Rendsburg-Eckernförde: Coast, Nature and Culture

Rendsburg-Eckernförde combines the Baltic Sea coast, lake landscapes, nature parks and historic sites. The district has 55 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline; Eckernförde is home to a four-kilometre-long white sandy beach. At the same time, four nature parks lie within the district, and Rendsburg is characterised by an old town with medieval buildings. This allows you to make nature, water and architectural history different focal points of your stay. When choosing accommodation, it is worth first considering which of these experiences you want to shape your trip most.

Lakes, protected areas and views

The nature parks in the district consist largely of nature and landscape conservation areas and provide habitats for a diverse range of flora and fauna. In Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park, numerous lake complexes shape the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands; the park includes Westensee, which covers around 7 km² and is a popular excursion destination. The banks of the Eider in this nature park are home to kingfishers, while Dosenmoor provides a habitat for distinctive flora and fauna.

In good weather, the 98-metre-high Aschberg offers panoramic views extending to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel. The Kiel Canal is also part of the region’s waterscape: around 70 kilometres, or two-thirds of its length, run through Rendsburg-Eckernförde district.

Cycling and hiking

Those who want to follow marked routes will find a signposted 1,000-kilometre cycling network in the district. For hiking, the 180-kilometre Nature Park Hiking Trail passes through all four nature parks. The European long-distance path E1 is marked throughout with a white St Andrew’s cross; its route runs through the Hüttener Berge, Brekendorf Forest and over the Aschberg. The fifth stage, from Kropp to Rendsburg, also passes through the nature park. The different routes give you specific options for deciding whether cycling paths, the nature park landscapes or the named sections of the E1 should shape your stay.

Old towns, museums and regional cuisine

Rendsburg’s old town dates back to the 13th century and is still characterised by medieval buildings. The Jewish Museum is housed in Schleswig-Holstein’s oldest surviving synagogue; this historic listed building also serves as a memorial. Another historic landmark is the Dutch windmill in Groß Wittensee, which dates from 1874.

In addition to its museum grounds, the Molfsee Open-Air Museum features a historic fairground with two carousels, a swing boat and a strongman game, as well as a large playground. This gives it a different character from Rendsburg’s old town and memorial: here, fairground attractions and a museum visit come together in one place. Food culture is also closely associated with Eckernförde. Sprats and other small fish are smoked there; the famous “Kieler Sprotten” actually come from the fishing town of Eckernförde.

Choosing the right focus for your accommodation

The experiences you are looking for can guide your accommodation search. The beach and fishing traditions point to Eckernförde as a focal point, while medieval buildings and the memorial point to Rendsburg. If you want to focus on nature park trails, lakes or the views from Aschberg, you can use these landscapes and routes as a starting point for choosing where to stay. This lets you tailor your search to the discoveries that matter most to you on your trip.

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

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