Kiel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kiel which includes a coastal town, a bay or harbour 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 Kiel Town Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Vorstadt
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Damperhof

4/5(2 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Damperhof and surrounding area, you can visit Kiel Town Hall and Old Market Square Kiel.

Damperhof
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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 Kiel Ferry Terminal.

Russee - Hammer
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Wellingdorf

When in Wellingdorf, you can plan a visit to Ostseekai Cruise Terminal and Norwegenkai Cruise Terminal, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Wellingdorf

Gaarden-Süd - Kronsburg

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

Gaarden-Süd - Kronsburg

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
Maritim Hotel Bellevue Kiel
Maritim Hotel Bellevue Kiel
Bismarckallee 2, Kiel, SH
The price is ₹6,663 per night from 19 May to 20 May
₹6,663
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Popular attractions Ostseekai Cruise Terminal and Flandernbunker are located nearby. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (996 reviews)
"Everything is fine except you dont have youtube on your television"

Reviewed on 6 Apr 2024

Maritim Hotel Bellevue Kiel
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Exerzierplatz 5, Kiel, SH
The price is ₹7,265 per night from 20 May to 21 May
₹7,265
per night
20 May - 21 May
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (860 reviews)
"Hotel is very clean and the staff are very friendly. The hotel is within walking distance of many great places to eat. Definitely enjoyed my stay"

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2024

Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
the niu Welly
the niu Welly
Andreas-Gayk-Straße 10, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein
The price is ₹7,096 per night from 19 May to 20 May
₹7,096
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (635 reviews)
"Staff was helpful"

Reviewed on 16 Sep 2023

the niu Welly
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 WiFi, laundry facilities and a flat-screen TV. Popular attractions Flensburg Harbor and Museumsberg Flensburg ...
9/10 Wonderful! (105 reviews)
"The property location is very nice. It is on a main shopping street, so lot of options for shopping and food."

Reviewed on 30 Jan 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 WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and Netflix. Popular attractions Nature Reserve Wakenitz and Salt Storage Warehouses ...
9/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Amazing place to stay!
"Amazing apartments. So clean and modern and definitely took some tips to redecorate at home. Came complete with essentials and more. Absolutely perfect for our stay and exceeded our expectations!"

Reviewed on 22 May 2023

Bob W Lübeck Old Town
Hotel Flensburg Akademie
Hotel Flensburg Akademie
Jens-Due-Weg 1, Flensburg
Stay at this aparthotel in Flensburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a terrace. Popular attractions Flensburg Harbor and Phänomenta Museum are located nearby. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (436 reviews)
"No soft furniture in the room at all! My body had a very long and restless night!!"

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2019

Hotel Flensburg Akademie
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

Reviews of Kiel

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 16.666666666666668%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 8.333333333333334%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Aug 2019

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