Lübeck is a northern German city famed for its Brick Gothic architecture, located just a stone’s throw from the windy shores of the Baltic Sea. It’s the former capital of the powerful Hanseatic League – a union of towns and merchants’ guilds that dominated trade in Europe throughout the entirety of the medieval period. The city is most famous for its Holstentor – a 15th-century city gate which now acts as the symbol of Lübeck.
Lübeck is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, and this is most evident in the UNESCO-listed old Hanseatic city. The star attraction here is the 13th-century Marienkirche or St Mary’s Church – a symbol of the power and prosperity of the Hanseatic League. Its twin towers soar to 125 metres in height, and it also has the highest brick vault in the world at 38.5 metres. Other gems here include the namesake cathedral – reconstructed after it was partly destroyed in a bombing raid in World War II – and the Hospice du Saint-Esprit – a restored landmark originally constructed in 1286 CE.
While there is plenty to see and do in Lübeck, the museums are arguably the jewel in the city’s crown. Aside from the Holstentor, you can explore St Anne’s Museum which contains Germany's largest collection of medieval sculptures and altarpieces, and the Lübeck Museum of Theatre Puppets for an insight into German theatre and puppetry. You can also visit the Günter Grass House for an introduction into the author, artist and Nobel Prize winner.
Tonight
From per night
This weekend
From per night
Next weekend
From per night
Most popular time to visit | October–December |
Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
Local currency | € 10 = £8.57 |
Language | German |
Average weekend price | £86 per night |
Average weekday price | £90 per night |
Typical stay | 1 night |
Lubeck Christmas Market
0.1 miles from city centre
Very cool city.
19 April 2024
Very cool city. Totally accessible with friendly people and a ton of great restaurants. Easy place to explore the Baltic coast from. Perfect place for a 2-3 night stay; longer if you just want to chill, shorter stays if your are pressed for time.
Charming pedestrian street with a variety of shops and cafe,...
2 April 2024
Charming pedestrian street with a variety of shops and cafe, restaurant. The old town was fascinating and interesting to walkabout in. great mix of restaurant and world wide cousin - we ate at a Vietnamese restaurant, food was perfect and service level high.
Loved the vibe in Lubeck - plenty to see and do.
28 February 2024
Loved the vibe in Lubeck - plenty to see and do. People seemed friendly and I just wish we could have stayed longer. We travelled to a few cities in this part of Germany over the course of the week, finishing in Hamburg, and Lubeck is the one I always look back on fondly.
The architecture in Lübeck centre is predominantly medieval...
20 February 2024
The architecture in Lübeck centre is predominantly medieval and coupled with the wide river flowing through it gives a wonderful atmosphere. There are two museums and the church of St. Mary is well worth a visit. Shopping is well catered for and the cafés are excellent, the Weiner Caféhaus in particular. We were slightly wrong-footed by the fact that most shops are closed on Sunday and the cafés don’t open until 11am so breakfast should be taken in the hotel on that day.
We visited Lübeck the week before Christmas to enjoy their...
28 December 2023
We visited Lübeck the week before Christmas to enjoy their Christmas markets. We were not disappointed! Everything was in walking distance. We were there over the weekend, and there was still a lot going on. We enjoyed the café and eateries, as well as all the sites, sounds, smells and tastes of the Christmas markets. (We recommend the Backstore Cafe for delicious breakfasts!) You'll have to sample some marzipan while in Lübeck. It is made there. You can buy marzipan in any supermarket, but you won’t want to miss the delicious cakes at the Niederegger Cafe. There is a small free museum on the top floor of the Niederegger Cafe. Be sure to visit it. The view of the market from there was also beautiful. The people of Lübeck were very friendly. Lübeck is a hidden gem in Northern Germany. Definitely worth checking out.
Lubeck is an amazing city full of charm and wonder!
18 December 2023
Lubeck is an amazing city full of charm and wonder! In order to do everything a 2-3 day trip would have been great, but we managed to do quite a bit in just one day. I would definitely recommend the churches, Holstentor, and the Town Hall guided tour. Perfect food options too, with a diverse range of culinary delights. Once you are in the old town, nice and easy to get around on foot. I'd probably avoid going during the Christmas markets again though.
Innenstadt, Lübeck
From £196 per night
St Lorenz, Lübeck
From £106 per night
Innenstadt, Lübeck
From £213 per night
Innenstadt, Lübeck
From £154 per night
Innenstadt, Lübeck
From £135 per night