Baltic Sea hotspots: Kiel-Schilksee – The spirit of the Olympics on the fjord
Jill Grigoleit
· 21.06.2026
The heart of German sailing still beats today in the very place where Olympic medals were once awarded. Kiel-Schilksee is far more than just a suburb of the state capital: the Olympic Centre, situated at the mouth of the Kiel Fjord, combines international regattas, a modern marina and fine-sandy Baltic Sea beaches.
- Name: Kiel-Schilksee
- Location: North-west of Kiel, at the mouth of the Kiel Fjord where it meets the Baltic Sea
- Position: 54°26.0' N, 10°10.3' E
A highlight for sailors – Kiel Week
Anyone talking about Schilksee cannot fail to mention Kiel Week. The Olympic Centre hosted the sailing competitions at the 1972 Olympic Games and remains to this day the sailing hub of the world’s largest sailing event. Every year, professionals, young sailors and cruising crews from all over the world gather here to compete against one another on the regatta courses off the fjord. With dinghies, foiling boats, offshore yachts and Olympic classes all taking part, there’s a hive of activity on the water, whilst on land spectators watch the races from the promenade. The Olympic Centre serves as the regatta harbour, event centre and meeting place for the international sailing community.
Even outside Kiel Week, Schilksee remains one of Germany’s leading sailing destinations. Numerous World and European Championships, as well as training camps organised by the German Sailing Association, are held here regularly. Schilksee is also an excellent starting point for sailing trips to Denmark, into Eckernförde Bay or along the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea coast.
For visiting boaters
The Schilksee Olympic Harbour is one of the best-known marinas on the German Baltic Sea coast. It has around 870 berths, modern sanitary facilities, boat outfitters, a sail-making workshop and restaurants (e.g. El Seagull Poop and Goldfisch Schilkseer fish rolls) and shopping facilities ensure that cruising sailors are well catered for. Water depths are generally between three and four metres.
Anyone wishing to call at the harbour will benefit from its location right on the Baltic Sea. Approaching the harbour is straightforward. During the day, when approaching from the sea, you head towards the terraced houses, which serve as a good landmark. Please note: The two entrances are only visible at a very late stage; do not confuse them with the stone embankments south of the harbour! At night, the illuminated entrances are clearly visible. Until the entrances can be made out, head towards the Strander Bay lighthouse in the white sector.
During Kiel Week, moorings are allocated exclusively to regatta participants!
More things to discover in Kiel
Right next to the harbour lie the wide sandy beaches of Schilksee and Strande. The Schilksee promenade is the perfect place for a stroll and offers superb views of yachts coming and going, as well as the large ferries on their way through the Kiel Fjord. Kiel city centre is just a few minutes’ walk away. There you’ll find the Kiellinie, the historic harbour area and numerous restaurants and museums. In the Maritime Museum In the former fish market, for example, Kiel’s history as a port city, a centre for the navy and shipbuilding, and a hub for sailing is showcased.
The surrounding countryside beckons with cycle paths across the Dänischer Wohld, small coastal villages and wide Baltic Sea beaches. The maritime life along the fjord can be observed in a particularly relaxed atmosphere at the harbour in neighbouring Strande. From the viewing platform of the Bülk lighthouse, there is a wonderful view across the fjord.
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Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
