A pearl on the Baltic Sea: Founded in the 13th century as Holstenstadt tom Kyle, the modern-day capital of the northernmost of Germany’s 16 federal states needed nearly 700 years to become a major city. Today Kiel ranks among Germany’s 30 largest cities and is now referred to fondly by the locals as the "main capital village".

Kiel lies like a horseshoe around a natural harbor, the Kiel Fjord, and is also the end point of the Kiel Canal. Linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, this canal is the most heavily-trafficked, man-made waterway in the world.

Among other things, Kiel is known for having hosted the summer Olympic Games’ sailing events on several occasions and for the annual Kiel Week, an international sailing event and folk festival with visitors numbering in the millions. Kiel also has the THW Kiel handball team, the second division football team KSV Holstein Kiel and a culinary specialty known as a "Kieler Sprat" – although that actually originates in nearby Eckernförde!

The shipyards, the port with its ferry lines servicing the Scandinavian and Baltic regions and Vossloh Rolling Stock are important for the city economically. The city has three colleges and is also dubbed the "Bicycle City" – not least because of its popular cycling routes. Kiel is located in a temperate climate zone, so temperatures are comparatively mild both in summer and winter. All the beautiful beaches and the seaside promenades attract a lot of tourists every year.

5 reasons to choose Kiel:

• Lies right on the coast
• High air quality
• Attractive surroundings with high-quality leisure time options
• Close to Denmark and Hamburg
• Ferry links to various neighboring countries on the Baltic Sea