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The Holsten Gate

The Holsten Gate: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lübeck: 1-Hour City Cruise in German

1. Lübeck: 1-Hour City Cruise in German

Experience the most beautiful sights in Lübeck, and admire the city's mesmerizing skyline on this sightseeing cruise. Relax onboard the comfortable boat, equipped with a minibar and a bathroom, while enjoying fascinating live commentary in German. Learn about the glory days of Lübeck, explore its history, and hear stories about the city's most famous inhabitants.  This 1-hour cruise takes you through the harbor and around the historic old town. See Lübeck's main sights from the water, including the seven towers of the city, Holsten Gate, the romantic garden district, and the houses of old town. Your captain will take you on a journey through his home-town, mixing personal stories with historical facts to make this a truly special experience.

Lübeck: Self-Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt

2. Lübeck: Self-Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt

Discover Lübeck's hidden gems on a self-guided walking tour of the Hanseatic city. Visit the Holstentorplatz, St. Aegidien Church, and other interesting attractions while using your smartphone to solve riddles. Head to the starting point in the heart of Lübeck and begin your quest. Happiness researcher Merle is out of luck. She was meant to come to Lübeck to conduct research but has been caught in a storm and can't make it. Now, she needs your help. Embark on a creative expedition through Lübeck's Old Town on Merle's behalf and discover the city's romantic side. Go off the beaten path as Merle guides you to inspiring places, from the Lübeck Theater to a small café. Solve puzzles, draw, write poetry, and more, all while getting to know the city of Lübeck. Play at your own pace and pause whenever you need to take a break.

Lübeck: 10-City-Highlights Scavenger Hunt

3. Lübeck: 10-City-Highlights Scavenger Hunt

A modern city rally awaits you, during which you will tackle tricky puzzles whilst uncovering interesting information. From the very first task, you will be already immersed in a world full of hidden clues and mysterious hints. You'll actively communicate with each other, getting closer to each other as you enrich your peers with your knowledge. You decide when you start and finish your adventure, completely independent of travel guides and groups. To participate, you only require a smartphone with an active internet connection. After you redeem your voucher for this city quest on the homepage, your guides will immediately send you a start link via mail. From there you can start the scavenger hunt by accessing the link through your smartphone. You will follow the route that takes you from one showplace to the next, answering clever questions and solving tricky puzzles on the way. During this tour, you will visit sights such as Puppenbrücke, Holsten Gate, Love Bridge, the Slums-quarter, Lübeck Cathedral, the St. Petri Church, the St. Maria church, and Town Hall. If you have trouble solving a task, you can use the system to get multiple clues and even display the correct answer. Of course, you are free to use the internet as a source of knowledge. At the end of each task you will receive exciting information and entertaining stories about the relevant sight.

Lübeck: Classic Tour of the Hanseatic City

4. Lübeck: Classic Tour of the Hanseatic City

Discover the Hanseatic city of Lübeck with its unparalleled architecture, especially significant to its appointment as the first German UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. See the unique skyline of Lübeck, decorated with the 5 main churches, the world-famous "Holstentor" (Holsten Gate) and the brick "Kaufmannshäuser" (merchants' houses), all signifiers of the hundred-year-long history of this Baltic Sea city. Hear interesting stories about the history of the city. Begin at the famous Holsten Gate and continue to the "Salzspeicherhäusern," past the former industrial heart of the city, the Port of Lübeck. Continue to the famous town hall with its traditional Hanseatic architecture and history, then to the sweet "Teufelchen" and St. Mary's Church. Conclude the tour with a stroll through the famous streets and the decorated houses at Buddenbrook-Haus.

Lübeck: Historical Tour in the Footsteps of the Hansa

5. Lübeck: Historical Tour in the Footsteps of the Hansa

Immerse yourself in the history of the Hanseatic League in beautiful Lübeck and discover the old town with its narrow alleys and typical stepped gables. Learn how the Hanseatic League grew from a connection of merchant guilds to a confederation of cities, which in its heyday included about 300 maritime and inland cities in Northern Europe from Riga to Bruges.  Start at the historic Holstentor, one of four city fortification gates at this wall passage alone. Stroll past the salt storehouses and the Trave Harbour. Go through the Große Petersgrube, one of Lübeck's oldest streets with beautiful old brick and stepped-gable buildings. See St. Mary's Church, which was the model for numerous churches in the Hanseatic cities in the Baltic region. Passing by the Buddenbrook House of the Mann family, you'll finally reach the venerable Schiffergesellschaft guild hall, where the sailors of the Hanseatic League used to stop by. The tour ends at the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, one of the oldest social institutions of Lübeck, where you can take a look into one or two romantic backyards.

Lübeck: Self-Guided Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour

6. Lübeck: Self-Guided Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour

Enjoy the beauty of the medieval city of Lubeck on a self-guided walking tour with your smartphone. Visit the famous landmarks and hidden gems of the city while you go on the scavenger hunt. Instructions how to start the tour will be found on your voucher after booking the tour. Begin your adventure at the Holsten Gate with your mobile phone as your guide. Soak in the warm and vibrant atmosphere while strolling through the streets of the historical town. During the tour, feel free to stop at any part of the tour to spend some more time seeing the sights. Experience a fun and entertaining adventure with family or friends. Throughout the tour, you will learn facts about the history and culture city of Lubeck. Explore the city at your own pace while enjoying a fun scavenger hunt.

