Lübeck, Germany, in a nutshell
Winding alleys and passages, old merchants‘ houses, the world renowned Holsten Gate and the historic Old Town which the UNESCO declared a world cultural heritage site already in 1987: There are many reasons for visiting Lübeck.
The old Hanseatic town is an attractive destination for lovers of culture, history and the maritime way of life. The unique museum landscape, the magnificent churches in red-brick Gothic, the Marzipan Salon at Café Niederegger, the museum harbour and the historic Town Hall are only some of the sites that are well worth visiting.
Recently, the historic city island of Lübeck was used as a film location for the new film “Buddenbrooks“ by Heinrich Breloer – the film version of the novel by literature nobel prize laureate Thomas Mann which was published in the year 1901. The basic package “Film location Lübeck” (starting at EUR 129.00 per person) takes the visitors into the world of the merchant’s family Buddenbrook and offers an accomodation for two nights as well as the Buddenbrook menu cooked according to original recipes from the novel, a visit to the Buddenbrook house and a walk to the authentic film locations guided by the new city map ”Buddenbrooks – following the trail of the film”.
The “Günter-Grass-Haus“ exhibits works of the literature nobel prize laureate and Lübeck citizen by choice Günter Grass. By means of exciting perfornances and multimedial elements the “Willy-Brandt Haus Lübeck“ retraces the political life of Lübeck’s third nobel prize laureate and former Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt as a learning location for contemporary history.
Snug within the historic structure there are real museal treasures on the historic city island. Thus, the St. Annen-Museum with its renowned Memling altar is worthwhile seeing as well as the modern Art Hall St. Annen, the fortified monastery Burgkloster exhibiting the „Münzschatz des Hansekaufmanns“ ( treasure of the hanseatic merchant), the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital dating back to the year 1280 where the probably most famous and oldest Christmas market takes place (end of November until mid of December), as well as the TheaterFigurenMuseum exhibiting more than one thousand puppets.
Don’t miss Travemünde
Travemünde – Wellness and the Sea Travemünde is one of Europe‘s most beautiful and attractive seaside resorts that already since 1802 has made the former fisher and sailer town one of the first ports of call for bathers from near and far. Taking a stroll on the historic beach promenade you will marvel at the fascinating sailing oldtimers, chugging sea angling boats and huge ferries on the Baltic Sea which you will be able to see at close quarters. From the Priwall up to the Brodtener Steilufer the fine sandy beach measures 4.5 kilometers inviting to carefree bathing and basking in the sun.
During the whole year extended walks along the beach in the fresh sea breeze and a visit to the quaint fishing harbor with a view on the freshly caught fish offer sensual delight. A stroll along the Vorderreihe – the most enticing shopping streets in Travemünde – passing the cruise liner pier on the quay Ostpreußenkai and a stop in a pavement café with a view on the ships in the estuary of the Trave invite visitors to relax and start dreaming. A pleasurable pastime in Art Nouveau style is the renowned Casino Travemünde, offering Roulet and Black Jack underneath majestic candelabra. Those who would like to know more about the glamorous history of the seaside resort and the historic bathing culture are welcome to the Seebadmuseum. A visit to the newly restored Alte Vogtei is very worthwhile; here, you will have the opportunity to relax in an historic atmosphere like the Lübsche municipal reeves did hundreds of years ago and to admire the unique renaissance paintings. Ship outings, sailing trips on oldtimer ships, offshore fishing and a visit of the four-master bark PASSAT, Travemünde’s landmark, are also very popular with hobby seefarers. The historic lighttower invites to visit the maritime museum. Ferries going from Travemünde/Skandinavienkai, the greatest ferry harbor of Europe, to Finland and Sweden offer the opportunity of short trips to Scandinavia.
The Travemünder Woche (mid of July) is one of the worldwide greatest sailing events. Every year, there are hundred of thousands of visitors at the Travemünder Woche who want to witness this unique combination of international sailing sport and maritime festival district.
Within the framework of the “Baltic Sail”, the “Sail Travemünde“ (in August) is a popular meeting point of traditional old-timer sailing ships hailing from the whole Baltic Sea region. This sailing event in Travemünde focuses on the lovingly maintained traditional sailing vessels inviting friends of sailing of all ages to the Open Ship and exciting passenger sailing.
Map
Sightseeing highlights
Holsten Gate & Old Town
The famous Holsten Gate and the historic Old Town which the UNESCO declared a world cultural heritage site in 1987. The fortified gate from the 15th century is the landmark of Lübeck.
Town Hall (City Hall)
The construction of Lübeck’s city hall began in 1230 and is with its various changes one of the most beautiful townhalls in Germany.
