Opening CruiseMap…

Kiel

Germany · Port

Photo: Thomas Grams

Ships calling
10ships
Upcoming sailings
149sailings
Average stay
12hours

Known for the Kiel Canal and Kiel Week, the city boasts an important maritime history. Kiel is also a great place to sight-see, do some shopping and take part in one of the many festivals taking place there.

Ports before and after this stop

These ports appear before or after this stop on the same itinerary. The numbers show how often they occur together.

Cruise lines calling here

  • Holland America Line
  • HX Expeditions
  • MSC Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Cruise port in Germany

Kiel

Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 10 hours. 38 places to explore.

Ships calling here
10 ships
Upcoming sailings
149 sailings
Average time in port
About 10 hours
Lowest fare
From USD 325

Photo: Thomas Grams

After disembarking

Cruise ships dock at Kiel cruise terminals. Allow about 10 min each way from the terminal to the city center.

  • 4 cruise terminals

    The assigned dock is one of Ostseekai, Schwedenkai, Ostuferhafen, Norwegenkai and varies by sailing.

  • Schwedenkai·Norwegenkai

    Schwedenkai and Norwegenkai are used particularly for ferries to Göteborg and Oslo, respectively.

  • Ostseekai cruise berths

    Ostseekai has Terminals 27 and 28, so confirm which terminal is assigned to your ship.

About 10 hours in port: where can you go?

Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.

Return travel Time at destination

Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.

Between the terminal, city and airport

Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.

Bus

Hamburg Airport → Kiel Hauptbahnhof / ZOB

Take the Kielius airport coach from the airport to ZOB / Kiel main station, then continue to the actual departure terminal.

WalkAbout 15 min

Kiel Hauptbahnhof → Ostseekai

Walk through the city from the station to Ostseekai, about 1.6 km away.

WalkAbout 15 min

Ostseekai → Kiel Hauptbahnhof

Walk through the city toward Kiel Hauptbahnhof. The port information gives the distance between the station and Ostseekai as about 1.6 km, with a walking time of about 15 minutes.

Bus

Kiel Hauptbahnhof → Ostseekai

From the station, take bus 41 toward Kiel Tannenberg, bus 42 or 61 toward Kiel Rungholtplatz, or bus 62 toward Kiel Woltersweg, and get off at Seegarten Ostseekai.

WalkAbout 10 min

Kiel Hauptbahnhof → Schwedenkai

Walk from the station to Schwedenkai on Kaistraße.

WalkAbout 10 min

Kiel Hauptbahnhof → Norwegenkai

Cross the pedestrian bridge Hörnbrücke opposite the station and walk to Norwegenkai.

WalkAbout 10 min

Norwegenkai → Kiel Hauptbahnhof

From Norwegenkai, cross the pedestrian bridge Hörnbrücke and walk to Kiel Hauptbahnhof. The indicated walking time between the station and terminal is about 10 minutes.

WalkAbout 10 min

Schwedenkai → Kiel Hauptbahnhof

Walk from Schwedenkai toward Kiel Hauptbahnhof. The indicated walking time between the station and terminal is about 10 minutes.

Bus

Kiel Hauptbahnhof → Ostuferhafen

From the station, take bus 11 toward Dietrichsdorf and get off at Grenzstraße, then walk about 15 minutes to the check-in location.

Kiel places to explore

Explore 6 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.

Sights 4Neighborhoods 2
Kiellinie
Neighborhoods

Kiellinie

This signature city promenade follows Kiel Fjord, where you can watch passing ships and yachts on the water.

Aquarium GEOMAR
Sights

Aquarium GEOMAR

This aquarium of the GEOMAR research institute is right beside the Kiellinie promenade. See marine life from the Baltic and tropical seas and watch seals being fed outdoors.

Admission
EUR 3
Hours
Daily 09:00–18:00

The seals are not always in the outdoor pool, so check feeding times before visiting.

Alter Botanischer Garten
Sights

Alter Botanischer Garten

This park near the Kiellinie promenade has walking paths and viewpoints over the fjord.

