Schleswig

A thousand-year-old city on the Schlei fjord. The UNESCO-listed Viking site of Haithabu and the Danevirke earthworks tell the story of the Vikings, and Gottorf Castle and the cathedral each hold treasures.

Schleswig lies in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, in Germany's far north, at the innermost end of the Schlei fjord. It is one of the oldest cities in northern Germany and was long a border stronghold between Denmark and the German lands. It gave the region its name. The main sights fall into three areas. South of the city are the UNESCO World Heritage Haithabu Viking Museum and the Danevirke earthworks, which tell the story of Viking trade and border defense from the 8th to the 11th century. West of the city, on an island in the Schlei, stands Gottorf Castle, home to the State Museum of Art and Archaeology, a Baroque garden and the Gottorf Globe. The old town has St. Peter's Cathedral, the Holm fishing village and St. John's Abbey, making it ideal for half a day of walking.

In summer, boat cruises run on the Schlei, and you can drive to the downstream towns of Kappeln and Arnis, or to the Dutch-style small town of Friedrichstadt in the southwest.

Getting there: from Hamburg, the train takes about 1.5 hours; from Kiel, about 50 minutes. The train station is in the south of the city, and it takes about 25 minutes by bus or on foot to reach the old town and Gottorf Castle. A stay of 1 to 2 days is recommended. The boat cruises and the open-air Viking houses at Haithabu run from May to September, making it the liveliest period, especially in July and August. In winter, the museums remain open, but outdoor activities are reduced, and some museums close on Mondays.

Top sights

• Viking Museum Haithabu – The heart of the Haithabu–Danevirke World Heritage Site. The museum displays Viking longship remains and has reconstructed Viking trading t…
• Danevirke – A Viking-age defensive earthwork across the Jutland Peninsula, listed as a World Heritage Site together with Haithabu, with a small museum.
• Schleswig Cathedral (St. Peter) – A Gothic brick cathedral in Schleswig's old town, housing the famous Bordesholm Altar from northern Germany.
• Gottorf Castle – A ducal castle on an island in the Schlei that houses the Schleswig-Holstein State Museums, famous for its giant Gottorf Globe.
• Holm Fishing Quarter – A fishing settlement on the east side of the old town, with colorful cottages surrounding a central churchyard. It is Schleswig's most phot…
• Schlei Boat Trip – Boat trips from Schleswig's city harbor along the 40-plus-kilometer Schlei, passing Haithabu, small fishing villages, and reed-lined shores.
• St. John's Convent – A 12th-century Benedictine convent beside Holm, with well-preserved cloisters and Romanesque church. Noblewomen still live in its community…
• Kappeln & Herring Fence – A harbor town near the mouth of the Schlei, home to what is said to be Europe's last traditional herring fence. Its bascule bridge and old…
• Arnis – Germany's smallest 'town' by population, on a peninsula in the Schlei. A single street lined with linden trees leads to a boatyard and chur…
• Friedrichstadt – A canal town built by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. Its stepped gables and canal boat tours make it feel like a corner of the Netherl…

Where to eat

• Zur Schleimöwe Fish Restaurant – A fish restaurant in the old fishing village of Holm, serving Schlei fish for over two decades in generous portions.
• Odins Haithabu Inn – A historic inn by the Schlei, next to the Haithabu Viking site, with its own bakery and smokehouse and Viking pizza.

Itineraries

• North Sea to Baltic Coast Loop: 14-Day Self-Drive Itinerary – Embark on a road trip from Hamburg around the North Sea and Baltic Sea, covering Sylt, Viking heritage sites, and Rügen…
• Schleswig-Holstein Lakes & Viking Heritage: 7-Day Railway Itinerary – Take the train from Lübeck through the lake district and Kiel to Schleswig, exploring the Baltic Sea and Viking heritag…