Lübeck Old Town Travel Guide

Lübeck

Lübeck Old Town
Petrikirche showing a city and a bay or harbour
Rathaus which includes heritage architecture, a square or plaza and a city
Museum Holstentor which includes a garden and heritage architecture
Rathaus featuring interior views and heritage elements

Church spires soar high above centuries-old merchant houses, which themselves house cafés, museums and shops, in this historic island district. 

A walk around Luebeck Old Town (Luebeck Altstadt) is a window into the absorbing past of Luebeck. Set on an island flanked by arms of the Trave River, Luebeck Old Town was once a strategic center of the Hanseatic League trading activities. Medieval Gothic-style landmarks stand proud on elegant avenues, some in their original form and others meticulously rebuilt after bomb raids devastated the city in 1942. An absorbing charm and grandiose architecture has earned the area UNESCO World Heritage status.

Enter the district via one of the two last-surviving gates of the old city walls. Burgtor marks the northern entrance and leads into the former castle hill. Holstentor, on the western perimeter, leads to what was once the lively merchant quarters. Inside the gate, the Holstentor Museum provides a great introduction to the city.

Architectural monuments are found at the turn of every corner. Visit the five churches that make up the Sieben Türme, which is an ensemble of seven grandiose spires: Dom, Marienkirche, Petrikirche, St. Aegidien Church and St. Jakobi Church. Tour the three gabled houses that form the town hall, Rathaus. Stall holders hawk their wares at craft fairs and farmers markets held in Town Hall Square just as merchants did in medieval times.

Educate yourself about the Hanseatic League at the European Hansemuseum. The Willy Brandt House and Buddenbrook House honor politician Willy Brandt and writer Thomas Mann, who are two of the city’s most famous sons. See examples of puppets from around the world at Luebeck Museum of Theatre Puppets.

Be sure to go shopping on Breite Strasse and Koenigstrasse. Catch a show at performing arts venues such as Theater Luebeck and Theater Partout. Enjoy a well-earned break at sidewalk cafés. Or, take a leisurely stroll on a riverside trail, see boats and houses reflect perfectly in the water and watch as the sun drifts down behind the towers.

Luebeck Old Town is easy to reach on foot and by bus from the city’s central train station. The best way to get around is on foot and rented bike.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Lübeck Old Town

Radisson Blu Senator Hotel

Radisson Blu Senator Hotel

5 out of 5
Willy-Brandt-Allee 6, Lübeck, SH
The price is ₹14,856 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
₹14,856
₹15,896 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,020 reviews)
"Great hotel and service from the front desk staff"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Radisson Blu Senator Hotel
Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck

Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck

4 out of 5
Willy-Brandt-Allee 1-5, Lübeck, SH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,139 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
₹12,139
₹12,989 total
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
Great location
"Hotel is very short walk into town. Dtaff all very polite in texeption. Did find dinner in the restaurant very very slow service but food was excellent. Room with view over river very nice. Cant believe there is no a/c though"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck
Atlantic Hotel Luebeck

Atlantic Hotel Luebeck

4.5 out of 5
Schmiedestr. 9-15, Lübeck, SH
The price is ₹17,534 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹17,534
₹18,762 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Block away from Hotel was populated by a bit undesirable street people"

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Atlantic Hotel Luebeck
Hotel Excellent

Hotel Excellent

3 out of 5
Mühlenbrücke 7, Lübeck, SH
The price is ₹14,736 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹14,736
₹15,768 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (356 reviews)
Wonderful place !
"The hotel is great, the restaurant and breakfast are delicious ! We were lucky enough to enjoy asparagus and strawberry season ! The hotel staff was very nice and helpful. The village and the area are lovely. It is a very nice placecto stay."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2025

Hotel Excellent
Hotel Jensen

Hotel Jensen

An der Obertrave 4-5, Lübeck
The price is ₹13,574 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹13,574
₹14,524 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Theater Figuren Museum and Museum Holstentor are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (627 reviews)
"Very nice hotel"

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2025

Hotel Jensen
Motel One Lübeck

Motel One Lübeck

Schüsselbuden 15, Lübeck
The price is ₹10,375 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹10,375
₹11,102 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (372 reviews)
"Great central location, aircon didn’t work (though it wasnt too warm). No fridge or jug in the room"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Motel One Lübeck
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Lübeck Old Town

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Hüxtertor/Mühlentor/Gärtnergasse

Visitors to Hüxtertor/Mühlentor/Gärtnergasse appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Lübeck Town Hall and Lübeck Christmas Market might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

Hüxtertor/Mühlentor/Gärtnergasse
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Sankt Lorenz Süd

Sankt Lorenz Süd is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can plan an outing to Museum Holstentor and Lübeck Christmas Market while you're in town.

Sankt Lorenz Süd
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Holstentor-Nord

Visitors to Holstentor-Nord appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Museum Holstentor and Lübeck Christmas Market might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

Holstentor-Nord
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St. Gertrud

Unique features of St. Gertrud include the historical sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Gothmund or Dragerpark while you're exploring the area.

St. Gertrud
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St Lorenz

Visitors to St Lorenz appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Museum Holstentor and St. Mary's Church might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

St Lorenz
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Falkenfeld/Vorwerk

Though Falkenfeld/Vorwerk may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Lübeck Christmas Market and Lübeck Town Hall.

Falkenfeld/Vorwerk

Lübeck Old Town Travel Guide