Kiel
Huge Scandinavian ferries, cruise ships from all over the world, majestic windjammers and sailing yachts create the unmistakeable maritime flair of Schleswig-Holstein’s state capital.
The Kiel Fjord with its beaches, the port and the dockyard: that is Kiel in a nutshell! Large shopping centres right by the sea, where else can you find this? The harbour is just a stone’s throw away from the city centre where the traditional shops present themselves in covered precincts.
Sights of interest and places to visit
Kiel is a city of diversity! In the city centre, the Nikolaikirche (church of Saint Nicholas), the Altes Rathaus (old town hall) with its 106-m-high town hall tower and the Kiel Monastery with its cosy cafe all bear witness to the history of Kiel.
You can also trace this history at the City Museum. Kiel’s long naval tradition is exhibited at the shipping museum, and navy ships still regularly dock in the Tirpitz Harbour today.
The navy cenotaph and the submarine in Laboe also have an imposing presence. They are memorials for those who fell in the war.
The ‘Kunsthalle’ offers art and culture all year round by hosting events and festivals – the most important of which is Kiel Week. The Schilksee Olympic Centre has been the venue for many sailing events since 1972.
To the north of Kiel lies the Kiel Canal, the world's busiest artificial water route, with its impressive locks and Lock Museum. Holtenau lighthouse is one of the most beautiful on the German coast. You can experience unadulterated nature at the Open-Air Museum.
Getting there
Thanks to its good transport links, you can reach Hamburg Airport or Lübeck in around 1 hour by car on the motorway or by train. Kiel Central Station is easily accessible in the city centre, just a few metres from the ferries and large cruise liners.
Motorway links: A7 Hamburg–Denmark, A21 Hamburg–Kiel
Ferry companies: Stena Line (Sweden), Color Line (Norway)
Train station: Kiel Central Station
Distance: 0.2 km
High-speed ICE trains stop here.
Contact
Address:
Tourist Information Kiel / Kiel-Marketing e.V.
Andreas-Gayk-Straße 31
24103 Kiel
Contact: Franciska Schmitz
Phone: +49 (0) 43 1 - 67 91 00
Fax: +49 (0) 43 1 - 679 10 99
eMail: info@kurskiel.de
Web: www.kurskiel.de
