IBIS Styles Kiel

Kiel

Kiel has plenty to offer all year round. In summer, the city and harbour are really lively and there are great opportunities for swimming. In winter, the city hosts one of northern Germany's most popular Christmas markets, transforming the town square into a fairytale Christmas village. And at other times of the year, it's a great place for sightseeing, with everything from the 2. World War II history to the beautiful botanical gardens. Located on the Kielerfjord, Germany's largest ferry port is in Kiel, where maritime atmosphere and city life combine beautifully. Kiel is also one of the most popular shopping cities on the Baltic Sea with plenty of exciting boutiques. Take a stroll through the Old Town, where you can see St Nicholas' Church on Alter Markt with Ernst Barlach's figure of the Geistkämpfer. It's also worth visiting the Maritime Museum, housed in an old fish hall, and seeing the historic ships in the Museum Harbour.

St. Nicholas Church Kiel

The beautiful Evangelical St. Nikolai Church stands on the Alter Markt in Kiel and is the city's main church and oldest surviving building. The church is particularly famous for its stunningly beautiful interior with its ornate winged altar and huge main organ.

On 22 May 1944 the church was heavily damaged in an Allied air raid. In 1950, the damaged parts of the church were rebuilt with more modern forms, structures and materials, as witnessed by the concrete columns and cement ceiling. In 1986 further renovations were carried out to the interior of the church.

Kiel Zoological Museum

Find a cheap family holiday to Schleswig-Holstein, and be sure to visit Kiel. Find child-friendly hotels at Risskov and decide how far south you want to go. One of the 'little' gems the city hides is the Kiel Zoological Museum. It is one of Germany's oldest natural history museums and houses unique collections of high scientific and cultural value. In fact, it dates back to the 1600s, but it was during the 1800s that it really developed into one of the most important zoological research institutes in Germany. Go on a car holiday in Germany and start with Schleswig-Holstein, which lends itself glitteringly to an adventure-filled self-drive holiday and set course for Kiel.

Botanical Garden Kiel

Kiel in northern Germany is certainly not a city to be underestimated, packed with history, an exciting harbour and perfect for a self-drive holiday in northern Germany. Take a family holiday to the area and find a cheap, child-friendly hotel with Risskov. Kiel's large beautiful botanical garden surrounds Christian Albrecht University. The garden has seven greenhouses, with all kinds of exciting and exotic plants, divided into climatic themes. At certain times of the year, you may also be lucky enough to see butterflies. Find cheap mini breaks and child-friendly hotels in the area at Risskov and enjoy a family holiday together in the exciting northern German city of Kiel.

Tannenberg animal enclosure

Tiergehege Tannenberg is a lovely nature area of about 40 hectares located at the Baltic Sea Canal north of Kiel. The beautiful area is characterised by large forests and meadows and small idyllic streams and ponds and is home to a wonderful wildlife with many different species, such as Scottish Highland oxen, wild boar, rams, deer and fallow deer. The harmless animals roam freely in the area, while the dangerous ones are in large fenced areas.

Golf & Country Club Uhlenhorst

If you like golf, visit the beautiful course of Golf and Landclub Uhlenhorst, located just 12 km north of Kiel. Here you can try your hand at a well laid-out par 72 championship course in the beautiful Schleswig-Holstein countryside. There is also a 9-hole course where the short game can be adjusted. The courses are open all year round.

War Cemetery Kiel

Kiel War Cemetery is located as part of Kiel's largest cemetery, the 16-hectare beautiful Nordfriedhof dating from 1878, located northwest of Kiel Altstadt. The war cemetery was added in 1952 in accordance with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) building regulations. The graves include many different soldiers of various ranks and the memorial plaques of high-ranking naval officers underline the importance of Kiel as a naval base.

