Kiel is the capital city of the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. This populous town is located around 56 miles north of Hamburg, on the south-western coastline of the Baltic Sea and is one of the country's major maritime centers. Kiel is known for its international sailing competitions, including the yearly 'Kiel Week', the largest sailing event in the world. Across Europe, the city is also recognized for having one of the best Handball teams, THW Kiel. Visitors to this town will find much to see and explore and will not be disappointed with the range of Kiel hotels, providing comfort and relaxation on every budget level.
The most popular tourist attraction in Kiel, aside from the sailing events, is the Kieler Woche festival. This festival, held towards the end of June, is one of the largest in Germany and sees the town transformed in its entirety into a food and crafts fair, with regular celebrity performances. Visitors at this time must book their Kiel hotels well in advance and be aware that major parts of the town become inaccessible to vehicles. During the festival, there are plenty of daytime activities to entertain the kids and open-air concerts for all the family to enjoy. Festival entertainment goes on late into the night, with entertainment moving to indoor venues after 11pm. Along the streets are an abundance of places to eat and drink and the International Market on the Rathausmarkt market square is also a popular food venue, with vendors offering food and drink from different countries.
A famous tourist site in the city is the location of the submarine Type VII-C U-boat, the only remaining of its kind from the Second World War. The boat is in Laboe, on the east-side of the town's fjord. A navy memorial 'Marine Ehrenmal' with a tall tower can also be seen at Laboe. Laboe is a popular beach resort for tourists in the summer, as are Kiel-Strande, Moltenort and Kiel-Schilksee beaches.
For those that like to walk or cycle, the Nord-Ostsee Kanal presents a challenge! The canal is the busiest in the world and it's actually possible to traverse the entire 61 mile length on foot or bike, from Kiel to Brunsbuttel. Travelers can stop off overnight at the in-between town of Rendsburg.
The city boasts a large variety of museums, including geological, historical, zoological, industrial, military and fine art. One of the most notable venues is the Stadtmuseum in Warleberger Hof, displaying exhibits across many centuries.
In addition to the city's wartime history, the current-day German Baltic Fleet can also commonly be seen at their home location in the fjord. German warships, submarines and the training vessel, Gorch Fock, make a unique and impressive sight for tourists.
The shopping districts in Kiel are considered a major attraction. The Sophienhof and Citti-Park malls and the pedestrianized Holstenstrabe are large retail areas. The old town center has numerous shops and cafes near the Nikolaikirche church, the oldest building in the city. Outdoor shopping is available at Holtenauer Strabe with high-end stores and cafes.
Kiel hotels offer guests a huge array of cuisine, to cater for all tastes and every family member. When out and about, Garips Imbiss is considered to serve the best ever German Doner kebabs, for those that enjoy casual eating experiences. This venue is located on the corner of Worthstrasse and Metzstrasse. Food courts in the shopping malls and cafes and pubs around the old city center also offer a selection of eateries. Many cafes serve a good breakfast buffet, for those looking to fill up early the day. For something a little unusual, visitors should try the Potato Cellar 'Kartoffel Keller', where everything served contains potato in one form or another!
The city has a good nightlife, with a range of venues. The club Traumgmbh is popular with all ages and incorporates an independent movie theater and restaurant in addition to the club itself.
When looking for Kiel hotels, the town boasts an exceptional choice of venues and facilities. Guests will find hotels with expansive grounds and gardens, some over-looking the city's fjord. Individually designed rooms are available with Satellite TV, Wi-Fi access and further modern amenities. Guests can take advantage of saunas and Turkish baths, fitness centers, spas and wellness centers, cycling, swimming pools and luxurious places to dine, offering worldwide and regional German cuisine. Meeting and banquet facilities are available for those traveling on business or wishing to hold a function.
Kiel is a city with much to see and do, offering activities, entertainment and quality hotel venues to suit everyone.
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