Hello!
This coming July I'll be taking a two week trip and hitting Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Berlin. In between Stockholm and Berlin I have three days or so to add another city to my itinerary, but i'm unsure where to go. I've been looking into Hamburg and that's about it.
Any suggestions on another city to hit before Berlin? I love history, from antiquity to the 1800's, if that helps. Thanks in advance!
How are you planning on getting around and in which order are you visiting these cities?
You could look into one of the Hanseatic cities, Lübeck is the most famous and is conveniently located on the train line between Copenhagen and Hamburg (and on to Berlin). But others ara also worth mentioning such as Wismar, Stralsund or Schwerin. Depends on what you are interested in really and history from antiquity to the 1800's is a bit broad tbo.
Of the cities mentioned so far, I found Lubeck the most rewarding. But it is NOT undiscovered. Hamburg is very different from the three Hanseatic League cities mentioned. There is a summer performing arts festival in Schwerin, a much smaller city-check dates.
If you are looking for a single place to stay Hamburg is indeed your best option, simply because it's the biggest city and offers the most for 3+ days. Lübeck comes next in terms of size and sights, but the city is too small for 3+ days, so plan one or two day trips.
FYI: Lübeck is one of four Word Heritage Sites (WHS) along the German Baltic coast. The others are Wismar, Stralsund and Greifswald. All are WHS for the same reason: they were part of the Hanseatic League and offer historic, medieval looking old towns. Lübeck, which was the head of the Hanseatic League, has the biggest old town, but also the one with the biggest blunders. since it was heavily destroyed in WW2. Wismar misses a church (also WW2), and Greifswald a old town quarter (Commies). Stralsund is probably the best preserved of the four.
Schwerin, the capital of the region and of the former duchy, is equally ineresting. While the previously mentioned towns look quite medieval, Schwerin is a a city of the 18th and 19th century, with many big government buildings of the era. The most famous one is the fairytale castle.
BTW: the area, the Baltic coast between Lübeck and the Polish border, is Germanys most popular summer destination. Not just because of the many historic towns, but also because of the great beaches, posh 19th century resorts, and natural beauty. It's a great place to spend a few days.
I'll give you some choices to choose from....Schwerin, Eutin/Holstein, Schleswig, Lübeck, Lüneburg (that place has changed a lot in the last years), and Stralsund.....all worthy of your time esp if you are interested in history, culture, and being in places totally off the American tourist radar in North Germany.
