Water is the source of Kiel’s identity. Founded on the protected firth in the middle ages, expanding to a maritime location with the navy and shipyards and successfully achieving international recognition through the Kieler Woche, to this day, water remains the definitive element for the northern Land Capital Kiel.

Needless to say, this is even more the case during the Kieler Woche. Sailors in uniform have always been an integral part of the image of this international festival. The navy is not only indispensable for the or-ganisation of the festival week, but is also a host of international calib-re. Destroyers, frigates, corvettes, high-speed launches and mines-weepers from all over the world will be mooring in Kiel’s Tirpitz Harbour for the great meeting of fleets.

Welcome on board: “Open ship” during Kieler Woche

They also provide an opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes: sailors will be welcoming visitors on board during the first weekend of Kieler Woche in the course of “Open ship”. The ships can also be admired from dry land on a daily basis in the navy base. The legendary navy cutter regattas in the inner-firth will see 900 sailors in 30 boats pitting their talents against each other, with numerous Schleswig Holstein crews also taking part.

Kieler Woche also offers a multitude of other ships: over one hundred gaff riggers and topsail schooners, barquentines, brigantines, brigs, barques and full-riggers from a host of nations traditionally drop anchor in the city on the firth for the last full week of June. Everyday, they set sail with paying guests on board, visit the regatta courses in Schilksee and offer a traditional seafaring experience. In the season between spring and October, the Firth of Kiel is also a destination for luxurious cruise ships as well as traditional boats and tall ships. They set out from the Land Capital of Schleswig Holstein heading out towards the North Cape or on an extensive Baltic turn. On the tour schedules of the sailing ships, Kieler Woche has long been an established destination.

A magnificent sight: 100 traditional ships in the windjammer parade

If not only for the fact that, on the second Saturday of the Kieler Woche, a special programme highlight always takes place: this is the day that the traditional sailing ships gather in the inner-firth for the great windjammer parade. This spectacle is also always a magnet for tens of thousands of spectators, who gather along the inner-firth to watch this grand event.

Kiel also ranks among the leaders when it comes to science and the sea, marine research having been afforded an important place here for more than 300 years. What began with Samuel Reyhers’ modest experiments to find out the salt content of the Baltic Sea, has developed into a highly-complex and prestigious branch of science.  The institutes for marine research and seabed research amalgamated into the Leibnitz Institute for Marine Sciences, which provides interesting insights into the world of research with tours and presentations during every Kieler Woche.

This too is Kiel:
a place where all children have the opportunity to learn how to sail

Children have taken to the water in Kiel within the framework of a unique project. In KIEL.SAILING CITY, all school children should have at least one chance to try their hand at sailing.  The opportunity to do just that is provided by the Segel-Camp 24|sieben (Sailing Camp 24|seven) on the Kiellinie (Kiel line), from where, over the last few years, many thousands of youngsters have already tasted the sea air and put their hand to sheet and tiller.

However, Kiel does not only offer places on sailing boats to the younger generation; sailing turns and incomparable experiences on the Kiel Fjord are possible, not just during Kieler Woche, but the whole year round. Tour tips and further information for an unforgettable stay on the firth is available from the Kiel tourist information office.