Kiel Fjord

Kiel Fjord cuts about 17 kilometres from the Baltic Sea into the heart of the state capital Kiel. As one of Germany's best-known sailing areas, it combines maritime big-city atmosphere with sheltered anchorages, wide stretches of water and short distances between harbours. Sailors here find excellent conditions: sufficient water depth, well-marked fairways and a dense chain of marinas and sports harbours on both banks. Once a year, Kiel Week, the world's largest sailing event, turns the area into one big stage.

Arriving from the sea, you reach the fjord between the two striking lighthouses of Bülk and Friedrichsort. On the western outer fjord, the Kommunalhafen Strande invites you to a first stop, and just beyond lies the Olympiahafen Schilksee, venue of the 1972 Olympic sailing regattas. On the eastern side, the marinas around Laboe beckon: the Yachthafen Laboe, the Baltic Bay Marina and, further east, the Marina Wendtorf. In Laboe, a visit to the Naval Memorial and the U 995 submarine, which can be viewed right on the beach, is well worth it.

The further south you go, the more urban the scenery becomes. Along the eastern shore, the Yacht- und Fischereihafen Möltenort, the Wassersport-Vereinigung Mönkeberg and the sports harbours of Wellingdorf and Dietrichsdorf line up one after another. On the western shore, the route passes the sports harbours of Stickenhörn and Wik on the way into the city centre.

In the middle of the city, the Sporthafen Düsternbrook and the Sporthafen Blücherbrücke offer two berths right next to the city centre, museums and restaurants. Those looking for something quieter will find a relaxed berth in the southern tip of the fjord around the Sporthafen Reventlou, the Sporthafen Seeburg and PTSK Segeln. From here it's just a short way to the Kiel Canal, which connects the fjord with the Elbe and the North Sea.