Once a Danish fishing village, Ottensen is now one of Hamburg’s most vibrant quarters. People love living in Hamburg-Ottensen. But why is that?
Ottensen is not an independent district. It is part of Hamburg-Altona. Yet, it has a unique charm.
The colorful street life is full of people. You’ll see schoolchildren and vegetable sellers. Architects, artists, and advertisers also call Ottensen home. Different nationalities and cultures mingle here. This gives Ottensen its unique character.
Beautiful old buildings define Ottensen. Many have Art Nouveau facades. These curved buildings fit the irregular streets. Former factory buildings have become lofts. Many have lovely courtyards. Modern buildings are increasingly common too.
Are you hungry? Ottensen has tastes from around the world. Many bars, cafes, and restaurants liven up the neighborhood. Head to Alma-Wartenberg-Platz or Ottenser Hauptstraße for a mojito or latte. You can find good restaurants on Große Brunnenstraße too.
For a quick meal, visit the Mercado shopping center. It has Turkish, Asian, and Indian cuisine. You can also find organic products from Germany. Vegans will be thrilled with their options in Ottensen.
Meet locals at the farmer’s market. Find the freshest produce there. There are four markets a week. Two of them have only organic vendors. Visit Eisliebe for ice cream in the summertime. Look for the long line on Reitbahn.
Do you like to shop? You will see chain stores near the Altona train station. But many small shops with unique products line Ottenser Hauptstraße and Bahrenfelder Straße. Find handmade sweets, organic bakeries, and trendy clothing stores. Ottensen is the perfect place to find a birthday or Christmas present.
Are you interested in culture? Visit the Fabrik on Barnerstraße. It hosts regular concerts and events. The building’s pink facade is hard to miss. The Zeisehallen is a former propeller factory. Now, it is a cultural center. It has an art house cinema called Zeise Kinos. You can also find restaurants, offices, art galleries, and artisan shops. Theater lovers can visit the Monsun Theater. The Thalia Theater is on Gaußstraße. The UCI Kinowelt is a mainstream movie theater.
Ottensen has a rich history. The first record of Ottensen dates back to 1310. In 1390, it became the seat of the bailiff of Holstein-Pinneberg county. Farmers and craftsmen primarily inhabited the settlement. By the 1640s, it had surpassed nearby Altona in size. In 1867, Prussia annexed Ottensen. The population grew rapidly. It jumped from 2,411 in 1840 to 37,738 in 1900.
Later, Ottensen was annexed to Altona. Then, the Greater Hamburg Act annexed Altona to Hamburg in 1937.
Today, Ottensen continues to thrive. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and community. Take a stroll. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of this special Hamburg quarter.