Kiel
Kiel is the capital city of the 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 tall cranes dominate the eastern shore of the Förde (fjord).
The bombing destroyed almost all historic buildings in Kiel; even the older looking buildings were built after WW2. So, if you come to the "Kieler Schloss" (Kieler Castle) don't be disappointed. There isn't much left of the original building. During the rebuilding after WW2, mostly modern architecture was used.
Get in
By boat
Kiel serves as the German ferry terminus for the ferries to Oslo, Norway with Color Lines and Gothenburg, Sweden with Stena Lines.
By train
Kiel Hauptbahnhof is located directly adjacent to the main bus terminal and across the road from the central shopping district. Kiel is connected to the DB rail system with regular RE and IC services to Hamburg and beyond. Transfers can be made in Flensburg or Lübeck 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. A comfortable bus operates daily from Germany's capital, Berlin, to Kiel via Lübeck and vice versa (6 hours). Further bus operators serve domestic routes
By plane
Kiel has its own airport (KEL IATA) in "Holtenau" (north-west). Planes of the size of a BAe 146 can take off and land. Charter flights leave for other Scandinavian 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 Wizz Air operates some low-cost flights to limited destinations in Central and Eastern Europe each day. Copenhagen is also reasonably close.
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
- 1 Type VII-C U-boat (at the shore in Laboe (part of Kiel on the east-side of the fjord)). the only surviving from World War 2
- Marine-Ehrenmal (Navy Memorial). with a high tower
- Nord-Ostsee Kanal (Kiel Canal). the world's 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), staying overnight in the town of Rendsburg.
- Gorch Fock. 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 training sailing vessel Gorch Fock
- museen am meer. Cultural diversity is offered. Eight of Kiel’s museums aim to make use of their common potential, offered not only by their special location right on the edge of Kiel Fjord, but above all by their long scientific tradition. All museums of the association are reachable within an hour simply by taking an stroll around Kiel city centre. The following museums are part of the museen am meer association:
- Antikensammlung (Collection of Classical Antiquities). Face to face with antiquity: collection of Greek vases as well as casts of important Roman and Greek sculptures unique to Schleswig-Holstein.
- Aquarium GEOMAR. From Baltic Sea herring to tropical seahorse: local and exotic sea creatures presented in aquariums that simulate their natural habitats, outdoor seal pool and public feeding of the seals.
- Kunsthalle zu Kiel (Museum of Fine Arts). Art from the Dürer era through to the present day: permanent collection spanning all artistic genres, including works by Repin, Nolde and Richter, as well as special exhibitions on specific topics and artists.
- Medizin- & Pharmaziehistorische Sammlung (Museum of Medical & Pharmaceutical History). Insight into the history of medicine and pharmaceuticals: exhibition of historic instruments, collection of pathology specimens, interior of an old pharmacy and a doctor’s office.
- 2 Schifffahrtsmuseum (City and Maritime Museum), Wall 65. In the former fish auction hall, built in 1910: permanent exhibition on Kiel’s maritime history, pier with historic ships.
- Stadtgalerie Kiel (Kiel Municipal Gallery of Contemporary Arts). New contemporary art: exhibitions of regional and international contemporary art, art from the Baltic Sea region, permanent exhibition of the works of the Expressionist artist Heinrich Ehmsen.
- Stadtmuseum Warleberger Hof (City and Maritime Museum). Traces of Kiel history: permanent exhibition on the early history of the city and exhibitions on social and cultural history.
- Zoologisches Museu (Zoological Museum Kiel). Experience marine and evolutionary research at first hand: exciting display on the subject of marine science and research, Germany’s most extensive exhibition of whale species, presentation of the origins of zoology in Kiel.
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Aquarium GEOMAR -
Museum of Fine Arts -
Museum of Medical & Pharmaceutical History -
City and Maritime Museum -
City and Maritime Museum -
Zoological Museum Kiel
Do
There are two free monthly magazines listing activities and events. Paper copies of both Station and Ultimo can be found in most cafes. Online information is available via Kiel Magazin and Fördeflüsterer.
Kieler Woche
- The main tourist attraction is the Kieler Woche ("Kiel Week") at the end of June.
Besides being world's largest sailing event the Kieler Woche is one of Germany's largest festivals. Apart from the sailing, the entire center of the town is transformed into an international food and craft fair, with regular big name performers appearing nightly. If you intend to visit Kiel during this time book your hotel well ahead and bear in mind that the waterfront and major parts of downtown will be inaccessible for cars.
Information on events is posted all over town and through a free magazine which will be distributed about a month before the event. Events include entertainment for kids during daytime throughout the entire week and lots of open air concerts. Most concerts end around 11PM and nightlife moves to indoor venues as well as the Eggerstedtstrasse.
Aside from an abundance of food and drink outlets along the streets the International Market on the Rathausmarkt is the place to go for food and drink. A few dozen countries operate booths on the open-air market offering food and drinks from the particular countries. The Kieler Nachrichten newspaper runs a special about food on the market in its Saturday edition. If you cannot decide from the endless choices head over to the Scandinavian area or to wherever crowds are gathering.
