The sea extends right into the heart of the city. The largest stretch of nature in Kiel is its fjord which is lined with beaches. The maritime view of the city, with its port installations, the huge passenger ferries and the enormous gantry cranes in the shipyard – this is the typical Kiel.

Water is the element of the city. This is apparent in the expanding port, the international marine research, the highly specialised navy or world class water sports. The federal state capital of Schleswig-Holstein is a shipbuilding and naval city which is rich in tradition, with a lively student scene, people who love children and an urbane charm.