The Hanseatic city of Lübeck is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. Its Brick Gothic architecture and historic old town draws many thousands of visitors every year while the four-masted steel barque ‘Passat' is another testament to the past and the city's trading roots. Lübeck is also a great starting point for those wanting to visit Scandinavia.

Sightseeing in Lübeck:

Buddenbrockhaus, Günter Grass Haus, Holstentor (historical city gate), Lübecker Dom (cathedral), Marienkirche (Church of Our Lady), Salzspeicher (historical salt warehouse), Zeughaus

Historical Herrenwyk Industrial Complex

Once the department store for the workforce that kept the fires stoked and the metal smelting, the building now houses a museum that aims to give visitors a better understanding of early 20th century life for the employees and their families. It is said that the chimney often turned Travemünde's night sky red.

Opening times:
Friday from 2 pm to 5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance fee: adults 1.50 €, discount-entitled 0.50 €
Special exhibitions can lead to fluctuations in entrance prices.

Cismar Abbey

The Benedictine monastery was founded in the first half of the 13th century and the intricate carving work in its winged altar and the good acoustics in the church have since become famous. Also popular for hosting impressive art exhibitions, it is an important, historical site that now falls under the protective wing of the Schleswig-Holsteinischen Landesmuseums Schloss Gottorf. Cismar's promotional committee also regularly use the abbey for concerts and events - often in cooperation with the Musikhochschule Lübeck (school of music).

Opening times:
April to October, Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance fee: adults 3 €, children under 16 years old 1.50 €

Eselpark Nessendorf

Germany's only donkey zoo is fun for visitors of all ages. Over 100 types of donkeys and over 30 various donkey-drawn carriages await. Dare we say, ‘You'd be a donkey not to see it for yourself...'?

Opening times:
20 March till the end of October every day from 10 am to 6 pm. No entry after 5 pm
Entrance fee: adults 3.50 €, children 3 €, dogs 1 €

Hansa Park Sierksdorf Ostsee

The seaside amusement park is a great way to spend the day with the family. Be it a variety show, idyllic boat tour or nail-biting rollercoaster ride - there's something here for everyone!

Opening times:
March to October every day from 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: adults 26 €, discount-entitled 21 € including children under 15 years, senior citizens over 60, those accompanying people with ‘B' or ‘H' disability documents and those in wheelchairs, free entry for children 14 or younger on their birthday (ID must be shown), people with ‘B' or ‘H' disability documents
Prices subject to change without notice

Meereszentrum Burg auf Fehmarn

The tropical oceanic facility currently includes a shark pool holding around 400,000 litres of salt water and approximately 40 other display aquariums of varying sizes. A diverse range of sharks can be viewed, as can around 1,000 further underwater inhabitants. The shark tank has a 10 metre long acrylic viewing tunnel running through it and was entered into the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the largest aquarium of its kind in Germany.

Opening times:
June to August every day from 10 am to 7 pm, all other months from 10 am to 6 pm daily
Entrance fee: adults 10 €, children from 4 to 15 years old 6.50 €, students and senior citizens 9 €
Family passes: 1 adult and 1 child 15 €, 2 adults and 1 child 23 €, 2 adults and 2 children 30 €

Four-masted steel barque ‘Passat'

The 115 m long four-masted was completed by Blohm & Voß in Hamburg for the Ferdinand Laeisz shipping company. The ship was launched in 1911 and complemented an existing fleet of similar ships renowned as the Flying-P-Liners. ‘Passat' is German for trade wind and during her time at sea, the ship sailed around Cape Horn no less than 39 times and circumnavigated the globe in both 1932 and 1948. The graceful sailing ship has been docked in Travemünde since 1960 and has grown into the borough's most renowned landmark.

Opening times:
April to October Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm
Entrance fees: adults 2.60 €, children from 6 to 18 years old 1.30 €, discount for spa card holders

Alter Leuchtturm (Old Lighthouse) Travemünde

The Old Lighthouse is more than just a name, it is in fact the nation's oldest lighthouse - official documents confirming it was there as long ago as 1330! The Old Lighthouse Travemünde is 31 metres tall and now houses a maritime museum spread over 8 floors that among other things, teaches visitors all about the history of illuminated shore navigation. Displays include model fire boats, various lanterns and the illumination systems from other lighthouses. There are also numerous photos of lighthouses with explanations hung on the walls. Reaching the top takes 142 steps and once there, the lighthouse's fully functioning warning system with its 1000 W bulb can be inspected. Those less interested in the technology will find the 360° outside walkway worth the climb. It's a great place to enjoy views of the pier, Travemünde's old town, as well as over the Bay of Lübeck up to Grömitz and over Mecklenburg Vorpommern's coastline.

Opening times:
May to September daily from 11 am to 5 pm
March to April and October to December Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm
Other winter visits subject to request.

Entrance fees: adults 2 €, children under 14 years old 1 €