Travel Baltic Sea Coast In Schleswig-Holstein

Travel Baltic Sea Coast In Schleswig-Holstein

Travel Baltic Sea Coast in Schleswig-Holstein wasn´t exactly my first choice. However, it was on my list, and thanks to all the travel restrictions these times, it made it up to the top. What should I say? Everything is good for something, and the past two years were perfect for traveling to Germany!

Last year, I made a road trip to Bavaria’s Romantic Road, but I was so ready to see the ocean again this year. So, I made it to the coast of Schleswig-Holstein´s Baltic Sea! I haven´t regretted a second!

I explored four different cities – Lübeck, Kiel, Flensburg, and Travemünde – and their surroundings. Come with me on a journey to the Baltic Sea!

*There is a pretty good chance that this post contains affiliate links. By clicking one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Resources & Recommendations

FREEBIE – The ultimate travel checklist so that you never forget anything when you plan your next trip!
Momondo* – Find the best prices on flights.
Best Accommodations* – Check out my favorite accommodations around the world!
GetYourGuide*– Find exclusive and unique sightseeing tours all over the world!
Best Free Travel Apps – Find some useful apps for your travels!

Pin it!

14 Days Traveling Baltic Sea – Lübeck, Kiel, Flensburg, & Travemünde

This journey is a bit different than usual. Usually, it would have been a road trip, renting a car, and then traveling the baltic sea coast. But this time I chose to go by public transport, which means trains, buses, and ferries.

And let me tell you, Schleswig-Holsteins public transport is very well developed. You can go by train quickly from one city to the other, and when you´re there, you can go ahead by bus or ferry.

That´s why all that you´ll read below was done by public transport, whether it was a train, a bus, or a ferry. Or all of them!

3 Days In Lübeck

I kicked off this trip with a stay in Lübeck*. In the past, it was one of the most influential cities in maritime trade. Today only the facades of the houses and historic landmarks remind of that power.

During my time in Lübeck, I still had to work, so half the days I spent working, and I only had the late afternoons and evenings to explore the city.  In total, I´ve been there for three days, which were enough to explore the most important sights.

When I finished work, I headed to the tourist information first, to get information about the city and things to see and do. I often do this when I don´t have much time in a city and want to get the most out of my visit.

It´s also near Holstengate, one of the four city gates, the last one standing, and the most famous landmark in Lübeck. That´s why it´s a perfect spot to start your sightseeing tour in the town.

I attended a guided walking tour to get a first overview of what to see, where to go, and what I´d like to explore further. It usually starts around two o’clock in the afternoon and tickets are available at the tourist information, or online. 

The guide took us through the central part of the old town, and the guide told us some history about the city and architecture.

After the walking tour, I had the chance to explore the city center more. As Lübeck is famous for its Marzipan, I went straight to the most popular Marzipan dealers in town; Niederegger and Marzipan Speicher. I rummaged through their shops and all kinds of Marzipan variations. I even got some free samples!

I found that place at the river—my favorite site in the town; the Wenditzufer. #Lübeck #Germany #placestogo #thingstodo #imNorden Click To Tweet

And then, I explored Fleischhauer and Hüxstreet. Two of the best shopping and restaurant streets in Lübeck with loads of alternative and individual shops, cafés, and many more tiny restaurants where you can sit, relax, eat and drink. 

An insider tip is probably looking for the backyards and tiny lanes between the houses. Most of them are private now, but some of them you can access and find yourself in a different world. 

After walking all over the city, I was pretty ready for a quiet spot where I could sit and relax for a while. I found that place at the river—my favorite site in the town; the Wenditzufer. Sitting here, overlooking the river Trave, have a cool drink, watch the people around, and the sunset was one of my highlights in Lübeck.

The last activity in Lübeck was quite an accidental one. After the sunset, I wanted to go back to my room. I was tired from all the walking, the impressions, and the entire day. But when I entered the street where my hostel was, I realized that I wouldn´t get some sleep very soon. My last day in Lübeck was a Thursday, and it seems that this is the day when all the young people and students came out of their flats and wanted something to drink.

My hostel is located in Clemensstreet, which I learned that evening was the former red-light district. The remainings of that time are several pubs on a more or less 30-meter long street. Of course, they were packed with people, including the road itself. They sat and stood outside, and I knew that sleeping was not an option. Well, of course, I bought myself a beer and mingled with the crowds. What else could I do in such a situation, huh!

 

4 Days In Kiel

After Lübeck, I headed further north to Kiel* and the Kiel Fjord. The city lacks some unique charm, but if you stay there for a couple of days, you´ll find some lovely places to hang out! Especially at the „Kiellinie,“ which is a promenade alongside the Kiel Fjord, you´ll find loads of restaurants, bars, ice cream stands, sportive activities, and even an aquarium.

There are loads of restaurants, bars, ice cream stands, an aquarium, sailing, canoeing, and more watersport activities—anything you might need for a wonderfully relaxed day. It was the perfect activity after arriving. To close the day, I had some super tasty ice cream, a fish sandwich, and a gin tonic.

