Source
r/kiel•
Liberal__af

Is it probable to get a peak at northern lights from Kiel?

The question says it all, I booked tickets for a 5 day trip to Kiel for January’22 instantly after someone told me that northern lights are visible from Kiel during the lesser sunlight months, and then I looked online a few days later regarding that and barely found anything about it. Did I get fucked for no reason? I can’t afford to go to the Nordic countries for now and I was so desperate that the moment I heard of northern lights, I went all on kiel🙆‍♂️

Posted Dec 13, 2021, 9:24 PM UTC

1310
Juranur•

I've lived here for all my life, and have never seen them nor do i know anyone who has.

I believe you got scammed my dude

23
MortimerErnestBrunswik•

Same here, never saw them in my life. It is actually on my list to go up to Norway or Iceland some time to see them.

9
Liberal__afOP•

Now that I got fucked, what else could I do during January in Kiel? Any out of the box suggestions?

5
squareeyedwolf•

It is pretty easyJet to get a ferry or train from Kiel to Danmark, Sweden and Norway if you got the budget and time. Sylt as well. Otherwise I would just try local nature, the Schlei (Northeim of Kiel) and Schwentine are pretty amazing even in the wintermonths. And there are a lot of local Pubs and Restaurant you could try.

5
Sakamito•

Steilküste Stohl, then grab a Tea or Coffe (or eat sth) at Strandhaus Schwedeneck.

Take a stroll at the Kielline (or Fjord).

Take the ferry line F1 directly from Kiel central station to Laboe, visit the Ehrenmahland the WW2 Submarine U995.

5
tonitacker•

It is possible to see them, but rather for people who live here, regularly check the forecast, maybe once in a winter. Lived here for 7 years, saw them once.

5
Liberal__afOP•

Odds are stacked against me then! That’s sad. I hope my trip could still turn out to be worthwhile.

5
justjanneSuchsdorf•

Every few years there's a few nights where you can see them, but that's unlikely to happen during your trip. Sorry :(

The local newspaper publishes pictures and videos whenever it happens, though, so here are some links so you can at least see photos of them:

https://youtu.be/qye5fnxc5AY

https://www.rnd.de/wissen/polarlichter-ueber-kiel-bilder-zeigen-bunte-lichter-ueber-norddeutschland-NTFXFHCHCZGKLGVLC3FZEHGSQE.html

3
xo_frank•

I once witnessed northern lights from Leuchtturm Bülk. It was a weak glow that only showed up on long exposure photos. So don't expect to see the sky going crazy. I think there are some apps that show you the probability of northern lights visibility.

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
tretpow•

You can see them from Kiel in the sense that there is a ship from Kiel to Norway every day.

But ultimately you'll want to travel to somewhere in the green band: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast. Even then it's no guarantee. Go to one of those places for the culture and the people and then see if it happens.

2