Lübeck

A Hanseatic port on the Baltic coast known for its brick Gothic churches, the Holstentor and marzipan, with Travemünde's beaches about 17 km away.

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Lübeck is a historic port on Germany's Baltic coast, in south-east Schleswig-Holstein, where the River Trave meets the Bay of Lübeck. Its old town sits on an island in the Trave and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the most extensive one in Germany. The city is nicknamed the City of Seven Towers after the seven towers of its five main churches. Lübeck Cathedral was built in stages between 1173 and 1335, and the Holstentor, built 1464 to 1478, is the city's best-known landmark. Lübeck was the leading city of the Hanseatic League, and the brick Gothic style of the old town is a key reason for its UNESCO listing.

Marzipan is the city's best-known food. Niederegger's museum on Breite Strasse explains its history and shows historic wooden moulds. Hamburg is about 65 km south-west by road, so a day trip is possible, but an overnight stay gives you time for the old town and the Trave waterfront. Travemünde, about 17 km away at the Trave mouth, has long sandy beaches. Summer suits the beaches, when average temperatures reach about 18 °C, and December suits the Christmas market in the Hospital of the Holy Spirit.

Lübeck in five

Start at the HolstentorThe twin-towered gate marks the western edge of the old town island. The museum inside covers the Hanseatic League; check opening hours and ticket rules.
Taste marzipan at the sourceLübeck's marzipan tradition is centuries old and is sold at several cafés and shops. Try a slice at a café first, then buy a boxed bar for gifts.
Visit the Marienkirche and the other spiresThe Seven Spires define the skyline. Some church towers can be climbed or ridden by lift for a fee; check each church's site for hours.
Ride to Travemünde for a beach afternoonRegional trains and buses reach the Baltic seaside resort in about 25 minutes. Travemünde has a promenade, sand beach and the Passat sailing ship.Kiel travel guide
Stay overnight for the evening lightDay trippers leave by 6pm, and the old town is calm in the evening. Rooms in the old town are small and often cheaper than in Hamburg.Northern Germany travel guide

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to LübeckPut the places you like in Lübeck on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Hamburg (HAM), about 1 hour by train via the Hauptbahnhof; Lübeck has a small airfield
Getting there: Regional train: Hamburg about 45 to 50 min, Kiel about 1.5 hrs
Getting around: Walkable old town island; buses to Travemünde
Best base: Old town island
Time needed: 1 day trip; 2 with Travemünde

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low0°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low1°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Cool, windy
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Mild, spring
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Warm, long days
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, beaches
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, Travemünde
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, busy
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild, quieter
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Autumn color
NovemberRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low4°Grey, rain
DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low2°Christmas market

Average daily high and low in Lübeck, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Lübeck

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 7°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 85%

Lübeck

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today9°8°85%Monday: Rain. High 9°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 85%.
Tue10°6°10%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.
Wed9°5°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu9°4°0%Thursday: Clear. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri8°3°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat8°2°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sun4°1°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.

Updated 09:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Lübeck

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Mar–DecHamburger DomHamburg, a day trip
JunKiel WeekKiel, a day trip

Day trips by train

Hamburgabout 45 to 50 minutes by trainHarbor, Elbphilharmonie and Speicherstadt.Read the guide
Kielabout 1.5 hours by trainFjord harbor and ferries to Scandinavia.Read the guide
Travemündeabout 25 minutes by train or busBaltic beach, promenade and a sailing ship.

Before you go to Lübeck

Trains from Hamburg to LübeckRegional service in under an hourRead the guide

Hotels in the old townSmall rooms; book early for summerCheck availability

eSIM for the Baltic coastMaps and tickets on regional trainsRead the guide

Insurance for a coastal tripCover for storm and train delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Lübeck, checked

Many nationalities can enter Germany without a visa for short stays. Check entry rules for your passport on the Federal Foreign Office site before you book.Source
Dial 112 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for police anywhere in Germany.
Check your home country's customs allowances before you bring rotspon or marzipan back, since alcohol and food limits differ by country.
Tipping is customary in restaurants: round the bill up or add about 10 percent, paid to the waiter directly.