P.S. Get some orientation of the city by doing a tour with the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus*!

My favorite thing to do was the day trip to Laboe. I took the ferry in the morning and headed back at night. So I could do two things at once; a boat trip of the Kiel Fjord and a day trip to a beautiful area with beaches, a marine memorial tower that I climbed to the very top and enjoy a 360 degrees view of Laboe and the entire bay. A historic submarine can be visited, too!

The next day I made a trip to Schönberger Beach. The small towns and villages Holm and Schönberg are worth a visit, too, but I only wanted to see the beach on that day, and that´s why I headed straight to Schönberger Beach. That beach is nothing at all for me. It´s like a “spend-a-day-at-the-beach-with-your-family”-style beach with loads of people and beach chairs one after another for kilometers long. I prefer the smaller, emptier, and lonely beaches. 

Therefore, I only walked alongside the shore from Schönberger beach to Brasil and then California. Yes, both are in Germany! These are the names of the beaches and villages nearby!

As I said, it was nice to see but nothing that I enjoyed! That´s why I headed back to Kiel and spent the rest of the day in the old town.

On the last day, I headed to Holtenauer Street, a more alternative and individual shopping mile than the main shopping street Holstenstreet. Holtennauer Street sits a bit outside the city center, but it´s still within walking distance. I spend most of the day there, hopping from one shop to the other, head some delicious cake and a cup of coffee before I headed back to the water promenade at the Kiellinie, where I took my time to say goodbye to the city.

Pin for later!

4 Days In Flensburg

Flensburg* is my favorite of these cities. It is very close to the Danish border; it has everything one needs to have for a proper summer vacation—a beautiful, charming old town with a Mediterranean flair. The fishermen´s and captains district will set you back in time with its historic houses. The many green parks offer you a place where you can refresh and recharge your batteries. You can walk alongside the water for miles. Or you can sit in one of the bars and restaurants on the water.

I loved to explore the old town with there many and beautiful lanes and alleys, and courtyards. Norderstraße, beginning at the landmark of Flensburg, the Nordergate, continuing on Große Straße, and ending up on Holm, will lead you to the longest shopping mile that I have seen in Germany.

If you fancy a boat tour on the Flensburger fjord, you can have it. One of the days, I booked a trip with the MS Viking to Glücksburg and back. At Glücksburg, I visited the famous water castle built on ancient monastery ruins. The surrounding grounds, the monastery´s graveyard, were flooded so that the castle stands in the middle of a lake. There is a hiking trail around the castle that offers stunning views and photo spots of the castle. It was a perfect day trip from Flensburg.

I didn´t have enough time for day trips to some towns in Denmark, but if you´re here, take the chance to visit Danish towns like Sonderborg.

Take your time in this beautiful town! I could have stayed there an entire week or more and wouldn´t be out of ideas ever.

By the way, you shouldn´t miss the best fish sandwich in Germany at the museums’ harbor, and the Werftcafé is a beautiful place to sit and let your thoughts wander!

Don´t miss the best fish sandwich in #Germany at museums' harbor & Werftcafé is a great place to sit & let your thoughts wander! #flensburg #flensborg #imNorden Click To Tweet

3 Days In Travemünde

To close this summer trip, I chose to stay in Travemünde*. I booked the wellness resort, Aja*, to have everything I might need for a little bit of relaxation. The rooms are pretty stylish and have whether sea or river view. It´s located straight at the beach and the beach promenade. A spa area with an indoor and outdoor pool, a sauna, and a room for treatments like massages is also available.

Pretty perfect for the finish line of my vacation.

So, besides these highlights of the hotel, what else can you do or see in Travemünde? Of course, hanging out at the beach, swimming in the sea, or strolling the beach promenade. Sit down in one of the many bars, restaurants, and lounges. Rent a bike and explore more beaches like Timmendorfer Strand or Schabeutz, discover the beautiful and sweet houses of the town, or wander alongside the Yachthabor, or do some shopping! Visit the oldest lighthouse of Germany. Also, you can take a river cruise from Travemünde to Lübeck and back, or take the ferry to Priwall and hike the natural preserve! That one was the favorite of my stay in Travemünde!

Pin me now!

That was my two-weeks vacation of traveling the Baltic Sea Coast in Schleswig-Holstein, the most northern state in Germany. I loved it! Especially because I was back at sea that I missed so much. Two years after my last stay at the beach, it was the right thing at the right time. 

I learned that going to the beach in Travemünde is just a five-hour train ride from where I live and that I fall in love with Flensburg. Both areas made it to the list of places I want to go back to. I already visited Travemünde in May, where the beaches were still empty! It´s a perfect day trip when you need some “vitamin sea.” Maybe, I should plan another trip in the Fall! That time must be magical, too!

Now it´s your turn! Please leave me a message about your favorite beach location! Or have you been to the Baltic Sea yourself? Feel free to tell me more about your experiences!