Kiel Cruise Port Guide
Where you arrive. What's outside. What to do. And why you might not need a bus.
Where you arrive. What's outside. What to do. And why you might not need a bus.
Most Baltic cruises stop in Kiel for a day. Most passengers arrive knowing very little about the place. This guide covers the practical basics — and what's actually worth doing.
Kiel's main cruise terminal is Ostseekai, right on the western edge of the Kiel Fjord. It's a large, modern terminal with baggage facilities, toilets, and tourist information. Most ships dock here, though some larger vessels use Schwedenkai, a short walk away.
From Ostseekai, the city centre is about 10–15 minutes on foot along the waterfront. You don't need a taxi. You don't need a bus. You walk out of the terminal and turn right.
Step outside and you're already standing beside a harbour that helped shape German naval history. To your left, the Kiel shipyard — where the Imperial German Navy was built, and where submarines are still produced today. Straight ahead, the waterfront path leading into the city. Somewhere near the entrance, a New Zealander holding a sign.
Kirk Wilson runs a free walking tour that starts directly outside the terminal. He arrives at least 15 minutes early and waits for anyone who wants to come. No booking required, though it's worth confirming your date in advance.
Kirk starts at the Ostseekai terminal. Aquavit toast included. About 1.5–2 hours, ending in the old town with a brewery nearby.
Book the free tourKiel's city centre is compact and easy to navigate on foot. From Ostseekai, you can walk to:
A blue line painted on the ground runs from the terminal through the city. Follow it and you won't get lost. Follow it back and you'll find the ship.
Most cruise lines offer excursions to Hamburg (about 90 minutes by bus each way) or Lübeck (about 60 minutes). These are popular because they're well-known cities. They are also, inconveniently, not Kiel.
If you've never been to Hamburg or Lübeck, they're worth visiting on a trip specifically designed for that purpose. But spending 3 hours of your one day in Kiel on a bus means arriving somewhere else tired, rushing around for 90 minutes, and getting back on the bus. Kirk — a New Zealander who's been here for years — has a different suggestion.
Kirk's GPS audio tour starts right outside the terminal. Download it before you dock. Works offline. $9.99.
Get the audio tourCurrency: Euro. Most places accept cards but it's worth having a small amount of cash for fish rolls and beer.
Language: German, but English is widely spoken especially in the waterfront area. Kirk's tours are in English.
Weather: Kiel is on the coast and the weather is unpredictable. Kirk's tours run rain or shine. Bring a jacket.
Getting back: The blue line on the pavement leads back to the terminal. It's a 10–15 minute walk from the old town.