For the best overall look at the city and harbor, go to the Rathaus's 107m (350-ft.), century-old tower, much of which was restored after the devastating bombs of World War II. May to September, guided tours (in English and German) are offered Wednesday at 2pm for 11€ ($18) per person. For a closer view over the harbor, take a stroll along the Hindenburgufer (Hindenburg Embankment), which stretches for 3km (2 miles) along the west side of the fjord, opposite the shipyards. Perches along this embankment are especially favored by spectators during regattas. Call tourist information for additional details.
If you'd like to go to the beach, take a short steamer trip to one of the nearby Baltic towns, such as Laboe, about 15km (10 miles) to the north. Besides the beach, the town's main attraction is the restored World War II submarine U-Boot 995, Strandstrasse 92, Kiel-Laboe (tel. 04343/42700; bus: 100 from the Kiel Hauptbahnhof). April to October, you can tour it every day 9:30am to 7pm (to 5pm Nov-Mar). Admission is 2.50€ ($4) adults, 1.80€ ($2.90) students and children ages 6 to 17.
The open-air Schleswig-Holsteinisches Freilichtmuseum, Alte Hamburger Landstrasse (tel. 0431/659660; www.freilichtmuseum-sh.de; bus: 501 or 502), is in Molfsee, 6km (4 miles) south of Kiel. Farms and rustic country homes, dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, have been assembled here. Craftspeople operate shops while working animals perform their tasks. A half-timbered inn serves tasty lunches. The site is open April to October daily 9am to 5pm, November to March Sundays and holidays 11am to 4pm. Admission is 6€ ($9.60) for adults, 4€ ($6.40) students and children, free for children 5 and under, and 13€ ($21) for a family ticket.
