Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt

Best things to do in Kiel

Kiel Essentials

Kiel’s identity is anchored in its maritime heritage, from the historic sailing harbor of Schilksee, host of the 1972 Olympic sailing events, to the iconic Hörn Bridge, a unique three-segment folding structure. The city features the northern entrance of the Kiel Canal at Holtenau, alongside the 17th-century Warleberger Hof, the city's oldest surviving residential building. Significant landmarks include the 13th-century St. Nikolai church, the ruins of the Friedrichsort fortress, and the Landeshaus, the seat of the state parliament overlooking the Kieler Förde.

Kiel Essentials — Map

Wolfgang Pehlemann / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

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Kiel Holtenau

Site of the northern locks of the Kiel Canal, featuring a historic lighthouse built in 1895 and traditional red-brick maritime architecture.

KarleHorn / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Hörn Bridge

The Hörn Bridge is a folding bridge in the city of Kiel in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Matthias Süßen / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Old Botanical Garden, Kiel

The Old Botanical Garden in Kiel, also known as the Old Botanical Garden on the Fjord, is a former botanical garden and arboretum located…

Unknown / Public domain

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Kiel Castle

Kiel Castle in Kiel in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein was one of the secondary residences of the Gottorf dukes.

VollwertBIT / CC BY-SA 2.5

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Kunsthalle Kiel

The Kunsthalle zu Kiel is an art museum in the German city of Kiel. With 2.000 m² of display space, it is the largest museum in the city.

Wusel007 / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Olympiahafen Schilksee

A marina and residential complex built for the 1972 Summer Olympics sailing competitions, now serving as a major center for international regattas.

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Seehundbecken

An outdoor seal pool located on the Kiellinie promenade, managed by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research for public observation of harbor seals.

Arne List / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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St. Nikolai, Kiel

St. Nikolai is the name of a Protestant parish and its church in Kiel, the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Genet / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Christianspris

Christianspris or Frederiksort was a Danish fortification somewhat north of the then Danish city of Kiel.

Holger.Ellgaard / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Warleberger Hof

The oldest surviving residential building in Kiel, this 17th-century former aristocratic townhouse now serves as the city's historical museum.

Ichwarsnur / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Museumshafen

A historic harbor basin at Germaniahafen that provides permanent and guest berths for traditional sailing ships and vintage working vessels.

Matthias Süßen / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Landeshaus

The seat of the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament, originally constructed in the late 19th century as a naval academy.

Other Lists

Maritime Kiel Historic Kiel Kiel's Parks & Scenic Spots