Travemünde, Coastal spa district in Lübeck, Germany.
Travemünde is a coastal district at the northern edge of Lübeck where the Trave River opens into the Baltic Sea, offering a wide sandy beach lined with promenade cafés and traditional wicker beach chairs. The waterfront mixes a working ferry harbor with a pedestrian zone that stretches from the old fishing quarter to the casino building near the pier.
The settlement began in 1187 as a fishing village that later became the gateway for Lübeck's maritime trade and controlled access to the Baltic for the merchant city. In the 19th century, bathing facilities transformed it into a spa destination, shaping the character visitors see today.
The name comes from the point where the Trave River meets the Baltic Sea, a geographic feature that continues to define how people move around and spend their days here. Walking through the old harbor area, you encounter working boats, fishermen repairing nets, and the smell of smoked eel sold from small stands along the waterfront.
Arriving in the morning means fewer people on the beach and quieter streets near the waterfront, while afternoons bring more visitors along the promenade and harbor. The old fishing quarter and the central beach area are within easy walking distance from the train station, and paths along the coast let you follow the shore southward.
The 1539 lighthouse continues to guide ships while remaining open for visitors to climb its spiral staircase to a height of 31 meters (102 feet). From the top gallery, you can watch large ferries navigate the channel and see the entire beach stretching toward the neighboring town.
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