This middle-age city is located 30min from Hamburg. Take a train from Hamburg Central Station (around 15 euros) and go explore Lüneburg! Dated from the year of 956, this city is an open-air museum: one of the few towns in Northern Germany whose historic Centre was not destroyed by the WWII. Gothic style, red bricks and an enchanting architecture are waiting for you there.
Start at the Old Crane (Alter Kran)
Postcard of Lüneburg, the Alter Kran was used in the past to (un-)load boats with goods such as salt (which made Lüneburg one of the richest and most influential cities in northern Germany for a long time).
The Water District
At the Water District you will also find the industrial mill built in 1908, called Abtsmühle. The building is now part of a hotel complex and on the ground floor you can find an Italian bistro. If you cross the bridge at the Abtswasserturm, you will see the Lüner Mill from 1576. The views are romantic and people put their love locks on the bridge.
The old Crane
Water District view – opposite side of the old Crane
View from the Old Crane
Love locks at the Water District
Dancing Children – Life is Beautiful. One of the many sculptures around the city
Go to the St. Nicholas Church
A gothic basilica from 1407, rich in details and history. It was the church for the sailors and salt barrel coopers (a cooper is a person trained to make wooden casks or barrels, for example) from the harbour area. It is located at the Lüner Street.
The huge tower
Inside St. Nicholas Church
View from the back of the church
Stained glass detail
Explore the Am Sande street
Another postcard of the city, Am Sande (in English “on the sand”) was first mentioned in history in 1229. The name Am Sande was given because the place wasn’t fortified when built and as a result, some buildings are crooked.
Visit Pliniana – a lovely antiquary shop
As an antiquary markets lover, Pliniana Antiquariat store was a happy discovery. It is a small, cozy place with a very kind gentleman ready to tell you curious stories. You will need to ring the bell to get in.
Old gems
Paradise for antique books lovers
They have a huge variety of books
Wander through the city
To conclude, allow yourself to appreciate this city’s beauty and details. There’s a water tower (Lüneburg Wasserturm) from 1906 where you can go up (stairs or elevator) to have a nice panoramic view of the city for only 4 Euros. If you have more time, you can visit the Salt Museum and see the Salt Route, a bit far from the city centre.
The busy Grosse Backerstrasse – shopping area
Lovely facades
Salzstraße Am Wasser
The Water Tower with Christmas lights at the top
❤️ Luneburg is very beautiful
<3
I was just in Hamburg last summer, wish I’d known about this place! I love the colors in your photographs, adding this to my list for next time 🙂
oh, I hope you have the chance to visit it soon! I’m happy you like it 🙂
What a beautiful city, and such stunning architecture! Looks like a fantastic day trip from Hamburg – would love to do this on a city break.
I hope you love it when you visit too! I love going there just to spend a day and photograph <3
The architecture is gorgeous! It looks like a wonderful city to explore.
So well preserved, isn’t? I’m happy you liked it too! 🙂
Oh wow, this is such a tempting trip especially as it is so easy to get to from England. Love the architecture…it is going on my city break list! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I love your photos – they really show how quaint and peaceful the city is! I’ve been hoping to visit Hamburg in the near future and now I know I’ll need to extend my visit by an extra day!
I love small town Germany — the architecture is so charming! That old crane is awesome too. This seems like a great day trip and I’ll have to keep it in mind if I’m ever in Hamburg.
Lüneburg looks like such a picturesque city, would love to visit for a day and explore all the hidden streets. I like the architecture as well, and you captured some beautiful photos!
I am always amazed at just how beautiful and different the architecture is from that in the US. It reminds me of the little Christmas villages I used to help my mom make as a child. You definitely inspired me to check out Luneburg while we are checking out Hamburg some day. Thanks for the tips!
Hamburg is still on my must see places list, so this will definitely be added when I go. It looks incredible! Thanks so much for sharing, i’m bookmarking this for later!
I love Germany. While I haven’t yet been to Hamburg, it reminds me so much of Alsace in France. I think this is going to be on my list for 2020 when I return to Germany!
Am Sande looks so gorgeous! Agreed with Jess– I’ve never seen architecture quite like that. And that antique shop! What a cute town 🙂
I love small towns and Lüneburg seems to tick all the boxes for me: amazing architecture, cobbled streets and charming main square. I am planning a city break to Hamburg this year so will extend it to include this cute town.
Wow I never realized just how photogenic Hamburg is! Definitely adding it to my wishlist.
I’ve never been to Lüneburg. It looks so pretty. The canals and pretty home does remind me of Amsterdam. 🙂