Holiday in Eckernförde
City in Germany — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇩🇪
Country
Germany
Type
City
Best time to travel
June to September (swimming weather, 18-23 °C). October for the Spiekermarkt. Christmas market in December.
Budget/day
70-120 €
Getting there from Germany
Car: A7 towards Flensburg, exit Eckernförde (about 1.5 h from Hamburg). Train: Hamburg Hbf → Kiel → Eckernförde (about 2 h). Bus from Kiel (40 min.).
Deals for Eckernförde:
What makes Eckernförde special as a destination?
Eckernförde is a harbor town on the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea coast, idyllically located at the eponymous Eckernförde Bay between Kiel and Flensburg. The town combines maritime flair with historical charm and is known for its vibrant candy-making tradition, one of the most beautiful city beaches in Germany, and fresh fish directly from the boat. The old town, with its half-timbered houses, the Gothic St. Nicolai church tower, and the town hall square, radiates North German coziness. Particularly charming is the harbor, where fishermen sell their fresh catch directly from the boat: flounder, cod, herring, and shrimp — it doesn't get fresher than this. The candy factory is Eckernförde's sweetest attraction: In the manufactory on Kieler Strasse, traditional candies (Kamellen) are cooked, pulled, and shaped by hand over an open flame — a spectacle that visitors can watch through the shop windows. The Eckernförde city beach stretches directly in front of the old town: fine sand, beach chairs, a promenade with cafes, and the Kurzimmtwiete (a historic alley) make it one of the most beautiful city beaches in Northern Germany. The pier offers spectacular sunsets over the bay in the evenings. The Baltic Sea Info Center at the harbor showcases the underwater world of the Baltic Sea in aquariums and offers guided snorkeling tours in summer. The Eckernförde Bay is also a center for stand-up paddling and sailing.
What are the top highlights in Eckernförde?
The top highlights in Eckernförde include Candy Factory, City Beach & Promenade, Fisher Harbor, Old Town with Half-Timbering, Baltic Sea Info Center.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Candy Factory
Traditional candy manufactory with live production: Kamellen are cooked, pulled, and shaped by hand over an open flame.
City Beach & Promenade
Fine sandy beach directly in front of the old town: beach chairs, pier, and sunsets over the Eckernförde Bay.
Fisher Harbor
Fresh fish directly from the boat: buy flounder, cod, and shrimp at the harbor — pure North German fish culture.
Old Town with Half-Timbering
Historic half-timbered houses, St. Nicolai Church, and town hall square: cozy maritime charm by the Baltic Sea.
Baltic Sea Info Center
Aquariums with Baltic Sea fauna and guided snorkeling tours: experience the underwater world of the Baltic Sea up close.
Hotels in Eckernförde
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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Eckernförde?
The best time to visit Eckernförde is June to September (swimming weather, 18-23 °C). October for the Spiekermarkt. Christmas market in December.. 17-23 °C, sunny with a Baltic Sea breeze, long days In winter: 0 to 5 °C, windy, rarely snow, often gray
Recommended travel time
June to September (swimming weather, 18-23 °C). October for the Spiekermarkt. Christmas market in December.
Summer
17-23 °C, sunny with a Baltic Sea breeze, long days
Winter
0 to 5 °C, windy, rarely snow, often gray
How much does a holiday in Eckernförde cost?
Budget travellers: 40-65 €/day, mid-range: 70-120 €/day, luxury: 130-250 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
40-65 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
70-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
130-250 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Eckernförde?
Car: A7 towards Flensburg, exit Eckernförde (about 1.5 h from Hamburg). Train: Hamburg Hbf → Kiel → Eckernförde (about 2 h). Bus from Kiel (40 min.).
Book a package holiday to Eckernförde
Compare thousands of package holidays to Eckernförde and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Eckernförde?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Fish directly from the boat — talk to the fishermen at the harbor in the morning: fresher and cheaper than in restaurants.
Visit the candy factory — Tuesday to Saturday live production: spectators can watch the production through the windows.
Viking Haithabu — only 20 minutes away: the UNESCO World Heritage site Haithabu near Schleswig shows the world of the Vikings.
Reserve a beach chair online — in high summer, the popular spots right by the water are quickly taken.
SUP rental at the bay — the calm bay is ideal for beginners. Rental directly at the city beach.
What should you eat in Eckernförde?
Typical specialities in Eckernförde: Fischbrötchen — fresh herring, fried fish, or shrimp on a crispy roll: a must-try at the Eckernförde harbor., Räucherfisch — hot-smoked eel, mackerel, or trout directly from the smokehouse: a North German delicacy., Eckernförde Bonbons — hand-pulled Kamellen in dozens of flavors: the sweetest specialty of the town., Scholle Finkenwerder Art — breaded flounder with bacon and shrimp: a classic North German fish dish., Mehlbüdels with cherries — steamed flour dumplings with hot cherry sauce: a traditional Schleswig-Holstein dessert..
These specialties you must try!
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