Should I Visit Kiel Germany?
Should you visit Kiel Germany – You know if you have seen any of my blogs – the answer is Absolutely!
Are there Things to Do Near Cruise Port?
YES! Kiel is a super easy cruise port to navigate. You can easily walk to shopping, casino, food, museums, promenade and aquarium.
Shopping
If you are at the cruise terminal and look out to the left – you will see a large brick building. Just behind that building begins the shopping area.
There are small boutique shops as well as a shopping mall. Believe it or not you will even find a TK Maxx. Yes that is not a typo – instead of a TJ Maxx- you get a TK Maxx.
For European shopping I understand it is considered inexpensive to shop in Kiel however, as an American I thought the prices were high. So maybe I wont be shopping in Europe too often.
Museums
There are several museums from the cruise port that are a very easy walk.
Pharmaceutical Museum
There is a Pharmaceutical museum. must of the displays are meant to be read. If you do not know German – then this museum is not for you. If you know German – then go for it!
Zoological Museum
This museum was great even though everything was in German, there were plenty of things to look at. Primarily the skeletons of different animals or the taxidermy animals.
I actually learned a bit with just looking at the exhibits.
Promendade
The promenade is right there at the cruise terminal. Just turn right and walk down the sidewalk of the waterfront.
Unlike other cruise port areas – this waterfront is super cute! There are tons of sailboats. You could spend time just observing the different boats in the port.
If you keep walking – on the right hand side will be an area roped off where you can go for a swim. Note, there is no sandy beach area. You have to climb down steps into the water.
If you are not interested in going for a swim but just want to chill, then checkout the little eateries, or the public seating areas on the left side of the walkway.
Here is one of my favorites – The promenade area has a handful of these – but get out to the beaches and there are a ton of them. These are just too cute!
Aquarium
This is still in the walkable items to do in Kiel.
Who doesn’t like an aquarium. It was only a few Euros to get into the aquarium. It is a small aquarium by the standards of the US Aquariums. But none the less this was a fun place to see the multiple fish living in the local area.
Outside you can enjoy seeing the seals – without even paying an entrance fee, for you frugal minded cruisers.
Once you walk thru the door of the aquarium you have several tanks to observe. One tank houses a lot of sea urchins, and star fish. My favorite in here was definitely the little sting ray. Checkout the short video on my favorite! https://youtu.be/BLSVNQ-a8sw
Access to Transportation
From Kiel you can easily access Lübeck or Hamburg by train. The train station was about a 15 minute walk from the cruise terminal.
Hop On / Off Bus Tour
There is a hop on/off bus available in Kiel at the time of our visit it had seven stops.
Eating
If you read my blogs you will notice I don’t typically comment on food. Well to be honest, I am very picky eater – so if I decide to comment – it is probably a really COOL place or really GOOD food!
While in Kiel we were able to visit two places to eat. Both places were walkable from the cruise terminal.
The first one was near the shopping area and was called “Restaurant Negresco” which severed German cuisine.
Well if you are in Germany you should eat German food. We had no idea of what we were ordering the menu was all in German. The lovely lady that took our ordered try to explain what it was but she only spoke a little English.
The dishes were wonderful. My dish ended up being Grilled pork loin with a fried potato and broccoli. My husband had a fried pork loin with a mushroom gravy sauce. Not too bad without knowing the language.
I would definitely go back – the food and service was perfect!
The second stop we made was off the promenade.
This place caught my eye based on the uniqueness of the location. It is on a Gaff Schooner tied to the pier. http://www.freedom-kiel.de
What a great place – it was a fun location, and relaxing while you ate your desert and watched the waves. checkout my short video of the place: https://youtube.com/shorts/70B5Pkvyz9M?feature=share
Laboe Naval Memorial
This has a Submarine U-995 at the bottom of the Memorial. You can view this at a distance as you travel into / and out of Kiel on the Kiel Fjord.
In the same area you will see this memorial and this beautiful beach area.
Final Tips
Taking a Cruise to Europe is typically a once in a lifetime cruise for most travelers. Therefore, don’t miss out –
Book Excursions Early
If you are able to do more than one excursion in port – go for it!
Maximize your experience – Find sailings that offer the maximum amount of time in a port of call.
Be Prepared to Pay higher dollars for Excursions.
If you cannot afford to pay for excursions – that is OK, there is plenty to see by walking these cruise ports.
Don’t let finances stop you from making this a destination.
Hopefully You Have All the Info you need to Know for your Cruise to Kiel, Germany!
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