Things to do in Schleswig-Holstein

Experience the maritime atmosphere of Kiel from a different perspective with a 24-hour ticket for the hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus. Marvel at the boats in the port from the open-top bus, and travel to the extreme end of the North Sea-Baltic Canal to visit the former fishing village of Kiel-Holtenau. Look at the many sailboats, ferries and freighters in the Kiel Fjord. Due to the natural seawater harbor, the imposing offshore ferries and cruise ships can be seen directly in the city. An informative and live audio commentary will provide you with information about Kiel's history and monuments, as well as interesting facts about the vibrant city along the way. See the distinctive towers of the shipyards and submarine memorial at Laboe from the eastern shore. Journey through the locks of the Kiel Canal, before driving through the former fishing village of Holtenau. Admire the Holtenauer Lighthouse, and get panoramic views of City Hall Tower in the distance. See the tower of the Kiel Opera House and the ruins of Kiel Castle. Return to the city center to walk among the fountains of Hiroshima Park, and discover a former estuary at the Kleinen Kiel. Route: Stop 1 - Hauptbahnhof Stop 2 - Schwedenkai Stop 3 - Ostseekai  Stop 4 - Reventloubrucke Stop 5 - HerthastraBe Stop 6 - NOK Schleuse Stop 7 - NOK Kanalfahre Stop 8 - RankestraBe  Stop 9 - Holtenauer StraBe

Explore the island of Sylt onboard a comfortable bus and learn about the island on a guided tour. Travel from Trift to stunning locations like the seaside resort area of Braderup, the quaint villages of Keitum and Tinnum, and the lake and mud flats of Rantum. Hop aboard the spacious bus in Trift and relax on the scenic drive to through Wenningstedt to the shifting sand dune area of Kampen. Stop for a short break at the Königshafen restaurant in List. Visit the northernmost Gosch fish shop in List. Continue to the Hörnumer Odde nature preserve where you can purchase a boat trip with an Adler ship and admire the lush Hörnumer Odde preserve. Soak up the local small town charm as you pass through Braderup, Keitum, Munkmarsch, and Tinnum. Head back to your meeting point at the end of the tour.

The German Emigration Center is Europe’s largest and most modern museum on the topic of migration. You can follow the paths of 7 million Europeans who left their homeland via the port of Bremerhaven, in search of a better life in the New World. You can even begin a search for your own ancestors using the museum's state-of-the-art research facilities. Your electronic boarding pass allows you to embark on a journey of 300 years of immigration and emigration history. Each iCard contains the story of an individual who emigrated to the New World. The iCard also activates many audio stations and interactive displays. Equipped with the iCard, you will embark on an unforgettable journey through time and experience the stories of the emigrants firsthand. At the quay, you will meet emigrants from various European countries. Learn about how they experienced an emotional moment of farewell and departure to an unknown country. Together with them you will then board a ship, getting a glimpse of life aboard three eras of passenger shipping, for example, onboard the ocean liner Columbus in 1929. Having arrived at the immigration station on Ellis Island, you now have to undergo an immigration test at the legal desk. With the entry permit in hand, you will continue your journey to Grand Central in New York. Here, you will learn more about the life of the emigrants in the New World. Dive deeper into the history and factors of migration as you experience the various exhibition halls. Once you have completed the journey and learned all about the emigration process, you can embark on a personal search for emigrated ancestors in the Family Research room. This service is free of charge, and a trained assistant will be there to help guide you through your own family's emigration history.

Located directly on the beautiful beaches of the Baltic Sea, experience an exciting journey into the impressive underwater world between the Baltic Sea and tropical waters at SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand. In 12 themed underwater worlds, breath-taking biodiversity with more than 2,500 animals from the exciting depths of the oceans is waiting to be discovered. The journey, which leads through a spectacular glass tunnel among other things, invites all curious sea explorers into the fascinating depths of the ocean – without getting wet. From the North and Baltic Seas to the beautiful coasts of Europe and into the tropical oceans. Marvel at majestic blacktip reef sharks or the impressive green sea turtle and find yourself face to face with impressive rays. Admire smaller animals such as the colourful clownfish, cute seahorses and other dazzling sea creatures. Walk on the soft, muddy ground of the forest, face a boa constrictor or stick your head into the piranha pool. In the Rainforest Adventure area, get closer than ever to the jungle and its inhabitants. Don’t miss our seasonal events this year: Join the pirate crew on their treasure hunt in May and experience Halloween underwater in October!

Take an exciting day trip from to Heligoland, Germany's only island not in the vicinity of the mainland. Over 40 miles off the coast, the island is known for its spectacular red cliffs, upon which sit the white sands of sprawling dunes, surrounded by unspoiled nature. The boat departs from Hamburg early, with the ride lasting approximately 3.5 hours. Zip down the Elbe river and out onto the North Sea on a sleek, ultra-modern catamaran, passing the port of Cuxhaven. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, gazing out across the vast waters from the open-air deck, or from the comfortable cabin. Modern flat screens all over the ship will teach you fun facts about the Elbe, Northern Germany, and the North Sea during the cruise. Arriving on Heligoland, wander the stunning island for approximately 4 hours. Gaze out over the dunes and onto the north sea, before doing some shopping — all tax free because of the island’s duty-free laws. Soak in the idyllic charm of the area, before hopping back on to the comfortable boat for your trip back to Hamburg.

