Lübeck, Germany, is a city located in the north of the country on the banks of the Trave River. It is one of the largest ports in Germany and the second-largest city in the province. Lübeck is located on the Baltic Sea and is about 60 kilometers from Hamburg. What sets Lübeck apart from other German cities is its rich history, numerous landmarks, and distinctive brick Gothic architecture.
An interesting fact! There are about a hundred historical buildings in the city.
General information about the city of Lubeck
The appearance of Lübeck has retained its grandeur, and numerous landmarks remind us of the influential Hanseatic League, as Lübeck was the de facto leader of the trading association. Since 1987, the city’s historic districts have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it’s no surprise, as this small town is home to fascinating historical sites and medieval corners.
An interesting fact! Lübeck is the only city in northern Germany that has a historic center that is as important as Nuremberg.
The city’s name was inherited from the settlement of Lübeck, where Slavic tribes lived before they were expelled. They were replaced by Germans, who founded the modern city. Interestingly, Lübeck never had an independence day, leaders, or any other attributes of independence, but it was the first city in Germany to have the right to mint coins.
Locals call their hometown “a Gothic fairy tale made of red brick.” During the period when limestone was used for construction in Europe, Lübeck built its structures with bricks. This was a way for the residents to showcase their financial prosperity. As a result, Lübeck Brick Gothic architecture emerged. The city’s Town Hall is the most popular landmark that still stands today.
An interesting fact! The climate of Lübeck is significantly influenced by the Baltic Sea, which results in high humidity throughout the year.
City history in dates:
- 1143 – the city of Lübeck in Germany was founded;
- 1226 – Lübeck was granted the status of a free imperial city;
- 1361 – the Hanseatic League was founded, with Lübeck as its leader;
- 1630 – the last meeting of the founders and members of the Hanseatic League;
- 1815 – Lübeck joined the German Confederation;
- 1933 – Lübeck lost its privileges and advantages as a Hanseatic city;
- In 1937, it became part of the Schleswig-Holstein province.
Lübeck attractions in Germany
The most interesting part of the city from a tourism perspective is the medieval Altstadt. This is where many of the city’s tours begin, and it is a popular destination for travelers interested in learning about the city’s history. We have compiled a list of the top attractions in Lübeck, along with photos and descriptions.
The Old Town and the Holstein Gate
The old districts of the city are located on an island, which is surrounded by canals and the river Trave. The old town is not an open-air museum, nevertheless, its sights are included in the list of objects protected by UNESCO. The historical center is a lively part of the city, where it is pleasant to walk along the old streets, admire the architecture.
An interesting fact! The northern part of the historical center, Koberg, has been preserved the best.
A distinctive feature of the old part of the city is the spires of the churches that rise above Lübeck. Here you can also find the spire of the city’s cathedral, which was built on the orders of Duke Heinrich the Lion. Another notable landmark in historic Lübeck is St. Mary’s Church, which is the third-largest church in Germany and the tallest building in the city center.
Other places to see and visit in historic Lübeck include:
- museums;
- houses in the Baroque and Classicist styles;
- City Hall;
- state theatre;
- Hospital of Heiligengeist.
The symbol of the central part of Lübeck, as well as the entire city, is the Holsten Gate or the Holstein Gate, which was built in 1466 and completed in 1478. The landmark is a symmetrical structure with two towers. The gate is part of the city’s fortifications.
It’s good to know! The Holstein Gate is the most famous gate in Germany after the Brandenburg Gate. It is a symbol not only of Lübeck, but also of the entire country and the Hanseatic League.
The landmark was built in Lübeck in 1477 and consisted of a complex of four defensive structures, with the Golshinsky Gate as its central part. The city’s defensive system was quite impressive, featuring towers, earthen ramparts, canals, and caponiers, with a total of 30 cannons.
In the middle of the 19th century, due to the construction of a railway and new buildings, the authorities decided to dismantle part of the defensive structures. The gates were preserved, and in 1871, they underwent a complete reconstruction, followed by a strengthening of the structure in 1931.
Since the mid-20th century, the Holstentor Museum has been located in the gate building, offering insights into the city’s history and traditions.
Practical information:
- working hours: from January to March, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday is a day off), and from April to December, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (no days off);
- Ticket prices: adults – 7€, concessions – 3.5€, children from 6 to 18 years old – 2.5€, children under 6 years old – free of charge;
- tour guide services — 4€;
- website: http://museum-holstentor.de/.
City Hall
The building is notable for several reasons:
- it is considered one of the most beautiful in the city;
- the design combines several architectural styles;
- The oldest functioning Town Hall in Germany.
The attraction is located in the Market Square, near the Church of St. Mary.
The Town Hall was built in the 13th century, and over the years it has been rebuilt several times, resulting in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and even Art Nouveau styles in its architecture.
In the early 14th century, the Romanesque Town Hall was completed on the square, and in the first half of the 15th century, a Gothic wing was added to it. In the 16th century, the building was expanded with a Renaissance annex.
It’s good to know! Inside the Town Hall, there are wall frescoes that tell the story of the city’s life.
Practical information:
- you can only visit the attraction as part of a tour;
- excursion schedule: Monday to Friday – 11-00, 12-00, 15-00, Saturday – 12-30;
- The tour costs 4€, and 2€ for Lübeck card holders.
