The Kiellinie is Kiel's promenade and the place to be at any time of year. In other words, it feels like the whole of Kiel meets here - people who want to go for a walk, jog, walk their dog, eat ice cream, watch ships or simply enjoy the panoramic view of the fjord. Our tip: make a stop at the seal pool at GEOMAR and say hello to the secret animal stars of the Kiellinie.

📍 Keel line

Kiel's urban centre is located right in the city centre: the Holstenfleet. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, it is a particularly pleasant place to relax - perfect for a break while strolling through the city! And just a few metres further on, the boat harbour invites you to linger with a similarly laid-back flair. From time to time, really cool events even take place here - such as the Cheese Meets Wine event series, the Boat Harbour Summer with live music and street food, or the Together Kiel winter market.

📍 Holstenfleet

📍 Boat harbour

It goes without saying that you will see the odd ship in Kiel. But if you want to see the really big ships up close, you should head to the lock viewing platform on the Kiel Canal! Stop by between sunrise and sunset and experience live how small sailing boats pass through the locks alongside large cargo ships as they enter and leave the canal.

📍 Maklerstraße 1, Kiel-Holtenau

A real insider tip for the best view over Kiel: the town hall tower ride! it climbs 67 metres to the top of the 106-metre-high tower, with views over Kiel city centre and, of course, the fjord. Incidentally, the tower is modelled on the Campanile in Venice - and even towers a few metres above it.

📍 Fleethörn 9, Kiel

Yes, we admit it: Kiel's old town is not exactly what you would expect from a typical old town. The Second World War is to blame, as a large part of the city was unfortunately destroyed. But better a small old town than no old town, right? You'll find cafés, bars and the Dänische Straße shopping street around the Alter Markt - perfect for a stroll. Our tip: treat yourself to a beer at the Kieler Brauerei brewery and enjoy the hustle and bustle on the square.

📍 Old Market

Holtenauer Straße is a colourful and lively street. Kiel's most popular shopping street scores with an absolute variety - from souvenir shops, fashion and delicatessen to cosy cafés and charming boutiques. Perfect for a relaxed stroll. And if you fancy a break, simply grab a bowl, a coffee or a slice of cake - there are opportunities to savour the delights on every corner.

📍 Holtenauer Strasse

Schrevenpark (also affectionately known as Schrevi) is the green heart of Kiel. Students, families and walkers flock here, especially in summer. Grab an ice cream or a portion of chips at Castello, sit by the pond and enjoy the relaxed hustle and bustle, or grab your loved ones and have a barbecue together on the large lawn.

📍 Schrevenpark

The people of Kiel swear by it: their much-loved market breakfast! Meeting up at one of Kiel's weekly markets in the morning, strolling from stall to stall, sipping a coffee and chatting away in a cosy atmosphere - that's how it's done! The markets on Exerzierplatz (always Wednesdays and Saturdays) and Blücherplatz (always Mondays and Thursdays), from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., are very popular.

📍 Blücherplatz

📍 Parade ground

You can find an overview of all Kiel's weekly markets and their opening hours here.

Located directly on the fjord, the Old Botanical Garden impresses with its diverse fauna, its old trees and a great view over the Kiel Fjord. The latter is best enjoyed from the pretty pavilion with its wrought-iron crown, located at the highest point of the garden.

📍 Old Botanical Garden

A must in Kiel: bite into a juicy fish sandwich! One fish stall with absolute cult status is MOBY on the Kiellinie, but of course that's not all! In our blog post TOP 10 fish sandwich spots in Kiel, you can find even more addresses that serve the best fish sandwiches.

📍 MOBY

Speaking of MOBY: not only are there fish sandwiches here, but also the Kiellinie bathing area right next door. Just a few hundred metres further on, a second access point to the water awaits you: the Bellevue bathing area. Both include sanitary facilities and changing rooms - and are completely free to use!

📍 Kiellinie bathing area

📍 Bellevue bathing area

Do you need Kiel merchandise, regional products or a souvenir? Then the Welcome Centre Kiel Fjord is the right place for you. On top of that, you'll become a Kiel pro here: at the digital information stations, you can find out everything the region has to offer and, if you wish, you can get personalised advice and valuable tips from the team.

📍 Welcome Centre Kiel Fjord

A sea voyage is fun, a sea voyage is ... a must in Kiel! Take a relaxing trip from Kiel to Laboe on the fjord steamer - past the large ships and numerous sailing boats. You can find the timetable here. In addition to the Laboe beach, you can also visit historical sights such as the naval memorial and submarine museum in the form of an authentic submarine.

📍 Laboe

Whenever we Kielers say that we live where others go on holiday, we always have our beautiful beaches in mind! Because beach + sun = holiday, right?! Falckensteiner Strand is known as one of Kiel's favourite beaches - also accessible by ferry, by the way.

(In our blog post TOP 10 beaches in & around Kiel we show you our other favourites) --> link later, as soon as ready

📍 Falckenstein beach

If you want to get a taste of the nostalgic harbour atmosphere, Tiessenkai in Holtenau is the place to be! The protective and safety harbour is popular with old cargo ships, tugboats and tugboats - and with tourists who want to see the Holtenau lighthouse or stop off at the cosy Schiffercafe.

📍 Tiessenkai

The former fish hall at Kiel harbour is now home to the Maritime Museum. Here you can learn all about Kiel's maritime past - from fishing to the sailors' revolt of 1918 - and take a detailed look at ship models, marine paintings, nautical equipment and many other exhibits.

📍 Kiel Maritime Museum

In Kiel, you are not only ON the water, but in the best case scenario also ON the water, maybe even IN the water - with water sports! Why not try stand-up paddling, windsurfing or kitesurfing? Or how about sailing and a visit to the sailing camp in Kiel?

📍 Sailing camp powered by Stadwerke Kiel

... with a sea view! In typical Kiel style. This is possible, for example, in the RUNE sauna directly on the Kiellinie or in the mobile sauna carts from Saunli, for example in Heidkate or Laboe. If you're really tough, take a cooling dip in the sea after your sauna session!

📍 RUNE Sauna

📍 Saunli Heidkate

📍 Sauna Laboe harbour

📍 Saunli Laboe submarine

A well-developed cycle path runs along the Kiel Canal - always alongside the water, past locks, bridges and freighters. One of our favourite destinations: the Warleberg fruit café. To get there, you take the free Landwehr ferry for the last few metres to get to the other side of the canal. Once you arrive at the café, fabulously delicious cakes await you with a view of the canal - perfect for a breather!

📍 Fruit café Warleberg