Lübeck Old Town Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lübeck Old Town
Petrikirche showing a city and a bay or harbour
Rathaus showing heritage architecture, a city and a square or plaza
Museum Holstentor which includes a garden and heritage architecture
Rathaus featuring interior views and heritage elements
Church spires soar high above centuries-old merchant houses, which themselves house cafés, museums and shops, in this historic island district.

A walk around Luebeck Old Town (Luebeck Altstadt) is a window into the absorbing past of Luebeck. Set on an island flanked by arms of the Trave River, Luebeck Old Town was once a strategic center of the Hanseatic League trading activities. Medieval Gothic-style landmarks stand proud on elegant avenues, some in their original form and others meticulously rebuilt after bomb raids devastated the city in 1942. An absorbing charm and grandiose architecture has earned the area UNESCO World Heritage status.

Enter the district via one of the two last-surviving gates of the old city walls. Burgtor marks the northern entrance and leads into the former castle hill. Holstentor, on the western perimeter, leads to what was once the lively merchant quarters. Inside the gate, the Holstentor Museum provides a great introduction to the city.

Architectural monuments are found at the turn of every corner. Visit the five churches that make up the Sieben Türme, which is an ensemble of seven grandiose spires: Dom, Marienkirche, Petrikirche, St. Aegidien Church and St. Jakobi Church. Tour the three gabled houses that form the town hall, Rathaus. Stall holders hawk their wares at craft fairs and farmers markets held in Town Hall Square just as merchants did in medieval times.

Educate yourself about the Hanseatic League at the European Hansemuseum. The Willy Brandt House and Buddenbrook House honor politician Willy Brandt and writer Thomas Mann, who are two of the city’s most famous sons. See examples of puppets from around the world at Luebeck Museum of Theatre Puppets.

Be sure to go shopping on Breite Strasse and Koenigstrasse. Catch a show at performing arts venues such as Theater Luebeck and Theater Partout. Enjoy a well-earned break at sidewalk cafés. Or, take a leisurely stroll on a riverside trail, see boats and houses reflect perfectly in the water and watch as the sun drifts down behind the towers.

Luebeck Old Town is easy to reach on foot and by bus from the city’s central train station. The best way to get around is on foot and rented bike.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Lübeck Old Town Hotel Deals

Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck
Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck
4 out of 5
Willy-Brandt-Allee 1-5, Lübeck, SH
The price is AU$144 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$144
includes taxes & fees
2 Mar - 3 Mar
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (941 reviews)
"Very convenient, located between the railway station and old town. Twenty-minute walk to the Hanseatic Museum, which is fascinating. American-style hotel w friendly, helpful staff."

Reviewed on 29 Jan. 2025

Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck
Radisson Blu Senator Hotel
Radisson Blu Senator Hotel
5 out of 5
Willy-Brandt-Allee 6, Lübeck, SH
The price is AU$237 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
AU$237
includes taxes & fees
22 Feb - 23 Feb
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Loved this place. The rooms were great - we had adjoining. The breakfast was AMAZING! The best I’ve ever had. The beautiful restaurant it is served in, the choices, good coffee, cheeses, eggs, salads meat, fish, juices……. I loved it. Good location to walk to Christmas markets. Parking onsite. Sauna ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jan. 2025

Radisson Blu Senator Hotel
Motel One Lübeck
Motel One Lübeck
Schüsselbuden 15, Lübeck
The price is AU$130 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$130
includes taxes & fees
2 Mar - 3 Mar
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (334 reviews)
"Excellent location, very good staff. Eddy at the front desk very good. Room 232 nice and quiet although a little small. Other than the room being on the small side l will definitely book this hotel again. Thanks Eddy."

Reviewed on 11 Nov. 2024

Motel One Lübeck
Atlantic Hotel Luebeck
Atlantic Hotel Luebeck
4 out of 5
Schmiedestr. 9-15, Lübeck, SH
The price is AU$225 per night from 21 Feb to 22 Feb
AU$225
includes taxes & fees
21 Feb - 22 Feb
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Great hotel with an excellent breakfast and convenient location."

Reviewed on 2 Feb. 2025

Atlantic Hotel Luebeck
Hotel Excellent
Hotel Excellent
Mühlenbrücke 7, Lübeck, SH
The price is AU$123 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
AU$123
includes taxes & fees
9 Feb - 10 Feb
Stay at this hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (293 reviews)
"For a property that is almost 300 years old... it is clean, well maintained. But the team running the place make all the difference, they make you feel pampered. A small property with a big heart! Thank you all at Hotel Excellent."

Reviewed on 27 Aug. 2024

Hotel Excellent
Maritim Strandhotel Travemünde
Maritim Strandhotel Travemünde
Trelleborgallee 2, Travemuende, Lübeck, SH
The price is AU$214 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
AU$214
includes taxes & fees
19 Feb - 20 Feb
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (837 reviews)
"Nice hotel in a great location, but the hotel is quite old fashioned and could do with some updating."

Reviewed on 19 Oct. 2024

Maritim Strandhotel Travemünde
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Lübeck Old Town

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Innenstadt

Unique features of Innenstadt include the historical sites and river views. Make a stop by Lübeck Town Hall or St. Mary's Church while you're exploring the area.

Innenstadt
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Hüxtertor/Mühlentor/Gärtnergasse

Visitors to Hüxtertor/Mühlentor/Gärtnergasse appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Lübeck Town Hall and Lübeck Christmas Market might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

Hüxtertor/Mühlentor/Gärtnergasse
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Sankt Lorenz Süd

Sankt Lorenz Süd is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can plan an outing to Museum Holstentor and Lübeck Christmas Market while you're in town.

Sankt Lorenz Süd
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Holstentor-Nord

Visitors to Holstentor-Nord appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Museum Holstentor and Lübeck Christmas Market might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

Holstentor-Nord
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St. Gertrud

Unique features of St. Gertrud include the historical sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Gothmund or Dragerpark while you're exploring the area.

St. Gertrud
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St Lorenz

Visitors to St Lorenz appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Museum Holstentor and Salt Storage Warehouses might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

St Lorenz

Lübeck Old Town Travel Guide

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