Before you go

Your trip to Lübeck.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Lübeck – Schleswig-Holstein Destination Baltic Coast and Lübeck

How to get there

Hamburg Airport Helmut Schmidt (HAM) Hamburgo · 75 km
Lübeck Hauptbahnhof 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you buy. The most commonly used airport is Hamburgo (HAM). From Hamburgo central station, the regional train reaches Lübeck in about 45 minutes, with departures throughout the day. For Rostock there is no direct train: it’s about two and a half hours with a change.

How many days

A full day is enough for the old town. With two days you have time to visit museums at a relaxed pace and half a day in Travemünde at the beach.

When to go

From May to September the days are long; the bathing season in Travemünde usually runs from June to August. Winter, from December to February, is cold and gets dark early, but the Christmas markets generally run from the end of November until close to Christmas.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The old town is best explored on foot and Travemünde has train and bus connections from the central station. A car is more of a hindrance than a help within the island, which has narrow streets and limited parking.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Lübeck

Morning
Holstentor and Salzspeicher
Leave the central station and walk to the Holstentor. Visit the gate museum and cross the bridge to see the salt warehouses on the banks of the Trave.
Afternoon
Town Hall, Markt and Niederegger
Walk up to the Markt square and go around the town hall, at the foot of the Marienkirche towers. Take a sweet break at the Niederegger shop, on the other side of Breite Straße.
Late afternoon
Hansemuseum and Heiligen-Geist-Hospital
Follow Breite Straße to the north of the island. See the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital and spend the rest of the afternoon at the Europäisches Hansemuseum, near the Burgtor.
Evening
Dinner by the Trave
Return along the riverbank, looking at the merchants' houses, and dine in the Altstadt. On Sundays, check beforehand for an open place.

2 days in Lübeck

Day 1

Morning
Holstentor and center
Start with the Holstentor and the gate museum. Then cross to the island and head to the town hall and the Markt square.
Afternoon
The Dom and the south of the island
Walk through the south of the island to the Dom, with the cross by Bernt Notke. Return along the edge of the Mühlenteich.
Late afternoon
Gänge and Niederegger
Enter the narrow passageways of the Gänge in the side streets, and finish at the Niederegger shop for coffee.
Evening
Dinner in the Altstadt
Dine in the old town. The restaurants near the Marienkirche and Breite Straße concentrate the evening activity.

Day 2

Morning
Europäisches Hansemuseum
Reserve the morning for the Hansemuseum and the Burgkloster in the north of the island, and pass by the Burgtor on the way out.
Afternoon
Heiligen-Geist-Hospital and train to Travemünde
See the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital on Koberg square and take the regional train to Travemünde.
Late afternoon
Travemünde promenade
Walk along the promenade and the Vorderreihe watching the ships. In summer, enjoy the beach; outside of the season, take a walk along the shore.
Evening
Fish on the Vorderreihe
Have fish in Travemünde and return by train to Lübeck, or stay overnight on the waterfront.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth staying overnight in Lübeck or making a day trip from Hamburg?

A day trip works, since the train takes about 45 minutes. Staying in Lübeck lets you see the old town empty at night and include Travemünde without rush.

Can Lübeck be explored on foot?

Yes. The old town is a small island, and from the Holstentor to the Burgtor it's about a 25-minute walk.

What is the capital of Schleswig-Holstein?

It's Kiel, about 80 kilometres from Lübeck by road. Lübeck is the state's largest historic city and the most visited by tourists.

Do shops open on Sundays in Lübeck?

Most shops are closed on Sundays. Museums, cafés and restaurants usually open, but check before you go.

What is Lübeck's typical sweet?

Marzipan, made from almond and sugar. Niederegger has been producing it since 1806, opposite the town hall.

Back to Lübeck