Discover Schleswig-Holstein

In the middle of Schleswig-Holstein, between two coasts

Guesthouse Nord-West 1700 sits in Liesbüttel, a part of the village of Steenfeld, right on the Kiel Canal and almost exactly between the North Sea and the Baltic. That central spot in central Holstein, between Heide, Itzehoe, Rendsburg and Neumünster, is the big advantage for days out. The North Sea coast around Büsum and St. Peter-Ording is about 40 to 70 minutes away, the Kiel fjord with Kiel, Laboe and Eckernförde around an hour. If you would rather stay close, the canal with its ships, flat cycle paths and quiet walking trails is right in front of you.

The Kiel Canal right at the door

The Kiel Canal is one of the busiest artificial waterways in the world, with around 70 ships a day, from container giants to cruise liners like the EUROPA. In the Steenfeld hamlet of Fischerhütte, about 2 km away, the historic 1950 chain ferry brings the ships close, and the Grünental high bridge close by gives you the view from above. The 98 km canal links the North Sea with the Baltic and carries one of the loveliest, flattest cycle routes in northern Germany along its banks, with free canal ferries to cross.

For a calm day you simply walk or cycle along the water and watch the ships, or you head east to the Rendsburg high bridge with its transporter ferry and ship greeting station, one of the great engineering landmarks of the north.

Day trips to the North Sea

The Dithmarschen North Sea coast is part of the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Büsum you find the harbour, fresh shrimp and guided mudflat walks, St. Peter-Ording has its wide beach and stilt houses, and the Friedrichskoog seal sanctuary is a hit with children. The Multimar Wattforum in Tönning is the best rainy-day destination, with aquariums and a sperm whale skeleton. Most of these are 40 to 70 minutes away by car.

Day trips to the Baltic Sea

Head east and you reach the Kiel fjord in around an hour. Kiel offers the harbour and the waterfront promenade, Laboe the naval memorial and the submarine U 995, and Eckernförde a pretty old town with a beach and a fish smokehouse. A fresh fish roll at the harbour and a stroll along a shallow, family-friendly beach round off the day. In June the Kiel Week fills the city with sailing crowds.

The Hademarschen countryside and central Holstein

Right around Liesbüttel and Hanerau-Hademarschen lies quiet, green central Holstein, flat and made for short trips. The high ropes course OutEx and the Gieselau valley with its Kneipp basin are close by, the Stone Age park in Albersdorf about 11 km away, and the Rendsburg transporter ferry crosses the canal free of charge. For culture there is the NordArt in Büdelsdorf, one of the largest art exhibitions in Europe, and the cast iron museum, plus farm shops, farm cafés and regional restaurants in the villages.

The right thing in every season

Spring paints the fields yellow with the rapeseed bloom in May. Summer means long bright evenings, beaches on both coasts and, in early August, Wacken Open Air just 18 km away. Autumn brings the cranes and morning mist over canal and Eider, perfect for nature lovers and photographers. And in winter the canal lies calm and quiet, ideal for a restful break with walks and a hearty breakfast.

Something for everyone

Cyclists ride the canal route, ship and cruise fans watch the big vessels from the bank, families head to the Stone Age park, the seal sanctuary or the adventure pool in Heide, and dog owners enjoy the beaches and the paths along the water. Photographers find ships, high bridges and rapeseed fields, motorcyclists quiet country roads between the coasts, anglers the canal and the Eider, and metal fans the short hop to Wacken. Business travellers and contractors value the quiet rooms, the parking and an invoice for their expenses.

Why the guesthouse makes a good base

Nord-West 1700 is small, family-run and quietly located. You sleep well, start the day with a hearty breakfast partly made with produce from the farm next door, and have a garden and free parking on site. Check-in is from 3 pm and check-out until 12 noon; we do not have a 24-hour reception, so it is best to let us know your arrival time in advance. Dogs are welcome after a quick chat, and for longer stays or contractors we find a fair arrangement.

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