Discover Lübeck: Old Town, Hanseatic League and Travemünde
Accommodation in Lübeck
Lübeck combines the history of a Hanseatic city with maritime experiences in Travemünde. The heart of the Old Town is surrounded by water and partly lined with riverbank fortifications and parks. The medieval city centre was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. When planning your vacation, there is a clear distinction to consider: if Hanseatic history, architecture and a wealth of museums are your priorities, a holiday apartment in Lübeck is an excellent choice. If you mainly want to enjoy the beach and maritime history, Travemünde offers different attractions.
Experience Hanseatic history and the Old Town
The Holsten Gate is a striking testament to the city’s history. Built between 1464 and 1478, following Dutch models, it served from the outset both as a defensive structure and as a symbol of prestige. The Holstentor Museum, housed in the historic gate, explores the Hanseatic League, trade, power and wealth. The Castle Gate is also part of the former city fortifications: alongside the Holsten Gate, it is the second surviving gate from the original complex, which once had four gates.
Other buildings and collections offer their own points of interest. Construction of the Town Hall began in 1230 and was completed in 1308. At St. Mary’s Church, architecture and works of art document the development of sacred art from the 13th to the 21st century; daily guided tours and devotions, as well as services and organ concerts, are among the offerings. The lanes and courtyards are remnants of medieval urban planning, and most are freely accessible. Art lovers can visit the Behnhaus Drägerhaus, home to Lübeck’s gallery of 19th-century and classical modern art. The St. Anne’s Museum has the largest collection of North German carved altarpieces.
There are also different ways to discover literature in Lübeck: the Buddenbrook House is dedicated to the Mann family and their literary works, especially Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks,” after which the house’s setting is named. The Günter Grass House is a forum for literature and visual art. Its collection includes more than 1,300 visual artworks, as well as numerous manuscripts. The European Hansemuseum tells 800 years of Hanseatic history—from the rise and crisis of the Hanseatic League to the lives, trade and experiences of merchants.
Travemünde: beach, ships and views
Travemünde’s sandy beach stretches from the Nordermole to Möwenstein. A variety of beach activities are available there: beach volleyball, football, building sandcastles, sunbathing or taking a walk along the beach. The four-masted barque Passat adds to the area’s maritime character. A landmark of Travemünde, it is both a museum ship and an event venue. Visitors can tour the ship; guided tours are offered by the “Rettet die Passat e. V.” association. During the shoulder seasons in 2026, the Passat is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; during the peak season in 2026, it is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Old Lighthouse in Travemünde is 31 metres tall and houses a maritime museum on eight floors, devoted to the history of lighthouse technology. From its surrounding observation gallery, visitors can look out over the Skandinavienkai, Travemünde’s Old Town and Lübeck Bay as far as Grömitz, as well as along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. At the Baltic Sea Station in Travemünde, children can watch flatfish and sticklebacks being fed or feed the animals themselves.
Nature, regional themes and choosing what to focus on
The Museum of Nature and Environment offers insights into the natural history of the north and the diverse flora and fauna of the Lübeck area. The exhibition “From Rivers to the Sea” explores the habitats and inhabitants of the Trave, the Wakenitz and Lübeck Bay; it includes habitat displays and interactive media stations. In designated nature experience areas in Lübeck, children and young people can, among other things, climb trees, dam streams and play in muddy riverbanks. This allows you to balance museum visits, time at the beach and nature experiences according to your interests, without limiting your vacation to a single focus.
Lübeck’s marzipan tradition also has its own places to explore: the Marzipan Museum explains the sweet’s origins and shows a film about marzipan production. The Niederegger Marzipan Salon traces the centuries-long history of this almond delicacy from its origins in the Orient to its arrival in Lübeck. For information on public transport, Stadtverkehr Lübeck GmbH operates local public transport in Lübeck and the surrounding area, as well as the Priwall ferries.
If you would like to narrow down your search according to the type of vacation you have in mind, you can visit the destination pages for Lübeck, Travemünde and Sankt Jürgen.
For the broader travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.
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