Day Trip to Lubeck - A German Town of Gothic Architecture, Marzipan, and Merchant Tales

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Just an hour’s drive northeast of Hamburg lies Lubeck, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. It is a beautiful old city full of charm, history, and photo-worthy corners. We decided to spend the day exploring it on foot, and though it was a lot of walking (especially for the kids), with plenty of little stops and treats along the way, it turned into a day we won’t forget.

Day Trip To Lubeck

We parked near Holstentorplatz, just outside the iconic Holstentor (Charged in 20-minute increments: €0.50 per 20 min, so €1.50 per hour and max daily fee is €7.50) Lübeck’s most famous city gate and a symbol of its Hanseatic legacy.

The iconic Holstentor gate in Lübeck, Germany.

Allow me to explain what the Hanseatic legacy of Lübeck means. Back in the Middle Ages, Lübeck played a leading role in European trade. Thanks to its ideal location near the Baltic Sea, it became a wealthy and popular town. Many merchant houses and warehouses were built, and Lübeck became known as the trading capital of the region. Merchants from the city traded goods with towns and cities all across northern Europe, leaving behind a rich legacy that’s still visible today. So, to sum it up, Lübeck was one of the most important cities in a powerful trading group called the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. 

From there, we walked toward the city center, beginning with a short detour to the Museum Holstentor, which is housed within the gate itself. If you want to know more about the Hanseatic legacy of Lübeck this a fascinating museum to visit. It offers insights into Lübeck’s trading history and defense systems. From there, we made our way across the Wahmstraße Bridge, from where we spotted a scenic lakeside restaurant on the small inlet lake of the Trave River. The view was peaceful and lovely, perfect for a few photos. The kids ran around, and we took a little breather.

A photo by the historic Salzspeicher buildings in Lübeck, with their cool brick architecture.

A great way to explore the historic town of Lübeck is to take the canal cruise. Cruise through Lübeck’s scenic canals at your own pace with this easy, licence-free electric boat rental, a fun and relaxing way to see the city from the water.

A scenic boat ride glides through the picturesque canals of Lübeck, flanked by historic brick buildings.

Hop on this fun 1-hour Splash Bus tour in Lübeck. It drives through the city and then splashes into the river, giving you great views of the Old Town and harbor, all with live commentary in German.

As we walked upward through Breite Straße, Lübeck’s main pedestrian shopping street, we passed a delightful mix of local boutiques, international brands, and quaint artisan shops. The street is lively but not overwhelming. Eventually, it opens into the Klingenberg square. However, from halfway through itself, we decided to cross the road into the maret square. As we entered the square, we were greeted by the grand city hall (Rathaus), which was stunning. It is built from dark red and black bricks, typical of Northern Germany’s medieval architecture.

The iconic Rathaus in its brick Gothic architecture with green spires.

The city hall stands at the heart of the Old Town, right next to the Market Square and close to St. Mary’s Church. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful town halls in Germany, built in 1230. Every December, the square is transformed into a magical Christmas market with lights, stalls, mulled wine, and crafts.

Lübeck's historic market square features a traditional Maypole.

The arcades under the Town Hall house boutique shops and cozy cafés. We decided to grab lunch and then lounge in one of these cozy cafés. Due to its port city history, fish dishes like smoked eel and herring are more traditional and popular here, however, we decided to head out Das Flammkuchenhaus, located on Königstraße. Hands down the best tarte flambée we’ve had! It’s a small restaurant run by a father and son, reasonably priced , and the food is simple, fresh, and just what we needed. I tried the Engel 0.0% beer, which was a little bitter for my taste, but still fun to try something local.

At Das Flammkuchenhaus, enjoy a variety of traditional Flammkuchen with veggie and meat toppings.

After lunch, we walked along the Domkirchhof, passing the grand Lübeck Cathedral (Dom zu Lübeck). This Romanesque-Gothic church is one of the city’s most important buildings, and the surrounding gardens provide a peaceful detour from the busier streets (almost empty!)

Historic brick Gothic architecture of Lübeck's iconic cathedral.

In the end, as planned, we made our way back to the Market Square. Located on Breite Straße is Lübeck’s world-famous marzipan café and confectionery Café Niederegger. Inside, you’ll find not only a café and an impressive marzipan museum, but also an ice cream parlor that serves up seasonal flavors and rich, creamy delights. We treated ourselves to a couple of scoops while enjoying the electric atmosphere filled with tourists and buskers performing street arts.

Indulging in the delights of Niederegger Café in Lübeck with a slice of strawberry tart and marzipan ice cream.

You can also take a lovely stroll along An der Obertrave, a peaceful riverside path just on the edge of Lübeck’s Old Town. It’s about 700 meters long and perfect for a slow walk. The street is lined with beautiful old houses from medieval and Renaissance times, and there are plenty of benches to rest on. You’ll also find cute cafés with outdoor seating, where you can sit by the water and enjoy the view.

It was definitely a full day with tired feet by the end, but between the stories, the laughs, the tarte, and the ice cream, Lübeck gave us memories we’ll talk about for a long time.

I highly recommend booking the Lübeck entertaining guided tour to Old Town highlights, a 1½‑hour walk from the iconic Holstentor through historic medieval streets, passing landmarks like the Town Hall and St. Mary’s Church, led by an engaging guide for just around $16 per person. Book Here.

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