Get to know Bremerhaven on a bus ride through the town and harbor with a live tour guide onboard. Pass by landmarks including markets and museums, and see the bustle of the ports and shipyards up close. Set off from the Schaufenster Fischereihafen (Shop Window Fishery Harbor), a scenic maritime and cultural spot. Head through the city, passing by museums like the German Maritime Museum. Next, ride through the Havenwelten (Harbor Worlds) area to see the port's fascinating harbor operations up close. Admire views of the normally restricted international port area, spot luxury cruise ships and ocean steamboats, and learn about the town's history and culture from the tour guide.

Discover the joy of crossbow shooting with this group archery class in Cuxhaven that is designed for beginner's. Have all the equipment that you need to hit your target and get a certificate for having passed the basic course at the end of your class. Meet your instructor at the activity provider's archery center and receive a safety briefing for shooting. Find out the dangers associated with the sport and learn about its health benefits. Follow your instructor's lead to get set up with the high-quality bracer, bow, and arrows. Shoot a targets that are 10 meters away and learn how many rings that you have shot. Listen as you instructor gives you tips on how to improve your hit pattern. Put your skills to the test with a mini competition to find out who is the best amateur shooter. Take home a certificate marking your crossbow achievements.

"At some point in time, one of the beers brewed in Lubeck was promoted with the exciting slogan: “The Beer That Makes Friends”. Join our local Beer Expert for an exclusive beer tasting tour at the best beer venues in Lubeck’s Old Town to hear fascinating stories about the local history of brewing and drinking customs. The 2-hour beer tasting tour includes a visit at 2 beer venues, such as a local pub, beer garden or brewery. Your Private Guide will carefully choose places with great hospitality and an extensive menu of popular, regional and craft beers. You will try 4 different types of beers, including 2 craft beers brewed at a local brewery. The guide will explain the characteristics of each of the served beverages along with a history lesson about the medieval and contemporary laws that regulate the brewing methods and ingredients, such as Reinheitsgebot purity law. This experience will be a great addition to your holidays, birthday party or a bachelor party. Opt for the 3-hour option to hear more interesting facts and anecdotes about Lubeck’s beer scene. During this walking tour you will visit 2 beer venues in Old Town for a tasting of 6 carefully selected beers. This includes 4 types of locally brewed craft beers so that you can truly feel the passion for brewing in Lubeck. You will also be served traditional German appetizers, such as hot starters and snacks, such as black dried bread that the locals love to pair with beer. Choose the 4-hour food and beer tasting tour to visit 3 places, including 1 restaurant that specializes in traditional German dishes. During this tour you will sample 8 different types of beers and paired food options, including seafood, beef and potato delicacies. Learn about the role that Lubeck’s culinary culture plays in the living styles of local people and discover flavors and aromas that are unique to Northern Germany. "

Look back on almost 800 years of history on a private tour of Kiel with a local guide. Although most buildings from the old days fell victim to the bombings and the fires of the Second World War, there is a lot to see such as the City Hall, the St. Nikolai Church, the Franciscan monastery, and more. Start your tour at the Ostseekai, where your ship is docked, and follow your guide through the huge ferries docked in the city’s Main Harbor before heading toward Kiel’s Old Town, the beating heart of the city. On the main square, find the Rathaus, or City Hall, which has shaped Kiel's image for more than 100 years. Admire this historic building that was built before the first world war. Then, spot the Kieler Hauptkirche, the town's oldest building, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Find out how the structure was damaged during a World War II bombing, and later rebuilt using modern forms and construction, such as concrete columns and ceiling.  Continue to the historic Kiel Franciscan Monastery, where fragments of the former monastery graveyard, parts from the cloister and refectory, and the church tower can still be viewed. Learn about the Franciscan monks who settled in northern Germany in the 1200s. See what once used to be the Kiel Castle, the origins of which go back to the city's foundation at the beginning of the 13th century, when a castle was built on the banks of the fjord. Over the centuries, the building suffered an eventful history before falling into disrepair.  Finally, make your way to Kiel’s old market square, whose reconstruction was realized with glass pavilions and shallow copper roofs to resemble the historic buildings. End the tour here and explore more of the city on your own, or ask your guide to escort you back to your ship. 

Acquire a nice overview of Kiel's culture and sights with an insightful city guide you can download on your Smartphone. Admire the famous views of the harbor and explore the main old town buildings. Learn about the city's history and the major events that have taken place here. Start the activity at any time by opening the link on your smartphone. Gaze at the huge ships and Baltic ferries that have shaped Kiel's image. Pass by the old town's main landmarks, including the venues of political and scientific events of international relevance. Get to know the city in an interactive way and bring along your friends or family. Take part in entertaining tasks at each tour stop and answer interesting questions to learn more about the area.