8. Town Hall

The Lübeck Town Hall is one of the oldest town halls in Germany and a true architectural highlight. Construction began in the 13th century and was expanded over many centuries, blending various styles. Particularly striking are the delicate facade with its dark turrets and the inner courtyard with its arcades.

Guided tours are offered, allowing you to marvel at the historic interior. The audience hall and the carved wood paneling are particularly fascinating. But even without a guided tour, a quick stop at the market square is worthwhile, as there is always something going on here.

• Address: Breite Str. 62, 23552 Lübeck
• Guided tours: several times a day, book tickets here

9. Niederegger Marzipan

If Lübeck is known for anything, it’s marzipan. And Niederegger is the city’s most famous brand. In the main building opposite the town hall, you can not only shop, but also sit in the café and try marzipan cake. On the first floor, there’s a small but very worthwhile Marzipan Museum.

There you’ll learn how marzipan is made, why it has such a long tradition in Lübeck, and how the recipe has changed over time. The exhibition even features life-size marzipan figures. In our opinion, a visit is worthwhile not only for marzipan fans.

• Address: Breite Straße 89, Lübeck
• Opening hours: daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (café and shop), museum until 6 p.m.
• Museum entrance: free

10. Buddenbrooks

The Buddenbrook House is the former home of the Mann family, which became world-famous through the novel “Buddenbrooks.” The house is currently undergoing extensive renovation and a completely new design. Until the planned reopening in 2030, it will remain present in the city center with the information point “Buddenbrooks am Markt”.

• Address: Mengstraße 4, 23552 Lübeck
• Opening hours: currently closed due to renovation work

11. Shopping in Lübeck

Hüxstraße is one of the best streets in Lübeck for strolling and shopping. Cobblestones, historic facades, and over 100 small shops make it a really cool spot in the old town.

Instead of large chains, you’ll find boutiques, manufacturers, galleries, cafés, and creative shops here. Be sure to stop by Fleischhauerstraße, Glockengießerstraße, and Königstraße. You’ll find lots of great addresses there too.

A few cool shops:

• Michaelsen Scandinavian Living
• Goldener Hirsch – THE Lübeck manufacturer’s shop
• Globe Camp
• Nordisches Weinhaus
• Cyroline Lübeck
• Kailua Skateshop
• Soulmates i scream & Café

12. Willy Brandt Exhibition

The Willy Brandt House is a small but modern museum about the life of the former German Chancellor. Willy Brandt was born in Lübeck, and the exhibition depicts his political career from the Nazi era to his awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Interesting fact: Willy Brandt lived in exile in Norway during the Nazi era, where he adopted the name Willy Brandt as a disguise. His real name was Herbert Frahm.

• Address: Königstraße 21, Lübeck
• Opening hours: daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: free

13. Holy Spirit Hospital

The Holy Spirit Hospital is one of the oldest social institutions in Europe. In the Middle Ages, the elderly, the sick, and the needy lived here in small cells along a long corridor. You can still visit these cells today and get an idea of what life must have been like in the 13th century.

• Address: Koberg, Lübeck
• Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–5pm, closed Mon
• Admission: Adults €4, concessions €2

14th European Hanseatic Museum

In the Middle Ages, Lübeck was one of the most important trading cities in Europe. As the leading city of the Hanseatic League, it helped organize the trade of goods in Northern and Eastern Europe and earned a good amount of money. The Hanseatic League was an alliance of merchants and cities that regulated customs duties, fought pirates, and ensured safe trade routes.

Lübeck imported, for example, salt, spices, furs, and fabrics, and exported beer, grain, and timber. The wealth of that time is still visible today. The Old Town, with its gabled houses, granaries, and alleyways, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and demonstrates how powerful Lübeck was as a Hanseatic city.

The European Hanseatic Museum is the largest museum dedicated to the history of the Hanseatic League and a real must-see if you want to learn more about Lübeck’s role as a trading power. The exhibition is ultra-modern and interactive, with exciting audio stations and original finds from the Middle Ages.

The museum is located directly on the Trave River below the castle hill. In addition to the main exhibition, there are also regular special exhibitions on topics such as trade, seafaring, and city history. You can delve even deeper into the Hanseatic period with an audio guide or app.

