Lübeck’s finest

The “Lübeck’s finest” walk takes you from the Town Hall to the Marzipan Museum at Café Niederegger. To be honest: the Museum is just a few steps from the Town Hall. But it’s just fair that you take your walk first before savouring Lübeck’s sweet delight!
The route takes you through the Town Hall courtyard to St. Mary’s church, the largest brick building in the world. On the Northern side, you will reach a quiet square with many trees. The Buddenbrook House, where the grandparents of the Nobel Prize Laureate Thomas Mann once lived, is located across the street at Mengstraße 4. Currently it is being extensively renovated and expanded. In front of the Renaissance façade turn right towards the pedestrian street Breite Straße. Turn left and walk down Breite Straße until you reach house number 2 – the impressive Seafarer's Guild iwhic houses a restaurant already since the 16th century. Right opposite, the spire of St. Jacob’s looms over the merchants’ houses. Turn north and proceed along Kleine Burgstraße towards the Castle Gate. On the left, you will see the Castle Monastery, the most significant monastery complex in the North.
Now walk back in the direction of the Old Town centre and stroll along Große Burgstraße until you reach the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, one of the Europe’s first hospitals, which was founded in the 12th century. Each year a renowned and popular craft market takes place inside of the hospital during the Pre-Christmas season. Feel like taking a break? Have a coffee at Café Tonfink – Kulturcafé & Bar. After your break we suggest walking towards Königstraße, where you reach the Behnhaus-Drägerhaus Museum with its impressive art collection. The neighbouring Willy-Brandt House can be visited for free. It presents an interactive exhibition about the politician’s life. Next, please turn left into Glockengießerstraße, where the Günter Grass House awaits you with its brand-new exhibition “This is Grass” dedicated to the life and work of the Nobel Prize Laureate. Glockengießerstraße is also a perfect place for a short visit of one or two of Lübeck’s popular courtyards and alleyways, namely Füchtingshof and Glandorps Gang. However, there are still more than 90 of them spread all over the Old Town. Please, check the opening hours in advance and respect the privacy of the residents.
Back on your track St. Catherine’s awaits you on the corner of Königstraße/Glockengießerstraße. The church façade features three famous sculptures by Ernst Barlach. Königstraße is also interesting for lovers of art. You might like to visit the gallery “Kunsthaus Lübeck” and the Overbeck society, which is located in the backyard of Behnhaus-Drägerhaus. Afterwards you should follow Königstraße southwards until you reach Hüxstraße, Lübeck’s much-loved shopping street where a lot of family-run shops are situated. After your shopping spree turn right and walk back towards – yes, you’ve guessed it – the Town Hall. Finally you’re back, where you startet. Café Niederegger’s Marzipan Museum can be visited free of charge. And now it’s final time for a cup of marzipan cappuccino and a slice of original marzipan gateau!