Beautiful Lübeck: Shore Excursion from the Port of Kiel

7. Beautiful Lübeck: Shore Excursion from the Port of Kiel

Welcome to your exclusive day trip from Kiel Port to the charming city of Lübeck. Designed especially for cruise ship passengers, this tour offers a perfect blend of comfort, history, and cultural exploration. Lübeck, famed for its iconic red-brick Gothic architecture and rich Hanseatic heritage, promises an unforgettable experience for all history and architecture enthusiasts. We start our journey with a comfortable ride in an air-conditioned vehicle directly from your ship to the heart of Lübeck. Here, you'll be introduced to a local guide, a true connoisseur of the city's many tales and secrets, eager to share their love for this fascinating city with you. Our first stop is the striking Holsten Gate, an enduring symbol of Lübeck's medieval legacy. Step back in time as you admire its Gothic design and learn about its construction dating back to 1464. The exploration continues with a tour of the old salt storehouses, the vibrant marketplace, and the stately Town Hall, each bearing witness to Lübeck's past and present vitality. Your guide will enrich your visit with captivating stories and insights about these historic landmarks. Our highlight is the visit to the Basilica of St Mary's Church, an architectural masterpiece that has inspired many other red-brick churches across the Baltic Region. Stand beneath the world's highest brick vault and let the enormity of this structure amaze you. After the guided tour, you'll have leisure time to enjoy Lübeck at your own pace. Whether you choose to browse the local boutiques, sample some authentic German cuisine, or just wander the city's enchanting streets, the choice is yours. At the end the driver will escort you back to your cruise ship, capping off your memorable day in comfort and style.

Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town

8. Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town

Join an experienced Local Guide on the streets of Lubeck’s Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in the local history like never before. Discover must-see sights and hidden gems of the Hanseatic City of Lubeck on foot and on the water with tickets for a 1-hour boat cruise down the canals. Fall in love with The City of the Seven Spire and The Queen of the Hanse! Choose the 3-hour option for a basic 2-hour walking tour of the Old Town with tickets for a 1-hour boat cruise. Your Private Guide will show you the best selected highlights of this historic city, including the iconic Holsten Gate, Salzspeicher (old warehouses), and the Rathaus (Town Hall) at the lively Marketplatz. You will also see a couple of the iconic spires of Lubeck: St Peter’s Church and St. Mary’s Church. The guide will escort you to the pier where you will hop on board a modern, comfortable boat that will take you on a 1-hour cruise down the canals surrounding the Old Town. Enjoy a wonderful view of the 7-tower panorama of the Hanseatic city, the romantic salmon row, the charming Gängeviertel and the Malerwinkel. See various old town houses, warehouses, churches, bridges, harbor and more! Choose the 4-hour option for an extended 3-hour walking tour of the Old Town with tickets for a 1-hour boat cruise. This option includes tickets to St Mary’s Church (Marienkirche), which is the largest church in Lubeck. Inside you will marvel at its unique astronomical clock and hear the story of its Broken Bells. The extended itinerary also includes a visit to the Lubeck Cathedral, which houses the famous works of Bernt Notke and Thomas Quellinus.

Lübeck: Backyards and Town Houses Private Guided Tour

9. Lübeck: Backyards and Town Houses Private Guided Tour

Meet your guide at the Holsten Gate then head out onto the streets of Lübeck for your private, guided tour. Appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site, the city is renowned for its Gothic brick architecture and centuries-old buildings. Stroll through the narrow streets, past romantic houses, and local craft stalls as you discover the beautiful old town of Lübeck. Admire the typical architecture of this Hanseatic city displayed through the array of house signs and gables. Follow your guide through small courtyards, alleyways, secluded spots, and low passages, listening to fascinating insight into the living conditions of the citizens along the way. Learn about the historical ‘angel pit’, and why it has nothing to do with so-called heavenly messengers, and discover what’s so special about the street lamps in the city. Finally, stroll past the pilgrim church of St. Jakobi before ending the tour at Heiligen-Geist-Hospital to admire its striking little turrets.

Lübeck: Private Historical and Architectural Walking Tour

10. Lübeck: Private Historical and Architectural Walking Tour

Explore Lübeck on a walking tour with a private guide. Learn the history of the Holsten Gate and Buddenbrook House, understand the economic impact of trading routes along the Baltic Sea, and marvel at the city's unique architectural style which led to its appointment as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as the "City of Seven Spires", begin your tour of Lübeck by meeting your guide at Holsten Gate. Built in 1464, this towering brick construction is one of the last remaining gothic relics of Lübeck's medieval city fortifications and one of two remaining city gates. Continue further into the city to marvel at panoramic views of the city's historic skyline, including 5 churches, salt storehouses, and luxurious brick homes built by wealthy merchants in the late 1700s. Listen closely as your guide details the merchants' roles in the city's economic evolution. Then it's time to visit the Buddenbrook House to learn about German writers Thomas Mann and Heinrich Mann. Continue further to St. Mary's Church, the third largest brick gothic church in Germany, where your guide will detail an entertaining story about a little devil who resides outside the church. Walk further to visit a traditional marzipan bakery, taste-test different varieties of marzipan, and learn about the significance of this sweet treat. Before ending your tour, stop by Lübeck's Town Hall, considered one of the most beautiful town halls in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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What people are saying about The Holsten Gate

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 680 reviews

Nice trip with the family, we will definitely do it next time we come to Lübeck. The staff were nice and accommodating. We had booked a trip, but were allowed to get on an earlier one. We were not aware that you could only pay for drinks in cash. It was a shame, because it would have been even better if you could have enjoyed a beer/soda at the same time. I would have liked that when booking, you also order and pay for drinks for the trip.

Carolin proved a great guide! Her commentary was a good blend of interesting and relevant stories and broad historical sweep. We came away with a greater appreciation of Lubeck and its role in world history and commerce.

Karin was our guide and she did a terrific job of showing us Lubeck. We experienced the history and charm of a beautiful, historic city.

A nice boat trip to get to know Lübeck a little better than just the old town. You get a good overview.

Nice sailing trip, got to see and hear a lot about Lübeck.