Laboe Naval Memorial

Go on a car holiday in Germany and find a cheap hotel for the whole family with Risskov. There are plenty of opportunities for an active holiday too, with great walks. So take a self-drive holiday south and visit the Laboe Naval Memorial near

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. It is a 72-metre high monument, originally built to commemorate the fallen of the Imperial Navy during World War I. The construction of the huge memorial was built between 1927 and 1936. In 1954, the dedication was changed to include all naval and naval personnel of all nationalities who fell during the World Wars. Find a cheap self-drive holiday with Risskov and set off on a journey of discovery in Schleswig-Holstein.

Submarine U 995

U-Boot U 995 is the only German submarine, from 2. World War, you still have the opportunity to get inside and see. Here you will get a unique insight into the life of the crew on board. The U-boat, which was active during WW2. It was turned into a museum in 1972 and has since welcomed more than 12.5 million visitors. Stop by and discover the history, and also see the Laboe Naval Memorial, located a short distance from the submarine.

Bordesholm

Go on a cheap summer holiday south to Bordesholm, located in Schleswig-Holstein between Kiel and Neumünster. The surroundings of the town are characterised by forest, water and green meadows. The town lies on Lake Bordesholm, around which there is an excellent 6 km walking trail where you can relax along the way with a cup of coffee or a mug of beer.

The main symbol of Bordesholm's coat of arms is a large lime tree. This lime tree is 675 years old, 7 metres in diameter and stands in front of the monastery church in town, which is certainly worth a visit. The church has a beautiful altarpiece, a fine crucifix and a beautiful pulpit.

Bordesholm is also an ideal cycling area. There is very little traffic noise and space to enjoy the countryside. It is recommended to visit the town's tourist information office, where you can get a map of the area. In many places in the countryside you will come across cosy farm shops selling local produce. Find a cheap weekend break for the whole family and enjoy a family holiday with child-friendly hotels and plenty of experiences.

Christmas market in Kiel

20th November to 22nd December 2025

Thu - Sat: 11:00 – 21:00 

Sun - Wed: 11:00 – 20:00 - Please note that dates and opening hours may vary. You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information.

Kiel's annual Christmas markets are inspired by the city's surroundings and history as a maritime coastal town, and are extremely popular with Danish Christmas tourists. The short distance and the city's immense charm and beauty make Kiel an obvious choice for a convenient self-drive holiday with a mini break or a weekend break during Christmas. The city hosts four different Christmas markets, which light up the squares and streets with lots of stalls, music, fun and delicious Christmas treats.

A Christmas tree forest of 3,000m² with some 500 trees is erected on the large town hall square, which, together with the many colourful huts, creates a fairytale Christmas village. Here you will find crafts, delicacies, mulled wine and food huts and much more. Taste this year's exclusive mulled wine, created by the Anselmann winery from the Palatinate wine region in collaboration with the organisers. This mulled wine is based on one exquisite grape variety and can't be found anywhere else - not even at the other markets in town!

At Holstensplatz, the many stalls create an intimate atmosphere where you can buy woollen clothes, amber jewellery and local culinary delights. This Christmas market has existed since 1973 and in 2018 presented a completely new design with new stalls and a new and creative lighting concept.

You can also visit the Altenmarkt Christmas Market in the Old Town around St. Nikolai Church, which has its own Alpine-inspired Christmas atmosphere and traditional punch and food stalls.

Between the markets on the Town Hall Square and Holstenplatz, you'll find the beautiful market on Asmus-Bremer-Platz. Here, the 12.5-metre high, 4-storey Christmas pyramid adorns the square. The inspiration comes from the Erzgebirge and together with the sweet angels, the baby Jesus and the holy three kings, it helps to set the atmosphere of the cosy square.

From mid-November, the annual Kiel Ice Festival is also held, where ice skating and fun can be had in style.

Risskov has a large selection of hotels and accommodation in Kiel and the surrounding area, so you can find just what suits you. Go on a cheap car holiday in Northern Germany this Christmas and experience Kiel's many magical Christmas markets.