Lübeck is a city in Germany located in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The old town center (Altstadt) has maintained its medieval appearance with old buildings and narrow streets.
In the past, the city could only be accessed through four gates, and, two of them, the Burgtor and Holstentor still exist.
Lübeck Germany – Photo Credit: Leonie Krickhuhn
How to spend 1 day in Lübeck Germany
In this 1-day itinerary in Lübeck, discover the main attractions of the city.
Day 1 in Lübeck
Start the day by visiting Holstentor, one of the city’s main attractions and symbol. It is a medieval gateway and today houses a museum dedicated to the city’s history.
Near the Holstentor is the Petrikirche, built between 1227 and 1250 and expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries. From its observation platform, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the city.
Head to Lübeck Cathedral, one of the oldest monuments in the city. 900 meters (0.5 miles) from the cathedral is Lübeck City Hall (Lübecker Rathaus), one of the most beautiful city halls in Germany.
220 meters (0.1 miles) from the town hall is Marienkirche, the third-largest church in Germany and St. Jakobi is 450 meters (0.3 miles) away.
Be sure to take a walk along the Trave River and also visit the Café Niederegger and try the famous “marzipan”, located in front of the city hall.
Things to see
- Holstentor
- Petrikirche
- Lübeck Cathedral
- Lübecker Rathaus
- Marienkirche
- St. Jakobi
- Café Niederegger
Day 1 Itinerary Map
Sights in Lübeck
1. Holstentor
The Holstentor is a symbol of Lübeck and one of the main attractions.
Holstentorplatz, 23552
2. Petrikirche
The Petrikirche was built between 1227 – 1250 and enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries.
During World War II the roof of the church was destroyed. The reconstruction was completed in 1987.
The Petrikirche is no longer used as a church but rather as a vibrant center for events and exhibitions.
From its observation deck, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the city.
Petrikirchhof, 23552
3. Rathaus
The Lübecker Rathaus is one of the most beautiful town halls in Germany.
Breite Str. 62, 23552
4. Marienkirche
The Marienkirche is the third-largest church in Germany. Numerous works of art can be found inside the Marienkirche.
Marienkirche, 23552
5. Lübeck Cathedral
The Lübeck Cathedral is one of the oldest monuments in the city.
During World War II it was partially destroyed by airstrikes. The reconstruction of the church took several decades and was completed in 1982.
Mühlendamm 2-6, 23552
6. Aegidien
The Aegidien is the smallest of the 5 main churches in the historic center of Lübeck.
It is decorated with Gothic wall paintings and elements from the Baroque period and the Renaissance period.
Aegidien, 23552
7. Buddenbrookhaus
The Buddenbrookhaus is dedicated to Thomas Mann and the novel “Buddenbrooks“, published in 1901 when he was 26 years old.
The second publication in 1903 “Buddenbrooks” became a great literary success and led Mann to a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929.
Mengstraße 4, 23552
8. Altstadt
Taking a tour and exploring the alleys and courtyards of the old town of Lübeck is like going back to the Middle Ages.
Altstadt
9. Café Niederegger
The Café Niederegger is located in front of the City Hall. In the hall of the “marzipan“, you will be able to discover how this delicacy of Lübeck is made.
Breite Str. 89, 23552
10. St Jakobi
The St Jakobi was built in 1334 and suffered no damage during World War II.
A lifeboat is dedicated to the wreck of the boat “Pamir” in 1957. It is located in the north tower of the chapel.
Jakobikirchhof 3, 23552
11. Burgkloster
The Burgkloster is the most significant medieval monastery in northern Germany.
Hinter der Burg 6, 23552
Where to stay in Lübeck
1. Radisson Blu Lübeck
The Radisson Blu Lübeck is located 4 minutes from the Holstentor.
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, safe, and minibar.
Willy-Brandt-Allee 6, 23554 Lübeck, Germany
2. Hotel H+ Lübeck
The Hotel H + Lübeck is a 4-star hotel located near Central Station and offers excellent value for money.
The hotel has 96 modern rooms equipped with a flat-screen TV, and safe.
Am Bahnhof 12-14, 23558 Lübeck, Germany
3. Hotel Anno 1216
Located in one of Lübeck’s oldest brick buildings, Hotel Anno 1216 offers a historic atmosphere and modern design.
Rooms have a TV, minibar, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Alfstraße 38, 23552 Lübeck, Germany
Shopping in Lübeck
1. Karstadt Lübeck
Karstadt is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany.
The company features brands like Cacharel, Clarins, Coach, Desigual, Estée Lauder.
Königstraße 54-56, 23552
2. Haerder Center Lübeck
The Haerder Center Lübeck is located at the intersection of the main shopping streets of Breite Strasse, Holstenstrasse, and Königstrasse.
Brands: Essanelle, Fexcom, New Yorker, Pandora.
Königstraße 84-96, 23552
Plan your Trip
Lübeck has easy train access from various cities in Germany. Famous cities nearby: Hamburg, Schwerin, Bremen, and Kiel.
Distances
Hamburg – 67.6 km (42 miles)
Schwerin – 72.2 km (44.9 miles)
Bremen – 180 km (112 miles)
Lübeck Germany Map
Book Your Trip
Book Your Accommodation
Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.
Book Your Flight
Find cheap flights to Germany by using Momondo. Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.
Book a Train Ticket
Check the train routes and schedules with Omio. Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com.
See also
10 Suggested Itineraries for Germany + Top Destinations
Outlets & Department Stores in Germany: Shopping Guide