Sports
- THW Kiel (Handball), Euopaplatz 1, ☏ +49 431 98 210 226. One of the most successful Handball clubs if Germany, Kiel is also among the top addresses for the sport throughout Europe. They are the reigning (2014/2015) German champion and hold the record for most national championships at 20 standing tickets from 14.50€ seated tickets from 18€ to 50€.
Buy
A variety of shops are located in the pedestrian zone Holstenstraße and the mall Sophienhof. Another relatively big mall is the Citti-Park from where you can also access the huge Ikea shop. Numerous cafes are located in the old town center at the northern tip of the Holstenstraße near the "Nikolaikirche" (Nikolai church). An outdoor shopping area is the busy Holtenauer Straße with lots of cafes and more upscale stores towards the south end near the Dreiecksplatz.
Eat
There are convenient food courts in Kieler Hauptbahnhof (train station) and the shopping mall across from the train station (Sophienhof).
- Garips Imbiss (corner of the Metzstrasse and Wörthstrasse(off of the Westring)). The best ever German/Turkish Döner kebabs
- Kartoffel Keller (Potato cellar). For something different, where everything has potato as the theme - the potato pizza is very good.
- Cafe Louf (next to the water near the "Reventloubrücke".). Nice breakfast buffet on the weekend
Other good cafes and pubs can be found in the old city centre.
Drink
Cafes and Pubs
- Subrosa, Elisabethstr. 25 (situated in Kiel-Gaarden). is Kiel's alternative pub and bistro
- Unrat, Spichernstr. 2 (to enter from Metzstr.). is the place for Kiel's students to talk philosophy, drink a cheap beer or listen to some live band.
- Prinz Willy, Lutherstrasse 9. is a "creative" Café that offers live-music, arts, poetry and much more
- Exlex, Ziegelteich 14 (Right in the middle of Kiel). is the number one meeting point for students and young folks downtown.
- Blauer Enge (at the quai by the central station.). A convenient café / bar / nightclub with a nice view and outdoor serving.
- Cafe Medusa, Medusastr. 16 (is situated in a backyard in Kiel's multicultural district Gaarden on the east coast of the Kiel Fjord.). It hosts live-music and readings.
Bars
- Chaplin's, Waisenhofstraße. Piano player and cocktails.
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 site Fördeflüsterer before going out to get the most accurate information on all night live events. Most clubs have a 5 € cover fee.
- Pumpe. A community-run cultural center showing independent movies, providing room for community projects, concerts, bars and parties. On Thursday night students dance soul, reggae and funk at the FunkPump party.
- Luna, Bergstraße. this club hosts parties ranging from electronic tunes to Soul/Funk and Ragga. Cover charge might be higher if nationally-recognized DJs operate the turntables.
- 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!
- Tucholsky. Being 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 Tequila-Party. The Tucholksy has the most diverse crowd, the cheapest drinks and the poorest air-conditioning - 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.
- Weltruf. The interior of the Weltruf is dominated by a ship which has been built inside and cannot be removed.
Parties
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.
Live Music
When it comes down to live music, Kiel is not the city where you'll be able to see big headliners. If you're into that you'll 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.
Sleep
The Youth Hostel is close to the Hauptbahnhof. There are a number of moderately priced hotels in the city centre. For some Olympic history, stay at Olympiazentrum in Schilksee, the sailing athletes village for the 1972 Munich Games. Top end is the Strande Hotel in Strande, or the Kieler-Kauffman just north of the city centre.
Budget
- Peanuts Hostel. Harriesstraße 2, 24114 Kiel
- Bekpek. Kronshagener Weg 130 a, 24118 Kiel
- Kieler Zimmer. Bed & Breakfast, 550 m from Central Station, 24114 Kiel (max. for 3 persons, shared bath with shower)
Mid-Range
- Nordic Hotel Astor. In the city center, close to main train station and ferry connections. Singles from 60E, doubles 80E. Rooms have 70ties charm but are clean. Bar on highest floor has a great view of the city.
Splurge
- Steigenberger Hotel Conti-Hansa. Located between the historic parts of Kiel and the F&oouml;rde. Rates around 115E.
- Birke - Ringhotel Kiel. A few minutes away from city center by car. Good service and amenities. Parking spaces available.
- Hotel Kieler Yacht Club. Right on the waterfront, north of the city center. Ask for a room with a view of the fjord.
- Youth Experiences.
- Romantik Hotel Kieler Kaufmann. Classic location in the middle of an extensive park area. House with an unique atmosphere. Parking spaces available.
Connect
Internet Access
- The local Internet Service Provider TNG operates free wireless access points in the downtown area. Access will be blocked after-hours. A list of locations is available on the TNG Spot website (German).
- Commercial WiFi based access can be found throughout most parts of Kiel provided by various operators. Most will not allow you to use your international roaming plan like iPass, though.
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