Bright Baltic light, dunes, and sea breeze—Laboe sits at the mouth of the Kiel Fjord, a pocket-size beach town with big maritime history. Its star attractions are the U-995 submarine and the soaring Naval Memorial, set right on the sands with sweeping views across the water.

Long a getaway for Kiel locals, Laboe blends gentle promenades, strandkorb beach chairs, and family-run cafés with easy ferry hops into the fjord’s working harbors. In summer, the coastline hums with regattas; in June, nearby Kiel hosts Kieler Woche, one of the world’s great sailing festivals.

Expect hearty northern German fare—fresh Fischbrötchen (fish rolls), Matjes herring, and smoked fish—plus a small but lively brewery scene in Kiel. Getting around is simple: regional trains and fjord ferries form a scenic, affordable network. Pack layers; sea breezes can be brisk even in July.

Laboe

Laboe is your base: a curving sandy beach, a pier where kids count jellyfish, and a harbor lined with sailboats and SUP boards. The Marine-Ehrenmal (Naval Memorial) and U-995 museum submarine anchor its story, telling the region’s oceanic past with rare artifacts and an unforgettable climb to the memorial’s lookout.

• Top sights: U-995 Submarine, Naval Memorial, Laboe Beach & Promenade, pier sunset.
• Why stay here: Quiet nights, sunrise walks, easy ferries to Kiel, and lower prices than big cities.
• Good to know: Rent a strandkorb for wind-sheltered beach lounging; bring cash for smaller snack stands.

Where to stay: Browse beachfront apartments and marina-view condos on VRBO Laboe or compare budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses on Hotels.com Laboe. For value, look for places with kitchenettes near the promenade.

Getting there: Fly into Hamburg (HAM), then take a regional train to Kiel and a bus or ferry to Laboe. Search flights to/from Europe with Omio (flights). For trains in Germany, use Omio (trains). Typical time HAM → Kiel Hbf: ~1.5–2 hours; Kiel Hbf → Laboe by bus 100/102: ~35–45 minutes; by fjord ferry: ~1 hour. Expect ~€25–35 for the Hamburg–Kiel train (each way, saver fares possible).

Kiel

Kiel is a working harbor city with student energy, a handsome waterfront promenade (Kiellinie), and superb maritime museums. It’s the place to sample northern beer styles, hop on fjord ferries, and browse casual cafés before a sunset ride back to Laboe.

• Highlights: Schifffahrtsmuseum (Maritime Museum) in the old fish auction hall, Kunsthalle zu Kiel (visual art), Kiellinie harbor walk, and fjord cruises.
• Breweries: Kieler Brauerei pours Rotbier and Pils right by Alter Markt, while lillebräu’s taproom showcases modern German craft styles.

How to reach: From Laboe, take the fjord ferry to Kiel for views and photos (about 60 minutes) or the 100/102 bus (about 40 minutes). For timetables across Europe, check Omio (trains) and Omio (ferries).

Where to stay if you overnight: If you decide to split the stay, compare options on VRBO Kiel or Hotels.com Kiel. Otherwise, return to peaceful Laboe after dinner.

Lübeck

UNESCO-listed Lübeck, the “Queen of the Hanse,” makes an easy, rewarding day trip: red-brick Gothic spires, the iconic twin-towered Holstentor, merchant courtyards, and excellent marzipan. It’s a step into medieval trade history with a modern café scene.

• Don’t miss: Holstentor, St. Mary’s Church, European Hansemuseum, and a slice of marzipan torte at Café Niederegger.
• Brewpub stop: Brauberger zu Lübeck for copper kettles, house lagers, and hearty northern fare.

How to reach: Train from Kiel Hbf to Lübeck Hbf takes ~1–1.25 hours each way. Search and book via Omio (trains).

Berlin (optional day trip)

If you’d like a single big-city day folded into your coastal week, Berlin is doable by early ICE train: world-class museums, history walks, and a relaxing river cruise between landmarks.

