Things to do in Kiel (Germany)

[ahmar]

Hello folks. Just need some advice on what to do once in Kiel. What are the major attractions of this port? And what about transportation from the port to the city center? Is it doable onfoot? If not, is public transportation available? Thanks.

[plucasana]

The port is right in the city center, if you want to call it that :-)

Kiel is a nice city, without any major attractions IMHO.

 

You could take a stroll shoreside or visit the "Old Townhall" which has a real Paternoster. (Altes Rathaus

24103 Kiel Mitte, Fleethörn 9 - 17, Mo, tue, th, Fr 8:30 - 13:00 Uhr, thursday 14:00 - 16:00 Uhr, wednesday closed)

You can climb the tower (67 m) and have a beautiful view.

There is a round-trip you can do by foot (about 2 hours), if you are interested I could try to translate it for you.

 

Also: there is a cheap ferry (about 2 € each way) you could take to get to "Laboe" where you can visit a submarine museum with a submarine from 1943 (17 €/2 adults).

 

There is a really tiny aquarium near the Ostseekai. (1,60 €)

 

 

There is a shopping center 5 minutes from the port (but it does not compare to US malls).

The old town is really cute, lots of boutique-like shops.

 

This is a video showing the main sights (in german)

 

have fun in germany :-)

[Travelanni]

Hello folks. Just need some advice on what to do once in Kiel. What are the major attractions of this port? And what about transportation from the port to the city center? Is it doable onfoot? If not, is public transportation available? Thanks.

 

 

Hi, Last year friends of mine took the following day out from their ship. Even the ladies loved it!

 

A very nice ferry ride from Kiel towards the Baltic is Laboe, a small, charming seaside town with a nice beach. But the main interest here is the Laboe Naval Memorial . Started in 1927 and completed in 1936 as a monument to the World l war dead of the Kaiserliche Marine.

After Germany's surrender in May 1945, the Marine-Ehrenmal was taken over by the British occupation forces. However, it was not destroyed because, as the British Military Administration stated, the memorial "does not glorify war and the spirit of aggression, but belongs to those whose intention is a personal tribute to the seamen who died for their country.”

In 1954 it was returned to the German Naval Association and rededicated to commemorate the sailors of all nationalities who died during the World Wars.

The monument consists of a 72-metre high tower with an observation deck 85 m above sea level. Underneath is the Hall of Remembrance, a very special place to people of many nationalities (including myself) who lost family at sea during a war.

www.deutscher-marinebund.de/geschichte_me.htm

 

Part of the complex is a naval museum and the grounds feature various artifacts including the World War II-era German Submarine U-955, the only remaining type VII U- boat, which is open to the public.

Traditionally every ship passing the Memorial (and there are dozens every day going to and from the Canal) dips its flag in salute as this is the only memorial in the world to commemorate ALL sailors of ALL nations.

 

However it is by no means a grim place. The setting is beautiful and both the exterior and interior architecture is unusual and interesting. The view from the observation platform is stunning. The little town is very pleasant with a lovely beach, shops,cafes and restaurants. The short walk from the ferry terminal is along the seafront or you can take the 'Baderbahn', a small 'road train' which is certainly not just for the kids.

There is a regular ferry service between the 'Seegarten' pier next to the cruise terminal and Laboe. The ride takes an hour through the sheltered waters of the fijord. Timetables and fares at

www.sfk-kiel.de/en/index.php

If you are interested in shipping and the workings of the Kiel Canal locks, with bus number 11 you can reach the Schleusenstraße where there is a public viewing platform. A free ferry runs continuously across the canal. Near the ferry landing on the opposite side is the Schleusenmuseum (Locks Museum) with the locks, and the Tiessenkai. A short walk away is the Kiel-Holtenau Lighthouse overlooking the fijord, which is not only of historical significance but also a favourite place for weddings. More information and ideas can be found at

http://www.kiel-sailing-city.de/en/s...ound-tour.html

 

Happy cruising, :)

Anni

www.travelanni.webs.com

[ahmar]

Thanks plucasana & Travelanni for the valuable info.

[syesmar]

There is also a beach at Laboe (the closest one to Kiel).