Holstein Day Trip Ideas

The Holstein Switzerland stretches from Kiel to Lübeck along the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic coast. The hilly landscape, formed during the last Ice Age, is characterized by fjords and numerous lakes. Much of the area is part of Holstein Switzerland Nature Park.
A visit to the main towns of Lütjenburg, Preetz, Plön, Eutin, Bad Malente-Gremsmühlen and Bad Segeberg is highly recommended, as is an outing to the lakes—for example, a trip across Kellersee Lake on the Weiße Flotte fleet.
Enjoy the fresh sea air at the seaside resorts along Lübeck Bay. A stroll along the promenade is just as appealing as building sandcastles on the beach or taking a refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea. The seaside resorts of Hohwacht, Weißenhäuser Strand, Heiligenhafen, Dahme, Kellenhusen, Grömitz, Neustadt with Pelzerhaken and Rettin, Scharbeutz, Timmendorfer Strand and Travemünde also offer a variety of cultural attractions and sports activities.

Plön Castle
Built of brick during the Thirty Years’ War, Plön Castle has had a white façade since the 19th century. In the mid-18th century, the Renaissance building ceased to serve as the residence of the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Plön and was subsequently used as a summer residence by Danish dukes, a cadet school, a National Political Education Institute and, most recently, a boarding school. In 2002, the Fielmann Academy bought the castle, had it extensively renovated and now uses it as an academy for opticians. Much of the castle is once again open to visitors.

Herrenwyk History Workshop
The permanent exhibition “Life and Work in Herrenwyk,” housed in the former department store of the Lübeck metal smelter, which closed in 1981, presents the living and working conditions of smelter workers in the 1920s and 1930s. Special exhibitions and events on industry, technology, social issues and current affairs round out the History Workshop’s offerings.

Ice Age Museum in Lütjenburg
Northern Germany’s geology was shaped by several ice ages, the last of which ended around 10,000 years ago. The organizers of this “hands-on museum” aim to bring this period to life through practical activities. What does a mammoth molar feel like? What does stinkstone smell like? How heavy is petrified wood? How do you make a spear thrower? The Ice Age was more exciting than you might think!

Lensahn Museum Farm
Around 4,000 exhibits at the 200-year-old Prienfeldhof farm in Lensahn offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of our ancestors, showing how family life, crafts and farming worked back then. Other attractions include a historic well, various muscle-powered machines visitors can try out, a cottage garden with a herb spiral, a nature trail featuring many old fruit tree varieties, pond habitats, a scented and dye garden, an observation tower and a maze. There’s also something for the youngest visitors, with a petting zoo, a small-animal enclosure and a playground.

Arche Noah Zoo in Grömitz
Most of the animals at this approximately 10-hectare wildlife park live in open-air enclosures. Numerous information boards explain where they come from and how they live. Alongside seals, Highland cattle, kangaroos, camels and macaques, there are raccoons, ponies and marmots. Younger visitors can have fun in the petting zoo and on a ride on the little train. A special attraction is the collection of big cats: lynx, puma, tiger and lion. The zoo’s ligers—a cross between a lion and a tiger—are unique in Germany.

Niendorf Bird Park
Niendorf Bird Park is a little gem right on the Baltic Sea. Reeds and ponds define the 70,000 m² grounds, where around two kilometers of paths invite visitors to stroll and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The park is home to approximately 1,300 birds from 350 species. In addition to native birds such as pheasants and other game birds, herons and storks, visitors can also see exotic species, including parrots, pelicans and other marsh and water birds. Particularly impressive is the world’s largest collection of owls of all kinds and from all over the world. Numerous places to sit and a pavilion serving refreshments make it easy to linger.

Hansa-Park Sierksdorf
This family theme park right on the Baltic coast promises an exciting day packed with fun. Rides for all ages alternate with shows featuring variety acts, a water circus and a laser show. The spacious park grounds offer plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind between attractions.

Columbus Park, Weißenhäuser Strand
A fascinating world of water and islands awaits visitors of all ages. The islands can be reached via a suspension bridge or by raft ferry. A stilt village, a fishing village, a lighthouse and a fishing boat invite visitors to explore. You can also take a trip in a rented rowing boat or pedal boat, or simply watch the waterbirds go about their business.

Glassblowing in Bad Malente-Gremsmühlen
The glassblowing workshop has a tradition stretching back more than forty years. Visitors can watch the craftspeople at work as they create their pieces. The molten glass is shaped into everyday items such as vases and bowls, as well as decorative pieces for display cabinets.

Photo: Jörg Noack/pixelio.de

Cismar Monastery & House of Nature

The foundation stone for the monastery complex in Cismar was laid in the 13th century. After Lübeck, the former Benedictine monastery is the second-largest complex in Schleswig-Holstein and is considered a landmark of North German Brick Gothic architecture. Today, much of the complex is an off-site venue of the Schleswig-Holstein State Museum.

Eutin Castle

Today, Eutin Castle serves as a museum. The exhibition showcases life at the princely court over the past centuries. The ship models, a gift from a tsar to the ducal house, are particularly impressive.

Fehmarn Marine Centre

The inhabitants of the Fehmarn Marine Centre, including blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks and giant groupers, are very much alive. The highlight is a walk through the reef tunnel: 400,000 litres of water overhead, with only a—very thick, to be sure—pane of glass separating you from the predators of the sea.

Karl May Games in Bad Segeberg

Fans of Native Americans and cowboys in particular get their money’s worth at the Karl May Games in Bad Segeberg. The show is well worth seeing for everyone else, too. Proud chiefs, cunning bandits, exploding saloons and heartbreak: there is something for everyone, brought to life in authentic style by an outstanding cast.

Lübeck Attractions

With its eventful history, the Hanseatic city of Lübeck has plenty of sights to see. Plan a full day for a visit to explore the charming Old Town with its approximately 1,800 historic buildings, the Holsten Gate, numerous museums and churches, and the promenades along the Trave and Wakenitz. Lübeck’s Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Molfsee Open-Air Museum

Since 1965, northern Germany’s largest open-air museum has taken shape in Molfsee, just southwest of Kiel. More than 70 reconstructed historic buildings from the various regions of Schleswig-Holstein—including farmsteads, watermills and windmills, an old village school, and numerous traditionally designed animal enclosures—offer an engaging insight into regional history across 60 hectares.

Oldenburg Rampart

In the Holstein town of Oldenburg, a rampart up to 18 metres high stretches through the town. The archaeological monument was created by the Slavs in the 7th century AD under the name “Starigard” and served them for several centuries as a settlement and princely seat.

Sights in Travemünde

The Baltic Sea resort of Travemünde is considered the “fairest daughter” of the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. In addition to its promenade, shopping street and beach, it has plenty of sights to offer visitors: the old lighthouse, the four-masted barque “Passat” and Travemünde Week.

Things to See in Kiel

Kiel Fjord, Kiel Week and the Kiel Canal are all associated with Schleswig-Holstein’s state capital. It is precisely the combination of maritime and urban flair that makes this Baltic Sea city such a popular destination for day trips.