Kiel, Germany

Kiel Town Hall

If in neighboring Lübeck they are proud of the age of their Town Hall, then in Kiel the townspeople take pride in its architectural concept. The design motifs for the Kiel Town Hall architect Hermann Billing clearly borrowed from the bell tower on St. Mark’s Square in Venice. Not long ago, the Kieler Rathaus celebrated its centenary (the town hall was finally completed in 1911). Over a hundred years, the building has become one of the city’s symbols, and the locals can no longer imagine life without the chime that rings from its tower every quarter of an hour. The tower is 106 meters high, but tourists can climb only up to 67 meters-this is where the observation deck is located. For those who decide to admire Kiel from this height, there is a convenient lift.

St. Nicholas Church

The Church of St. Nicholas at the Old Market is the oldest building in the city; it was built in 1241. Subsequently, the Nikolaikirche was rebuilt on several occasions: first at the end of the 19th century, and a second time after the destruction caused by the bombing during the Second World War. Nevertheless, the church still preserves wood carvings dating back to the 16th century. What draws visitors’ attention is the sculpture of an angel holding a long pole standing in front of the church entrance. This is the so-called Geistkämpfer-that is, the “Spirit Fighter.” Ernst Barlach’s sculpture was placed at the entrance to the church in the early 20th century and has become one of the city’s symbols.

Kiel Canal

The Kiel Canal is one of the most famous lock canals on the planet. Leading from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, it runs across a vast plain. This is exactly where you can see, at close range, how a huge ocean liner enters the lock gates. Along the canal (its length is 98 km), pedestrian and bicycle paths have been laid out. Those who wish can accompany the large cruise liners along the entire length of the canal by following a parallel route on a bicycle (the speed of ships passing through the canal is low). On these paths there are refreshment stops-cafes with viewing platforms, which are typically located overlooking the canal’s most picturesque spots.

Holstenstraße

Kiel’s main tourist and shopping street, Holstenstraße, begins at the Old Market and runs through the entire city’s historic center. The street was laid out in 1525. It became the first street in Germany that was closed to motor traffic. This happened in 1953. After that, in every German city it became mandatory to set up a shopping-and-pedestrian promenade. Even to this day, Holstenstraße remains the main shopping street not only in Kiel, but throughout the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Here you’ll find multi-story department stores from a wide variety of retail chains. And in November-December, at Holstenplatz, adjoining this street, the traditional Christmas market is held.

Naval Museum

The Maritime Museum in Kiel occupies a building that once served as a fish storage facility. Large-scale models of the most famous German warships from the First and Second World Wars are displayed here. The museum features reduced replicas of the famous “Bismarck,” “Scharnhorst,” “Zeydlitz,” and other legends of the northern seas. The pearl of the museum is the Brandtaucher submarine, designed in 1850. This forerunner of the submarines of the future exists in the world in a single specimen. Separate exhibitions are devoted to the most famous battles of the two World Wars, and examples of uniforms and armaments used by German naval forces are also on display.

Ethnography Museum in Molfsee

Molfssee is a little place six kilometers south of Kiel where artifacts of wooden architecture are gathered. They were brought here from all over Schleswig-Holstein. The museum itself positions itself as “Schleswig-Holstein in miniature.” It opened in 1965. Here, wooden windmills, small churches, houses, and farm buildings are kept-about 70 houses in total. The museum is interactive. A blacksmith in an authentic smithy will forge, in your presence, any agricultural implements; a baker will bake peasant bread in a stone oven; and in the local pharmacy you’ll find a wide range of medicines-mostly herbal infusions. After touring the museum, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at the local restaurant, which offers dishes prepared exclusively from farm products.

Kiel-Strand

The city’s gem is the sea, so Kiel is an ideal place for beach holiday lovers. Take with you to rent a “beach basket” that performs many functions: chairs, a small table, a locker, and it also allows you to protect yourself from wind and sun. The most popular spot on the beach is Kiel-Schtrande; it is wonderfully equipped and suitable both for sports facilities and for peaceful relaxation.

Kiel Sightseeing Tour

Kiel is an ancient port city located along the shores of the Baltic Sea near the border with Denmark. Everything in the city is connected with the sea and maritime industries. Since its founding, around 1233, Kiel became an important port-first for merchants of the Hanseatic League, and then for the German Navy. You will visit the military submarine U-995, built here and now a museum. There is also a naval museum in Kiel, featuring scale models of the most famous German military vessels from the First and Second World Wars. Perhaps the city’s main attraction is its waterfront, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the port facilities, docks, ships, and a variety of yachts. Although Kiel was practically destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War, its architecture was restored in almost its original form-whose monuments you will definitely visit. Two things you absolutely must do in this city are to take a boat ride and to try the sprats. After all, Kiel is the birthplace of sprats.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check it out after booking the cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.