Things to Do in Lübeck: Real Tips from a Local Insider

Tips and Info for a Vacation in Lübeck

Before we get to our interview, here’s the most important information you’ll need before heading to Lübeck.

Location

Lübeck is a city in northern Germany. It sits in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, right on the border with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

From Lübeck, it’s only about an hour’s drive to Hamburg — which is why we’ve combined both cities in one of our favorite road trips through Germany.

You also won’t have to travel far for a day at the beach, since Lübeck is right on the Baltic Sea coast.

In summer, the blooming Lüneburg Heath is well worth a side trip — it’s only about 100 kilometers away.

Our Hotel Recommendations

These are our hotel picks in Lübeck for every budget. Alongside the well-known hotel chains, there are some lovely independent options too. There’s definitely something here for every traveler!

Interview with a Local: The Best Insider Tips for Lübeck

Our Expert

I’m Stephanie, a born-and-bred Lübeck native, and I’m excited to win you over to my hometown.

Together with Walther Herrmann — who through his company 10hourproject helps Lübeck entrepreneurs sharpen their digital presence — and my daughter Jule, we’re sharing our insider tips from three very different perspectives.

We met at the newly opened co-working space Nitsche. I chose it because I design office and work environments professionally, so I was curious about this space. It’s a great spot to relax and put together our best tips for Lübeck.

By the way: Nitsche also serves delicious bowls on the ground floor of a typical old town building, and I’ll definitely be checking out the yoga studio on the first floor again sometime.

Lübeck in Three Words

Venerable – steeped in history – mysterious.

Why Go!

We love the history of this Hanseatic city, which you can discover in its buildings, alleyways, courtyards, and along the Trave river. The gateways to the old town — like the Holstentor and the Burgtor — and the churches, like the Marienkirche and the Dom, are a must for any medieval history enthusiast.

Private historical walking tour through Lübeck’s old town

The proximity to Baltic Sea resorts like Niendorf and Travemünde, as well as to Hamburg, gives you great variety if you’re planning a longer stay.

Or the other way around: if you’re spending your vacation on the Baltic Sea beach, day trips — or even multi-day excursions — to Lübeck are an absolute must. The Baltic coast without a stop in Lübeck? Unthinkable.

Also check out our guide to the most beautiful hotels on the Baltic Sea

What Makes Lübeck Unique

Lübeck’s historic center is its old town core, defined by its brick churches and their seven towers. The medieval island city sits surrounded by the Trave river and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal — it’s seriously one of the most atmospheric city settings in northern Germany.

Things to Do in Lübeck: Sights and Activities

Must-Sees

The Holstentor is something nobody really walks past without stopping. If you’re heading to the old town island, take a moment to step inside and check out the torture chamber — it’s surprisingly fascinating.

The Marienkirche is another highlight — go inside and see if you can find the mouse. It’s one of many little details waiting to be discovered.

Our tip: Book a sightseeing tour with the amphibious bus through Lübeck. It travels both on land and on water — seriously fun!

When It Rains

Pull on a raincoat and stroll through the old town lanes — they have a special atmosphere in the rain.

As we say up north: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing. And if it still feels too wet, head to the museums.

The Günter Grass House, for example, is dedicated to the life and work of the writer and artist. With the opening of a new permanent exhibition, the Grass Museum in Lübeck celebrated its 20th anniversary in March 2022.

With Kids

Our top pick for families is the Kanu Club Lübeck e.V. — for us, there’s nothing better than paddling through Lübeck by canoe with kids and seeing the city from the water.

The club is non-commercial; its whole mission is to help people enjoy a few hours of relaxation on the water. That’s why it offers its boats free of charge to all friendly visitors who respect a few simple rules about nature. Donations are always welcome, of course.

Another great option is the open-air theater, where Wilfried Zander and his crew perform children’s theater with real passion. Jule and I went there for the first time many years ago and we’ve been going back every summer since. It’s a fixed date in our calendar.

Best Day Trip

We take our dog and hike along the Baltic Sea coast at the Brodtener Steilufer (Brodten cliffs), from Travemünde to Niendorf and back. Depending on the water level, you can walk right along the shoreline or up on top of the cliffs. From up there you get a stunning panorama over the Baltic Sea — it feels like boundless freedom.

For Relaxation

When we go out without the dog, the Schulgarten is our go-to spot to unwind. Sitting in Drägerpark on a warm summer evening with a picnic and a glass of wine is also a wonderful way to let the day drift by.

Best Viewpoint

Without a doubt, the Petrikirche. The elevator takes you up 50 meters, where you get a breathtaking view over Lübeck — and on a clear day, you can even spot the Baltic Sea.

Best Photo Spot

The youth center at the Burgtor creates graffiti murals with its young people — it’s a great spot for photos and a chance to support some genuinely valuable youth work through your visit.

