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Germany
Travel Guide
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".
  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 and 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
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.
 Attractions and
things to do:
- The main tourist attraction is the Kieler
Woche ("Kiel Week") at the end of June. See below for more information.
- Also famous is in Laboe (part of Kiel on
the east-side of the fjord) the only surviving Type VII-C U-boat
from World War 2 at the shore and the "Marine-Ehrenmal"
(Navy Memorial) with a high tower.
- Kiel is famous for the 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.
- 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.
Kieler
Woche
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. Due to Kiel's high latitude nights
in the summer are short. 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 isposted 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.
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