Kiel

Travel Guide

Kiel showing a castle, heritage architecture and a lake or waterhole
Kiel featuring a bay or harbor, a city and a coastal town
Kiel which includes a garden and a lake or waterhole
Kiel featuring a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Kiel showing street scenes, outdoor eating and a city

Go on outings to World War II landmarks and naval museums, and experience a massive annual sailing party at this busy port city.

With its shipbuilding industry, proud naval heritage and sailing regattas, Kiel is a city where water is a big part of life. The city benefits from a picturesque setting on the Kiel Fjord by the southwest shore of the Baltic Sea.

During World War II, Kiel was a major production site for submarines. As a result, the city attracted heavy bombing, which obliterated many of its old buildings. However, a few survived. Stop by the Nikolaikirche, a 13th-century church that features a grand Gothic exterior and a beautifully carved altarpiece. Nearby, admire the imposing architecture of Kiel Rathaus, the city's austere town hall. Go to Kieler Schloss, a former castle residence of the Gottorf dukes.

Despite only having a few pre-war buildings, Kiel preserves its history through a host of dedicated museums. Investigate Kiel's early years with a tour of the Stadtmuseum Warleberger Hof, the City Museum.

Visit the Laboe Naval Memorial, a large tower dedicated to sailors who died in both world wars. Go to the observation platform at the top of the structure for superb views. When you come back down to ground level, explore the tight confines of the German U-boat. Journey underground at the Flandernbunker, an old bunker that protected soldiers and citizens from air raids.

In addition to history, Kiel’s museums and galleries cover a host of other fascinating genres. Delve into Kiel's natural history at the Zoologisches Museum, and see lots of marine creatures at the Aquarium GEOMAR.

Browse several centuries’ worth of paintings and sculptures at Kunsthalle zu Kiel and view modernist works at the Stadtgalerie Kiel, a contemporary art museum.

Visit Kiel during Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) in mid-June to witness the city in full swing. This claims to be the world’s largest sailing event and is supported by markets, hundreds of concerts and many other events.

Get to Kiel by plane, train or car from many German cities. With so many historical and cultural attractions, Kiel promises a fun-filled and educational vacation.

Where to stay in Kiel

Kiel showing outdoor art and flowers

Mitte

While visiting Mitte, you might make a stop by sights like Wunderino-Arena and Kiel Town Hall.

Mitte
New Year’s Day stroll in the neighborhood.

Wik

You'll enjoy the monuments and historic sites in Wik. You might want to make time for a stop at Holstein-Stadion or Kieler Förde.

Wik
New Year’s Day stroll along Kiel‘s finest.

Holtenau

While visiting Holtenau, you might make a stop by sights like Kieler Förde and Kiel Canal.

Holtenau
The beautiful lake in front of Opera House Kiel
#architecture


#BestOf5

Vorstadt

4/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Vorstadt, Wunderino-Arena and Kieler Förde are top sights worth seeing.

Vorstadt
When the Color Line meets the ferry on a summer day - it’s 2 pm!

Pries

While Pries might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Friedrichsort Lighthouse and Hundestrand Falckenstein.

Pries
Winter. Baltic Sea. All blue!

Düsternbrook

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Düsternbrook. You might want to make time for a stop at Kieler Förde or Aquarium GEOMAR.

Düsternbrook
unique by ATLANTIC Hotels Kiel

unique by ATLANTIC Hotels Kiel

Kaistraße 30, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein
$87 nightly
The price is $93 total per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$93 total
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (353 reviews)
Excellent!
"Excellent location with parking. A lovely hotel, new and a little bit quirky. A bakery /coffee shop on site which was amazing. A fantastic selection of sweet and savoury pastries and cakes with a good range of hot and cold drinks and very friendly staff. Lots of restaurants and shops within walking ..."

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2025

unique by ATLANTIC Hotels Kiel
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre

Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre

Exerzierplatz 5, Kiel, SH
$79 nightly
The price is $84 total per night from Oct 6 to Oct 7
$84 total
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,111 reviews)
"This was a nice hotel to stay at. Staff was very helpful"

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2025

Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Holiday Inn - the niu, Welly Kiel by IHG

Holiday Inn - the niu, Welly Kiel by IHG

Andreas-Gayk-Straße 10, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein
$81 nightly
The price is $87 total per night from Sep 28 to Sep 29
$87 total
Sep 28 - Sep 29
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (899 reviews)
"Staff was awesome! The property was also very nice."

Reviewed on Sep 9, 2025

Holiday Inn - the niu, Welly Kiel by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ein Appartment was Gefällt

Ein Appartment was Gefällt

Kiel
Stay at this apartment in Kiel. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and balconies. Popular attractions Olympic Center Schilksee and Strander Katamaransegler ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
"Schöne Wohnung und Lage. Sehr komfortable Ausstattung. Absolut unkomplizierte Kommunikation.Gerne kommen wir wieder."

Reviewed on Aug 28, 2025

Ein Appartment was Gefällt
Enjoy stunning views over Kiel and nature

Enjoy stunning views over Kiel and nature

Kiel
Stay at this vacation home in Kiel. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Ostseekai Cruise Terminal and Grusellabyrinth ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Es ist eine sehr ländliche, ruhige Gegend. Die Vermieter sind sehr nett. Wir hatten alles was wir brauchten und haben uns auch sehr wohl gefühlt."

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2025

Enjoy stunning views over Kiel and nature
Pole position for beach, country, city and ferries

Pole position for beach, country, city and ferries

Kiel
Stay at this apartment in Kiel. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Ostseekai Cruise Terminal and Grusellabyrinth Kiel are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
"Sehr gut"

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

Pole position for beach, country, city and ferries
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kiel

3.5
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 17%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 67%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

It's a welcoming city with nice opportunities

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Die Kiellinie ist bei schönem Wetter der Hammer und unbedingt einen Spaziergang wert!

Cities near Kiel

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