Lübeck’s Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
Market
The Old Market Square (Marktplatz) is one of the best places to visit in Lübeck if you want to feel the city's pulse in a single glance. Cobblestones, colourful merchant façades, and the dramatic silhouette of the Town Hall all crowd into this compact space, where markets have been held for centuries and where locals still meet to shop, chat, and celebrate. Whether you arrive early as stalls are setting up or later when terraces are full and the bells echo across the square, it instantly feels like the natural gathering place of the Old Town.
What makes the Marktplatz so compelling is the way it layers everyday life on top of deep history. The Gothic and Renaissance forms of the Rathaus, the proud gables of former merchants’ houses, and the nearby spire of St. Jacob’s Church all remind you that this has long been Lübeck’s civic stage. At the same time, cafés, shops, and seasonal markets keep it very much alive, making it a great place to visit on a walking tour of Lübeck when you want to pause, people-watch, and let the city’s stories sink in.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Old Market Square
- Things to See and Do in the Old Market Square
- How to Get to the Old Market Square
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Old Market Square
- Where to Stay close to the Old Market Square
- Is the Old Market Square
- FAQs for Visiting the Old Market Square
- Nearby Attractions to the Old Market Square
History and Significance of the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
The Old Market Square has been Lübeck’s commercial and social focal point since the Middle Ages, when traders rolled carts in from the countryside and ships unloaded goods destined for stalls here. As a key Hanseatic city, Lübeck needed a central marketplace where prices, alliances, and gossip all circulated together, and the Marktplatz filled that role perfectly. Over time, regulations were codified, guilds organised themselves, and the square became a carefully managed arena of trade rather than a chaotic bazaar.
Dominating one side of the square is the Town Hall (Rathaus), begun in the 13th century and expanded repeatedly as Lübeck’s wealth and political influence grew. Its mix of Gothic brick walls, delicate arcades, and later Renaissance additions reflects the city’s changing tastes and ambitions, each façade layer telling a chapter of civic pride. From here, the city council once governed trade, law, and foreign policy, turning decisions made on and around the Marktplatz into policies that shaped the wider Baltic world.
The surrounding merchant houses add another dimension to the story. Their colourful fronts and ornate gables are more than just decorative: they represent generations of families who made fortunes through trade and who used architecture to signal stability and success. Walking around the square today, you’re effectively reading a three-dimensional record of Lübeck’s economic and political rise, all compressed into a space that still functions as the everyday living room of the city.
Things to See and Do in the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
Start by taking a slow lap around the square’s perimeter, looking closely at the Town Hall and its layered façades. The dark brick walls pierced by arched windows, the sculpted coats of arms, and the lighter Renaissance additions create a striking contrast that’s especially photogenic in soft morning or late-afternoon light. If guided tours are available, consider joining one that includes access to parts of the Rathaus interior for a deeper look at council chambers and historic halls.
Next, turn your attention to the merchant houses that line the square. Each one has its own rhythm of windows, colours, and decorative details, from stepped gables to carved stonework over doorways. Many now host cafés, bakeries, and shops, giving you an easy excuse to step inside and admire old beams or vaulted ceilings while picking up a coffee or local speciality. This spot is one of the where to go in Lübeck when you want architecture, atmosphere, and amenities all in one place.
Don’t forget to glance towards nearby St. Jacob’s Church (Jakobikirche), whose tower and brickwork add a spiritual note to the busy scene. Even if you don’t head inside immediately, its presence reinforces the way sacred and secular life have always intersected here. Depending on the season, you might also encounter themed markets, festivals, or cultural events that transform the square with stalls, music, and decorations, giving you a lively, contemporary window onto Lübeck’s community spirit.
How to Get to the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
Most international visitors reach Lübeck via Hamburg Airport (HAM), which offers frequent flights from across Europe and beyond and sits about an hour away by onward train or car. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lübeck on Booking.com.
From Hamburg, regional trains run regularly to Lübeck Hauptbahnhof in roughly 45-60 minutes; from the station, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk into the Old Town, with signposted routes leading directly to the Marktplatz beside the Town Hall. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.
Intercity and regional buses also connect Lübeck with other northern German cities, usually stopping near the main station or at terminals on the edge of the centre; from there, follow pedestrian routes towards the Altstadt and simply head for the spires and clock towers that cluster around the market square.
If you’re arriving by car, take the A1 motorway to Lübeck and follow signs for Lübeck-Zentrum and then for the Altstadt; park in one of the central car parks and walk a few minutes into the heart of the Old Town, where the Old Market Square quickly reveals itself as the main open space in front of the Town Hall.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
- Suggested tips: Plan at least two visits if you can-one during the day for photos and people-watching, and another in the evening to see the façades softly lit and the square buzzing with diners.
