A university town, naval base, important harbour and Germany's largest passenger port, Kiel offers the perfect blend of maritime lifestyle, urban charm, culture and history. It is also one of the most popular places to shop in the Baltic region. At the heart of the town, Kiel Firth and its beaches provide the venue for the spectacular Kiel Week regatta, the famous annual sailing event and public festival.

From the 67-metre-high tower of the town hall in the centre of Kiel, you can enjoy views of the firth and the town, including the Hindenburgufer promenade, ministerial buildings, Kiel Institute for World Economics and the marina, as well as the Hörn bridge, a miracle of technology right in the town centre. Or simply stand by the harbourside and soak up the nautical atmosphere.

The Maritime Museum documents Kiel's maritime history, while the Warleberger Hof municipal museum focuses on themes relating to the town and its cultural history. During Kiel's Museum Night the museums and galleries in the town centre stay open until late into the evening, offering a programme of cultural events.