Maritim Strandhotel Travemünde

Travemünde

About 20 km from Lübeck city centre lies Travemünde - a former fishing village, situated right on the Baltic Sea. The place is stunningly beautiful and the big ships of the Baltic Sea pass very close by. Germany's oldest lighthouse, which today also houses a maritime museum, is located right at the mouth of the Baltic Sea. It is estimated that the original lighthouse was built as far back as the 14th century, but in 1534 it was attacked and destroyed by Danish troops. It has since been restored and today offers a magnificent view from 31 metres above sea level.

Lighthouse Timmendorfer Strand

The Lighthouse at Timmendorfer Strand, located on Germany's Baltic coast, is a notable landmark known for its historical significance and striking design. It provides panoramic views of the sea and coast, attracting visitors interested in maritime history and scenic landscapes. Ideal for those who enjoy coastal photography or exploring historical sites, the lighthouse is a testament to the region's nautical past and offers a unique perspective on the natural beauty of the Baltic Sea coast.

Lübeck

Go on a car holiday in Germany and find child-friendly hotels at Risskov. Take the whole family on a cheap self-drive holiday to the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. The city is one of the German Hanseatic cities located next to the Baltic Sea about 60 kilometres northeast of Hamburg. The city is located on the river Trave. The old part of the city is an island surrounded by the river and the canal connection. While the city also has a port city, Travemünde, which is located about 15 kilometers northeast of the old part of the city.

Spending time in the Old Town, surrounded by water and with its many churches and beautiful towers, is a must and a beautiful reflection of 1000 years of living history. The Old Town is rightly a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its many impressive buildings date from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods. Find cheap hotels for the trip at Risskov and enjoy a self-drive holiday at your own pace with the family.

Christmas market in Lübeck

24th November to 30th December 2025

Fri-Sat: 11.00-22.00

Sun-Thu: 11.00-21.00 - You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information

Go on a car holiday to Lübeck this Christmas and experience the historic Hanseatic city at its most beautiful. A sensory experience like no other awaits as the chill of winter dew descends on the rooftops and the warm hues of countless different light sources lead the way up the beautiful narrow streets of the North German fairytale city.

Every year, from November onwards, the streets are filled with thousands of visitors from all over Europe - not least us Danes, who have a special place in our hearts for Lübeck. It takes just over a couple of hours to reach the city from the Danish-German border. Perfect location for a self-drive holiday where you really get into the Christmas spirit!

The medieval town, with its many historic buildings and UNESCO-listed old town centre, provides the perfect backdrop for a genuine German Christmas market of the very highest standard. If you're really lucky to be in town after a fresh layer of snow, the whole splendid backdrop will be given an extra boost, with the snow-covered streets and rooftops giving the feeling that you're walking around one big Christmas landscape, as if the city was never created or used for anything else.

The Christmas market in Lübeck is extremely traditional and includes numerous stalls, entertainment and activities, Glühwein huts, almond men, marzipan tents and much more. And while you're in Lübeck, it's only natural to sample the city's famous marzipan. That's why you should definitely visit the cosy Café Niederegger, located right next to the beautiful pedestrian street.

Officially, there are seven Christmas markets in Lübeck, each with its own unique charm. But in fact, you could say that the city transforms into one big enchanting Christmas market, branching out across large parts of the city. The biggest of these, however, has to be the historic Christmas market near the town hall and the beautiful Marienkirche. Here you are in the heart of the old city centre, surrounded by countless buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Christmas markets were already held here around 350 years ago. But it wasn't quite so idyllic then - you had to hoard food to last the winter.

The large network of Christmas markets is extremely diverse and stretches from the city centre and out towards the Trave River in several directions. Take a pleasant stroll around the beautiful maritime surroundings and visit one of the various arts and crafts markets, such as the beautiful crafts market at St. Peter's Church, stop by the family market on the banks of the Trave River or take a stroll to the beautiful illuminated ice rink located just outside Holstentor. Also visit the exciting arts and crafts market in Heiligen Geist Hospital, where many different artists from near and far showcase some of their beautiful works - be it ceramics, woodwork or textiles.

Risskov offers a large and varied selection of accommodation and hotels in - and near - the enchanting Hanseatic city of Lübeck. Book your Christmas holiday, mini break or weekend break and enjoy the fantastic Christmas atmosphere in one of Germany's most enchanting cities.

Christmas market in Wismar

Open 24th November - 22nd December - You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information

The Christmas market in Wismar is opened by Santa Claus every year. Santa comes sailing into Wismar harbour, and from there drives in a horse-drawn carriage into the historic market square, where all the Christmas stalls with all kinds of Christmas treats are ready to welcome the many visitors. From late November to Christmas, Wismar's Christmas market is the town centre, surrounded by the town hall, hotels, museums and shops.

At the Christmas market there are many small stalls, with the opportunity to cast candles, fish in the fish pond and not least enjoy all the smells from the food and drink stalls.

The Christmas market is thus a perfect opportunity for the whole family, where parents can enjoy the magnificent city and architecture while shopping in the small stalls with the youngest members of the family. And when the kids get too impatient, they can be placed in the funfair, where time quickly disappears in the fun rides.

Wismar was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2002. This is due to the town's stunning Altstadt with its Gothic buildings, which originated in the Hanseatic period. The Altstadt is thus yet another reason to visit Wismar, and not least the town's cosy Christmas market.

In 1648 Wismar became part of Sweden, after the end of the Thirty Years' War, and was Swedish until 1903, when the town became German again. However, the town still bears the mark of its Swedish history, and traces of this can still be found in many places. This is among others on the city's landmark, Schwedenköpfe at the Alter Hafen.