Kiel
Country: Germany · Region: Baltic · Currency: Euro
Kiel is Germany's capital of Schleswig-Holstein and a major Baltic Sea passenger port at the end of the Kiel Canal. The city offers maritime history, museums, and access to Baltic attractions, though most historic buildings were rebuilt after WWII bombing.
Top sights
U-995 U-boat (Laboe), Marine-Ehrenmal (Navy Memorial), Kiel Canal, Schönberger Strand beach, Tiergehege Tannenberg wildlife area, Gorch Fock training vessel
Things to do
- U-995 U-boat
- The only surviving U-boat from World War II, located at the shore in Laboe.
- Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee Kanal)
- The world's busiest canal, walkable or cyclable for almost its entire 99 km length from Kiel to Brunsbüttel.
- Aquarium Geomar
- Public aquarium featuring local and exotic sea creatures with a free outdoor seal pool and daily feeding times at 10:00 and 14:00.
- Schifffahrtsmuseum (City and Maritime Museum)
- Located in the former fish auction hall built in 1910, featuring Kiel's maritime history and historic ships with free entry.
Beaches
- Schönberger Strand
- Kiel's local seaside resort with about 8 km of sandy beaches and huts selling fresh and smoked fish dishes.
Where to eat
- Schönberger Strand huts
- Huts at the beach selling fresh and smoked fish dishes.
- International Market at Rathausmarkt
- Open-air market during Kieler Woche featuring booths from dozens of countries offering traditional foods and drinks.
Bars and nightlife
- Eggerstedtstraße
- Nightlife venue where entertainment moves to indoor venues after open-air concerts during Kieler Woche.
Forecast for Kiel
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Weather in Kiel by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F | 33°F | 2.8 in | 14 |
| February | 43°F | 33°F | 2.7 in | 12 |
| March | 47°F | 35°F | 2.3 in | 11 |
| April | 53°F | 39°F | 2.1 in | 11 |
| May | 62°F | 46°F | 2.4 in | 11 |
| June | 69°F | 54°F | 2.6 in | 11 |
| July | 70°F | 56°F | 3.2 in | 14 |
| August | 72°F | 57°F | 2.7 in | 12 |
| September | 66°F | 53°F | 2.4 in | 10 |
| October | 57°F | 47°F | 3.0 in | 14 |
| November | 47°F | 39°F | 2.5 in | 14 |
| December | 43°F | 36°F | 2.6 in | 13 |
Getting around
Use the KVG public transport system (buses and ferries) with 1-, 3-, or 7-day tickets, rent bikes from Umsteiger station or Sprottenflotte app, or take taxis and e-scooters.
What to eat
Visit the International Market at Rathausmarkt during Kieler Woche festival (late June) for diverse global cuisines, or try fresh and smoked fish dishes at Schönberger Strand.
Tips
Book accommodations well in advance if visiting during Kieler Woche (late June), as the city transforms into one of Germany's largest festivals with the world's largest sailing event.
Best for
Maritime history, sailing, festivals
More ports in Baltic
Copenhagen · Gdansk (Gdynia) · Helsinki · Skagen · Stockholm · Tallinn · Visby · Warnemunde