Lübeck

Lübeck, Germany

Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, was one of the great mercantile cities in the Middle Ages. The Old Town island, surrounded by the river Trave and the canal, today still communicates the charm of a port.

Travemünde is one of the most beautiful sea resorts of Europe which already in 1802 transformed the former fishing- and sailor village into a top address for bathers from near and far. The fascinating sailing Old-timer “Passat”, chugging deep-sea fishing boats and gigantic ferryboats can be admired on the Baltic Sea.

Population:

217,000

Currency:

1 Euro=100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 110
Ambulance: 112
Fire: 112
24-hour doctor: +4945171081

Opening Hours:

Enjoy art, culture and shopping in the unique setting of the world heritage site. There is a huge variety of great shops, brands and small boutiques.

Shops open from 9 am/ 10 am and are open until 7 pm/ 8 pm, Monday-Saturday.

Many museums and some restaurants close on mondays.

Most banks in the city center open from 9 am and some of them are open until 7 pm, Monday-Friday

Newspapers:

Lübecker Nachrichten
Die Welt
Frankfurter Allgemeine
Süddeutsche Zeitung

Ultimo and Piste are free monthly ‘What´s-On’ magazines.

The City

Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, was one of the great mercantile cities in the Middle Ages. Nowadays it offers what guests search for: a town small enough to be diverting, history to learn and a seaside for relaxing hours. The first impression is of soothing harmony. The width of the streets, the height of the roofs, and the length of time it takes to stroll across the market place have the right pro-portion. Since the 13th century the “city of seven spires” has been depicted with the same skyline of green-clad belfries rising above the red-tiled roofs.

Lübeck always was rather special: Queen of the Hanseatic trading league for 500 years, and today the gate to the Baltic Sea, to Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. Founded in 1143 by Adolf von Schauenburg and revived in 1157 by Heinrich "The Lion", it was declared to be a self-governing imperial city back in 1226 by Kaiser Friedrich II, and retained this status right up until 1937. The Second World War left deep wounds. But the literal hanseatic frame of mind of the city's citizens has made it possible to restore the 7 famous spires, many merchants' houses, alleys, courtyards and cloisters.

And Lübeck’s characteristic feature is water. The Old Town island, surrounded by the river Trave and the canal, today still communicates the charm and cosmopolitan approach of a port. Both the city ports and Europe's largest ferry terminal in Lübeck-Travemünde clearly demonstrate that time has not stood still here. Trave-münde is one of the most beautiful and most appealing sea resorts of Europe which already in 1802 transformed the former fishing- and sailor village into a top address for bathers from near and far. With a stroll over the boulevard of the historical boardwalk, the fascinating sailing Old-timer “Passat”, chugging deep-sea fishing boats and gigantic ferryboats can be admired on the Baltic Sea very close to. The fine sandy beach with its 4,5 kilometres longitude from the Priwall up to the Brodten steep coast invites to an easygoing swim- and sunbath fun.

Do & See

Tucked away behind the tall, steep-roofed and closely-packed houses built by prosperous merchants, lie tiny workers’ cottages in a thread of narrow passageways. Meander among the ‘roses round the door’ almshouses of Glockengießerstraße, and behind the An der Obertrave quay, to discover hidden oases of pretty streets and enchanting courtyards. Cross bridges or take a river cruise for endless eye-catching views.

Unique Spots

If you want to escape from the crowded touristy places and just enjoy some calm, relaxed moments, Lübeck offers you many possibilities to do so.

Dining

Being so close to the coast, fish features strongly on Lübeck menus. Cod in mustard sauce is a speciality and plaice is popular, as are tiny brown Baltic shrimps and herrings in many guises. In spring, feast on fresh asparagus. Rote Grütze, a compote of red fruits served with vanilla ice cream, is the favoured dessert.

Do try Lübecker Rotspon, a red wine imported young from France, aged and mellowed in oak casks in Lübeck. Historic merchants’ houses provide the setting for some of the most memorable meals, and on warm summer nights it’s pleasantly relaxing to eat in restaurants with courtyards and gardens.