Kiel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kiel which includes heritage architecture, a castle and a lake or waterhole
Kiel which includes a coastal town, a bay or harbour and a city
Kiel featuring a park and a lake or waterhole
Kiel featuring a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Kiel featuring street scenes, outdoor eating and a city
Go on outings to World War II landmarks and naval museums, and experience a massive annual sailing party at this busy port city.

With its shipbuilding industry, proud naval heritage and sailing regattas, Kiel is a city where water is a big part of life. The city benefits from a picturesque setting on the Kiel Fjord by the southwest shore of the Baltic Sea.

During World War II, Kiel was a major production site for submarines. As a result, the city attracted heavy bombing, which obliterated many of its old buildings. However, a few survived. Stop by the Nikolaikirche, a 13th-century church that features a grand Gothic exterior and a beautifully carved altarpiece. Nearby, admire the imposing architecture of Kiel Rathaus, the city's austere town hall. Go to Kieler Schloss, a former castle residence of the Gottorf dukes.

Despite only having a few pre-war buildings, Kiel preserves its history through a host of dedicated museums. Investigate Kiel's early years with a tour of the Stadtmuseum Warleberger Hof, the City Museum. 

Visit the Laboe Naval Memorial, a large tower dedicated to sailors who died in both world wars. Go to the observation platform at the top of the structure for superb views. When you come back down to ground level, explore the tight confines of the German U-boat. Journey underground at the Flandernbunker, an old bunker that protected soldiers and citizens from air raids. 

In addition to history, Kiel’s museums and galleries cover a host of other fascinating genres. Delve into Kiel's natural history at the Zoologisches Museum, and see lots of marine creatures at the Aquarium GEOMAR. 

Browse several centuries’ worth of paintings and sculptures at Kunsthalle zu Kiel and view modernist works at the Stadtgalerie Kiel, a contemporary art museum. 

Visit Kiel during Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) in mid-June to witness the city in full swing. This claims to be the world’s largest sailing event and is supported by markets, hundreds of concerts and many other events.  

Get to Kiel by plane, train or car from many German cities. With so many historical and cultural attractions, Kiel promises a fun-filled and educational holiday. 

Where to stay in Kiel

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Vorstadt

4/5(4 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Vorstadt, Wunderino-Arena and Sophienhof are top sights worth seeing.

Vorstadt
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Wellsee

While there might not be top attractions in Wellsee, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Norwegenkai Cruise Terminal and Sophienhof.

Wellsee
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Russee - Hammer

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Russee - Hammer and surrounding area, you can visit CITTI-PARK Kiel and Sophienhof.

Russee - Hammer
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Pries

Though Pries may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Friedrichsort Lighthouse and Hundestrand Falckenstein.

Pries

Hasseldieksdamm

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

When in Hasseldieksdamm, you can plan a visit to CITTI-PARK Kiel and Wunderino-Arena, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Hasseldieksdamm

Gaarden-Süd - Kronsburg

While Gaarden-Süd - Kronsburg isn't home to many top sights, Sophienhof and Norwegenkai Cruise Terminal are some notable places to visit nearby.

Gaarden-Süd - Kronsburg
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Exerzierplatz 5, Kiel, SH
The price is Rp1.263.396 per night from 24 Dec to 25 Dec
Rp1.263.396
Rp1.351.834 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Dec - 25 Dec
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,023 reviews)
"Great breakfast"

Reviewed on 26 Sep 2024

Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Maritim Hotel Bellevue Kiel
Maritim Hotel Bellevue Kiel
Bismarckallee 2, Kiel, SH
The price is Rp1.266.558 per night from 5 Jan to 6 Jan
Rp1.266.558
Rp1.355.217 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 Jan 2025
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Really nice hotel, family friendly"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2024

Maritim Hotel Bellevue Kiel
Steigenberger Conti Hansa
Steigenberger Conti Hansa
Schlossgarten 7, Kiel, SH
Fully refundable
The price is Rp1.391.475 per night from 29 Dec to 30 Dec
Rp1.391.475
Rp1.488.878 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Dec - 30 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (480 reviews)
"!"

Reviewed on 6 Sep 2024

Steigenberger Conti Hansa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Limehome Flensburg Holm
Limehome Flensburg Holm
Holm 22, Flensburg
Stay at this apartment in Flensburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Museumsberg Flensburg and St. Nikolai ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (142 reviews)
"Releasing access codes les than 30 mins before check in time. When travelling not everyone has easy access to WiFi or a charged phone."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Limehome Flensburg Holm
Bob W Lübeck Old Town
Bob W Lübeck Old Town
Lindenpl. 2, Lübeck, SH
Stay at this aparthotel in Lübeck. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and Netflix. Popular attractions Nature Reserve Wakenitz and Salt Storage Warehouses ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (39 reviews)
"The accommodation was very comfortable and was in easy walking distance to inner city, restaurants and the central train station."

Reviewed on 19 Sep 2024

Bob W Lübeck Old Town
Beach Apartments Büsum
Beach Apartments Büsum
Dithmarscher Str. 33, Büsum, SH
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Büsum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Familienlagune Perlebucht and Büsum ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
Ganske enkelt… super
"Ganske enkelt….super oplevelse. 3 gang vi var der og samme kvalitet og oplevelse hver gang….. og vi kommer igen👍"

Reviewed on 9 Sep 2024

Beach Apartments Büsum
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kiel

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 17%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

WE arrived from a Cruise Ship. Kiel is a quiet town, good shops and eating options. Good rail links with other parts of Germany.

Cities near Kiel