• Address: An der Untertrave 1, Lübeck
• Opening hours: Daily 10 am to 6 pm
• Admission: Adults €16, concessions €10, children free

15. Museum Harbor

At the Museum Harbor on the Untertrave River, several old sailing ships are moored, reminiscent of Lübeck’s time as a major trading city. From small boats to large wooden sailing ships, you’ll find everything. You can take a leisurely stroll along the water and get a close-up look at the historic ships.

In our opinion, the Museum Harbor is one of the most beautiful photo spots in the city and is perfect for a short stroll. Access is free, and in the evening, when the light falls on the water, the atmosphere here is somehow particularly beautiful.

16. Passages and Courtyards

A real highlight among Lübeck’s sights are the many hidden passages and courtyards. In the Middle Ages, they were used as affordable housing for working-class families. Today, you’ll find small gardens, cobblestones, and lovingly restored houses with pretty flower boxes.

There used to be around 180 of these passages and courtyards in the old town; today, around 90 of them remain. Many of the passages are freely accessible and feel like little oases in the middle of the old town. Just keep your eyes open as you walk through the city and explore one of the small passageways every now and then.

Our Favorites:

• Glandorps Gang
• Füchtingshof
• Gangs in the Engelsgrube
• Kalands Gang
• Haasenhof
• Von-Höveln-Gang

17. St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church is one of the most important brick churches in the world and stands in the heart of the old town. It served as a model for many churches in the Baltic region. The enormous church interior with its towering vaults is particularly impressive.

Inside you will find, among other things, the famous Dance of Death Chapel, an astronomical clock and the shattered bell that fell during a bombing raid in 1942.

• Address: Marienkirchhof 1, Lübeck
• Opening hours: daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sundays only from 11 a.m.
• Admission: Adults 5 €, concessions 4 €

18. Castle Gate and Customs House

The Castle Gate is the northern city gate of Lübeck and, so to speak, the little sister of the Holsten Gate. It was built in the 15th century and is one of the last old city gates still standing today.

Right next to it stands the Customs House, where travelers and traders were once checked. Both buildings mark the historic entrance to the old town.

19. Boat Tour on the Trave

One of the most beautiful ways to explore Lübeck? From the water, of course. With Boatnow’s electric boats, you can set off without a license and leisurely cruise around the old town island in an hour.

You’ll cruise across the Trave River and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, passing bridges, old gabled houses, and plenty of greenery, all while relaxing and steering your own boat. Perfect for a quiet afternoon or at sunset. Alternatively, you can also rent a canoe*.

• Location: Pier on the Obertrave (opposite the Music Academy)
• Season: April to October
• Duration: 1 hour for a complete round
• Prices: €49 per boat (up to 6 people), bookable online in advance
• Booking: Book electric boat rental without a license here*

20. Book City Tours

If you want to learn more about Lübeck’s history, architecture, and curiosities, a guided tour is worthwhile. There are classic Old Town tours, themed tours on the Hanseatic League, marzipan, or literature, and even night watchman tours with a lantern.

Many tours start at the Holsten Gate or in front of the Town Hall. The groups are often small, and the guides know many exciting stories that you would never otherwise hear. We took a fantastic and super interesting tour with Ulrike from Lübecker Kultouren.

Popular Tours:

• Entertaining Guided Tour of the Old Town Highlights*
• Lübeck’s Splendor and Glory – Inside Views*
• Entertaining Tour of Hidden Courtyards*
• Lübeck: The Culinary City Tour*
• Lübeck Between Horror and History: True Crime for Halloween*

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Restaurant Tips & Cafés

Café UTER: This café is really cozy and perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a coffee break. They serve homemade granola, soups, sandwiches, cakes, good coffee, and even vegan options. You can sit outside in peace and enjoy the view of the old town houses.

Fangfrisch: Modern fish restaurant with a regional focus. The menu includes fish sandwiches, fish & chips, bowls, and organic catfish from Brandenburg. The staff is young, hip, and super friendly!

Schiffergesellschaft: Lübeck’s most traditional inn with a maritime flair and classic North German cuisine. Really good fried potatoes, herring, and Labskaus. The interior somehow looks like an old sailing ship.

Dietrich’s: Stylish bar with a huge gin selection and creative drinks. Cool atmosphere and good music.

Knorke Weinbar: Cozy wine bar with a great team, great food, and creative drinks. Perfect for a relaxing evening with good wine and pleasant conversation.

