Although not a part of the city of Hamburg Wedel is a de facto suburb of the city.
Wedel has a Subway station connecting it to Hamburg's rapid transit system.
The thing Wedel is most known for is the "Willkomm Höft". As ships pass Wedel on the river Elbe on their way in and out of the port of Hamburg each ship is greeted over a big loudspeaker system and the national anthem of the ships home land is played. It's worth visiting and I know of no other institution like this.
The high speed ferry connecting Hamburg and the island of Helgoland stops in Wedel just at the Willkomm Höft.
The Willkomm höft is also a good starting point for a walk or bicycle ride along the river into Hamburg. You will pass the pompus suburb of Blankenese, have a chance to look across the river and see the airbus factory and probalby meet loads of people if the weather is nice. Musicians and vendors selling Crepes or ice cream are around as well. The ways are mostly for pedestrians and bicycles only.
As the subway line S1 runs roughly along the river as well there is always the option of takeing the train back to the place you stay at should your feet get tired.
