Rendsburg: Old Town, Canal and Culture

Rendsburg offers several ways to enjoy a stay: winding lanes in the old town, distinctive buildings along the Kiel Canal, maritime history, and opportunities for cycling and paddling.

Old Town and Remembrance

Narrow, winding streets shape the historic center. The Old Town Hall, with its stepped gable, stands in the Altstädter Markt; St. Mary’s Church features ceiling paintings and an altar made largely of wood. These different buildings offer concrete points of reference for exploring the old town according to your own interests.

The Rendsburg Jewish Museum is housed in the only originally preserved synagogue in Schleswig-Holstein. The building is a historic site, an architectural monument and a memorial. Alongside the city’s streets and churches, a place of Jewish history is therefore one of Rendsburg’s defining cultural themes.

Shipping and Engineering on the Kiel Canal

The railway high bridge is an important engineering landmark and carries a transporter ferry for pedestrians and road traffic. The facility at the bridge terraces offers another perspective on shipping: it is the only ship greeting facility on the Kiel Canal. A team of former captains explains the passing ships to visitors; they are greeted with the national anthem of their country of origin.

The Rendsburg Maritime Archive covers 550 square meters and explores the past and present of Rendsburg’s shipping, as well as shipping companies and shipyards. Exhibits include sextants, nautical charts and more than 120 ship models. The collection offers a different perspective on the canal: the focus is not only on the ships passing by, but also on their history and the work involved in shipping.

By Bike and on the Water

The Kiel Canal Route runs alongside the canal from Brunsbüttel to Kiel via Rendsburg. It is mostly flat, with only a few climbs. This gives you a specific choice to consider when planning: Should cycling be a main focus of your stay, or would you prefer to combine your rides with time for the old town and culture? A 130-meter-long tunnel beneath the Kiel Canal can be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

SUP and canoeing are also among the activities available at Rendsburg’s waterfront locations. A free public landing stage on the Lower Eider, installed in 2025, allows people enjoying leisure activities to launch SUP boards or canoes. Alongside the cycling route, this offers another practical way to include exercise and time on the water in your travel plans.

Green Spaces and the Wider Region

The 14-hectare city park connects the old town with Neuwerk and provides a green recreational space. Stadtsee, a branch of the Eider, runs through the park. More than 70 tree species and numerous animals characterize this green space. The park and waterway thus complement the denser urban impressions of the historic center.

Those who extend their search beyond the city to the wider Rendsburg-Eckernförde destination will find 55 kilometers of Baltic Sea coastline and a signposted cycling network stretching 1,000 kilometers across the district. These regional dimensions may factor into your decision if you are considering including other parts of the district in your plans alongside Rendsburg.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Osterrönfeld, Karby, Dänischenhagen, Holtsee, Rieseby, Osdorf, Osterby, Aukrug.

Go to the wider travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.