Discover Kiel – water, art and history

Kiel can be discovered from many different perspectives: the Kiellinie runs alongside the water, fine sand and passing ships shape the view at Falckensteiner Strand, and museums tell stories of art and city history. The Botanical Garden adds another distinctive touch. Walks and cycling along the waterfront sit alongside exhibitions, collections and greenhouses showcasing plants.

Waterfront promenade and beach

The Kiellinie runs right along the water, from Ostseekai to the naval base in Wik. It is a popular place for walking, cycling and relaxing. The waterfront path offers a different perspective on Kiel than Falckensteiner Strand: Kiel’s longest beach, it is known for its fine sand and striking views of cruise ships and ferries passing almost within reach. Comparing the two places, you can choose between a waterfront promenade and a long sandy beach overlooking the ship traffic.

Plant life and art

The Kiel Botanical Garden has a 350-year history. It is open 365 days a year, and admission is free except during certain special events. Opening arrangements may change, so check the latest information before your visit. The display greenhouses recreate habitats from around the world and showcase their characteristic plant species. Visitors can experience the distinctive features of the different climate zones first-hand. History and plant diversity come together here, while the greenhouses draw attention to different habitats and climate zones.

The Kunsthalle zu Kiel sits on elevated ground above Kiel Fjord, next to the Schlossgarten. Its collection focuses on 19th-century art, Expressionism and international contemporary art. It also features outdoor sculptures, including works by Per Kirkeby, extending the exhibition space into the palace park. The collection and outdoor sculptures offer different ways to engage with art: the galleries bring together the collection’s stated areas of focus, while outdoors, art extends into the park.

Buildings and places of remembrance

The Warleberger Hof City Museum is housed in one of Kiel’s oldest buildings: a former aristocratic residence dating from 1616. The historic Fish Hall has been a listed building since 1972 and is included in the City of Kiel’s register of cultural monuments. The Fish Hall Maritime Museum, founded in 1978, underwent extensive renovation in 2014. It offers a comprehensive insight into Kiel’s maritime history, with a focus on the 19th and 20th centuries. Together, the two places offer different historical perspectives: the Warleberger Hof is itself a historic building, while the Maritime Museum focuses on the city’s maritime history.

The Flandernbunker commemorates the Allied air raids on Kiel and the forced labour used in its construction. Exhibitions, guided tours and events explore Kiel’s role as a military base in the past and present. This makes the bunker a place of remembrance that addresses both the history of the building and Kiel’s military role.

Discover more destinations: Kiel, Pries, Schilksee, Schleswig-Flensburg, Lübeck, Herzogtum Lauenburg, Stormarn, Nordfriesland.

Return to the main travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.