Why go
- German city, capital of Schleswig-Holstein.
- Served by Kiel-Holtenau Airport (KEL).
History
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. With a population of around 250,000, it is Germany's largest city on the Baltic Sea. It is located on the Kieler Förde inlet of the Bay of Kiel and lies in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula, at the mouth of the Schwentine River, approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) northeast of Hamburg. The world's busiest artificial waterway, the Kiel Canal, has a terminus in Kiel's Holtenau district. This canal connects the Baltic to the North Sea, with its other end in Brunsbüttel. Most of Kiel is part of Holstein. The boroughs north of the Schwentine also belong to Wagria, while those north of the Kiel Canal are historically part of Southern Schleswig.
Where to stay
Karlstal 14, 24143 Kiel, Germany · foerde-hotel-kiel.de
Kiellinie 70, 24105 Kiel, Germany · hotel-kyc.de
Niemannsweg 102, 24105 Kiel, Germany · kieler-kaufmann.de
Kaistraße 30, 24103 Kiel, Germany · unique-atlantic.de
Martenshofweg 2-8, 24109 Kiel, Germany · hotel-birke.de
Andreas-Gayk-Straße 10, 24103 Kiel, Germany · ihg.com
Martenshofweg 2-8, 24109 Kiel, Germany · hotel-birke.de
Flämische Str. 4, 24103 Kiel, Germany · flaemischer-hof.de
Braunstraße 40, 24145 Kiel, Germany · nordic-avantage-hotel.com
Willestraße 8, 24103 Kiel, Germany · hotel-bb.com
Holstenbrücke 26, 24103 Kiel, Germany · all.accor.com
Fraunhoferstraße 3, 24118 Kiel, Germany · hotel-bb.com
Schönberger Str. 32-34, 24148 Kiel, Germany · am-segelhafen-hotel.com
Kaistraße 70, 24114 Kiel, Germany · hotel-bb.com
Schwentinestraße 2, 24222 Schwentinental, Germany · klausdorfer-hof.de
Walkerdamm 11, 24103 Kiel, Germany · consul-kiel.de
Schützenwall 1-3, 24114 Kiel, Germany · hotel-wiking.com
Kaistraße 54-56, 24114 Kiel, Germany · hrewards.com
Schloßgarten 7, 24103 Kiel, Germany · hrewards.com
Heikendorfer Weg 54, 24149 Kiel, Germany · hotel-kiel.info
Bismarckallee 2, 24105 Kiel, Germany · maritim.de
Königsweg 13, 24103 Kiel, Germany · liegeplatz-13-kiel.premiereclasse.com
Hamburger Ch 2, 24114 Kiel, Germany · kiel.goldentulip.com
Kieler Str. 2, 24119 Kronshagen, Germany · tulip-inn-koenigstein-kiel.goldentulip.com
Langer Segen 5a, 24105 Kiel, Germany · choicehotels.com
Schloßstraße 9, 24103 Kiel, Germany · am-kieler-schloss-kiel.premiereclasse.com
Eckernförder Str. 213-215, 24119 Kronshagen, Germany · marriott.com
Ringstraße 6, 24103 Kiel, Germany · berlinerhof-kiel.de
Kaistraße 80, 24114 Kiel, Germany · hyatt.com
Holstenpl. 1-2, 24103 Kiel, Germany · astor-kiel.campanile.com
Johannesstraße 1, 24143 Kiel, Germany · kiel.jugendherberge.de
Exerzierpl. 5, 24103 Kiel, Germany · hilton.com
Indoor
Indoor
Am Lindenhof 3, 24109 Kiel, Germany
Holstenstraße 61, 24103 Kiel, Germany · novum-hotels.com
Restaurants & places to go
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:15-14:15 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · studentenwerk.sh
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu 14:00-22:00; Su 09:30-18:00; We-Sa 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · 40 Alte… · margaretental.de
German, Fish, Cake, Regional, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-19:00; Fr-Su 09:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating · 24159 · schiffercafe-kiel.de
Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Cafe · Schließzeiten varrieren je nach Plänen der Sportkurse Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa-Su 09:00+ Features: outdoor seating,… · campussuite.de
South American, Cafe · Café mit Kunstverkauf und Open-Mic Opening hours: Mo 15:00-19:30; Tu,Th-Fr 11:00-19:30; Sa 09:30-19:30; Su 09:30-19:00 Features:… · cafealma-kiel.de
Bistro, Cafe · Spielecafé. Opening hours: Tu-Th 17:00-22:00; Fr 17:00-24:00; Sa 14:00-24:00; Su 14:00-22:00; Mo,PH off Features: vegan options, step-free… · yggdrasil.cafe
Regional, Restaurant · Hier wird nach den Prinzipien von Slow Food & Feinheimisch gekocht. Dies bedeutet das regionale Produkte frisch zu bereitet werden.… · hotel-birke.de
Sandwich, Pizza, Cafe · nettes kleines Cafe mit Kuchen, Flammkuchen, Stullen u.ä. Opening hours: Th 15:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-20:00; Su 10:00-17:00 Features:… · gutblockshagen.de
Indian, Restaurant · Indisches Restaurant Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 22 Saarbrückenstraße, Kiel, 24114 · mazala-kiel.de
Ice Cream · Eisdiele & Café Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 · 8 Posadowskystraße, Kiel, 24148 · mondfeeeiscafe.de
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-23:00; Fr 11:30-24:00; Sa 12:00-24:00; Su,PH 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free… · losteria.net
Burger, Escalope, German, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access · 41a Holtenauer… · schweinske.de
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegan options, step-free access · 3 Schleusenstraße, Kiel, 24106 · dominos.de
Persian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegan options · 1 Eichhofstraße, Kiel, 24116 · pars-kiel.de
Fries, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 20 Sophienblatt · pommesfreunde.de
Snacks, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-24:00, Fr 12:00-01:00, Sa 10:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 14 Ziegelteich, Kiel, 24103 · mumdadkiel.de
Cake, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-18:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · 54 Wrangelstraße · cafe-kiel.de
Fish, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 08:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 61a Kiellinie, Kiel, 24105 · mobykiel.de
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-23:00 Features: vegetarian options · 4-6 Willestraße, Kiel, 24103 · block-house.de
