Curator’s statement
I fell in love with Kiel as a pre-cruise stop and my kids and I loved wandering the city’s cobblestone streets and waterfront views. Kiel’s walkability meant we could easily discover hidden cafés and shops while soaking in the authentic German atmosphere. My kids actually enjoyed exploring the town almost as much as they were looking forward to the cruise. What truly made our experience seamless was the convenient location of the train station to our hotel and the quick, efficient bus service to the Port of Kiel — allowing us to enjoy the city right up until embarkation without any travel stress.
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Where to stay in Kiel
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Things to do in Kiel
Rathaus Tower Tour - Observation Deck - Port of Kiel View
Rathaus (Town Hall) Tower Tour — A guided tower tour of the historic Rathaus (City Hall) and visit the tower's observation deck to see panoramic views of the city.
Botanic Gardens Kiel — These gardens are part of Kiel University and are a perfect stop for those that have a love of plants and exploring nature, a must for a peaceful afternoon.
Maritime Museum Kiel (Schifffahrtsmuseum)- a museum of Kiel's maritime history that includes exhibits on naval history, shipbuilding and how the port has impacted Kiel's culture over the years.
A Kiel Fjord Cruise — See the city from the water with a cruise that provides great views of the naval memorial at Laboe, the submarine U-995 and the active shipyards.
Aquarium GEOMAR - Children love exploring this fascinating marine research aquarium with local Baltic Sea creatures and tropical fish displays. 6. Kiel Week (Kieler Woche)- If you're planning a summer visit, try to coincide with Kiel Week, the world's largest sailing event and summer festival.
Places to eat & drink in Kiel
Kiel Hot Dog Stand - Wurstbuden
Wirtshaus, Kiel — This is our favorite German restaurant in Kiel — a genuinely popular spot with locals and visitors alike. Wirsthaus Kiel offers traditional German cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of a classic German dining experience. Their menu features hearty regional specialties and authentic German beers. If you’re looking for a sweet after-dinner drink, I really enjoyed the Hefeweizen-Banane (wheat beer with banana flavor), something I knew I couldn’t get back home.
Kiel's Wurstbuden After a busy morning exploring, we decided to try one of the city's beloved hot dog stands (Wurstbuden). We stopped at one of the locations along the harbor promenade and near the main shopping streets. Each stand has its specialties, but we enjoyed a traditional bratwurst with mustard and the kids had to grab a pretzel to share. These stands offer an affordable, quick dining option!
BLOCK HOUSE, Kiel — is a well-established German steakhouse chain known for its high-quality beef. This is a great option for visitors looking for meal options like steak, burgers or salads in a comfortable atmosphere.
Gosch Sylt — Being a coastal city, Kiel excels in seafood, and Gosch Sylt represents the best of this tradition. Specializing in North Sea and Baltic catches prepared simply to highlight their natural flavors, this is a perfect lunch spot after a harbor walk.
Café Fiedler — is a traditional German patisserie known for handcrafted cakes and pastries, specifically their Black Forest cake. A must-try and perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Bootshaus 1862 - an upscale restaurant with indoor and outdoor terrace seating right at the water's edge, Bootshaus 1862 is perfect for a romantic dinner with a view. Key menu items include tuna tartare, deer veal, Wagyu-short ribs and Norwegian Arctic Cod filets.
Espresso House — If you're looking for a nice coffee or tea on the go, and want to try something other than Starbucks in Germany, this cafe chain played an important role in our energy levels up until the day we arrived from the US. Jet lag had nothing on us!
Need to know
Walkability: Kiel is navigable on foot and most major attractions are concentrated in a compact area. The waterfront promenade stretches for several kilometers and offers beautiful views that connect many of the city's highlights. Even in inclement weather, the city center's pedestrian zones make shopping and sightseeing convenient.
Shopping Convenience: Forgot something at home? The TK Maxx, yes, very similar to our beloved TJ Maxx in central Kiel is perfectly situated for travelers to pick up any essentials or clothing items they may have left behind. As a mom of 3 packing for a Nordic cruise, yes, I in fact, forgot to pack myself a coat. TK Maxx to the rescue!
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Germany page.
Travel Advisor
Kelsi Ertman
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