Hours
Daily 09:00–19:00
Kiel Canal Holtenau Locks
Sights

Kiel Canal Holtenau Locks

A larger lock was installed at Holtenau during the Kiel Canal expansion.

Hours
Daily 24 hours
Kieler Rathausturm
Sights

Kieler Rathausturm

This is a major downtown Kiel landmark. Climb the tower for views over the city and fjord.

Hours
Hours vary by day
View daily hoursMon·Tue ClosedWed 12:20–12:30Thu·Fri ClosedSat 10:50–11:00, 11:35–11:45, 12:20–12:30Sun Closed

Tickets for the town hall tower cannot be bought on site, so buy them online or at the tourist information office in advance.

Alter Markt & St. Nikolai-Kirche
Neighborhoods

Alter Markt & St. Nikolai-Kirche

Alter Markt is the central square in Kiel's old town, with St. Nicholas Church, the city's oldest building, at its center.

Trips nearby

With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.

Lübeck

About 1 hr 20 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr
  • Holstentor
    SightsHolstentor

    This signature Lübeck landmark has red brick and a leaning tower. The interior museum covers the city's trade and defense history.

  • Salzspeicher
    SightsSalzspeicher

    These former riverside warehouses stored salt brought into Lübeck.

  • Europäisches Hansemuseum
    SightsEuropäisches Hansemuseum

    This museum covers the rise, influence, and decline of the Hanseatic League through exhibits and medieval artifacts.

  • Lübecker Gänge und Höfe
    NeighborhoodsLübecker Gänge und Höfe

    These narrow lanes and hidden courtyards are among Lübeck's best-known features. They formed as the city became crowded and more houses were built in gardens, with alleys added for access.

  • Café Niederegger
    Food and cafésCafé Niederegger

    This flagship café for Lübeck's famous marzipan occupies a 3-story building with a shop, café, and a small marzipan museum on the top floor. Visitors can try marzipan cake.

  • Schiffergesellschaft
    Food and cafésSchiffergesellschaft

    This restaurant was formerly a sailors' guildhall and retains maritime objects and long communal tables.

  • Marienkirche
    SightsMarienkirche

    This Gothic church with twin spires is one of the main buildings in Lübeck, the city known for its seven spires.

  • St. Petri
    SightsSt. Petri

    Climb this church tower for views over the old town and river.

Hamburg

About 1 hr 40 min each wayTime at destination About 6 hr 30 minAbout 3 hr 20 min round trip · Check your return margin
  • Elbphilharmonie
    SightsElbphilharmonie

    This concert hall stands above an old warehouse. Visitors can look over the city from its public Plaza observation area.

  • Speicherstadt
    NeighborhoodsSpeicherstadt

    This UNESCO World Heritage district in Hamburg has red-brick warehouses and canals.

  • Chilehaus
    SightsChilehaus

    This building is considered a leading example of 1920s Expressionist architecture and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

  • Reeperbahn
    NeighborhoodsReeperbahn

    This street is lined with bars, clubs, small theaters, and theaters, with neon signs lit at night.

  • Miniatur Wunderland
    SightsMiniatur Wunderland

    This miniature attraction is included on a list of Hamburg's main sights.

  • Hauptkirche St. Michaelis
    SightsHauptkirche St. Michaelis

    This signature Baroque church in Hamburg has an observation deck 106 m high with views across the city.

  • HafenCity
    NeighborhoodsHafenCity

    This district combines industrial sites and modern buildings on land that was formerly part of the free port.

  • Hamburger Rathaus
    SightsHamburger Rathaus

    This building on Rathausmarkt square is where Hamburg's Parliament and Senate meet.

  • Kontorhausviertel
    NeighborhoodsKontorhausviertel

    This architectural and historic district is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Speicherstadt.

  • Planten un Blomen
    SightsPlanten un Blomen

    This park is popular with Hamburg residents relaxing beside the lake and also has a Japanese teahouse.