How to reach: Kiel Hbf → Berlin Hbf by ICE ~3–3.5 hours each way; advance saver fares often €25–50 one-way. Check Omio (trains).

Day 1: Arrival in Hamburg → Laboe, Seaside Stroll

Afternoon: Land at Hamburg and connect by train to Kiel, then bus or fjord ferry to Laboe. Drop bags at your rental near the beach. For arrival logistics and value fares, browse Omio (flights) and Omio (trains).

Evening: Shake off travel with a sunset walk along the promenade and pier. Dinner on a budget: grab Fischbrötchen (try Matjes or smoked salmon) from harbor stands, or settle in at Fischküche Laboe for pan-fried plaice and potato salad. Nightcap at a beachfront café—think crisp Riesling or an alcohol-free Radler—then early to bed.

Day 2: U-995 Submarine, Naval Memorial, and Beach Time

Morning: Start with coffee and buttered Brötchen at a local bakery (look for Bäckerei Steiskal). Tour the U-995 submarine to see cramped bunks and torpedo tubes; it’s a powerful, well-curated museum. Climb the Naval Memorial tower for far-reaching views of the Baltic and fjord traffic.

Afternoon: Picnic on the sand—pick up fruit and cheese at the village market—and rent a strandkorb for cozy, wind-sheltered lounging. If seas are calm, rent a SUP or kayak from the marina outfitters for a gentle paddle along the shoreline.

Evening: Casual dinner: try a seafood pasta or crispy flammkuchen at a promenade restaurant; ask for a local wheat beer with citrus notes. If there’s a Kurpark bandstand concert (spring–autumn), bring a light blanket and enjoy an hour of live music under the lindens.

Day 3: Ferry to Kiel—Museums, Breweries, and Harbor Promenade

Morning: Sail into the city: take the fjord ferry to Kiel for a scenic hour. Coffee to-go and a short walk lands you at the Schifffahrtsmuseum, where exhibits chart Baltic trade and shipbuilding. Continue along Kiellinie to watch tall ships, pilot boats, and training yachts.

Afternoon: Lunch at Kieler Brauerei near Alter Markt—order the Rotbier and a schnitzel or seasonal fish special. Art lovers: detour to Kunsthalle zu Kiel for contemporary and 19th-century highlights; families might choose the Zoological Museum’s cabinets of curiosities.

Evening: Sample modern German craft at lillebräu’s taproom—expect rotating IPAs, Kellerbier, and alcohol-free options. If there’s a show at cultural center Die Pumpe or the Kiel Opera House, it’s a great value night out; otherwise ferry/bus back to Laboe and end with a gelato along the promenade.

Day 4: Coastal Villages and Memorial at Möltenort + Easy Cycling

Morning: Slow breakfast, then set out on a relaxed ride or bus to Möltenort (Heikendorf) to visit the U-Boat Memorial overlooking the harbor, a quiet counterpart to Laboe’s landmark with moving maritime plaques.

Afternoon: Continue along the fjord by bike or on foot, beach-hopping between little coves. Pause for lunch at a harbor eatery—look for labskaus (beet-colored sailor’s hash) or fried herring with buttery potatoes.

Evening: Back in Laboe, book a short sauna session if available at a local wellness studio, then dinner with a view—grilled fish and a crisp salad. For dessert, try rote Grütze (red berry compote) with vanilla sauce.

Day 5: Lübeck Day Trip—Hanseatic Brick Gothic and Marzipan

Morning: Train from Kiel Hbf to Lübeck (about 1–1.25 hours; see Omio (trains)). Walk through the Holstentor into the UNESCO old town. Climb St. Mary’s Church tower for panorama and peek at the fallen bells, a sober WWII reminder.

Afternoon: Lunch at the historic Schiffergesellschaft—dark wood paneling, ship models, and seasonal fish or pork roast. Then tour the European Hansemuseum to grasp how merchants shaped the Baltic world. Coffee and marzipan torte at Café Niederegger is mandatory.

