Kappelner Fischmarkt am Nordhafen
Freshly caught and maritime — every last Sunday from March to October
About Kappelner Fischmarkt
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Maritime Market on the Schlei
Kappeln is located on the northern bank of the Schlei in the district of Schleswig-Flensburg, state of Schleswig-Holstein, and was once one of the most important herring towns on the German Baltic Sea coast. This history can be felt at the Nordhafen, where the traditional fish market keeps the town's maritime heritage alive every month. A small but active fleet of cutters ensures that fresh herring, cod, eel, and other catches from the Schlei and Baltic Sea are sold directly from the boat or from ice stands on Sunday mornings.
Herring Town Kappeln
Until the 19th century, Kappeln lived from herring. A visible sign of this is the Kappelner Heringszaun — the last functional herring fence in Europe, a Reusenfang (fish trap) system over 500 years old, in operation since the 15th century. On fish market days, visitors often find stalls explaining this tradition and offering smoked fish from their own production.
More Than Just Fish
Despite its name, the market today is far more than just a fish market. The market stalls offer:
- Freshly caught fish — herring, cod, eel, flatfish, and depending on the season, mackerel and sprat
- Smoked fish — smoked herring, smoked eel, smoked salmon
- Local arts and crafts — ceramics, wood, textiles
- Jewelry and children's fashion
- Baked goods — rye bread, Friesentorte, fresh pastries
The Schlei in the Background
The Nordhafen, with its historic cutters and the bascule bridge over the Schlei, provides a special setting for the market. From the market quay, you look out onto the Schlei estuary, see the yachts of the summer season, and can combine your market visit with a stroll across the bascule bridge or a boat trip on the Schlei.
Kappelner Fischmarkt — edition 2026
Eight Market Days 2026
The 2026 season starts on Sunday, March 29, and ends on Sunday, October 25. As usual, the market is held every last Sunday of the month — a frequency that follows the rhythm of the spring and autumn herring fishery and the summer sport fishing. In summer, stalls with seafood specialties (salmon rolls, matjes rolls, shrimp salad) complement the classic offerings.
Seasonal Highlights
- March/April: Spring herring and plaice, start of the smoked goods season
- May/June: First shrimp season, sprat, eel
- July/August: Tourist peak, wide range of offerings
- September/October: Autumn herring, season finale with particularly well-stocked stalls
Programme Kappelner Fischmarkt 2026
Every Market Day (last Sunday of the month, 9 AM–5 PM)
- 9:00 AM — Market opens at Nordhafen Kappeln
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM — over 30 market stalls with fresh and smoked fish, arts and crafts, jewelry, children's fashion, baked goods
- 11:00 AM–5:00 PM — Sunday opening hours in Kappeln town center (Schmiedestraße, Schleistraße)
- 5:00 PM — Market closes
Market Dates 2026
- Sunday, March 29, 2026 — Season opening
- Sunday, April 26, 2026
- Sunday, May 31, 2026
- Sunday, June 28, 2026
- Sunday, July 26, 2026
- Sunday, August 30, 2026
- Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Sunday, October 25, 2026 — Season closing
Organizer: Wirtschaft & Touristik Kappeln GmbH, Schleswiger Str. 1, 24376 Kappeln.
Highlights Kappelner Fischmarkt 2026
- Eight market days spread throughout the season
- Freshly caught fish directly from the cutter
- Connection to the historic herring fence
- Sunday opening hours in the town center
- Free admission
Prices Kappelner Fischmarkt 2026
Free admission. Fish and goods priced per stall. Fresh herring from approx. €8 per kilo, smoked products from €12 per kilo (typical prices).
Practical information — Kappelner Fischmarkt
Getting There
Kappeln is located on the B203, approx. 45 km north of Schleswig and 25 km east of Flensburg. Süderbrarup train station with bus connection to Kappeln (line 1640). Free parking at Nordhafen and in the town center.
Opening Hours
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on each market day. Town center shops 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sunday opening).
Admission
Free.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kappelner Fischmarkt al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Kappelner Fischmarkt
Nordhafen Kappeln
Nordhafen, 24376 Kappeln