Cruise Ship Wiki

Kiel

Country: Germany · Region: Baltic · Currency: Euro

Kiel is Germany's capital of Schleswig-Holstein and a major Baltic Sea passenger port at the end of the Kiel Canal. The city offers maritime history, museums, and access to Baltic attractions, though most historic buildings were rebuilt after WWII bombing.

Top sights

U-995 U-boat (Laboe), Marine-Ehrenmal (Navy Memorial), Kiel Canal, Schönberger Strand beach, Tiergehege Tannenberg wildlife area, Gorch Fock training vessel

Things to do

U-995 U-boat
The only surviving U-boat from World War II, located at the shore in Laboe on the east side of the fjord.
Marine-Ehrenmal (Navy Memorial)
Navy memorial featuring a high tower located at Strandstraße 92.
Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee Kanal)
The world's busiest canal, walkable or cyclable for almost its entire 99 km length from Kiel to Brunsbüttel.
Aquarium Geomar
Public aquarium featuring Baltic Sea herring and tropical seahorses with a free outdoor seal pool and seal feedings at 10:00 and 14:00 daily.

Beaches

Schönberger Strand
Kiel's local seaside resort with about 8 km of sandy beaches and huts selling fresh and smoked fish dishes, accessible by bus route 200 or 201 from central Kiel.

Where to eat

International Market (Rathausmarkt)
Open-air market during Kieler Woche featuring dozens of countries with traditional food and drink booths.

Weather in Kiel by month

Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.

MonthAverage highAverage lowRainfallWet days
January40°F33°F2.8 in14
February43°F33°F2.7 in12
March47°F35°F2.3 in11
April53°F39°F2.1 in11
May62°F46°F2.4 in11
June69°F54°F2.6 in11
July70°F56°F3.2 in14
August72°F57°F2.7 in12
September66°F53°F2.4 in10
October57°F47°F3.0 in14
November47°F39°F2.5 in14
December43°F36°F2.6 in13

Getting around

Use the KVG public transport system (buses and ferries) with 1-, 3-, or 7-day tickets, rent bikes from Umsteiger station or Sprottenflotte app, or take taxis and e-scooters.

What to eat

Visit the International Market at Rathausmarkt during Kieler Woche festival (late June) for diverse global cuisines, or try fresh and smoked fish dishes at Schönberger Strand.

Tips

Book accommodations well in advance if visiting during Kieler Woche (late June), as the city transforms into one of Germany's largest festivals with the world's largest sailing event.

Best for

Maritime history, sailing, festivals

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