Lübeck Altstadt, or the old town, is located on the island of Lübeck surrounded by the Trave River. Listed as an UNESCO heritage site, the medieval city offers an astonishing variety of different architectural styles and is known for its courtyards, alleys, and squares lined with ornate gabled buildings.

Among its many landmarks are the 1400s Holsten Gate, home to a city history museum, Gothic churches like the towering Marienkirche, and the 1286 Heiligen-Geist-Hospital. The Museum Harbor has historic sailing ships, while small specialist shops and German restaurants dot the area.

Visitors should bear in mind that Lübeck's Altstadt is not an open-air museum but a living city centre. As such, it is not a complete medieval site and there are many beautiful old landmarks intertwined with modern buildings and infrastructure. A particularly well-preserved 13th century part of the Altstadt is Koberg at the island's northern end, while Gänge is the perfect area to explore small streets off the bigger roads.