  • Alter Elbtunnel
    SightsAlter Elbtunnel

    This tunnel beneath the Elbe connects downtown and the harbor and is still used by pedestrians and cyclists.

  • St.-Pauli-Landungsbrücken
    NeighborhoodsSt.-Pauli-Landungsbrücken

    This floating pontoon landing offers views of activity in Hamburg Harbor.

  • Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg
    SightsInternationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg

    This museum in the former Kaispeicher B warehouse covers maritime history across different eras through ship models, paintings, and other exhibits.

  • Kaffeemuseum Burg
    Food and cafésKaffeemuseum Burg

    This place features old coffee-related items, coffee tastings, and souvenirs.

  • Grüner Bunker
    SightsGrüner Bunker

    This former bunker has been expanded and planted with greenery. Its public rooftop garden offers views of Elbphilharmonie and the harbor.

  • Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei
    Food and cafésSpeicherstadt Kaffeerösterei

    This coffee roastery and café is at Kehrwieder 5 in the Speicherstadt warehouse district.

  • Altes Mädchen
    Food and cafésAltes Mädchen

    This brewhouse restaurant of Ratsherrn Brewery serves craft beer and regional food.

  • Café Paris
    Food and cafésCafé Paris

    This long-established Hamburg café near City Hall has Art Nouveau decor and serves breakfast with eggs, bread, cheese, and more.

  • Erika’s Eck
    Food and cafésErika’s Eck

    This restaurant draws regulars, taxi drivers, and tourists and serves home-style food, including generous schnitzel.

  • Fischereihafen Restaurant
    Food and cafésFischereihafen Restaurant

    This restaurant focuses on fish dishes, from traditional eel soup, Labskaus, trout, and lobster to modern options such as sashimi and shrimp dishes.

  • Underdocks
    Food and cafésUnderdocks

    This fish restaurant features salmon tacos, fried fish balls, and pulled salmon.

  • Binnenalster und Jungfernstieg
    NeighborhoodsBinnenalster und Jungfernstieg

    Jungfernstieg is a promenade on the Binnenalster. Visitors can watch boats from the lakeside steps.

  • Hamburg harbour boat tour
    ActivitiesHamburg harbour boat tour

    This activity offers views of Hamburg Harbor and its ships from the water.

  • Brücke 10
    Food and cafésBrücke 10

    This bistro on the Landungsbrücken pier sells Fischbrötchen, Hamburg's fish sandwich.

Cruises calling at Kiel

149 sailings are grouped into 81 cruises by ship and route.

81 cruises call at this port.

About Kiel

Known for the Kiel Canal and Kiel Week, the city boasts an important maritime history. Kiel is also a great place to sight-see, do some shopping and take part in one of the many festivals taking place there.

Cruise lines calling here: 6 places

Holland America LineHX ExpeditionsMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LinePrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises

Need help choosing a cruise calling at Kiel?

Tell us your travel dates, party size and budget to find suitable cruises calling here.

CruiseMap

Explore cruise ships, sailings, and port destinations.

Go to TravelersMap

Some booking links are affiliate links. TravelersMap may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.

TravelersMap

With the slogan “Better world, better travel,” TravelersMap creates travel experiences that benefit local communities, the environment, and travelers alike. “Travelers Make an Amazing Planet” is the story TravelersMap wants to tell.

Contact

  • Room 305, 33 Wausan-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
  • [email protected]
  • 02-2068-2799
  • Customer service hours

    Weekdays 09:00 - 18:00

    Lunch break 12:00 - 13:00

    Closed: Sat, Sun, public holidays

CertificationSocial enterpriseSocial enterprise

TravelersMap | E-commerce registration 제2023-서울마포-3867호 | Tourism registration 서울마포 제2023-000098호

Business guarantee insurance KRW 60,000,000 coverage

Bank account: Woori Bank 1005-602-658711 (주)트래블러스맵

© 2026 TravelersMap. All rights reserved.