Buddenbrook’s House
Heinrich und Thomas Mann are two of Lübeck’s most famous sons. Buddenbrooks’ House has been dedicated to the two writers and the “Buddenbrooks” since 1993.
Willy Brandt House
In its permanent exhibition the Willy-Brandt-House Lübeck presents the life and legacy of the Federal Chancellor, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and son of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.
Castle Gate / The northern town gate
The Castle monastery which was founded in 1229 in Lübeck is the most important medieval monastery in Northern Germany.
Niederegger / Marzipan
Lübeck’s reputation as the “marzipan capital” goes back to the 1800’s. Directly opposite the town hall is Café Niederegger with its marzipan salon, where visitors can learn all about marzipan. The twelve life-size marzipan figures are particularly interesting.
Website: https://www.niederegger.de/
Seafarer’s Guild building / Historical restaurant
This building was acquired in 1535 by the Seafarer’s Guild and is nowadays a landmark restaurant in Lübeck.
Alleys and courtyards
Once the palces where the poor people had to live – – nowadays beautiful every single one is worth to visit because they are like a small oasis. The “Füchtingshof” e.g. was built in 1636 by the alderman Johann Füchting.
St. Annen-Museum / Art Hall St. Annen
The St. Annen-Museum with its renowned Memling altar is worthwhile seeing as well as the modern Art Hall St. Annen.
Museums
| Buddenbrooks’ House http://www.buddenbrookhaus.de/ Where: Mengstr. 4, D-23552 Lübeck Description: Heinrich und Thomas Mann are two of Lübeck’s most famous sons. Buddenbrooks’ House has been dedicated to the two brothers and writers and the “Buddenbrooks” since 1993. |
| Günter-Grass House http://guenter-grass-haus.de/ Where: Glockengießerstraße 21, 23552 Lübeck Description: The permanent exhibition presents the Nobel laureate’s visual art and shows the close links between his literary production is with his artwork. |
| Museums of Lübeck http://www.die-luebecker-museen.de/ Details about the museums of Lübeck. |
| Puppet Theatre Museum (Collection of Fritz Fey jun.) http://en.tfm-luebeck.com/ Where: Kolk 16, D-23552 Lübeck |
| Website address: n/a The Holsten Gate Downtown: The fortified gate from the 15th century is the landmark of Lübeck. |
| Willy Brandt House http://www.willy-brandt-luebeck.de/ Where: Königstraße 21, 23552 Lübeck Willy Brandt is a former chancellor of Germany. In its permanent exhibition the Willy-Brandt-House Lübeck presents the life and legacy of the Federal Chancellor, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and son of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. |
Annual Events
Brahms Festival (early May)
Website: http://www.mh-luebeck.de/archiv/entry/article/abgruende-und-lichtblicke-beim-28-brahms-festival-1/
Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (mid of July until end of August)
Website: https://www.shmf.de/
Travemünder Week (mid of July for two weeks)
Website: https://www.travemuender-woche.com/
Sail Travemünde (August)
Website: https://www.sail-travemuende.de/
Nordic Film Days (end of November until mid December)
Website: http://www.luebeck.de/filmtage/de/
Christmas Market (end of November until Christmas)
Website: https://www.luebecker-weihnachtsmarkt.de/
Organ recitals in the five Gothic city churches, the cultural project “Wagner meets Mann“, the Brahms Festival (early May) and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (mid July until end of August) focusing on the music nation Germany on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall.
The Nordic Film Days (end of October) are considered as the most important showcase of the Nordic films in Europe.
Weather
Average temperatures
Juli/August: up to around 30C / 86 F. Winter: around freezing point
Best time to travel / Season
In general year-round, however, most tourists prefer the time between Spring and Fall.
Lübeck, Germany, Visitor Info & Getting Around
Population
ca. 214.000
Airport
Closest International Airport is: Hamburg Airport (see HAMBURG)
Regional airport is: Airport Lübeck with connections to Frankfurt (Germany) and to the close neighbor countries Spain, Italy, and the UK.
Website: https://www.flughafen-luebeck.de/
Public Transportation
Operated by: Stadtverkehr Lübeck.
They also offer a tourist tour by bus – – see their website for up-to-date information.
Location
Approx. 40 miles north-east of Hamburg in the German state (Bundesland) Schleswig-Holstein.
Tourism Office (in German: ‘Fremdenverkehrsamt’)
Welcome Center is located next to the famous Holsten Gate. Visitors and guests of the Hanseatic city of Lübeck get all information for their visit in Lübeck and Travemünde. The staff gives recommendations for your stay and also books rooms in one of the hotels and pensions or a private apartments. Certainly you can also buy tickets for the next guided tour through the city, as well as maps and postcards.
