Lübeck between World Heritage and the Baltic Sea beach
Accommodation in Lübeck
Lübeck combines a medieval Old Town with maritime experiences in Travemünde. When choosing what to focus on during your trip, you can therefore choose between history and city life, the beach and shipping. The medieval centre of the Hanseatic city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Its heart is surrounded by water and partly bordered by embankments and parks.
Old Town and Hanseatic history
The Holsten Gate represents two sides of Lübeck’s history: it was built between 1464 and 1478, based on Dutch models, and served from the outset both as a defensive structure and as a symbol of prestige. Inside the historic gate, the Holstentor Museum explores the Hanseatic League, trade, power and wealth. For those who want to delve beyond the history of this individual landmark, the European Hansemuseum offers a broad historical perspective: it tells 800 years of Hanseatic history, from its rise to its crisis, and explores the lives, trade and experiences of merchants.
Other surviving buildings also reveal different chapters of the city’s history. Alongside the Holsten Gate, the Burgtor is the second surviving city gate from Lübeck’s former city fortifications, which originally had four gates. Construction of the town hall began in 1230 and was completed in 1308. The passageways and courtyards are remnants of medieval urban development; most are freely accessible. These places offer different ways to explore the Old Town: from a monumental gate to the history of the city’s fortifications and the preserved structures between its streets.
Museums, art and literature
Lübeck’s museums each have their own focus. The St. Annen Museum has the largest collection of carved altarpieces in northern Germany. The architecture and artworks of St. Mary’s document the development of sacred art from the 13th to the 21st century. Daily tours and devotions are held there, along with church services and organ concerts. In the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, depictions of the Legend of St. Elizabeth on 23 oak panels set into the rood screen illustrate a specific chapter in the history of religious imagery.
Literature and visual art come together at the Günter Grass House. The forum includes more than 1,300 visual artworks as well as numerous manuscripts. The Buddenbrookhaus is dedicated to the Mann family and their literary work, particularly Thomas Mann’s “Buddenbrooks”: the house is named after the setting of the novel. The Behnhaus Drägerhaus Museum offers a different artistic focus as Lübeck’s gallery of 19th-century and classical modern art. These different themes can help you narrow down your choice of cultural visits to suit your personal interests.
Travemünde: beach, Passat and lighthouse
In Travemünde, the sandy beach and maritime history shape your stay. The beach stretches from the Nordermole to Möwenstein. There is room for beach volleyball, football, sandcastles, sunbathing and walks along the shore. The four-masted barque Passat is Travemünde’s landmark, a museum ship and an event venue; visitors can tour it. Tours are offered by the association “Rettet die Passat e. V.” The following opening hours apply for 2026: during the early and late seasons, the Passat is open daily from 11:00 to 16:30; during the peak season, it is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
The Old Travemünde Lighthouse is 31 metres high and houses a maritime museum on eight floors, dedicated to the history of lighthouse technology. From its panoramic viewing gallery, you can look out over the Skandinavienkai, Travemünde’s Old Town and Lübeck Bay as far as Grömitz; the view also extends along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. At the Baltic Sea Station Travemünde, children can watch flounders and sticklebacks being fed or feed the animals themselves. The beach, shipping, lighthouses and marine life each offer their own reason to include Travemünde in your itinerary.
Nature and getting around the area
The Museum of Nature and the Environment explores the natural history of the north and the diverse wildlife and plant life of the Lübeck area. In the exhibition “From Rivers and Sea”, habitat displays and interactive media stations illustrate the ecosystems and inhabitants of the Trave, the Wakenitz and Lübeck Bay. There are nature experiences outside the museum, too: in designated nature experience areas in Lübeck, children and young people can, among other things, climb trees, dam streams and play in the muddy shoreline.
Marzipan and its long history are part of Lübeck’s culinary heritage. The Marzipan Museum explains the origins of this speciality and shows a film about marzipan production. The Niederegger Marzipan Salon traces the centuries-long history of this almond confection from its oriental origins to Lübeck. For help finding your way around, you can also go directly to Lübeck, Travemünde and Sankt Jürgen.
Stadtverkehr Lübeck GmbH operates local public transport in Lübeck and the surrounding area, as well as the Priwall ferries. By planning your trip around your preferred focus, you can choose between Old Town history, museums, nature and Travemünde’s maritime experiences.
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