European Hansa Museum
The museum is located near the Burgtor Tower, which is a remnant of the city’s defensive structures. The tower was built using glazed bricks and has survived to this day.
The exhibition of the Hanseatic Museum tells about the history of the union of the Baltic and North European cities. The association existed until 1669. Through interactive multimedia devices, guests of the museum travel back in time, to the years when salt was more valuable than money. Here you can see Hanseatic ships, the clothes of merchants.
An interesting fact! The Hanseatic League had a huge impact on the history of many cities. In 1231, the year was poor for Nizhny Novgorod, and the Hanseatic League’s assistance saved the city from famine.
The central part of the exhibition is dedicated to Lübeck, the main city of the Hanseatic League. There is also a rich archaeological collection on display.
- Address: An Der Untertrave 1-2.
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Ticket prices: adult – 13€, concessionary – 10€, child – 7.50€, family – 19-00€.
- Website: http://hansemuseum.eu/»>hansemuseum.eu.
St. Mary’s Church
The main church of the city of Lübeck is the tallest Gothic church in the world. It is located on the Market Square, next to the Town Hall. Construction began in 1251 and lasted for over a century. The church was built to demonstrate the strength and power of the port city, as well as the Hanseatic League, which included over two hundred cities. The central nave is 38.5 meters tall, and the bell tower is 125 meters tall.
An interesting fact! As a result of the bombing in 1942, a fire broke out in the temple, and the fire revealed a layer of older paintings under the plaster.
The destruction led to the collapse of the bells, which are still kept in the church. The new bell was donated to the church by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer on the occasion of the 700th anniversary. The church’s original appearance has been restored based on photographs. Over the years, the church has been expanded with new structures, and today it consists of ten chapels.
Practical information:
- entrance fee — 2€;
- the working hours are from 10:00 to 16:00;
- website: https://st-marien-luebeck.de.
St. Peter’s Church
The five-nave church was built on the site of a church that had stood here since the 12th century, and it is decorated in the brick Gothic style characteristic of Northern Germany. During the war years, the church was severely damaged, and it was not restored until 1987. Today, the church is inactive and does not hold services, but the authorities use the building for cultural events such as exhibitions, fairs, and concerts.
The bell tower has an observation deck at a height of 50 m. You can climb up using an elevator.
Practical information:
- the cost of visiting the observation deck is 4€;
- Credit cards are only accepted for tickets over €10.
Where to stay
The city is administratively divided into 10 districts, but only a few are interesting from a tourist perspective:
- Innenstadt is the smallest and oldest tourist district in the city, and it is home to the most hotels;
- St. Lorenz-Nord and St. Lorenz-Süd are separated from historic Lübeck by a railway, and they are home to many industrial enterprises. There are almost no parks, but you can find hotels or affordable apartments near the train station.
- Travemünde is not just a district of Lübeck, but a separate small town with access to the sea. There is a wide selection of shops, restaurants, and boat tours.
It’s good to know! If you’re more interested in a seaside resort, you can choose the area of Travemünde. There aren’t many hotels here, but finding apartments is easy. It’s important to book your accommodation in advance. The two towns are connected by train, which takes about 30 minutes, or you can drive there.
Cost of accommodation:
- a hostel room costs 25€;
- 2-star hotel room — 60€;
- a room in a three-star hotel costs 70€;
- a 4-star hotel room – 100€;
- A 5-star hotel room costs 140€.
Food in Lübeck
Of course, most of the places where you can have a bite to eat and a full meal are located in the center of Lübeck. There is no shortage of options when it comes to cuisine, with a wide range of local restaurants, as well as French, Italian, Mexican, and Asian options.
It’s good to know! Lübeck is famous for its high concentration of pubs and small cafes where you can try local beer or wine.
Prices in cafes and restaurants:
- a single person’s bill at an inexpensive cafe ranges from 9€ to 13€;
- a check for two people at a restaurant costs between 35€ and 45€ (for a three-course meal);
- A quick meal at a fast-food restaurant costs between 7€ and 9€.
How to get to Lubeck
Most tourists travel to the city by train, ferry, or car. The nearest airport is located 66 km from Lübeck in Hamburg. There are several ways to get from the airport to the city:
- by S-Bahn train (stop at the airport building) to Hamburg, then by train to Lübeck, the journey takes 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs 15€;
- Take a city bus to the train station in Hamburg, then take a train to Lübeck. The bus fare is 1.60€.
Germany has an extensive railway network, and you can take a train to Lübeck from any city in the country. For detailed information about train schedules and ticket prices, please visit the official railway website www.bahn.de.
From some major German cities, you can take a bus to Lübeck (Flixbus). The fare ranges from 11€ to 39€. The buses arrive at the train station in Lübeck.
Helsinki-Lübeck ferry with a car
20 km from the city is Travemünde – a resort that has the status of a suburb of Lübeck.
Finnlines organizes ferry services from Helsinki. Fares range from €400 to €600. The ticket price depends on several factors:
- how early is the ferry ticket booked;
- The ferry crossing is planned with or without a car.
The journey takes 29 hours. Ferries depart from Helsinki seven times a week. For more information about the Helsinki-Lübeck ferry, including schedules and ticket prices, please visit www.finnlines.com/.
We have collected important information about the city of Lübeck (Germany) that a tourist will need for their trip. Of course, this small town is worth visiting, and the best way to experience the charm and atmosphere of Lübeck is to explore its historic center and visit its ancient landmarks.
