The tourist information office in Lübeck

Experience deceleration – with all your senses

For Lübeck ZWISCHENZEILEN we're visiting the place where many visitors begin their exploration of this Hanseatic city: the Tourist Information Center at Holstentorplatz 1. This might surprise you at first glance. What's so exciting about city maps, flyers, brochures, and ticket sales? Trust me, come along with me, and prepare to be surprised. My invitation to read today is also explicitly for you as a Lübeck resident. This place serves as your starting point for planning your Lübeck itinerary when you're expecting relatives, inspires you with Lübeck-related gift ideas, or simply offers you a break with a unique view of Lübeck. So, let's enter the Tourist Information Center through the glass door.

Sight: a glance that immediately says "Lübeck"

The inscription at the entrance immediately raises eyebrows: " You can never catch the wind. – The windbreak ." What's this all about? We slow down and look around in amazement. This isn't your typical tourist information center at all! Before us lies a bright, spacious room.

Immediately to the left on the wall, another lovingly designed surprise greets us: a golden mirror with the inscription " You are wonderfully made. " A small moment of happiness that allows you to arrive and take a breath.

Your gaze falls upon tables laden with high-quality souvenirs, information booths, and people browsing or seeking advice at the counter. A screen displays promotional tips. Through the windows, you catch glimpses of the Holsten Gate, St. Petri Church, and the salt warehouses. And a little further to the left, the towers of St. Mary's Church also rise prominently in the cityscape.

Your eye is drawn to the rich pink and red tones on the walls. A silhouette of Lübeck and the clear invitation " Start your adventure here ." Colors that invigorate you without being too loud. In front of them, plenty of wood, glass, and calm, light surfaces – and here and there, small splashes of color: red Lübeck mugs, pastel notebooks, green accents in the decorations and displays. Add to that warm lighting and a few hanging plants.

You're drawn in by postcards that hint at a strong sense of humor and a relaxed attitude towards oneself. This fits perfectly with the inviting atmosphere, which exudes a "Come on, let's get closer" vibe. Definitely not a "Please take a number" vibe.

And then you simply have to stop in the middle of the room, because colorful signposts hang on a wooden pillar – some with very practical uses, some with a saying like “ Attention! Here begins infinity ” or with the quote from the American nun and writer Pema Chödrön , which makes you pause for a moment:

"You are the sky, everything else is just the weather."

Listen: the sound of arrival

Meanwhile, your ear takes in a variety of sounds: conversations and the rustling of newspapers. A carefully curated playlist plays in the background. The coffee machine hisses. And at the counter, you hear the voices of your colleagues, offering not only insightful advice but also capturing the city's unique atmosphere. Clear, warm, and to the point. You can tell the team gets along really well – you hear lots of laughter.

Experience Lübeck in a completely analog way

Your sense of touch is also invited to explore. In February, your hands warm up against a mug of freshly brewed coffee. Feel free to touch the souvenirs as well: smooth or rough textures, fabrics, paper, small objects with edges and embossing. You'll quickly discover what appeals to you. It's wonderful that sustainability plays a key role, both in the carefully curated product range and in how the goods are sourced.

Some items are simply beautiful, others surprisingly practical – exactly the kind of souvenir you'll later say: "I'm so glad I brought that!" If you're a frequent visitor to Lübeck or live here, browsing the tourist information office is worthwhile even on your second or third visit, as the selection changes regularly.

Taste: snail-tastic moments on the tongue

Café Schneckenhaus offers an explosion of flavor for your taste buds . Here you'll find the most delicious yeast snails in the city. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, the snails in various flavors are baked fresh on-site several times a day. You can watch them being made and admire the perfection with which the baristas work the dough. Choose your yeast snail and your favorite drink and take a seat in the cozy corner. As soon as the weather cooperates, however, you'll inevitably be drawn outside to the terrace.

You can enjoy your culinary break with a clear conscience, because Café Schneckenhaus is a partner of FEINHEIMISCH . This is a network that brings producers and restaurants together and showcases regional food products from Schleswig-Holstein. It's about good products, clear origin, short supply chains, and fair cooperation.

Smell: The scent that makes you want to stay

The café bar is a delight for the sense of smell, too, as the coffee and pastries smell simply divine. A warm aroma of freshly baked dough mingles with coffee notes and a breath of fresh air wafting in through the open doors. In summer, the scent of blossoms envelops you on the terrace.

For a moment, everything smells like a break and a holiday.

Your gut feeling

And then there's another sense that reliably guides you through life. That's your intuition, which tells you whether you should head out right now or nibble on another pastry. Whether you should book a ticket for a harbor and canal tour or a culinary city tour. Whether that gift for your cousin is really the best choice. And which souvenir will later bring you back to Lübeck in your thoughts when you get home.

When you leave the tourist information center, you'll definitely have a plan for your day in Lübeck . And as a Lübeck resident, you're guaranteed to have gathered ideas for rediscovering your hometown. Undeniably, an atmosphere has been created here that appeals to all the senses and tells you: Take your time. For yourself. It's worth it, because you are wonderfully made.