Places of interest
Gigantic ferries to Scandinavia, cruise liners from all over the world, shopping malls, Baltic beaches and the cultural scene make the life worth living in the city centre of Kiel.
Through its unique location at Kiel Firth, the capital of Schleswig-Holstein is on the waterfront like no other Baltic metropolis.
- Old Water Tower
- Bootshafen
- Botanical Gardens
- Fördetower
- Franciscan Monastery
- Holstenplatz
- Ministry of Justice
- State Parliament
- Holtenau lighthouse
- Laboe Naval Monument
- Kiel Canal and locks
- Pumping station
- Town Hall
- Castle and castle gardens
- Schrevenpark
- "Gorch Fock" school ship
- St. Nikolai Church
Shopping
As well as the major shopping centres such as Sophienhof and the Querpassage, Karstadt/Holstentörn and CITTI-Park, the city has many other attractive shopping districts. Holstenstraße for example, which isGermany's oldest pedestrianised street and links Holstentörn with the shopping district around the Old Market. The Old Market is also the starting point of Dänische Straße, one of Kiel's most exclusive shopping streets.
Holtenauer Straße, around 10 minutes by foot from the city centre, is also home to many independent shops, cafés and pubs.
Ocean Race
10. August 2025
Seien Sie live dabei, wenn am 10. August die am Ocean Race teilnehmenden IMOCA-Yachten auf ihrer Etappe von Aarhus nach Den Haag vor Kiel in der Innenförde eine Bahnmarke umrunden werden. Vor der Reventloubrücke sollen alle segelnden Raumschiffe zu sehen sein, also quasi direkt vor dem Maritim Hotel vorbeifliegen. Entlang der Kiellinie ist ein umfangreiches Wasser- und Landprogramm mit "Ocean Live Park", Tribünen, musikalischen Live-Acts und Gastro-Meile geplant.
Kiel Boat Harbor Summer
July 18th - August 23rd, 2025
On a floating stage at the boat harbour, visitors are treated to sounds from all musical genres. The varied and colourful programme, peppered with many theme days, is free of charge for the audience! Cooling drinks and delicious food ensure the best atmosphere in between.
Farmers' and regional market
October 3rd - 5th, 2025
Bucolic flair will entice you to Kiel's city centre! From the Sophienhof to the Alter Markt (Old Market Square), local autumnal products such as pumpkins, cabbages and a variety of cheeses are on offer. A generous array of hearty farmhouse and autumnal dishes ensure no one goes hungry. In addition, you can marvel at arts & crafts and the vintage tractors of classic vehicle fans. At the international smiths' gathering on the Old Market Square, people young and old can wield the smiths' hammer themselves and forge their own individual souvenir. After that, the goats in the petting zoo at Gettorf Animal Park on Holstenplatz are looking forward to some TLC from younger visitors.
Kiel Christmas Market
November 24th to December 23rd, 2025
With special maritime charm, the regional capital of Schleswig-Holstein welcomes visitors to the Christmas Market in Kiel city centre, on Asmus-Bremer Platz and in the Old Town. Fans of this season of goodwill are invited to a very special winter stroll through the town, where they can settle down to a peaceful glass of punch and other tasty winter morsels after the pre-Christmas rush.