If you are planning a trip to Schleswig Holstein, Schleswig is a place worth visiting. The level of English spoken everywhere we went was excellent, which may be due to the city attracting many Scandinavian tourists. Given the city's rich history, pleasant lakeside location, and rich architectural heritage, it is surprising that not much has been written about Schleswig in mainstream media. Here is my Schleswig Travel Guide. Note: If you are planning a trip to Schleswig Holstein, you should also visit the charming medieval town of Lübeck and the island of Föhr.

How to Get to Schleswig

Hamburg Airport (HAM) is 125 kilometers away from Schleswig. Schleswig Train Station has direct connections to Hamburg, Flensburg, and Kiel.

Transportation in Schleswig

The public transportation system here is excellent, with a good local bus network. Payment methods can be made in cash or by card. Daily tickets are available for regional travel. The city is bike and pedestrian-friendly. The apartment we rented also included bike rental services in the price.

Things to Do in Schleswig

Old Fisherman's Village of Holm

The ancient fishing settlement known as Holm, located along the fjord, offers a glimpse into the past. This charming corner, which was connected to the mainland by a bridge until 1933, is characterized by its cozy cottages clustered around a small chapel and cemetery, creating a picturesque scene. The historical significance of Holm is reinforced by the special trading rights granted to its inhabitants in the 11th century. Today, this area retains its old-world charm with inviting craft shops and warm cafes that reflect the spirit of the past.

Hein Haddeby, Ferry to Haithabu

We really enjoyed the short but pleasant crossing from Schleswig to Haithabu on this ferry. This ferry once operated as a cargo ship in the Hamburg port. The ferry operator was chatty, friendly, and gave us some good tips about the city, as well as advice on how to return from Haithabu to Schleswig by bus. 5 stars!

Address: Haddebyer Chaussee, 24866 Busdorf, Germany.

Visit the Viking Museum Haithabu

We may have arrived a bit late to visit the Viking Museum, just an hour before closing. The woman at the ticket counter gave us an English information brochure and reduced the regular price from €7 to €5. We quickly passed through the museum area because we were very curious about the settlement.

We really loved the authentic atmosphere of the Viking village and the openness and friendliness in showcasing everyone's crafts. We had a pleasant conversation about heavy metal music with someone making mead in the village. It was truly a wonderful, authentic experience. Regarding the museum, especially after reading not-so-great reviews on Google after the renovation, I wasn't exactly sure how significant a place it was. Perhaps something that needs updating.

Address: Am Haddebyer Noor 5, 24866 Busdorf, Germany.

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00.

Schloss Gottorf

An impressive building with beautiful gardens. The exhibitions in the museum are informative, and there are many English displays to provide visitors with information about the exhibited works. The castle ticket also gives a coupon for free chocolate or candy from the excellent in-house cafe restaurant Occo. We had a really nice lunch here, and the prices were quite reasonable. It was really nice to explore this place.

Address: Schlossinsel 1, 24837 Schleswig, Germany.

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00-16:00; Saturday-Sunday 10:00-17:00.

Where to Eat and Drink in Schleswig

Beirut Brunch

If you are looking for authentic Lebanese cuisine and great prices, Beirut Brunch is a fantastic place that offers many vegetarian and vegan options.

Address: Stadtweg 25, Schleswig

TASTE

If you are looking for excellent burgers or pizzas at great prices, Taste (Am Lornsenpark 2) is just for you. They also have a great cocktail menu.

Address: Am Lornsenpark 2

Bakery Jaich

We discovered this local bakery before boarding the train. It is run by a really friendly group of women who insisted we try everything. They even gave us some free donuts!

Klahbatt Pub

This pub was the only place in Schleswig showing World Cup football, so I had to go, and I'm glad to say it's ten times nicer than their sister pub in Flensburg. They speak excellent English, and the beers are reasonably priced.

Address: Lollfuss 46, 24837 Schleswig, Germany.

Opening Hours: Friday-Saturday 18:00-05:00; Wednesday-Thursday 18:00-02:00.

Where to Stay in Schleswig

If you are looking for something romantic and special, Romantik Hotel Waldschlösschen is a great choice; it offers a wonderful breakfast, service, and beautiful beds.

As a more budget-friendly option, Ferienwohnung Möwe 14 is a perfect one-bedroom apartment in a great central location. The owners left us water and beer in the fridge and also helped with the delivery of fresh bread rolls to the apartment, which was very handy for breakfast.