With its harbor and castle ramparts, Kirchdorf offers two different starting points for a stay. On Poel Island, the island church, museum, nature-related attractions and seasonal activities add to the experience. If you are looking for accommodation in Kirchdorf, you can take the town itself and your interests on the island into account when planning your stay.
Harbor and Island Tour
Kirchdorf Harbor is one of the three larger harbors on Poel Island. It offers numerous guest berths for motorboats and sailing boats, as well as restaurants and cafés. Here, maritime attractions meet opportunities to stop for a meal or refreshments.
An island tour of Poel Island departs from Kirchdorf Harbor at 10:15 a.m. with advance reservations. The route passes through Kiekelberg, Neuhof, Seedorf, Wangern, Timmendorf, Timmendorfer Strand, Schwarzer Busch, Gollwitz and Vorwerk before returning to the harbor. A reservation is part of the planning; check in advance that the date fits your stay.
Castle Ramparts and Island History
The castle ramparts in Kirchdorf on Poel Island are part of a fortification built in 1614, with a castle complex shaped like a five-pointed star and a hornwork-like star-shaped extension. The latter can still be seen from the air today. The castle ramparts are used for events and markets, as well as an open-air stage. The historic site and its present-day use for events offer different points of interest; event dates vary.
Culture on Poel Island
The church on Poel Island is a brick church dating from the first half of the 13th century, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. Its tower is 47 meters high. In addition to church services, the church is used for guided tours, visits and concerts. If you are planning a visit, check the relevant dates in advance.
The Poel Island Museum has a permanent exhibition about the life and work of painter Karl Christian Klasen. It also presents an extensive collection on natural history and local heritage, covering Poel Island specifically, in more than 250 square meters. A biographical exhibition and a broader island perspective are thus presented side by side. The museum grounds also feature a boulder garden and a model of the former Poel fortifications.
Nature, Trails and Seasonal Activities
The Langenwerder bird sanctuary provides suitable habitats for wading birds and waterfowl; migratory birds also use it as a resting place. Gollwitz Beach is close to the offshore island and offers the chance to observe rare bird species from a beach chair.
During the bathing season, Timmendorf Beach on Poel Island offers water sports such as water skiing, kitesurfing and surfing. Providers and conditions may vary, so it is advisable to check in advance. From May to October, a six-hour kayak tour around the island also takes place on Thursdays, along the coast of Poel Island and neighboring islands. Equipment and an experienced skipper are provided for the group circumnavigation of Poel. Given the season, day of the week and duration, this tour can be treated as a separate item in your plans; check current dates and organizer details before your trip.
The Poel Causeway, with its bridge, crosses the strait known as the “Breitling” and provides access to Poel Island. Almost all places on the island can be reached on foot or by bicycle via signposted rural roads. Bicycles can be rented in Kirchdorf; check current availability before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hohen Schönberg, Amt Dorf Mecklenburg-Bad Kleinen, Beckerwitz, Amt Grevesmühlen-Land, Amt Klützer Winkel, Gramkow, Welzin, Amt Gadebusch
Return to the broader travel overview: Northwest Mecklenburg.
