Car hire Lübeck

Introduction

Lübeck is the second-largest city of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein and it was one of the main Hanse towns. The medieval center (Altstadt) is extremely well preserved and is therefore listed in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two of three town gates from the fortified city still remain, of which the Holstein-Tor is the most well-known.

Population

The city has approximately 215,000 inhabitants.

Location

Lübeck is located in the north of Germany, a few kilometers inland of where the river Trave discharges into the Baltic Sea. The oldest part of the city is built on an island in that river. Hamburg lies almost 60 kilometers southwest of Lübeck.

Economy

Lübeck's port is the largest German port on the Baltic Sea. Goods and people are transported via the port to Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic States. The city also houses a university with a large medical faculty. This explains the presence of manufacturers of medical equipment in Lübeck. Food industry also plays a significant role. Thanks to budget flights to the nearby airport, tourism to Lübeck has grown significantly in recent years.

Airports

The city's airport, Flughafen Lübeck Blankensee, is situated 8 kilometers south of the center. Budget airlines also call the airport Hamburg-Lübeck Airport, although Hamburg lies 54 kilometers to the southwest. The airport is easily reachable via the Berliner Strasse (B207). The way to the airport is clearly signposted from the center.

Public Transport

Almost all buses in Lübeck meet at the Zentralen Omnibus Bahnhof opposite the train station. Connections are excellent, also to the suburbs Bad Schwartau, Stockelsdorf, Eichholz and Herrnburg. Bus tickets are also valid on the train to Travemünde, on the Baltic Sea.

Traffic and Parking

Lübeck's center is partially a pedestrian zone but the historical center is best explored by foot anyway. There are several parking garages around the old center where you can park your rental car.

Hotels

Lübeck has a good choice of accommodations, but in summer months hotels book up fast. We advise booking well in advance those months. The old center houses mainly expensive, luxury hotels, but just around them you'll find cheaper options. There's a youth hostel just east of the Altstadt.

External Sources

For more information about Lübeck, we recommend Google and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, Lübeck
• Official website Lübeck
• Tourist Information Lübeck