Dear Wandering Spirit,
If you are looking for a town with charme, history, and the scent of sweets, go and have a cozy time in Lübeck!
The former Free City of Lübeck lies on the German Baltic coast and is the second largest city in North Germany.
Queen of the Hanseatic League
Lübeck is the Queen of the Hanseatic League, a confederation of merchants founded in the Middle Ages on the Baltic coasts for maritime trade and defence purposes.
It preserves its medieval roots 🏹 through several buildings, including the four town gates, the Cathedral, Saint Mary’s Church and the City Hall.
The first one to catch your attention will probably be the Holstentor. Another remarkable building from the Middle Ages is the Salzspeicher (Salt Storage House) next to that, a historic salt warehouse.
The City of the Seven Towers
Due to its prominent church towers, Lübeck is also known as the City of the Seven Towers . Its ancient city centre and the numerous narrow alleys are there to be discovered by tourists who appreciate small details.
Many yards are private, but still the owners allow people from all over the world to have a peek. 👁️ The Hospital of the Holy Spirit, also situated in the Old Town, is one of the oldest still-working social institutions, helping citizens in needs and the sick.
The Cultural Spirit of Lübeck
If you are a prolific reader, you will surely appreciate Thomas Mann’s House. The Nobel-prized German novelist of the Exile Literature ✒️ had to flee his country for the U.S. during WWII.
Not far away is also Günter Grass’ House. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999 and was author of the realistic novel The Tin Drum (1959). During Lübeck’s summer Theatre Night, you can admire many beautiful buildings, including the Art Nouveau Lübeck Theatre.
Coffee Time in Lübeck
Walking along the Trave river outside the city centre, you can enjoy great views of the city and its red brick façades while tasting a black coffee. Apropos, you should pay a visit to the Niederegger coffee shop downtown, mecca for all sweets 🧁 and marzipan lovers.
Lübeck is a cosy place to explore, and I love the sound of the German word “gemütlich”. Few cities preserve their charm even on a rainy day, and I believe Lübeck to be one of those. The red bricks and spires create a Gothic yet welcoming atmosphere to visitors from any country.
Devil's Tale of Lübeck
As in any other medieval town, Lübeck has a tale everybody should know about. Just around St. Mary’s Church, a cute little devil sits on a stone outside and smiles. 👹
In fact, the devil believed the place was going to be a wine bar, and, therefore, he helped with the construction works. As the church became taller and taller, he realised his mistake and got full of rage. The devil threatened to destroy the already built walls with a big stone.
To please him, he was promised a wine bar nearby (the current wine cellar of the Town Hall). For this reason, he dropped the big stone just around the corner, where it still lies today.
Balnear Spots Around Lübeck
If you are a sea wolf, the Harbour Museum is the right place for you. Over 20 traditional ships await you, and here you can admire the oldest sailing ship, the Nordic yacht “Norden”, ⛵ which was built in 1870.
If you have a couple of days to spend in Lübeck, do not forget its amazing surroundings. Pay a visit to the seaside not far from the city. The lovely town of Travemünde on the Baltic sea is a touristic spot with its vast white beaches.
The seaside resorts in Timmendorfer Strand and the long promenades on the seafront are trendy. From here, you can also take a ferry to neighbouring islands and Scandinavian countries.
Plan your visit in Lübeck
How long should you plan when visiting Lübeck?
A day trip to see the most important buildings. Also, at least one overnight to enjoy the city centre and maybe some activities on the water. 🛥️
The best way to explore northern Germany is to visit places like Hamburg, Lübeck, Bremen, Groningen, and Stralsund during the same trip. To do so, you might need around 10 days to get a proper feeling of a Hanseatic city.
What else can I tell you? Lübeck definitely deserves a visit.
Also, check out my north-east Germany travel journal here.
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