Kiel Week

Kieler Woche began in 1882 when twenty yachts raced on the fjord, and it has grown into what is generally described as the largest sailing event in the world, with several thousand boats and around four thousand sailors from many countries competing across classes over nine days in late June. Onshore it is also one of the largest summer festivals in northern Europe, drawing around three million visitors to concerts, markets and the harbour. The Windjammerparade brings tall ships, including large sail training vessels, down the fjord in a single procession on one day, which is the event most people come to see.

What you actually see

• The regatta - thousands of boats racing on the fjord across classes.
• The Windjammerparade - tall ships in procession down the fjord on one day.
• The shore festival - concerts and markets along the harbour front.
• The scale - around three million visitors over nine days.

When to go

Late June, over nine days ending on the last Sunday of the month. Accommodation across the region books out and prices rise sharply.

Honest expectations

Accommodation is scarce and expensive during the week. The shore programme is a large festival crowd rather than a sailing event. Weather can be poor.

Nearby

Laboe's naval memorial lies at the fjord mouth; Holstein Switzerland is south.