Blueprint: Directly on the Obertrave with a view of the water. They serve good coffee, delicious breakfast dishes, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Schneckenhaus (near the Tourist Information Center): A mini-café right next to the Holstentor in the newly redesigned and very stylish Tourist Information Center. They serve delicious cinnamon rolls here. We’ll try them next time.

Cycle Roasters: Cycle Roasters is all about really good roasting. But here you not only get really delicious coffee but also super tasty cinnamon rolls.

Our hotel tip for Lübeck

We stayed at the LIHO Hotel*, and it was simply fantastic: centrally located, modern furnishings, and a truly delicious breakfast in a personal atmosphere. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The location was also perfect because we could reach everything on foot.

Plus point: In the lobby, there was free coffee, tea, drinks, fruit, postcards, and sweets at any time.

Other cool hotels in Lübeck:

• Radison Blue Senator Hotel*
• The Layhead B&B*
• Atlantic Hotel Lübeck*
• Hotel Die Reederin*
• Hotel Fisher’s Loft*

Event tips for Lübeck

Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival: From July to August, national and international classical music stars meet in the city’s churches and halls. You can find more information here.

Travemünde Week: At the end of July, there are ten days of international regattas on the Bay of Lübeck and a colorful supporting program on the beach. You can find more information here.

HanseKulturFestival: Every other year in summer, an old town district becomes the living room of the people of Lübeck with music, art, delicious food and a lot of authentic atmosphere. You can find more information here.

Lübeck’s Museum Night: At the end of August, museums and galleries open later in the evening with special programs, guided tours and light installations. You can find more information here.

TraveJazz Festival: In September there are four days of jazz, funk and soul at various locations such as churches, clubs or open-air events on the water. You can find more information here.

Christmas Capital of the North: From the end of November to the end of December, the old town shines with the popular Christmas market. You can find more information here.

Our best travel tips for Lübeck

Arriving by car & By car: You can easily reach Lübeck via the A1 from Hamburg or Fehmarn. From Mecklenburg, you can also easily reach Lübeck via the A20. Parking in the old town is limited and usually subject to a fee.The Am Holstentor parking garage or the parking deck on Kanalstraße are well located, for example. From there, you can quickly walk to the center.

By train: Lübeck Central Station is just a few minutes from the old town. There are regular connections from Hamburg, Kiel, Rostock, Schwerin, and even Berlin. From the station, you can either walk (about 15 to 20 minutes) or take one of the buses towards the city center. Buses depart directly from the station forecourt.

Best time to visit Lübeck

Lübeck is at its most beautiful when it gets warmer. From April onwards, everything turns green, the gardens and courtyards bloom, and the city shows off its best side. In summer, many cool events take place, there’s something going on everywhere, and life takes place outdoors – whether by the water, in the squares, or in the alleys. You can also sit outside for a long time in the evenings, ideally with a view of the Trave River.

Autumn is quieter, but totally atmospheric with colorful foliage in the old town. During Advent, it gets really cozy with the Christmas market, but also chilly. For the full Lübeck experience, we recommend May to August, but it’s always a matter of taste.

Travel reading

If you want to explore Lübeck more intensively, we can particularly recommend three travel guides: DuMont direkt Lübeck* offers compact information, beautiful walks, and personal tips for a relaxing city trip.

The Michael Müller travel guide Lübeck with Travemünde* is somewhat more detailed and is also ideal for excursions to Travemünde or the Baltic Sea, with plenty of restaurant tips and background information.

And if you want to venture beyond the classic sights, you’ll find plenty of exciting, quirky, and surprising places in the book “111 Must-See Places in Lübeck*.”

On the blog “Lübeck Zwischenzeilen” (Lübeck Between Lines), you’ll find personal stories, insider tips, and plenty of inspiration straight from the city. Be sure to check it out!

Our Conclusion on Lübeck

We were truly thrilled with Lübeck. The city totally surprised us with its relaxed atmosphere, historic old town, and many small and large highlights. We were particularly taken with the mix of water, winding alleys and courtyards, colorful facades, and charming spots.

There are also really good cafés, fantastic restaurants, and many unique shops that are simply a pleasure to stroll through. We recommend you plan at least two to three days to explore Lübeck at your leisure. This city is simply fun!