I was living a while in Kiel. A few notes: Best time: Kieler Woche (last full week in June -> http://www.kieler-woche.de/ ) For nightlife: Bergstrasse Nearest beaches: Falckenstein (West) - Laboe (East) Kiel is a good hub for ships. You can take a ferry to Sweden (Götheburg) or Norway (Oslo) Language: Hochdeutsch, Plattdütsch is NOT very common and few people actually speak it in daily life.

Diesen Sommer reise ich nach Kiel. Diesen Sommer werde ich nach Kiel reisen.