Rendsburg-Eckernförde: Discover the coast, nature and culture

The district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde brings together the Baltic Sea coast, nature park landscapes and cultural discoveries. Its Baltic Sea coastline stretches for a total of 55 kilometers; Eckernförde has a four-kilometer-long white sandy beach. At the same time, lakes, hiking trails and protected habitats shape the region. When planning your vacation, it is therefore worth first deciding whether the beach, nature experiences or culture should be the main focus.

Coast and nature park landscapes

In Eckernförde, the white sandy beach is one of the highlights by the sea. Those interested in wildlife and plant life will find four nature parks in the district. Much of their area consists of nature reserves and protected landscapes, providing habitats for a diverse range of wildlife and plants. The Dosenmoor is also a habitat with distinctive flora and fauna. Kingfishers live along the banks of the Eider in Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park.

Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park is characterized by numerous lake complexes in the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands. It includes Westensee, which covers around 7 km² and is a popular destination for day trips. Another landmark is the 98-meter-high Aschberg: in good weather, the panoramic views extend to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel. The canal is also a defining feature of the region: around 70 kilometers, or two-thirds of the Kiel Canal, run through the district.

Hiking and cycling

There are options for different kinds of hiking vacations: the Nature Park Hiking Trail is 180 kilometers long and passes through the district’s four nature parks. The E1 European long-distance path, marked throughout with a white St. Andrew’s cross, runs through the Hüttener Berge and Brekendorfer Wald and over the Aschberg. The fifth stage, from Kropp to Rendsburg, also passes through the nature park. These details describe different hiking options; choose the route that suits your preferred itinerary.

Cyclists can also choose from an extensive network of routes: the district has 1,000 kilometers of signposted cycle routes. The marked hiking trails and signposted cycling routes each give your trip a different focus. If you are planning longer hikes, consider the Nature Park Hiking Trail or the E1; for cycling trips, the extensive network is available to explore.

History, museums and regional specialties

Rendsburg’s old town dates back to the 13th century and is still characterized by medieval buildings. The Jewish Museum is housed in the oldest surviving synagogue in Schleswig-Holstein; the building is also a historic monument and memorial. Groß Wittensee is home to the Dutch-style windmill, which dates from 1874. These places offer different ways to explore history, from the medieval character of a town to a single historic building.

At the Molfsee Open-Air Museum, 60 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century stand across a site of around 40 hectares. The museum also features a historic fairground with two carousels, a swing boat and a strength tester, as well as a large playground. Those looking to discover regional food culture can associate Eckernförde with the smoking of sprats and other small fish: the famous “Kieler Sprotten” (Kiel sprats) actually come from the fishing town of Eckernförde.

Choose the right focus for your holiday apartment

When looking for a holiday apartment in Rendsburg-Eckernförde, the kind of trip you want is a good place to start. Would you like to focus on the Baltic Sea coast and the sandy beach in Eckernförde, are you more interested in the nature parks and their hiking trails, or would you like to set aside time for the old town, museums and regional history? These priorities raise different questions when choosing where to stay. Decide which experiences matter to you, then explore the relevant destination pages.

More pages to help you plan

More pages to help you plan: Brekendorf, Nortorf, Neudorf-Bornstein, Borgdorf-Seedorf, Langwedel, Schülldorf, Krummwisch, Emkendorf, Bendorf, Krogaspe, Dänischenhagen, Nübbel, Rickert, Gokels, Lindau, Dätgen, Hohn, Osterby, Neu Duvenstedt, Loose, Damendorf, Ascheffel, Borgstedt, Hamdorf, Haby, Altenhof, Westerrönfeld, Norby, Schönhorst, Fockbek, Karby, Holzbunge, Holtsee, Thumby, Strande, Windeby, Seefeld, Haale, Meezen, Achterwehr, Noer, Schierensee, Felde, Rodenbek, Westensee, Barkelsby, Hohenwestedt, Felm, Blumenthal, Rieseby, Schönhagen, Warder, Rendsburg, Jevenstedt, Groß Wittensee, Grevenkrug, Altenholz, Alt Duvenstedt, Bünsdorf, Schinkel, Holzdorf, Flintbek, Kronshagen, Molfsee, Kosel, Bordesholm, Owschlag, Osterrönfeld, Mühbrook, Hamweddel, Breiholz, Tackesdorf, Dörphof, Winnemark, Klein Wittensee, Fleckeby, Güby, Waabs, Osdorf, Beldorf, Rumohr, Brodersby, Büdelsdorf, Bokel, Hanerau-Hademarschen, Schönwohld, Todenbüttel, Oldenbüttel, Sehestedt, Grevensberg, Schwedeneck, Schlei-Ostsee, Eiderkanal, Hohner Harde, Gettorf, Aukrug, Brügge, Groß Vollstedt, Steenfeld, Gammelby, Schülp Bei Rendsburg, Schacht-Audorf, Hoffeld, Eisendorf, Lütjenwestedt, Melsdorf, Ahlefeld-Bistensee, Damp and Eckernförde.

For the broader travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.