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Lauenburg/Elbe
ℹ️Practical info — Lauenburg/Elbe
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Park your car in the upper town, as the streets in the historic lower town are very narrow and winding.
- The old cobblestones on Elbstraße are scenic but uneven; flat shoes are a must here.
- Visit the Askanierblick viewpoint for a well-suited, free photo opportunity over the river valley.
- The Elbe cycle path runs right through the town, making it good for a relaxing walk along the waterfront.
🍽 Food
Grab a fresh fish sandwich from a kiosk down by the river near Rufer-Platz.
Try this hearty sailor's dish in one of the historic taverns along Elbstraße.
Enjoy a slice of cake in a lower town cafe with views of the passing ships.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
You can find lovely nautical-themed keepsakes in the small boutiques of the historic lower town.
Browse the small ateliers around Elbstraße for handmade pottery and art.
A quiet park near the castle tower that gives magnificent views away from the hustle and bustle.
Europe's oldest basin lock is located just outside the center and is a peaceful spot to linger.
Water temperature…
Situated on the right bank of the Elbe River, the shipping town of Lauenburg was founded in 1182 by Bernhard of Saxony. Its historic center stretches as a narrow band directly along the riverfront, characterized by colorful half-timbered houses dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. A walk down the cobblestone Elbstraße leads past old mariners' taverns and historic craft workshops. Above the old town stand the remains of the old Lauenburg Castle; from the preserved castle tower, visitors can look far across the Elbe valley and the border triangle of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Historically significant for its engineering is the Palmschleuse, the oldest surviving chamber lock in Europe dating back to 1398, originally built for the Stecknitz Canal. The 13th-century Maria Magdalenen Church anchors the spiritual center of the town. Visitors can take river cruises on the historic paddle steamer "Kaiser Wilhelm" or explore the region's maritime history at the Elbe Shipping Museum. Lauenburg marks the southernmost point of Schleswig-Holstein and sits directly on the Old Salt Route, making it an important trading post during the Middle Ages.
- Location: Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
- Top sights: Lauenburg Castle Tower · Elbe Shipping Museum · Lower Town (Unterstadt)
- Nearby: Boizenburg (11 km)
- Population: ~11.999
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 65 | 51 | 48 | 39 | 56 | 68 | 83 | 67 | 55 | 59 | 58 | 66 |
Geography
Facts
- Population: approx. 11,999
- Elevation: 40 m
- Area: 9.54 km²
- Founding: approx. 1182 by Bernhard von Askanien
- Special feature: Europe's oldest chamber lock (Palmschleuse)
- Postal code: 21481
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Lauenburg/Elbe (9)
Frequently asked questions
What makes Lauenburg's old town special?
Which museum should you visit in Lauenburg?
Can you take a steamboat trip in Lauenburg?
Where is the best view over the Elbe?
What is a culinary recommendation for Lauenburg?
Lauenburg/Elbe: where is it located?
Lauenburg/Elbe: what is there to see?
Lauenburg/Elbe: when is the best time to visit?
Lauenburg/Elbe: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