- Best time to visit: Mornings are great for quieter photos and watching market stalls set up, while late afternoon and early evening offer lively café terraces and warm light on the buildings.
- Entrance fee: There is no fee to enjoy the square; some guided Town Hall tours or nearby attractions may charge separate admission.
- Opening hours: The square is an open public space accessible at all times; individual shops, cafés, and Town Hall interiors follow their own opening hours.
- How long to spend: Allow 30-60 minutes to explore the square itself, longer if you sit down for a drink or join a tour that includes the Town Hall.
- Accessibility: The area is generally flat, though cobblestones can be uneven; most routes into the square are wheelchair and pushchair friendly with a bit of care.
- Facilities: Numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops offer food, drinks, and seating; public toilets are available nearby within the Old Town.
- Photography tip: Use the edges of the square to frame the Town Hall and merchant houses, and try shooting from slightly elevated spots (like nearby steps) for broader views.
- Guided tours: Many city walking tours start or pass through the Marktplatz, using it as a natural orientation point and jumping-off place for Lübeck’s main sights.
- Nearby food options: You’re spoiled for choice, with everything from bakeries and ice-cream stands to traditional restaurants right on or just off the square.
Where to Stay close to the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
Staying near the Marktplatz puts you right in the middle of Lübeck’s Old Town, with churches, museums, and river views all within a short walk. A stylish and ultra-central choice is Motel One Lübeck, just steps from the market square and ideal if you like modern design in a historic setting. For a more classic feel in a traditional building, ATLANTIC Hotel Lübeck offers comfortable rooms a brief stroll from the Rathaus and main shopping streets. If you prefer a smaller, characterful base, Klassik Altstadt Hotel gives you a cosy Old Town atmosphere while still keeping the Marktplatz and major sights easily walkable.
Is the Old Market Square (Marktplatz) Worth Visiting?
The Old Market Square is absolutely worth visiting, not least because it’s almost impossible to experience Lübeck properly without passing through it. Here, you feel the city at full scale: the power of the Town Hall, the pride of merchant houses, the steady presence of nearby churches, and the ebb and flow of daily life all come together in one compact stage. It’s where Lübeck’s history as a Hanseatic leader meets its modern identity as a lively, lived-in city.
Even if you're not a dedicated architecture or history fan, the Marktplatz offers simple pleasures that make it memorable, from sipping coffee under centuries-old façades to browsing seasonal market stalls piled with local produce and crafts. For many travelers, it becomes one of the must-see places in Lübeck precisely because it feels both grand and welcoming-a place you naturally return to several times during your stay.
What Other Travellers Say...
Marktplatz Lübeck, on the Markt in Lübeck, is a large, picturesque town square showcasing the city's charming traditional architecture and spires; visitors note its beauty, cafés (including a Neideregger café overlooking the square), options for food and sweets, and its role as the site of the Christmas market, with the old town's hidden gems a short walk from the train station.
FAQs for Visiting the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
Nearby Attractions to the Old Market Square (Marktplatz)
- Lübeck Town Hall (Rathaus) - A Gothic and Renaissance landmark with richly decorated façades and historic interiors overlooking the square.
- St. Peter's Church (St. Petri-Kirche) - A former parish church turned cultural venue, offering a tower viewing platform with panoramic views over Lübeck.
- St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) - A monumental Brick Gothic church that showcases Lübeck's medieval wealth and architectural ambition.
- Heiligen-Geist-Hospital - One of Europe's oldest social institutions, combining Brick Gothic architecture with a powerful story of medieval charity.
- Schiffergesellschaft - The historic sailors' guild house with a richly decorated hall, now a restaurant that brings Lübeck's maritime past vividly to life.
The Lübeck’s Old Market Square (Marktplatz) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lübeck!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
The square is an open public space accessible at all times; individual shops, cafés, and Town Hall interiors follow their own opening hours.
There is no fee to enjoy the square; some guided Town Hall tours or nearby attractions may charge separate admission.
Nearby Attractions
- Lübeck Town Hall (0.0) km
Town Hall - Café Niederegger (0.1) km
Historic Building - Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche (0.1) km
Sculpture - St. Marien-Kirche (0.1) km
Church - St. Peter’s Church (St. Petri-Kirche) (0.1) km
Church - Salzspeicher (0.3) km
Historic Building - Holstentor (0.3) km
City Gate - St. Annen Museum (0.5) km
Museum - Schiffergesellschaft (0.5) km
Historic Building - Half-Tower (Halbenturm) in Lübeck (0.6) km
Historic Building
