By GlobalDetail.com reader rhode

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Three times a year Hamburg is host to one of Europe’s biggest and most spectacular Fun Fairs – the “Hamburger Dom”. During each of the 30-day events more than 260 stalls, bars, and rides open their gates to more than 2.8 million people. Visitors are awed by the high-speed rides, the ghoulish “Horror Houses”, the glitz and sparkle of the Giant Wheel and to top it all off there are plenty of beer tents and food stalls, serving the most satisfying array of goodies – if you can hold them down after spinning around on the dozens of rides.

The spectacle is hosted on the "Heiligengeistfeld" on the edge of the "St. Pauli" area. St. Pauli is usually known more for its popular bars, clubs and the red-light district, but if you are worried about this, don’t be. Despite its slightly raunchy reputation, the area is perfectly fine to host this family event. On 160,000 square meters (or 1,722,225 square feet) revelers of all ages groups come to join in on the fun. The area often also hosts circuses and other family events.

Once you have made it to the "Dom" (pronounced "Dome") the choice of rides and things to do is enormous. A family favourite is the Giant Wheel ("Riesenrad") which towers above all other attractions with its 60 meters height. If you prefer to be a bit more adventurous, why not try the more gut-wrenching "Airwolf" or "Dancer", which will spin you to dizzy heights and back – you will be either screaming for more or to be let off. For something more unusual try the "Rotor" a spinning circular room with rubber walls. As it spins faster the floor is lowered beneath you and the sideways G-forces will make you "stick" to the walls. You can either remain in that position or start climbing around like spiderman – great fun. If you prefer a little less action and a bit more stationary fun, you can make an attempt at getting through the mirrored maze – an indoor maze of glass and mirrors, but mind your head (Tip: Go hands first).

It is impossible to list and describe all of the rides, but you will find enough there to keep you entertained for hours. And if you still feel like more then you can always get your fortunes read or find truth in some traditional German beers and wines in one of the many Oktoberfest-style beer tents. There are also plenty of food stall selling comfort food such as jammy donuts, sausages, pancakes, but also more unusual things like chilly gherkins, Greek Gyros (spicy BBQ’s meet) or Dutch "Poffertjes" (donut-style dough with melted butter and sugar).

The Dom is on three times a year, the Winter Dom (November), the Spring Dom (March/April) and Summer Dom (July/August). For exact dates (until 2011) see The Dom Website Timetable.

Opening times are:
Monday to Thursday 3pm to 11pm,
Friday and Saturday 3pm to midnight (Summer Dom till 12.30am) and
Sundays from 2pm till 11pm

Wednesday is Family Day and you will get very good discounts for kids until closing time on all kids’ rides, but also for food and drink.

Getting there:
By Car:
Follow the signs for "Centrum" (city centre). The Dom is in the St. Pauli area at the top of the Reeperbahn. You can park on the "Pay & Display" areas on the Feldstraße or Budapester Straße.

By Subway:
Take the U3 and get off at "St. Pauli" oder "Feldstraße", or
Take the U2 and get off at "Messehallen", or
Take the S1/S3 and get off at "Landungsbrücken".

By Bus:
Number 111 (Metrobus No. 9) get off at "Feldstraße".
Numbers 112, 36 and 37 get off at "St. Pauli".

Public transport information:
Http://www.hvv.de

For Travel to this destination also read GlobalDetail's Ultimate Guide to no-frills airlines

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