Lubeck, an independent city state, and the capital of the Hanseatic League, was absorbed by Germany after World War II. The second largest city in Schleswig-Holstein- the northernmost state of Germany- Lübeck lies on the banks of the Trave River, and is the largest German port city on the Baltic Sea. Apart from bordering the Baltic Sea (Ostsee), Lübeck is 58 km northeast of Hamburg. The medieval old city (Altstadt) is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lübeck has a population of 215,000 citizens living on an area of 214 sq km.
How to Get There:
Lübeck's airport, Hamburg-Lübeck, is a few km outside the city but is easily accessible by road and public transport. Ryanair connects Lubeck Airport with London-Stansted, Dublin, Stockholm-Skavsta, Milan, Pisa, Barcelona-Girona, Frankfurt-Hahn, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante and Alghero. Wizz Air connects Lübeck to Gdańsk. A public bus number connects the airport to Lubeck's Hauptbahnhof every 30 minutes; journey time is about 20 minutes. A local train runs from the airport to Lübeck's Hauptbahnhof every hour, a 10-minute trip.
What to See:
Lubeck is identified by its iconic 15th-century Holstentor gateway, with a fairy tale appearance, with twin cylindrical towers. The Lubeck Holstentor is the gateway to a city of
medieval charm, with more than 1,000 historic buildings, so many that Lubeck has been listed as a World Heritage Site since the mid-1980s.
The medieval Altstadt is on an island surrounded by the Trave and channels. Altstadt has many churches: St. Marien or Marienkirche, the Dom, St. Petri or Petrikirche, St. Jakobi or Jakobikirche, St. Aegidien or Aegidienkirche and St. Katharinen or Katharinenkirche. The two remaining city gates, Holstentor and Burgtor both contain museums. Take a bus/boat ride to Travemünde, a sea side resort on the Baltic Sea or
take a tourist boat ride around the city. Theatre-goers may find a good selection of shows at the City Theatre (Stadttheater), the Freilichtbühne Wallanlagen Theatre or the Music and Congress Hall (Musik und Kongresshalle).
Where to Eat:
Of the 264 restaurants, the highest rated is the Wullenwever. Other good options include Markgraf, the Schabbelhaus, while the most popular is the Schiffergesellschaft. Try locally brewed beer at the Bavarian-themed Brauberger in Alfstraße.
Miscellaneous: Lubeck is known for its marzipan (almond paste, used by confectioners) industry. The best known producer is Niederegger. One Lubeck specialty is Rotspon, wine made in France and transported in wooden barrels to Lübeck, where it is stored, aged and bottled.
Hotels:
As with all cities in Germany, Lübeck offers a large variety of hotels. Booking in advance is advised. Over 70 hotels dot Lübeck city, from Youth Hostels to 4-star comfort. Traveller Hotel Lubeck, Etap Hotel, Ibis Luebeck, Hotel Wakenitzblick-Garni, HOTEL an der Marienkirche and the Baltic Hotel fall in the mid-price range.. More expensive hotels include Columbia Hotel Casino Travemuende, Scandic Lubeck, Maritim Strandhotel and Ringhotel Jensen. Of the two youth hostels, one is east of the Altstadt, the other within the Altstadt. Among the 11 B&Bs and Inns, Privatzimmer Grote 1, Bed & Breakfast Hotel and the Exxelent may be tried out.