Personally, I also love Lübeck’s bridges, whose railings look completely different depending on the season and time of day. So: bridges are the theme — start exploring.

Or, always a favorite: boats. The marina with its many different vessels along the canal, or the old sailing ships and cogs at the Untertrave, are endlessly photogenic.

Most Unusual Activity

The vault tour at the Marienkirche is absolutely incredible!

If you’re not afraid of heights, you have to do this. You’ll likely need to book ahead though — don’t count on just dropping in.

The vault of the nave of St. Mary’s soars 38.50 meters high. On the tower and vault tour, you see these massive sections from above — standing beneath the enormous roof and looking out through window openings, work hatches, and from the ridge turret over the old town, and on a clear day all the way to Travemünde, Mecklenburg, and Holstein.

The route winds up stairways through the towers, past the carillon, the wall crown, and the bell chamber. The tour lasts a good two hours, filled with stories about the harsh working conditions of medieval craftspeople — many of whom spent their entire lives on this building. It’s a genuinely moving encounter with the intellectual, technical, and physical achievements of people in the 13th and 14th centuries, and during the reconstruction after 1945.

Best Event of the Year

Our favorites are the poetry and science slam events by Thilo Strauß. Thilo brings many well-known artists to the stage — check what’s on during your visit.

Also worth watching out for: the HanseKulturFestival, which always takes place in summer (June).

We experienced it in 2018 and it was simply a dream. The streets in the old town were beautifully decorated and so many creative people had put together something truly amazing.

And we can’t forget the Lübeck Christmas market! It’s one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany — at least in our opinion — and it’s wonderfully atmospheric.

Best Museum

Definitely the Hansemuseum with its many fascinating guided tours.

The era of the Hanseatic League is presented in a really engaging way, and it works well for kids too. Even if you haven’t made it to Lübeck yet, the website is worth a look — its digital offerings are a model for many other museums.

Most Beautiful Neighborhood

Our favorite place to spend time is the wonderful old town. It’s simply perfect for a leisurely wander. Hüxstraße in particular is lined with the sweetest little shops and cafés — dangerously tempting for your wallet.

Really though, all the streets running from Königstraße down to the canal are beautiful for a stroll. Our usual route: park by the canal, walk up Hüxstraße to Königstraße, then back down Fleischhauerstraße — or duck into any of the hidden alleyways scattered throughout the old quarter. Just keep your eyes open.

Food and Drink in Lübeck

Local Culinary Specialty

Labskaus at the Schiffergesellschaft. This is a very old restaurant where the Hanseatic era somehow seems to live on — wooden boats hang from the ceiling and traditional northern German cooking is served.

For a snack on the go, grab a Franzbrötchen from Bäckerei Junge and eat it while you explore.

Favorite Restaurants

We had a lively debate about this one. We all love Hüxstraße — Walter’s favorite is Miera, mine is La Vigna, right next door.

At both spots, we love sitting outside on the street — or if inside, at least with a view out. At La Vigna, the antipasti and seafood are a must.

Jule loves Buddha Bowl on Schmiedestraße: lots of space at long wooden tables, delicious sushi and bowls, and the mango lassi is seriously good.

Best Burger

Honestly, we haven’t found a standout burger in Lübeck yet (beyond the mainstream options at Hans im Glück), but we have found the best sushi burger.

You can get it at a small, cozy, and beautifully designed spot called Arsien Sushi, right on Mühlenstraße. Definitely give it a try!

Best Ice Cream

Unanimous decision: Soulmade on Fleischhauerstraße! They do creative flavors like lemon basil, made fresh every day and sold until it’s gone — which happens fast. Getting there early is really worth it.

Best Breakfast

We all agreed on this one instantly — the Neue Rösterei on Wahmstraße. Delicious open-faced sandwiches, pancakes, and what we’d call the best coffee in the city.

Nights Out

There’s something for everyone here — regardless of age. We’d all go out together at any of these:

Many venues on the old town island, like Kandinsky, the café-bar, the Schnuppe, and Hüx.

I danced at the Hüx decades ago — it’s great that it’s still a popular club for the next generation too.

The events at Strandsalon are also super cool — it’s perched on the tip of a peninsula across from the old town island.

Another great pick is Tonfink, with lots of live performances and a hat-pass for the artists.

Jazz fans should definitely check out the events at CVJM Lübeck. The director is a total jazz enthusiast and puts on fantastic events at his jazz club.

Where to Stay in Lübeck

Favorite Hotel

A charming and stylish place to stay is Fisher’s Loft, which opened in 2018. The building — a landmark-protected Rococo warehouse in the Fischergruppe — was completely renovated and converted into a hotel. Really special.

Motel One also opened its Lübeck outpost in June 2018, right on the market square next to the city hall. The architecture is well done, and the concept fits the Hanseatic character of the city inside and out.