Kiel: Guide, Hotels, Map & Photos
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EUR 29 - 155 Hotel am Sophienhof
 This delightful hotel offers cosy accommodation and a charming bar in the Hanseatic city of Kiel, just steps away from the main railway station and th… MoreEUR 68 - 170 Hotel am Schwedenkai
 Conveniently located in the heart of Kiel, this hotel offers modern accommodation next to the Schwedenkai docks, the popular Holstenstraße shopping s… MoreEUR 90 - 180 Apartment Gunda Kreutzer
 Offering a big balcony, a fully equipped kitchen, and elegant wooden décor, this non-smoking, 4-star apartment is just a 5-minute drive from the Kiel… More | ||||||||||||||||||
Kiel: Guide
Kiel is the capital city of the Germany|German state of Schleswig-Holstein and has a population of roughly 240,000. It is located at the Baltic Sea at the end of the "Kieler Förde".
Understand
During the second World War, Kiel was severely bombed, because of its submarine-producing shipyard. Both civil and military ships are being built in Kiel nowadays and the high cranes dominate the eastern shore of the Förde.
The bombing destroyed almost all historic buildings in Kiel and even the older looking buildings, like the town hall, were build after WW2. So, if you come to the "Kieler Schloss" (Kieler castle) dont't be disappointed. There isn't much left of the oringinal building.
During the rebuilding after WW2 , mostly modern architecture was used.
Get in
By boat
Kiel serves as the German ferry terminaus for the ferries to Oslo, Finland and Gothenburg, Sweden, with a summer service to the Danish Island of Langeland.
As many vessels pass through Kiel-Holtenau on their journey through the locks of the Kieler Canal, you could try your luck there for freighter travel.
By train
Kiel Hauptbahnhof is located directly adjacent to the main bus terminal and across the road from the central shopping district. Kiel is connect to the DB rail system with regular RE and IC services to Hamburg and beyond. Transfers can be made in Flensburg or Lubeck to Danish Rail.
By bus
A number of bus lines run services to - or through - Kiel. A weekly bus leaves Kiel and travels via Poland and the Baltic states to Tallinn, Estonia.
By plane
Kiel has its own airport in "Holtenau" (north-west). Planes of the size of a BAe 146 can start and land. Charter flights leave for other Scandanavian destinations. At the moment, there are no regular services.
The nearest major airport is Hamburg, about 100km/one hour by car away. Another possibility is the airport Lübeck, about 80 km/1h 20 min away, where Ryanair operates some low cost flights each day.
Get around
Kiel has a relatively good public transport system based on buses and ferries, both operated by VRK . The taxi service is good, but expensive.
Kiel is very flat, and bicycles can be hired at various places. It is quite an easy day to ride from Kiel to Laboe, catch a ferry to Strande, and cycle back to Kiel.
See
The main tourist attraction is the Kieler Woche ("Kiel Week") at the end of June, the largest sailing event of the world and one of Germany's largest festivals. Apart from the sailing, the entire centre of the town is transformed into an international food and craft fair, with regular big name performers appearing nightly. Due to Kiels proximity to the North Pole, it stays light until well into the evening making for a spectacular event.
Also famous is in Laboe (part of Kiel on the east-side) a submarine from the 2. World War at the shore and the (Navy Memorial) with a high tower.
Kiel is famous for the Nord-Ostsee Kanal, the worlds busiest canal. It is possible to walk or cycle for almost the entire length (99km) directly along the canal from Kiel to Brunsbüttel (estuary of the Elbe, on the North Sea Coast), overnighting in the town of Rendsburg.
Kiel is the home of the German Baltic fleet, and it is common to see all types of german warships and submarines in the "Förde", including the sail training vessel Gorch Fock .
Do
There are two free city-magazine where you can check for things to do. Get a paper copy in a cafe or shop in the begining of the month or check online Ultimo and Station .
Online this one has some more information too: Kiel Magazin .
Buy
A lot of shops are located at the pedestrian zone "Holstenstraße" and in the mall "Sophienhof". There is also a number of good ships and cafes in the old town centre near the "Nikolaikirche" (Nikolai church), and on "Holtenaustraße" near "Dreicksplatz".
Eat
The best ever German/Turkish Doner kebabs can be gotten from the Kieler Hauptbahnhof. For something different, try the "Kartoffel Keller" (Potato cellar), where everything has potato as the theme - the potato pizza is very good. Other good cafes and pubs can be found in the old city centre.
Nice breakfast buffet in the weekend in Cafe Loft next to the water near the "Reventloubrücke".
Drink
Bars
Clubs
Kiel's clubs are spread out all across the city. Although some locals prefer doing the one-hour drive to Hamburg to go out, Kiel has some clubs that are worth being checked out. Make sure you have had a look at the Kiel4Kiel site before going out to get the most accurate information on all nightlive events. Most clubs have a 5 € cover fee.
Emergency A house lounge club close to Kiel's only street considered to be red light district.
Not exactly in the category of clubs are the various parties that take places in different parts of the city. Traditionally on Thursdays between October and April all the big university departments organize Studentenparties on and off campus. Expect somewhat cheap drinks and hundreds of university students dancing to a mix of pop, rock and r'n'b. Sometimes there are even live bands or second dance floors. On the weekends several fancier parties are hosted in unusual locations throughout Kiel. You'll be dancing to house music in a show room of a car dealer or in the terminal of the ferry to Scandinavia. Tickets for these parties can bought in advance which will save you money and time. Check the Kiel4Kiel site to find out where tickets are sold or ask a local student.
When it comes down to live music, Kiel is not the city where you'll be able to see big headliners. If you into that you have to go to Hamburg. Still, you might be able to listen to some decent live music while staying in Kiel. The Halle400, the MAX and the community-operated Pumpe host local and international acts. Surprisingly good German or Scandinavian acts can sometimes be spotted in the Schaubude or the Nachtcafé for very little money. On occasion, some clubs like the Luna host national-recognized DJs. The best place to find out who's playing and to get a ticket is Konzertkasse Streiber close to the Ostseehalle.
The Youth Hostel is close to the Hauptbahnhof. There are a number of moderatly priced hotels in the city centre. For some Olympic history, stay at Olympiazentrum in Schilksee, the sailing athletes village for the 1976 Munich Games. Top end is the Strande Hotel in Strande, or the Kieler-Kauffman just north of the city centre.
This "Travel Guide" section is drawn from the Wikitravel article "Kiel". We hope you will edit and improve it. It is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license.
Pumpe A community-run cultural center showing independant movies, providing room for community projects, concerts, bars and parties. On Thursday night students dance soul, reggae and funk at the FunkPump party.
Luna Located in the Bergstraße this club hostst parties ranging from electronic tunes to Soul/Funk and Ragga. Cover charge might be higher if nationally-recognized DJs operate the turnables.
Max Standard R'n'B, techno club.
Schaubude
Traumgmbh Incorporating a restaurant, an independent movie theater, and a club, the Traumgmbh is likely to offer something that is just right for you. If you're over the age of 30, the Ü30 party is THE party to go to. Watch out! They'll check your ID!
TucholskyBeing by far the most famous club in Kiel, this somewhat battered and shady place is located in a former parking garage. A formerly very popular club among students now hosts a fairly young crowd that dances to pop, rock, r'n'b, techno, punk, and indie on four dance-floors (on the weekends). You can still get a feeling for the old days on Tuesdays at the Tequilla-Party. The Tucholksy has the most diverse crowd, the cheapest drinks and the poorest airconditioning - especially in the summer. Not a clean and neat place but the only option if you feel like partying on Sundays through Wednesdays. No cover on weeknights.
Vinyl The Vinyl is well-known for its Indie and Alternative music parties "Hörsturz" and "KingKongKlub" every first or third Saturday respectively.
Weltruf The interior of the Weltruf is dominated by a ship which has been built inside and cannot be removed.Parties
Live Music
Sleep
Get out