Evening: Quick pint at Brauberger zu Lübeck (house-brewed lagers in a vaulted hall) before the return train to Kiel and bus/ferry to Laboe. Late bite back in town—currywurst from a stand or a simple fish soup.

Day 6: Choose Your Own Pace—Berlin Culture Day (with Viator) or Lakes and Boats

Option A: Berlin in a Day (long but memorable)

Morning: Early ICE to Berlin Hbf (~3–3.5 hours; book via Omio (trains)). Join a guided walk through the historic core—Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and the Berlin Wall sites—for context and orientation.

Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour

Afternoon: Refuel with a classic currywurst or a döner, then see Berlin from the water on a one-hour river cruise—rest your feet while a guide points out Museum Island, the Cathedral, and sleek government buildings.

Berlin: 1-hr Boat Tour with Bilingual Live Guide (DE/EN)

Evening: Early dinner near Hackescher Markt or Friedrichstraße, then catch an evening train back to Kiel and on to Laboe. It’s a full, rewarding day; plan an easy morning tomorrow.

Option B: Lakes and Boats (ultra-relaxed)

Morning: Train to Plön (about 45–60 minutes from Kiel; check Omio (trains)) for the Holstein Switzerland lake district. Rent a pedal boat or join a small lake cruise around the Plöner See, passing islands and reed beds.

Afternoon: Picnic on the shore; wander to Plön Castle gardens for wide views. Return to Laboe mid-afternoon.

Evening: Dinner back in Laboe—try a seasonal fish plate with dill potatoes—and, if the sky’s clear, stargaze from the pier with a warm cocoa or herbal tea.

Day 7: Easy Morning by the Sea and Departure

Morning: One last barefoot walk at low tide; collect a few photos of the lighthouse silhouettes across the fjord. Brunch at a beach café—scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or a sweet Franzbrötchen pastry.

Afternoon: Check-out and make your way to Kiel Hbf, then Hamburg Airport via regional train. Use Omio (trains) and Omio (flights) for schedules and fares. If time allows, grab one last Fischbrötchen for the road.

Practical Tips for a Relaxing, Budget-Friendly Week

• Budget (35/100): Target €40–60 per person per day excluding lodging: breakfast from bakeries (€4–8), lunch at harbor stands (€8–12), dinner at casual restaurants (€16–25). Ferries/buses are affordable and scenic.
• Tickets: Regional day tickets in Schleswig-Holstein can be great value if you’re riding multiple legs (bus + regional trains). Ask at Kiel Hbf or use Omio (trains) for comparisons.
• Weather: Even in summer, carry a light shell for sea breezes. In shoulder seasons, pack a hat and scarf for evening pier walks.
• Concerts: Check Laboe’s Kurpark schedule in season and Kiel venues like Die Pumpe and Opernhaus Kiel for classical, jazz, and indie nights.
• Boating: SUP/kayak rentals cluster around Laboe’s marina; for cruises, use the fjord ferries for hop-on, hop-off sightseeing.

Where to Eat and Drink—Quick Hits

• Breakfast/Coffee: Bäckerei Steiskal (branches in the region) for strong coffee and fresh Brötchen; beach cafés in Laboe for sea views.
• Lunch: Harbor Fischbrötchen stands in Laboe; in Kiel, casual spots along Kiellinie for Backfisch and fries.
• Dinner: Fischküche Laboe for classic North Sea plates; in Kiel, Kieler Brauerei for Rotbier and pub staples; lillebräu taproom for modern craft styles and food trucks/pop-ups.

Seven days on the Baltic lets you unwind without missing the region’s best stories: U-boats and Hanseatic merchants, ferries and beaches, and foamy pints after salt-air walks. Base yourself in peaceful Laboe, with playful day trips to Kiel and Lübeck—and if you crave capital-city energy, Berlin is one train away.