Luneberg: A Day Trip From Hamburg

If you’re looking for a day trip from Hamburg, look no further than Luneberg. It totally exceeded my expectations.

My visit to Hamburg at Christmas time was a winter wonderland. We had 4 days in Hamburg, so it made sense to also explore further and take a day trip from Hamburg to another town.

I wasn’t expecting much beyond a cute town square. Delightfully, I was proven wrong. If you’re ever in the area, I can’t recommend Luneberg enough as a day trip from Hamburg.

HOW TO GET FROM HAMBURG TO LUNEBERG.

The German train system was really easy to follow and efficient. We bought a return ticket at a machine in the Hamburg hbf (English available) and hopped on.

Depart: Hamburg Hbf (Central Station)
Cost: €14 each way
Journey: 36 minutes

DAY TRIP FROM HAMBURG

ITINERARY

Luneberg is a small town and its ‘attractions’ are limited. You’ll have plenty of noise and bustle during your Hamburg visit. So Luneberg is a perfect break from the big city to find a slower pace of life.

Embrace The Space

There are so many squares in the town it’s hard to know where the ‘main’ one is. But give them all a tour and enjoy the open space and peace. It’s a nice contrast to Hamburg at Christmas’ crowds. Even on the Saturday before New Year’s Eve, we had the place almost to ourselves.

Stroll The Streets

We spent most of our Hamburg day trip strolling around the streets. I was surprised by how gorgeous the whole town was, not just the main square. The buildings are red brick and the cobbled streets wind in and out of pretty cottages and homes at very funky angles. It felt like wandering through the pages of a fairy tale book.

Enjoy The Architecture

The buildings in Luneberg are super intriguing. From churches to water towers to town halls. There is so much variety to admire and photograph (if you’re into that).

Spot Street Art

It may be more subtle than in Hamburg, but Luneburg has some fun street art and graffiti dotted about town too. Keep your eyes peels as you stroll around. My favourite was the adorable little ghost painted high up on a building.

Wander In The Park

If you need even more chill on your day trip from Hamburg, head to the park. We had a great time being big kids on the obstacle run and beng a bit more mature walking through the peace and quiet . We visited Hamburg in winter where it was too cold to stop for long. But I can imagine this spot to be buzzing with picnics in the summer.

Explore The Harbour

We almost missed this gem and I can’t believe it! After already thinking Luneberg was a perfect day trip from Hamburg, we turned the corner and were surprised by a gorgeous harbour area too. There are bars and cafes along the shore, boats docked in the water and even a cute lock bridge. How quintessentially European?! I’d love to return in warmer weather and sit here people watching for hours.

And that’s it! There may not be a million museums and attractions, but Luneberg has the perfect amount to do in a day trip from Hamburg. Escape the busy city and embrace small town life for a day on this picturesque German getaway.