Kiellinie Promenade

From the Jetty to GEOMAR

Anyone walking the Kiellinie usually starts near the Reventlou basin and follows the shore northwards. Along the way you pass the fjord ferry jetties, small boat harbors and finally the GEOMAR Aquarium with its seal pool. The path is paved throughout, level and easily navigable with a pushchair or wheelchair. Benches and drinking fountains line the route. At the northern end you reach the area around the Düsternbrook woodland and the university's research institutions. Depending on your pace, allow around an hour for the whole promenade.

Maritime Spectacle by the Water

The Kiellinie lies right beside the fjord's fairway, so ships of every kind pass within easy reach. In the mornings the large Scandinavia ferries of Color Line and Stena arrive, while sailing yachts, sports boats and the occasional gray navy vessel cross in between. With luck you'll see a cruise ship glide to the Ostseekai. Information boards along the way explain what is happening on the water. The evening hours, with views across the fjord to the eastern shore and Laboe, are especially photogenic. Binoculars are a useful companion for ship-spotters.

Highlight During Kieler Woche

During Kieler Woche in June, the Kiellinie turns into a festival mile several kilometers long. Stalls, stages and stands line the shore, while the international regatta fleet anchors in the water. The otherwise quiet promenade becomes the lively center of the world's largest sailing event. If you prefer it calmer, visit the Kiellinie off-season in spring or autumn, when the maritime atmosphere comes into its own without the crowds. From the main station you can reach the southern start of the promenade in about 15 minutes on foot or by several bus lines.