Schleswig-Holstein

About Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein sits on the narrow neck of the Jutland peninsula, with the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east, separated by the Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal), one of the world's busiest artificial waterways. The North Frisian Islands, including Sylt, Fohr, and Amrum, rise from the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea on the west coast, while the Baltic side offers sandy resort towns such as Timmendorfer Strand and Travemunde. Inland, the Holstein Switzerland region around Ploen and Eutin is dotted with glacial lakes and beech forests. The UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Lubeck, the former Viking trading post of Haithabu near Schleswig, and Gottorf Castle add centuries of maritime and royal history, while Kiel's annual Kiel Week is the world's largest sailing event.

Capital

Kiel

Largest city

Kiel

Population

~2.96 million

Languages

German, Danish (regional minority language), North Frisian (regional minority language), Low German (Plattdeutsch)

Currency

Euro

Time zone

CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)

Explore Schleswig-Holstein by topic

Jump straight to the experience you're planning.

• Attractions
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Budget
• Transportation
• Safety
• Culture
• Weather
• Nightlife
• Shopping
• Beaches
• Hiking
• History
• Photography
• Food Tours
• Day Trips
• Family
• Luxury
• Adventure
• Wellness

Best places to visit in Schleswig-Holstein

The 26 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.

Holstentor

European Hansemuseum

Buddenbrookhaus

Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church Lubeck)

Lubeck Old Town (Altstadt UNESCO Site)

Museum Ship Passat

Recommended itineraries

Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.

Where to stay in Schleswig-Holstein

Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.

Where to eat in Schleswig-Holstein

Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.

Getting around Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein stretches between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea at the base of the Jutland peninsula, and getting around blends fast regional trains, an extensive rural bus network, and ferries to its North Frisian islands. Deutsche Bahn regional trains link Hamburg with Luebeck, Kiel, Flensburg, Husum, and Niebuell, while NAH.SH coordinates ticketing and bus connections into the countryside. Sylt is reached from the mainland by the Autozug/Sylt Shuttle car train from Niebuell (no public road links the island) or by passenger ferry to the smaller islands of Foehr and Amrum from Dagebuell. Kiel is a major ferry hub with overnight services to Oslo and Gothenburg. A rental car is the most flexible way to explore Holstein Switzerland's lakes and the rural coastline, though it is unnecessary in compact old towns like Luebeck and Flensburg.

Budget breakdown

Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.

Best time to visit Schleswig-Holstein

May-June and September for mild weather and fewer crowds

Essential travel tips

• Buy a Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket for unlimited regional train and bus travel across the state in a single day
• Book Sylt accommodation and the car train months ahead for July and August travel
• Try Labskaus and fresh Kieler Sprotten (smoked sprats) at a harbourside fish stand
• Pack layers and rain gear regardless of season, since coastal weather shifts quickly

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path corners most travellers miss.

Safety information

Frequently asked questions

Explore Schleswig-Holstein by city

The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.