Schönberger Strand: Coast and Railway History

Schönberger Strand invites you to discover the Baltic coast and railway history as two distinct sides of a stay. The water shapes your time at the fine sandy beach; the museum station offers a different way to explore the history of the narrow-gauge railway and tramways. This combination of coast and technology gives your trip several possible focal points.

Narrow-gauge railway history and historic vehicles

The museum railway between Schönberger Strand and Schönberg (Holstein) is the extension of the Kiel–Schönberg narrow-gauge railway, which had been in operation since 1897, and opened on 18 June 1914. The dates mark two different milestones: the narrow-gauge railway had existed since 1897, while the extension to Schönberger Strand opened in 1914. This places the line within a longer history of rail travel.

The Schönberger Strand museum station building was constructed in 1914 to a design by the architect Fr. Theede. Its interior has also largely been preserved in its original form, especially the ticket hall with its ticket office. This close-up look at a preserved room adds the station’s architecture to the history of the line.

The Schönberger Strand museum railways include a collection of more than 30 tram vehicles from northern Germany. The railway theme therefore extends beyond the history of the narrow-gauge railway: the collection also features tram vehicles from northern Germany. The museum tram at the station runs on its own tracks and is available for passengers to ride. Check seasonal departure times before your trip.

At the museum station, Nawimenta offers eleven hands-on science stations for children aged five and over. For families with children in this age group, this offers a different way to experience the visit than the history of railways and architecture. The museum station grounds feature historic vehicles, the buildings and all exhibits displayed outdoors. Check the latest visitor information in advance.

Beach, pier and coastal cycle route

The fine sandy beach section in the Schönberger Strand district is freely accessible at all times and subject to a spa tax. You can rent beach chairs on the beach and on the dyke from the Tourist-Service Ostseebad Schönberg between May and September. If a beach chair is part of your beach days, this period is a useful guide for planning your trip.

The Schönberg pier is 260 metres long. Excursion boats depart from there to sail around the Kiel Lighthouse. Schönberger Strand also has a watersports school and, between groynes 37 and 38, a bathing island with a slide. You will find various ways to enjoy the water: spending time at the beach, watersports, a boat trip or the bathing island.

The Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route is another option along this stretch of coast. From Kalifornien via Brasilien to Schönberger Strand, it runs between the dunes and the dyke, right along the beach. This route offers a distinct perspective on the coast if you would like to explore Schönberger Strand by bike. Check route conditions locally.

Whether you want your stay to focus on beach days, railway history, hands-on science stations or cycling, you can use that as a starting point when choosing accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Bendfeld, Laboe, Wendtorf, Passade, Stein, Krummbek, Barsbek and Köhn.

Go to the main travel overview: Probstei.