaurants that exist in the Hanseatic city. One of the culinary highlights of the Hanseatic city – if you like – is the Altona fish market. It is a public market in the Altona-Altstadt district, which is now marketed as a tourist attraction, but has an eventful past and can refer to a lot of tradition. After all, the port of Altona was once very important.

The story of the Port of Hamburg

It all began when Altona was still in front of the gates of the Hanseatic city in the north of Germany. Here was the settlement area of ​​fishermen and craftsmen. Altona quickly had a special position because of the port. After Altona had received town charter in 1664, trading in Altona was allowed to begin in 1703 before going to church. At the time, that was unique in what is now called Germany. Initially, the market only served to supply the citizens of Altona with fresh fish. But as early as the early 18th century, vegetables, plants and fruit were also offered on the market. However, the market remained an important and, above all, the largest transshipment point for sea fish and canned fish in Germany. The logical consequence of this was the opening of the fish auction hall in 1896, which was not profitable three decades later. The hustle and bustle of the market in Altona finally became a tourist attraction with its numerous outdoor stalls after the Second World War. To this day, the market on the eastern end of the Große Elbstraße in Altona has, besides the fact that many travel gourmets come here, also a social and of course economic function for the locals – customers and dealers alike.

From live chickens to gourmet burgers

Altona’s fishermen once offered their fresh catch at the fish market in Hamburg-Altona directly from their boats in the harbor. Today this market is a magnet for travel gourmets from all over the world. In addition to the traditional fish sandwiches, tourists can also buy live chickens and even racing pigeons, but also rabbits. There are 120 stalls where the locals and tourists can choose the things that they are looking for or that they think they can use. For gourmets in particular, there are numerous food trucks that offer their delicacies – from traditional currywurst to gourmet burgers. In addition to the traditional offer, which one suspects to find on such a market, technical articles and tourist souvenirs are also part of the dealers’ assortment, while jazz and rock music is played in the former fish auction hall. Not only for the culinary well-being is taken care of, but also for plenty of entertainment and a supporting program that can be seen. So you don’t just go to the fish market in Hamburg to buy a live chicken for the chicken coop in the garden.