Nestled on an island surrounded by the Trave River, Lübeck is a monument to medieval ingenuity and mercantile power. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll explore the remarkably preserved heart of what was the center of the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading organization that dominated Northern Europe for centuries. From imposing brick churches to merchant homes and historic warehouses, the city’s UNESCO-protected architecture tells the story of its golden age.

Starting at the iconic Holsten Gate with its distinctive twin towers, you’ll discover why this fortification was both an impressive defense system and a symbol of the city’s wealth. You’ll pass through ancient salt warehouses, learning why this commodity was so precious it earned the nickname “white gold,” and wander through narrow medieval streets organized in a distinctive fishbone pattern.