Schleswig-Holstein, Federated state in northern Germany
Schleswig-Holstein is a federated state at the northernmost edge of Germany, reaching from the North Sea westward to the Baltic Sea eastward. The landscape includes flat marshlands near the western shore, gentle rolling hills inland, and numerous islands plus coastal towns shaped by maritime life and trade.
The area was disputed between Danish and German rule for centuries until the war of 1864 brought it under Prussian control. The current form emerged in 1946 when British occupation authorities combined the Prussian province with Holstein.
Rural areas and the islands keep Low German alive, especially among older generations who use it in markets and cafes. The Danish and Frisian minorities maintain their languages through schools, newspapers and community gatherings that visitors can sometimes observe in the northernmost towns.
Kiel, the state capital, sits about ninety minutes north of Hamburg by train and serves as a departure point for ferries to Scandinavia. The canal connecting both seas can be crossed or observed from the shore at several spots where large cargo vessels pass through daily.
Twice a day the sea along the western coast withdraws for kilometers, exposing the seabed and letting people walk between islands on foot. These mudflat walks require a local guide because fog, currents and the returning tide can become dangerous quickly.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
