Things to do in Schleswig-Holstein, including the historic towns of Lubeck, Kiel and Flensburg, maritime museums, U-boat museum, churches, beaches and bicycling.
The rather oddly named and exotic sounding Schleswig-Holstein is one of those places that if you have heard of it at all, you are not quite sure where it is. It is the name of Germany's northernmost area, bordering the Baltic Sea, a region relatively unvisited by tourists to Germany - but one that offers beautiful rolling countryside, medieval towns, and secluded beaches and fishing villages. It seems an unlikely place for a major festival, but if you visit during the summer months, the area hosts a music festival every July and August.
One of the biggest attractions here is simply the wide open spaces and the feeling of solitude. Outside the few large towns, time seems to have stood still and it is a great area to just lose yourself in for a few days. Throughout the area, even the smallest village has a church - usually dating back to medieval times, and with a distinctive red and white façade. The local people are friendly, welcoming visitors although many speak in a regional German dialect unique to the area. As the area is relatively flat, many tourists rent bicycles from hotels or tourist offices.
way from the empty countryside, there are several towns in the area which are worth visiting. Lubeck is the largest town in Schleswig-Holstein and was once a rich trading port; it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Much of the well-preserved old town center is now a world heritage site, with many historic buildings dating back as far as the 12th century. The center of the town is the beautiful market square; around the square are the Rathaus, or town hall; and St Mary's church which has the highest brick nave in the world. The symbol of Lubeck is the Holstentor, a huge stone gate dating from the 15th century, and flanked by two stone towers.
Shopping is excellent in Lubeck - the town offers many small antique and gift shops in and around the narrow streets. One of the best things to buy here is marzipan, which according to local legend was invented in Lubeck during the medieval famine. One of the best known marzipan shops, Niedereggers, not only sells the sweet concoction, but has a small museum devoted to it as well.
lensburg is Germany's northernmost city and it so close to Denmark, there is a mix of German and Danish culture reflected in the architecture and the food. Like Lubeck, the center of the town consists of a maze of medieval cobblestone streets, half timbered houses and picturesque churches. For a small town, Flensburg is rich in museums - there are four museums devoted to local arts and crafts; as well as an excellent maritime museum housed in the old customs warehouse. Flensburg is also famous for its distinctive local beer, and the miles of empty but atmospheric marshland surrounding the town.
This sleepy town is known for its annual sailing regatta that attracts sailors from around the world each June. Kiel's association with the sea is reflected in two of its museums - there is a small maritime museum which has displays of antique fishing boats. Kiel was also the major port for the dreaded German U-boats during World War I, and there is a small U-boat museum containing one of the actual submarines - U995. The town also has a marine memorial built after the First World War - German submarine personnel are required to salute when walking past the memorial. Kiel still serves as one of the gateways to Denmark, with ferry departures from its small but bustling port.
Schleswig is the area's oldest town and has a small museum documenting its first inhabitants - the Vikings. Schleswig is known for its rows of small houses painted in bright colors, which were once the homes of fishermen. Schleswig lies at the edge of a landscape of marshlands and lakes, making it a good departure point for boat and bicycle trips.
You don't usually think of Germany having beach resorts, but the small island of Sylt, just off the western coast of Schleswig-Holstein is famous for its miles of unspoilt beaches. The island attracts the wealthy and the famous, because of its very inaccessibility - as a result, there are several resorts and restaurants scattered about the island. The other end of the narrow island has become a mecca for windsurfers, because of the constant sea breezes; and there is also a nature preserve for wild birds.
This fascinating corner of Germany is not one to visit if you crave nightlife and the buzz of big cities. But as a destination that's just a little bit different and off the beaten path, it is one of Europe's travel secrets.
