Maritime flair defines Schleswig-Holstein's Hanseatic city of Lübeck, with its old town surrounded by water. With some 1,800 listed buildings and historic alleys, it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's landmark, the Holsten Gate, is a must-see. The Gothic building dates back to the 15th century and is part of Lübeck's remaining city fortifications.

During the annual Kieler Woche sailing event, state capital Kiel climbs to the top of the tourist attraction list. Some 3 million guests watch the spectacle, which involves competitions and concerts. A highlight of the festival is the parade of tall ships, in which some 100 traditional sailing vessels take part.

It's hip and beautiful, and in the summer pretty much booked out. The island of Sylt in the North Sea is one of Germany's most favored island destinations. During the day, visitors, including some celebrities, flock to the popular Westerland beach, and in the evenings they enjoy the island's many clubs and bars.

Sylt is surrounded by the Wadden Sea, a landscape rich in plant and animal species, which in 2009 was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. When the tide is in only the islands stick out above the waterline, but when it flows out there is a mud plain reaching all the way to the horizon. Wading through the Wadden Sea, visitors can enjoy watching the many crabs, mussels, snails and worms.

Schleswig-Holstein also has numerous beaches on the Baltic Sea. Fehmarn Island features an impressive 20 beaches waiting for visitors to relax or find adventure along the steep coastline. With some 2,200 hours of sun every year, the island is one of Germany's sunniest regions.

Even away from the coast, there's no way to escape the water. The so-called Holstein Switzerland"region includes more than 200 lakes, most of which are surrounded by hills and forests. Glaciers once shaped this diverse landscape, which today is a habitat for rare animal species like the white-tailed eagle. The oxygen-rich water in the lakes is full of fish, making it a paradise for anglers.

What looks like a river is actually a narrow inlet of the Baltic Sea, winding its way inland over some 43 kilometers (27 miles). The Baltic Sea fjord, known to the locals as Schlei, offers relaxation for those seeking peace and quiet. It also features ideal conditions for walking, cycling and sailing. The Schlei was formed during the last Ice Age, some 115,000 years ago.

Goods have been exchanged and traded on the banks of the Schlei for centuries. Haithabu was once a flourishing Viking commercial center from the 9th to the 11th century — and one of the first cities in northern Europe. It was home to some 2,000 people from a variety of cultures, including Saxons and Frisians. The Viking museum ni Haithabu helps visitors travel back to those days.

A journey back in time in Bad Segeberg takes you to the Wild West of the US. Since 1952, the annual Karl May Festival brings his adventure novels about the Wild West to life on an open-air stage at the scenic Kalkberg. The German author, famous for his novels about cowboys, never actually set foot in the United States.

Even by German standards, the people of Flensburg are said to be taciturn and reserved. It's hardly surprising, given the rough climate they have to deal with, which dries the throat and leaves one aching for a drink. The region is home to the famous Flensburger Brauerei, which stands ready to quench the thirst of beer lovers.

Heligoland is currently taking a coronavirus break and the locals are keeping to themselves. A rare luxury. Normally up to 3000 day tourists come to the island every day. The ships don't dock in the harbor, they anchor in the bay. For 200 years tourists have been brought ashore by traditional robust oak boats. They have been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural World Heritage since 2018.

This colorful harbor promenade welcomes all newcomers to the island. The lobster huts were originally used by fishermen as storage houses, today they house restaurants, stores and souvenir shops. Those still a little seasick from the crossing, which can happen in rough seas, can first take some time to recover here before continuing on their journey.

Heligoland is a great place for seafood. Lobster fishermen are still here, and crabs are also pulled out of the sea. "Knieper", is what they call crab claws. They are considered a delicacy here and are served with delicious dips. The guests are sometimes given a hammer to help them get to grips with the concrete-hard shells.

An easy hiking path leads over a rock plateau to the "Lange Anna". The needle rock at the northwestern tip of the island is Heligoland's landmark — and a nesting place of many bird species. In June and July a seabird known locally as Lummen raise their young here and on the nearby Lummen Rock. They make their first flight attempts in the evening — one of the many natural spectacles on the island.

Few today suspect that the rock has a huge bunker system running through it. It was built by the Nazis during World War II, who converted Heligoland into a sea base and fortress. The civilian protection bunker, the only one that has survived, can be visited nowadays. All other military installations were destroyed by the British Air Force in 1947.

