Holiday in Kiel
City in Germany — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇩🇪
Country
Germany
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to September (14-22 °C). Last week of June for Kiel Week. Summer on the Baltic Sea is ideal for swimming in Labö and Schilksee.
Budget/day
65-130 €
Getting there from Germany
ICE: Hamburg 1 h 15 min, Berlin 4.5 h, Hannover 3 h. Nearest airport Hamburg (HAM) 1.5 h. Ferries to Oslo and Gothenburg from Kiel.
About Kiel
Kiel, the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, is a port city on the Baltic Sea, inextricably linked to the sea. The Kiel Fjord, a 17 km long natural arm of the sea, runs through the city and makes Kiel one of the most maritime cities in Germany. The Kiel Week is the largest sailing event in the world and also the largest folk festival in Northern Europe: Every last week of June, over 3 million visitors come to experience sailing regattas, live music, international street food, and the tall ship parade on the fjord. The atmosphere is unique — the entire city transforms into a festival ground. The Kiel Canal (NOK) is the most frequented artificial waterway in the world: At the Holtenau lock, visitors can watch huge container ships, cruise liners, and tankers up close as they traverse the 98 km long passage between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. A free spectacle for ship enthusiasts. The German submarine museum U-995 in Labö, 15 km north of Kiel, is a walk-through submarine from World War II. Right next to it stands the Marine Memorial, an 85-meter high tower with panoramic views over the Kiel Bay. The Kiellinie, Kiel's waterfront promenade, stretches 3.5 km along the water, passing sailing clubs, the GEOMAR aquarium, and the ferry terminals. Ferries to Scandinavia depart from here — Kiel is Germany's most important ferry port to Norway and Sweden.
Top 5 highlights in Kiel
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Kieler Woche
Largest sailing event in the world and folk festival of Northern Europe: last week of June, 3 million visitors, regattas and tall ship parade.
Schleuse Holtenau (NOK)
Most frequented artificial waterway in the world: watch huge ships up close, a free experience.
U-Boot U-995 Labö
Walk-through submarine from World War II: hauntingly authentic, next to it the 85-meter high Marine Memorial with a view.
Kiellinie & Förde
3.5 km waterfront promenade along the arm of the sea: sailing clubs, aquarium, ferry terminals, and views of passing cruise ships.
Botanischer Garten & Uni
Kiel's university founded in 1665: the Old Botanical Garden in the city center is a green oasis with historic trees.
Hotels in Kiel
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Kiel
Recommended travel time
May to September (14-22 °C). Last week of June for Kiel Week. Summer on the Baltic Sea is ideal for swimming in Labö and Schilksee.
Summer
15-23 °C, maritime with sea breeze, longer evenings due to northern location
Winter
-1 to 4 °C, humid and windy, Baltic Sea moderates the cold
How much does a holiday in Kiel cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-55 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
65-130 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150-300 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Kiel
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Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Kiel
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Plan Kiel Week early — hotels are booked months in advance. Tip: Stay in Labö or Schilksee and commute to the city by ferry.
Use the Fördeferries — the ferries across the Kiel Fjord are part of the public transport system and cost only a bus ticket. The most beautiful short trip: Kiel-Labö.
Holtenau locks free — the observation platform at the NOK lock is free. Best times: mornings and afternoons when large ships pass.
Beach in Schilksee — the Olympic district from 1972 has a beautiful sandy beach and the Olympic Center Schilksee for sailing courses.
Fish from the cutter — in Labö and at the Kiel harbor, there is freshly caught fish directly from the cutter: fish sandwiches with herring or shrimp are a must.
Food & drink in Kiel
These specialties you must try!
