Kiel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kiel which includes heritage architecture, a castle and a lake or waterhole
Kiel which includes a coastal town, a bay or harbour and a city
Kiel featuring a park and a lake or waterhole
Kiel featuring a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Kiel featuring 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 holiday. 

Where to stay in Kiel

Kiel featuring outdoor art and flowers

Mitte

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

Mitte
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Wik

You'll enjoy the monuments and historical sites in Wik. You might want to make time for a stop at Kieler Förde or Kiel Canal.

Wik
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Vorstadt

4/5(4 area reviews)

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

Vorstadt
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Holtenau

If you're spending some time in Holtenau, Kieler Förde and Kiel Canal are top sights worth seeing.

Holtenau
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Ravensberg

Ravensberg might not have many top sights, but Holstein-Stadion and Kiel Town Hall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Ravensberg
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Düsternbrook

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

Düsternbrook
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Exerzierplatz 5, Kiel, SH
The price is Rp1.544.443 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
Rp1.544.443
Rp1.652.554 total
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,049 reviews)
"New place good room confirm, breakfast could be better, and the lifts are really busy in the morning when everyone goes to breakfast! Overall it’s nice hotel with great location and facilities."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2025

Hampton by Hilton Kiel City Centre
Me and All Hotel Kiel, by Hyatt
Me and All Hotel Kiel, by Hyatt
Kaistr. 80, Kiel
The price is Rp2.019.999 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp2.019.999
Rp2.161.398 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (598 reviews)
"Kiel hotel was very nice. The lobby had a lot of cool amenities like the pool table and bar. The shower was great."

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2025

Me and All Hotel Kiel, by Hyatt
INA Hotel Consul
INA Hotel Consul
Walkerdamm 11, Kiel
The price is Rp2.107.007 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
Rp2.107.007
Rp2.254.503 total
1 Jul - 2 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kiel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Great. Thanks"

Reviewed on 17 May 2025

INA Hotel Consul
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.
Schwalehof Gästewohnungen
Schwalehof Gästewohnungen
Bönebütteler Damm 161, 12, Bönebüttel, Schleswig-Holstein
Stay at this aparthotel in Bönebüttel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Gerisch Sculpture Park and Designer Outlet Neumünster ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
"Very clean, friendly staff!"

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Schwalehof Gästewohnungen
Apartments im Kaffeehaus Heldt
Apartments im Kaffeehaus Heldt
ST. NICOLAI STR. 1, Eckernfoerde
Stay at this apartment in Eckernfoerde. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Bonbonkocherei & Schokoladen Hermann ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (43 reviews)
"First night I got a room without internet…"

Reviewed on 13 Sep 2023

Apartments im Kaffeehaus Heldt
Landhuus Dieksee
Landhuus Dieksee
Diekseepromenade 23, Malente, Schleswig-Hostein
Stay at this spa apartment in Malente. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Kurpark Malente and The Groom Oak are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (24 reviews)
"Eigentlich hätte das Landhuus Dickensee die Bewertung “hervorragend”verdient. Aber wir bekamen ein Zimmer im EG und dies war von der Promenade her einsehbar. Leider gab es nur schwere Vorhänge, mit der man die Einsicht hätte verhindern können. Bei gleicher Ausstattung wäre ein Appartement im 1. OG ..."

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

Landhuus Dieksee
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

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 17%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

WE arrived from a Cruise Ship. Kiel is a quiet town, good shops and eating options. Good rail links with other parts of Germany.

Cities near Kiel