The Heligoland from before the Second World War now only exists on postcards. Heligoland was turned into a seaside spa in 1826 and tourism developed into a solid source of income until World War II brought everything to a standstill. When the island was returned to German control in 1952 and inhabitants were allowed to go back, the tourism industry within a few years picked up speed again.

From a customs point of view, Heligoland is considered a foreign country and is not subject to EU tax law. Guests can shop duty-free and without value added tax. This special regulation dates back to when Heligoland was British (1807-1890). When it was handed over to the German Reich, it was decided that the tax exemptions introduced under English rule should be retained, which still apply today.

The smaller neighboring island of "Düne" can only be reached by ferry. A devastating storm tide separated it from the main island almost 300 years ago. It has an airport, a campsite, holiday bungalows and many beaches. This is used on the one hand by bathers in the summer. On the other hand, it is also home to the largest colony of grey seals in the North Sea.

In winter, hordes of amateur photographers set off for Düne island. This is when the adorable seal babies are born. Wooden paths and viewing platforms provide a good view of the animals — at a respectable distance. They must not be disturbed under any circumstances. Those who book a nature tour are on the safe side. Rangers bring tourists close to the animals — but never too close.

Some manage to be at the right place, at the right time. At the end of the cliff path, which leads to the Lange Anna, the view looks west. It is the best place to watch the sunset. The low setting sun makes the sky and the red sandstone rocks glow. But only overnight guests get to experience this as the day tourists are long gone to make their way back to the mainland.

Lübeck‘s Old Town lies on an island surrounded by the Trave River, which flows into the Baltic Sea about 20 kilometers further downstream. Historical ships lie in port in the Museum Harbour on the Trave, among them many traditional sailing vessels. Tourists can take day trips on some of them.

It’s Lübeck’s main landmark, and in addition, a structure so famous that it was stamped on two-euro coins in 2006. The Holsten Gate was built in the 15th century to protect the city against foreign conquest. Nowadays its walls, some of which are up to 3.50 meters thick, enclose a museum detailing the city’s history.

Lübeck’s Old Town boasts many elaborately ornamented brick buildings - like the Burgtor, the northern city gate, with the customs house. The entire Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. The use of baked red bricks as building materials arrived in northern Europe in the 12th century. It led to the emergence of the northern German Brick Gothic architectural style.

Seafaring and trade made Lübeck rich in the Middle Ages. More and more people flocked to the city, but space on the Old Town island was limited, so courtyards behind the main buildings were built up. Small, two story buildings and narrow lanes resulted. Nowadays, small alleys still lead from the main streets into the jumble of the courtyards — ideal places to explore!

Lübeck’s ship’s captains used to meet here. The Schiffergesellschaft is the former seafarers‘ guild house. Nowadays the gabled building, which dates from 1535, houses a restaurant with a maritime theme. Regional cuisine is served. Of course, that includes seafood dishes in many variations.

This sweetmeat made of almonds and sugar originated in the Orient, but it has a long tradition in Lübeck. Here confectioners always had the ingredients to hand, because the city was an important commercial center. Goods from around the world were available here. To this day, Lübeck is famed for its marzipan.

At the young age of 22, Thomas Mann wrote “Buddenbrooks,” about the rise and fall of a Lübeck merchant’s family. Later the writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for the work. A museum in Lübeck is devoted to him: the Buddenbrookhaus is furnished as a setting for his novel.

Lübeck is considered the "queen of the Hanseatic League”. In the Middle Ages the city played a major role in organizing the northern German merchants’ confederation. It’s no wonder, then, that in 2015 the European Hanseatic League Museum was opened in Lübeck. Specially decorated rooms illustrate the way life was lived at the time the League flourished.

What was good for the Hanseatic League merchants is still good for Lübeck: its proximity to the sea. The seaside resort of Travemünde is a district of Lübeck. As its name implies, it lies at the mouth of the Trave, where the river flows into the Baltic. After sightseeing in the Old Town, just come here, get yourself a Strandkorb — a roofed wicker beach chair - and enjoy the sea breeze.

Lübeck is considered northern Germany’s Christmas town. Several Christmas markets invite you to buy presents and drink mulled wine in the Old Town. The biggest is the historical Christmas market in front of the town hall. The building, which dates from 1308, frames the decorated marketplace.