Kiel is a Baltic port city on the Kieler Förde inlet, built around a busy harbour, a shipbuilding tradition and a waterfront that opens onto the fjord. It is also the eastern terminus of the Kiel Canal, and ferries from here connect Germany with Sweden, Norway and Lithuania, so the city works both as a destination in its own right and as a stopover on a longer Baltic trip.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the main train station and the city centre sit at the southern end of the fjord, the waterfront and the Kiellinie run north along the shore, and the outlying districts spread inland and along the coast. This guide covers which areas make sense as a base, what kind of accommodation you find in each, and how the choice changes depending on whether you are here for the centre, the water or a specific event.
Best areas to stay in Kiel
1. City centre
The centre is the most convenient base for a first visit. It holds the largest concentration of moderately priced hotels, and the main train station is within easy reach of most of them, which matters if you are arriving by rail or continuing on by ferry. You will find a mix of mid-range and upper mid-range places here, several of them only a few hundred metres from the station.
This area suits first-time visitors and anyone without a car, since the centre puts you close to the station, the shops and the harbour side. It is also the busiest and most built-up option, so expect city noise rather than quiet.
2. The waterfront and Kiellinie, north of the centre
The shore north of the centre follows the Kiellinie along the fjord, and this is where you find the higher-end accommodation, including places right on the water. Rooms facing the fjord are the reason to choose this area, and it is a short trip from here into the centre.
It suits travellers who want the maritime setting and are willing to pay for it, and it works well for couples or anyone prioritising views over centrality. The trade-off is that you are outside the immediate station and shopping area, so you will rely on walking, cycling or a short ride into town.
3. Schilksee
Schilksee lies out on the coast and is the site of the Olympic sailing competitions held in the Bay of Kiel, with the former athletes' village for the 1972 Games still used for accommodation. Staying here puts you in a quieter, more residential coastal setting rather than in the city.
It suits visitors coming for sailing, regattas or a specific event at the Olympic centre, and anyone who prefers a calmer base. It is not a practical choice if your plans centre on the station and the old town, since you are away from the middle of Kiel.
4. Strande
Strande is a coastal location north of the city and is home to top-end accommodation. Like Schilksee, it is a base for the water rather than for the city centre, and it is best reached with your own transport or by a longer trip along the coast.
It suits travellers on a splurge who want to be by the sea and away from the urban core, including those combining a Kiel stay with time on the surrounding coast. If your itinerary depends on the train station or on being within walking distance of the centre, this is not the area for you.
5. Around the university
There is accommodation close to Kiel University, which is useful if your visit is tied to the university or to the research institutions nearby. This is a functional base rather than a sightseeing one, and it sits away from the harbour and the station.
It suits visiting scholars, academics and anyone with business at the university. For a general holiday, the centre or the waterfront will usually serve you better.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: a youth hostel close to the main train station, and small bed-and-breakfast or guesthouse-style places, some a short walk from the station and some with shared bathrooms.
- Mid-range: the bulk of the city's hotels, mostly in the city centre and within a few hundred metres of the main train station, with a few options near the university.
- Splurge: waterfront and park-side hotels, including properties on the Kiellinie north of the centre and top-end places in the coastal locations outside the city.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the city centre. It has the widest choice of moderately priced hotels, and most are close to the main train station, which keeps arrival, departure and ferry connections simple. You can reach the waterfront and the rest of the city from there without committing to a car.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay if I am arriving by train?
The city centre, where a number of hotels sit within a few hundred metres of the main train station, and the youth hostel is also close to the Hauptbahnhof.
Which area is best for the waterfront?
The Kiellinie, north of the city centre, runs right along the water and has accommodation on the waterfront itself, including rooms with a view of the fjord.
Where can I stay near the university?
There is accommodation very close to Kiel University, which is convenient if you are visiting the university or the research institutions there.
Is it worth staying outside the city centre?
It can be, if you are coming for sailing or a coastal stay. Schilksee, with the Olympic sailing centre, and Strande, with top-end accommodation, are both coastal options away from the centre.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page before you decide.