Winter walks with warm-up option
10 tips for frosty, beautiful winter days
Is it still too cold for long outings, but the sun still tempts you out of the door? A clear case for our 10 tips for short winter walks - long enough to soak up the rare rays of sunshine, short enough to avoid freezing into an icicle. Including: ways to warm up in the form of coffee, cake or fish sandwiches in the midst of Kiel's winter beauty.
1. Walk along the Kiellinie
If you want to watch seagulls and, with a bit of luck, even marvel at ice floes on the fjord, it's best to venture to the Kiellinie when it's freezing cold. Kiel's most popular promenade stretches almost all the way up the western shore and invites you to take a walk with uninterrupted sea views. A stop at MOBY replenishes your energy reserves with fish sandwiches, hot food and hot coffee or punch.
2. Visit to the old botanical garden
Lots of wind on the Kiellinie? The old botanical garden is right next door. Get to know countless plant species from all over the world in this 150-year-old natural and cultural monument and enjoy nature. An absolute insider tip for the perfect view: The viewing pavilion at the highest point of the garden. On a clear day and without leaves on the trees, you can see far across the Kiel Fjord. If you want to warm up afterwards with delicious drinks and food, you will be warmly welcomed at Café Brunswik, Café Fiedler or impuls Kaffeemanufaktur.
3. At lofty heights: the town hall tower ride
Cold and sunshine - the perfect mix for a particularly good view. The ultimate 360-degree view over the whole city is only available on a trip up the town hall tower. Kiel's landmark is 106 metres high and can be easily climbed by lift. Enjoy an incomparable view from a height of 67 metres for up to 30 minutes. If you want to warm up afterwards with regional cuisine in a cosy atmosphere, the Ratskeller right next door is the place to go. Fancy coffee and cake? Then you'll find what you're looking for at Café Mental or Mum & Dad.
4. Explore the Schrevenpark
In summer, Schrevenpark is one of the favourite meeting places for young people in Kiel. But that doesn't mean it's not worth a visit in winter! That's when it transforms into a wintery, frosty photo backdrop and is therefore perfect for a walk around the pond. The Schrevenpark was created over a hundred years ago and is a true natural oasis with its old trees. You can get tasty snacks at the Castello Kiosk. Café Resonanz and Mmmhio are also great places to warm up.
5. Relaxing at the Holtenau lighthouse
The Holtenau lighthouse is located in the north of Kiel and has been pointing the way for ships since 1895. It is the perfect starting point for a walk along the canal road towards Tiessenkai. If you think there's only something going on here in the warmer months, you're wrong: you can also marvel at the small fishing boats and impressive traditional sailing ships in winter. Additional tip: If you walk a few metres further, you will come straight to the maritime Schiffercafe to satisfy your hunger and thirst for coffee.
6. A trip on the Adler 1 ferry
Why take the bus when you can also take the ferry? Here in Kiel, we like to avoid the roads and prefer to let the waves take us to the next shore. The over 40-year-old Adler 1 ferry is the most popular means of transport to get from Wik to Holtenau. We can ease the worries of all those candidates who get seasick easily: The journey only takes a few minutes - so you'll be back on solid ground in no time at all. And the ferry ride is free too!
7. Linger at Möltenort harbour in Heikendorf
In winter, Heikendorf's Möltenort harbour invites you to sample fresh fish or linger in one of the nearby cafés. On the sunny side of Kiel, you could spend the whole day enjoying the view of the water from the long jetties. However, spending the day watching the professional fishermen at work or simply enjoying the windless sunset is just as marvellous. At the nearby Fährhuus, you can fortify yourself with delicious tapas and then pay a visit to the art museum.
8. Walk through the Düsternbrook woods
Here in the forest, you can enjoy the peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city and retreat into the greenery if you get tired of the view of the water. Whether frozen ponds or frost on the trees - the Düsternbrook wood proves that nature doesn't have to be spring to be enjoyed. After your walk, the forest nursery offers you the perfect opportunity to warm up and recharge your batteries.
9. Hike along the fjord hiking trail
The fjord hiking trail starts at Möltenort harbour in Heikendorf and invites you to take a leisurely stroll along the entire length of the Kiel Fjord. So grab a pair of good winter boots, wrap up warm and trudge along with the best Baltic Sea panorama. During the walk, you'll pass by extensive beaches, picturesque dunes and forests, so you can enjoy nature and the Baltic Sea at the same time.
10. Watching the sunset on the eastern shore
When the last rays of sunlight light up the sky and glisten on the waves, it's simply magical. There is no better place in Kiel to observe the end of the day than on the eastern shore - you can take the ferry from Dietrichsdorf into the warm evening light and marvel at the sky from the water. The trip across the fjord is a new spectacle every evening, and you're sure to never tire of the view.
