Kirchdorf: Harbor, History and Island Experiences

Kirchdorf combines harbor life with traces of the island’s history. The harbor has numerous guest berths for motorboats and sailboats, as well as restaurants and cafés. As one of the three larger harbors on Poel Island, it is a convenient starting point for excursions on the water and around the island. You can also rent bicycles in Kirchdorf. The harbor, bicycle rental and island tour offer different ways to shape your stay.

The Harbor and Routes Around the Island

After booking in advance, an island tour departs from Kirchdorf harbor at 10:15 a.m. The route passes through Kiekelberg, Neuhof, Seedorf, Wangern, Timmendorf, Timmendorfer Strand, Schwarzer Busch, Gollwitz and Vorwerk before returning to the harbor. This gives you the option of a tour with a fixed starting point and a specified sequence of island villages. If you would rather explore on your own, almost all places on Poel Island can be reached on foot or by bicycle via signposted country lanes.

There is also a seasonal activity on the water: From May to October, a six-hour island kayaking trip takes place on Thursdays off the coast of Poel Island and nearby islands. Equipment and an experienced skipper are provided for the group circumnavigation of the island. Check the date and details of the activity before your trip. The tour from Kirchdorf and the kayaking trip differ in their starting point, duration and type of excursion—a useful guide when planning your day.

Water Sports and Birdwatching

The island’s beaches each have their own character. During the bathing season, Timmendorf Beach offers opportunities for water skiing, kitesurfing and surfing. Gollwitz is known for a different kind of nature watching: the beach is very close to the offshore bird sanctuary island of Langenwerder; from a beach chair, you can watch rare bird species. Langenwerder provides suitable habitats for wading and water birds and also serves as a resting place for migratory birds. The island experiences described here range from water sports during the bathing season to birdwatching.

The Brick Church and the History of the Fortress

In Kirchdorf, the castle rampart recalls a fortress built in 1614. The associated castle complex was shaped like a five-pointed star. A hornwork-like star-shaped extension can still be seen from the air today. The star-shaped complex gives the history a vivid form, distinct from the activities offered at the harbor.

Another striking building on Poel Island is Poel Island Church. The brick church was built in the first half of the 13th century in the Romanesque-Gothic style; its tower is 47 meters high. In addition to services, the church hosts guided tours, visits and numerous concerts. These attractions make for a cultural day with a different focus from the harbor, cycling routes and water sports.

The Island Museum and Its Collections

The Poel Island Museum features a permanent exhibition on the life and work of painter Karl Christian Klasen. It also presents an extensive natural history and local heritage collection spanning more than 250 square meters and focused specifically on Poel Island. The outdoor area includes a boulder garden and a model of the former Poel fortress. Art, natural history and the history of the fortifications offer different ways to explore the island—from a painter’s personal work to traces of its landscape and architectural history.

The harbor, bicycle rental and the starting point for the tour, which requires advance booking, are practical starting points in Kirchdorf. Across the island, cultural attractions and seasonal activities in coastal villages add to the picture. Consider whether you want to spend time mainly at the harbor, book an island tour, explore on foot or by bicycle, or plan specific nature and water sports experiences. This way, you can compare travel ideas based on what they actually offer, rather than treating different places and activities as one and the same offering.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Amt Lützow-Lübstorf, Barendorf, Frauenmark, Amt Schönberger Land, Amt Rehna, Groß Schwansee, Demern, Amt Neukloster-Warin.

Back to the main travel overview: Northwest Mecklenburg.