Self-guided podcast tour Kiel: Holstein's 61-year journey

A century of lower-league struggle ended in a single night in 2024.

A self-guided podcast tour of Kiel covering 5.3 km and six stops over roughly two and a half hours, following Holstein's path from early street football through 61 years in the lower leagues to their Bundesliga promotion. The tour weaves together expert commentary and local voices to tell the story of a community's resilience and the urban rituals that sustained the club through its hardest decades.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Holstein Kiel football history

• Start at historic town hall
• Visit traditional fan march intersection
• See historic green space for youth football
• Stop at local sports bar
• Walk forecourt of the stadium
• End at historic home stadium

The experience

The tour starts at Kiel's historic town hall, where the promotion party erupted in 2024, then moves through the city's neighborhoods and landmarks tied to Holstein's story. You'll walk past the traditional gathering point for fan marches, visit the green space where Kiel youth first kicked a ball at the end of the 19th century, stop at a local sports bar that became a refuge during the lean years, and end at the stadium forecourt and the pitch itself: the home ground since 1911. The podcast audio, available in English or German, is built around interviews with experts and residents who lived through the club's cycles, so the stops become anchors for their voices rather than just locations on a map.

Navigation and timing are handled by the app, which also lets you pause and ask questions about what you're seeing or hearing. The route covers 5.3 km at a pace you set. There's no group to keep up with and no fixed start time. The audio runs roughly 142 minutes total, though you can split the walk across a morning and an afternoon if the full stretch doesn't fit your day. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, and public transport stops are nearby if you need a break or want to skip between stations.

What’s included

• Verified facts woven into an engaging story.
• interactive in-app guide for questions about the story and surroundings.
• precise navigation between the six stops.
• immersive podcast-style audio featuring experts and locals.
• audio available in English and German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

Audio guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Red Thread

Is this one for you?Choose this self-guided walk if you want to explore at your own pace and revisit specific stops about Holstein Kiel's football history without syncing to a group's schedule.

Top questions

How long does the whole walk take?

The podcast audio runs about 142 minutes, but you control the pace. You can walk it straight through or break it into shorter segments across your day in Kiel.

What is the town hall stop about?

The historic town hall is where Holstein's promotion celebration took place in 2024, marking the end of 61 years outside the Bundesliga. It's the emotional climax of the tour and the first stop on the route.

Can I do this tour if I don't speak German?

Yes. The audio guide is available in both English and German, so you can choose whichever language you prefer before you start.

Is there a minimum age?

The tour is suitable for ages 13 and up. Younger children can walk the route with an adult, but the podcast content is designed for listeners who can follow the historical and social narrative.

Do I need to book a specific time to start?

No. This is a self-guided tour, so you download the app, pick up the audio whenever you're ready, and walk at your own pace. There's no fixed departure time or group to join.