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-20:00; Sa 11:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · coco-urbanfood.com
Salad, Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · deananddavid.com
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegan options · 9 Dreiecksplatz, Kiel, 24103 · instagram.com
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-18:00; Sa 06:30-17:00; Su 07:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 2 Dorfstraße, Heikendorf, 24226 · baecker-steiskal.de
Japanese, Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su,PH off Features: takeaway, vegan options, step-free access · 2-8 Holtenauer Straße, Kiel,… · ann-cafe.com
Asian, Sushi, Bowl, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-14:30,17:00-23:00; Sa,Su,PH 13:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 1 Am… · buddhalounge-kiel.eatbu.com
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 5 Jägersberg, Kiel, 24103 · cafe-hilda.de
Chicken, Dutch, Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:30; Fr 11:30-24:00; Sa 12:30-24:00; Su 12:30-22:30 Features: delivery, halal · 59… · derhollaender-kiel-kronshagen.de
Georgian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 17:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access · 139 Holtenauer Straße, 24118 · medea-restaurant.de
Pasta, Italian, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-23:00; Sa-Su 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, vegan options · poi-kiel.de
Turkish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Fr, Sa 09:00-01:00; Mo-Th, Su, PH 09:00-00:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options · 25-27 Sophienblatt · sultans-kiel.de
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00 · 15 Am Dorfplatz, Kiel, 24145 · akropolis-kiel-meimersdorf.de
Kebab, Burger, Turkish, Fries, Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 43 An der Schanze, Kiel, 24159 · alins-doener.de
Chinese, Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:30-21:00 Features: vegetarian options · 282 Westring, Kiel, 24116 · asiaquick.lieferprofi.de
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00,18:00-24:00, Sa 18:00-24:00, Su 16:00-23:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access · 24 Brunswiker… · banmaai.de
Croatian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-15:00,17:30-22:30; Sa,Su 11:30-22:30 Features: takeaway · 100 Boelckestraße, Kiel, 24159 · batos-kiel.de
Brazilian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 17:00+; Sa-Su 09:00+ · 54-56 Kaistraße, Kiel, 24114 · cabanarodizio.de
Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 17:00+; Sa,Su 14:00+; Mo off · 8a Strandweg, Heikendorf, 24226 · xn--fhrhuus-5wa.de
Barbecue, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 10 Holstenplatz, Kiel, 24103 · grill-maxx-kiel.de
Sushi, Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00; Sa,Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 6 Jägersberg, Kiel,… · hoiankiel.de
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-23:30, Fr,Sa 11:30-06:00, PH,Sa 16:00-23:00 Features: vegetarian options · 26 Bergstraße, Kiel, 24103 · konak-kiel.de
Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 17:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 17:30-23:00; Su,Mo off Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, step-free access · 93… · santa-fe.de
Korean, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-20:00; Fr 12:00-22:00; Sa 16:00-22:00; Su 14:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options · 46 Gutenbergstraße,… · seoulbap-kiel.de
French, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-18:00; Sa,Su,PH 07:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · 30 Kaistraße · unique-atlantic.de
Seafood, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-20:30; Fr-Su 11:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access, air conditioning · 51…
Swedish, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-18:30; Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-19:00; Su off Features: takeaway, vegetarian options, step-free access, air…
354 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Kiel-Holtenau Airport (KEL) 6.9 km to the centre
Kiel, SH, DE — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Neumünster Airport (EUM) 30 km to the centre
Neumünster, SH, DE — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Fehmarn-Neujellingsdorf Airfield 65 km to the centre
Fehmarn, SH, DE
Getting there by ferry
Kiel Norwegenkai
Ferry terminal · 0.1 km from the centre · Colorline
Kiel Schwedenkai
Ferry terminal · 0.2 km from the centre · Seehafen Kiel GmbH & Co. KG
Ostseekai
Ferry terminal · 1 km from the centre
Reventlou
Ferry terminal · 1.9 km from the centre
Dietrichsdorf
Ferry terminal · 2.8 km from the centre
Kiel Ostuferhafen
Ferry terminal · 2.8 km from the centre
Schwentinelinie F2
Ferry route · Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel mbH
Fördelinie
Ferry route · SFK
Schwentinetalfahrt
Ferry route
Kanalfähre Kiel-Holtenau
Ferry route · Adler-Schiffe GmbH & Co. KG
Kanalfähre Landwehr
Ferry route · Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt
Göteborg (SE) - Kiel (D)
Ferry route
Kiel (D) – Göteborg (S)
Ferry route · Stena Line
Göteborg - Kiel
Ferry route · Stena Line
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Kiel-Holtenau Airport (KEL); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Kiel Norwegenkai, 0.1 km); routes include Schwentinelinie F2, Fördelinie, Schwentinetalfahrt.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kiel. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Rail operator
National rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach