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German city, capital of Schleswig-Holstein
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Cosy den at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kiel is the capital city of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein and a major maritime hub on the Baltic Sea, one of Germany's main passenger ports and as the Baltic endpoint of the Kiel Canal,
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The sole surviving German submarine of the Type VII class, U 995, is beached directly on the shore at Laboe and operates as a walk-through technical museum.
Navy Memorial
Rising 85 meters above the coast, the brick tower features observation decks providing views over the Kiel Fjord. At the base of the tower, a memorial hall commemorates lost sailors of all nations
Nord-Ostsee Kanal
The world's busiest artificial waterway. It is possible to walk or cycle for almost the entire length (98 km) directly along the canal from Kiel to Brunsbüttel (estuary of the Elbe, on the North Sea coast), staying overnight in the town of Rendsburg if necessary.
Kiel is the home of the German Baltic fleet, and it is common to see various German warships and submarines in the Fjord, including the training sailing vessel Gorch Fock. Checking the port schedule beforehand is recommended for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the ship.
Tannenberger Gehölz
A smaller forest area in the north of Kiel where different types of deer roam about freely and with relatively little fear of humans. There are some enclosures including one for boar. Not spectacular, but good for a relaxing walk and to see some of the local wildlife. Make sure to obey the feeding rules posted around the area.
Kiel's local seaside resort features about 8 km of sandy beaches, two coastal sections humorously named "Brazil" and "California", and local kiosks selling fresh and smoked fish dishes.
Collection of Classical Antiquities
Face to face with antiquity: collection of Greek vases as well as casts of important Roman and Greek sculptures unique to Schleswig-Holstein.
Public aquarium that is part of an oceanic research centre. From Baltic Sea herring to tropical seahorse: local and exotic sea creatures presented in aquariums that simulate their natural habitats. Known for its outdoor seal pool which can be accessed for free without entering the aquarium itself. Seal feeding times every day at 10:00 and 14:00 except on Friday.
Museum of Fine Arts
Art from the Dürer era through to the present day: permanent collection spanning all artistic genres, including works by Repin, Nolde and Richter, as well as special exhibitions on specific topics and artists.
Museum of Medical & Pharmaceutical History
Insight into the history of medicine and pharmaceuticals: exhibition of historic instruments, collection of pathology specimens, interior of an old pharmacy and a doctor’s office.
City and Maritime Museum
In the former fish auction hall, built in 1910: permanent exhibition on Kiel’s maritime history, pier with historic ships. Free entry.
Kiel Municipal Gallery of Contemporary Arts
New contemporary art: exhibitions of regional and international contemporary art, art from the Baltic Sea region, permanent exhibition of the works of the Expressionist artist Heinrich Ehmsen.
City and Maritime Museum
Traces of Kiel history: permanent exhibition on the early history of the city and exhibitions on social and cultural history.
Zoological Museum Kiel
Experience marine and evolutionary research at first hand: exciting display on the subject of marine science and research, Germany’s most extensive exhibition of whale species, presentation of the origins of zoology in Kiel.
Regionalverkehrsmuseum des Nordens
Heritage trains operate over the eastern portion of the former railway line from Kiel to Schönberger Strand, with occasional through services to/from Kiel on special occasions. The locomotives and carriages mostly come from regional and local railways in the region. There is also a 1,200-m heritage tramway with cars mainly from the former Hamburg and Kiel systems.
Handball
One of the most successful handball clubs in Germany, Kiel is also among the top addresses for the sport throughout Europe. They were the 2014/2015 German champion and hold the record for most national championships at 20.
Die Störche (The Storks) were relegated in 2025 and now play soccer in Bundesliga 2, the second tier. The stadium has a capacity of 15,000.
Kiel's second-most successful soccer club. They play down in the amateur leagues.
Kiel's local American football team.
A forest adventure park with a number of treetop ropes courses.
Intuitive archery on a natural parcour in an old forest/park in nearby Quarnbek. Beginners with no experience should complete the introductory course (10:00 on Saturdays and Sundays) first, experienced archers need to participate in the introduction to the parcour once. Bows and equipment are available - or bring your own.
Blacklight indoors minigolf course.
Outdoor minigolf next to the Nordmarksportfeld.
Outdoor minigolf at the Baltic Sea.
Kiel's newest public pool, run by the city. Decent for swimming, but don't let the gruffness of the staff get to you.
Cheap fish and chips restaurant.
A barbecue restaurant.
Family-run restaurant specializing in Asian cuisine, especially offering a wide range of Vietnamese dishes.
A bistro.
Burger restaurant, which uses fresh ingredients and offers only homemade dishes.
A Thai restaurant.
Very good and affordable döner (kebap).
Excellent German/Turkish Döner kebabs.
Breakfast is available all day, not cheap but good quality and with a nice view of the Kieler Förde.
Nice atmosphere and good sushi. All-you-can-eat on Monday and Thursday nights.
Part of Hotel Birke (see below); excellent food but expensive. Be sure to book in advance.
Fine Indian food.
Kiel's alternative pub and bistro.
The place for Kiel's students to talk philosophy, drink a cheap beer or listen to some live band.
A "creative" café that offers live music, arts and poetry.
The number one meeting point for students and young folks downtown.
A café, bar and nightclub with a nice view and outdoor serving.
It hosts live-music and readings.
One of Kiel's best cocktail bars.
Piano player and cocktails.
A community-run cultural centre showing independent movies, providing room for community projects, concerts, bars and parties. On Thursday night students dance soul, reggae and funk at the FunkPump party.
Rhis club hosts parties ranging from electronic tunes to Soul/Funk and Ragga. Cover charge might be higher if nationally-recognized DJs operate the turntables.
Standard R'n'B, techno club with two floors. Also has metal/gothic/darkwave etc., watch out for Kontrollverlust and Praxis Dr. MosH.
Incorporating a restaurant, an independent movie theatre, and a club, the Traumgmbh is likely to offer something that is just right for you. If you're over the age of 30, the Ü30 party is the party to go to. They will check your ID!
Being by far the most famous club in Kiel, this somewhat battered and shady place is located in a former parking garage. A formerly very popular club among students now hosts a fairly young crowd that dances to pop, rock, r'n'b, techno, punk, and indie on four dance-floors (on the weekends). You can still get a feeling for the old days on Tuesdays at the Tequila-Party. The Tucholksy has the most diverse crowd, the cheapest drinks and the poorest air-conditioning - especially in the summer. Not a clean and neat place but the only option if you feel like partying on Sundays through Wednesdays. No cover on weeknights.
The interior of the Weltruf is dominated by a ship which has been built inside and cannot be removed.
Kronshagener Weg 130 a
Bed & Breakfast, 550 m from Central Station (max. for 3 persons, shared bath with shower)
Rooms have 1970s charm but are clean. Bar on highest floor has a great view of the city.
Downtown, close to the main train station.
A new and modern hotel that's very central.
Only a few hundred meters from the main train station.
Quite central.
Friendly hotel close to Kiel Central station.
Very close to Kiel University, good for visiting scholars.
A few minutes away from city centre by car. Good service and amenities. Parking spaces available.
Ask for a room with a view of the fjord.
Classic location in the middle of an extensive park area. House with a unique atmosphere. Parking spaces available.
Kiel's main downtown shopping street. Restricted to pedestrians, with many shops and eateries. Good for taking a stroll on a warm day.
mall
Kiel's first and oldest shopping mall, located in the city centre next to the train station.
mall
Kiel's other shopping mall. Has its own train station and lots of free parking.
furniture store
A large furniture store with a decent caféteria.
floristics and pâtisserie
Flowers and high-quality handmade truffles and chocolates.
whisky and spirits
Whiskies and selected other spirits. Regular tastings (pre-booking required).
By train
By bus
At the Auguste-Viktoria-Straße, bus lines run services to, or through, Kiel. There is a weekly bus from Tallinn, Estonia via the Baltic countries and Poland.
By plane
The closest airport with commercial service is the one of Hamburg.
By car
Kiel is connected to two Autobahns, the A210 to Rendsburg and the A215, both of which also connect to the A7 (which is part of the European road E45).
By taxi
The taxi service is expensive but reliable. Taxis are available 24/7 at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) or can be ordered via phone or app.
By bike
Kiel is largely flat and suitable for cycling.
By e-scooter
Electric scooters are available, with Bolt, Lime and Dott operating in the city. Scooters can be rented via their respective apps.25 per minute.
By canal ferry
When crossing the Kiel canal, you can go across one of several bridges (Holtenauer Hochbrücken, Levensauer Hochbrücken), or take a ferry shuttle.
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