Germany · LUBECK TOURS
German summer weekends and the Christmas-market weeks sell out early, and the best lubeck tours go first. Below are the 15 to get into the diary now, what each includes and where they differ.
You board the Splash Bus at An der Untertrave 92 for a one-hour tour in German. A local captain mixes Lübeck stories with historic facts as the vehicle rolls through the city, then splashes into the Trave and continues by water past the harbor, Holsten Gate, bridges, old-town houses, garden district, and seven towers.
“It was cold and wet out, wish the defroster was on so my pictures would have turned out.”
Walk from Lübeck’s Holstentor through the UNESCO-listed old town with a German-speaking guide. See St. Petri, the town hall, St. Marien Church, medieval corridors, and abbey courtyards while hearing history, amusing anecdotes, and local tips on shopping, nightlife, and leisure.
“Sehr informativ, leider am Anfang wetterbedingt im Pfützen rumgestanden.”
Follow a German-speaking guide from Lübeck’s Burgtor into narrow medieval corridors, workers’ stalls, monastery courtyards, and quiet lanes. This private 90-minute walk explains how Hanseatic Lübeck handled rapid population growth, where widows lived, and why the old town’s odd passageways were built. Meet the guide by the orange k3 bag.
“Unterhaltsame Tour. Es gab viel zu sehen und zu entdecken.”
SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand gives you a timed, one-day visit through themed marine worlds near the Baltic Sea pier. See blacktip reef sharks, a green sea turtle, rays, octopuses, seahorses, clownfish, and boa constrictors. Live feedings add structure, while the touch pool gives children a hands-on look at selected sea creatures. English and German support is available.
Take the helm of a silent electric boat in Lübeck with up to five companions. After a short briefing, anyone aged 18 or older can steer without a license. Choose one, two, or three hours, follow the red or blue route, and enjoy padded seating, a table, and harbor views at your own pace.
“Det var en smuk tur gennem byen. Der er to ruter man kan sejle, en rød og en blå. Den røde er den bedste og den man skal vælge hvis man kun har en time.”
Visit SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand for a self-guided walk through 11 themed underwater worlds and 38 pools. See blacktip reef sharks, green sea turtles, rays, octopuses, seahorses, otters, boa constrictors, piranhas, and jellyfish. Plan on 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your pace and interest.
“Ich war ausschließlich negativ beeindruckt. So werden dort u. a. 3 Haie und eine Riesenschildkröte in einem meiner Meinung nach viel zu kleinem Becken gehalten. Der Schildkröte konnte man förmlich ansehen, wie traurig und depressiv sie ist....so ist sie völlig abgestumpft immer wieder im Kreis geschwommen. 1 x Sealife und nie wieder. Derartige Einrichtungen gehören für mich vor dem Hintergrund des Tierschutzes verboten! Ich kann nicht verstehen, warum die tierschutzrechtlichen Anforderungen in Bezug auf die Größe des Beckens offenbar so gering sind. Dieser Besuch hat mich sehr nachdenklich und traurig gestimmt.”
Explore Lübeck’s UNESCO-listed old town on a 90-minute private walk for up to six people. Meet your English or German-speaking guide at Holsten Gate, then see the salt warehouses, port, town hall, St. Mary’s Church, Teufelchen, and Buddenbrook House. Guides including Christel and Frau Stump have earned praise for clear, personable guiding.
“Christel was great, thoroughly enjoyed my time with her. Very knowledgeable about Lübeck.”
Walk Lübeck’s old town with a private guide in English or German. From Holsten Gate and the Trave Harbour to St. Mary’s Church, Buddenbrook House, and the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, you’ll connect brick architecture, merchant power, and everyday Hanseatic life. Guides including Bernd, Chris, and Karin have been praised for clear storytelling and flexible pacing.
“Our guide Karin was great. She explained a lot about the city and you could tell she enjoyed introducing Lübeck to us. We saw a lot in a short period of time of time, and she gave us great suggestions for things to do on our own time after the official tour was done.”
Travel by air-conditioned bus from Kiel’s Ostseekai to Lübeck for a guided walk with a local English-speaking guide. See Holsten Gate, the Old Town, Town Hall, St. Mary’s Church, and tucked-away passages, then enjoy free time for marzipan, lunch, beer, coffee, or shopping before returning to the ship.
“Started out unorganized. Two guides let people go to the bathroom then deciding how to split group. There were 45 people. Easy decision 22/23. I left in group one with Connie as our guide before people returned from bathroom because we tired of waiting. I was the only one counting heads. We had 22. (They asked if I was a teacher…I am. I plan things and keep things organized and count heads.) Our guide was nice and Knowledgeable, just not good at telling people what to do. The city has a lot of history and is interesting. Good shopping for marzipan and chocolate and refrigerator magnets…..not souvenirs and t-shirts. We…”
Join Ulrike Müller’s German-language Halloween walking tour through Lübeck for 1.5 hours and about 3 km. Starting at 7 p.m. by the Holstentor Museum, you’ll hear stories of murderer Giese, a mother’s revenge, old legends, and a crime exposed by an unlikely helper. The walk returns to the Holstentor.
“The guide was ok... difficult to understand at times due to the surrounding noise. Voice should have been a bit stronger...”
Use the World City Trail app to explore Lübeck on a self-guided 3.4-kilometer scavenger hunt. Solve riddles at nine outdoor sights, including Holstentor, Marienkirche, and the cathedral, while audio stories and GPS directions guide you. Start anytime, pause for food or sightseeing, and use your access for up to one year.
“Schöne Stadtbesichtigung, auch mit Kindern gut zu machen. Toll, dass man auch für ein lecker Essen oder so unterbrechen kann”
Meet your German-speaking guide at Holsten Gate for a private 90-minute walk through Lübeck’s medieval lanes, backyards, courtyards, and town houses. You’ll hear the story behind the Angel Pit, inspect unusual street lamps, pass St. Jakobi, and finish at Heiligen-Geist-Hospital. The tour suits up to six people and can start between 9 AM and 7 PM.
Travel from Hamburg to Lübeck by train with a private guide such as Deniz, Aline, or Dave. Shape the walking tour around your interests, see the Holsten Gate and cathedral, enjoy a two-course meal with two drinks, and return to Hamburg after about seven hours.
“Aline was an amazing tour guide and I enjoyed this tour. She has great knowledge of Lubek’s history which I enjoyed learning from her especially when she explained to me about the architecture of some historical buildings 😍😍😍. I highly recommend her as a tour guide 😊”
Travel from Kiel Port to Lübeck in an air-conditioned vehicle, then explore the Holsten Gate, salt storehouses, marketplace, Town Hall, and St Mary's Basilica with a local guide. You will also have free time for food, shopping, and wandering before returning to your ship.
“The town was gorgeous, the transportation was great and our guide was pleasant & professional. I do think it could be improved by using a microphone & earphones. She had guests who lagged behind and they were never able to hear her commentary. hear her commentary.”
Use the Lübeck Day Pass for unlimited admission to the city’s museum network during its 32-hour validity period. Visit the Buddenbrookhaus, Günter Grass-Haus, Behnhaus Drägerhaus, St. Annen museums, Holstentor, Katharinenkirche, and more. The pass suits independent visitors who want freedom to choose several museums without a guide.
A city, a river, a castle ridge, a brewery.
