2 Hours in Lübeck

28.05.2022

Taking advantage of a short cruise ship stop in Kiel, we made a bee-line to the local train station and took a 75 minute ride to Lübeck. We had 2 hours at the most to check out the «Venice of the Baltic» which of course was never going to be enough. However, because the old town itself is rather compact, we were able to see rather a lot in the end and even had time for a quick but delicious lunch.

Lübeck is also known as the Queen of the Hanseatic League, which dominated northern European trade in the Middle Ages. It is still easy to see today how wealthy and powerful the city must have been at that time.

Walking down from the railway station, we entered the town through the arch of the Holstentor gate, one of Germany's most photographed monuments. This magnificent symbol of the city leads into an old town packed with wonderful museums, huge red-brick churches, pretty lanes and riverside walks.

Crossing the Holstenbrücke to reach the island that is Lübeck's old town, we passed the 17th-century Salzspeicher, six salt houses on the banks of the River Trave.

We then headed up the hill to the fine market square and the 13th-century town hall, one of Germany's oldest. Lunch was taken at the local Paulaner pub, close to the 12th century cathedral where Mylene ate what she described as the best Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle) she had ever eaten in her life. We even had time to visit the cathedral afterwards before heading back to Kiel.

Our travel tip:

Lübeck is the birthplace of marzipan so its an absolute must to check out the 200-year-old Niederegger Café and Marzipan Salon (Breite Strasse 89).