Dear world travelers! Whenever I look at travel reports, they are full of breathtaking stories of beautiful southern beaches, crystal-clear oceans, impressive temples, and colorful tropics. And its always hot summer. I really enjoy these reports because I live somewhere completely different. Some would even say that it's boring here in northern Germany. Lots of bad weather, not warm but also not cold enough for snow, no brightly colored birds, no tropical fruits on the side of the road.
BUT. I would like to recommend the rough beauty of this area to you. You can find it if you know where to look.
Since I also have a dog—my beautiful Ella—one of my favorite places is a beach where she can run free and where we only meet nice people and other nice dogs. Every year on October 1, the tourist season ends here and dogs are allowed to run free on the beach until April 1 of the following year.
What exactly makes the area so beautiful at this time of year? Well, first of all, there's the soundscape. The waves crash in a steady rhythm and seagulls fly around with their characteristic cries. Whenever I'm in a place with seagulls crying, I immediately feel at home!
Then there's the wind, which ruffles your hair and turns your cheeks red. But it also blows through you, so that you feel as if your entire system has been flooded with new energy.
You can walk endlessly on my favorite beach. Either you walk close to the water's edge, where the ground is firm and easier to walk on, or you walk through the deeper sand if you want a more athletic workout. There are about 10 km of sandy beaches in Lübeck Bay.
My travel recommendation with a dog is:
Haffkrug. There is usually enough parking right by the water. I always park right in front of the restaurant “LEO.” You can then walk either to the left or to the right, and it's a good 5-6 km in both directions. Once you return, you can stop right at LEO. It's a beach restaurant with a sheltered and heated outdoor area, and dogs are welcome. The menu is absolutely delicious, with many fish specialties and typical North German dishes. I love sitting in the sheltered outdoor area when it's really windy and freezing outside and you can hear the wind tugging at the awning. It's such an incredibly cozy feeling! After a long run, I warm up my cold and tired legs with a hot chocolate and fish soup. I can't think of anything better!
What else can you do around when there in summer? Right next to Haffkrug is Sirksdorf - location of the famous Hansapark wich is one of the biggest amusement parks of the area. For quicker fun there is a tiny skate park right next to the LEO with a few ramps, halfpipes and parcours. It is also possible to visit the "Ostseetherme Scharbeutz" - a very nice indoor and outdoor fun and spa swimming pool. During summertime a ton of cafes, restaurants and fish sndwich stands are open, as well as icecream stands. But be warned: summertime is tourist season, then you have to share the beautiful place with thousands of other visitors. So I better stick with the rough but well apprechiated conditions in winter 😉
