Arnis
Arnis Hafen · Arniss · Smallest town Germany
54°38.3'N 09°55.7'E
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m for the pool off Arnis quay in 2–4m of Schlei mud. Complete shelter — no exposure. The small harbour radius reflects the limited swinging room near the quay and moored boats.
About This Anchorage
Arnis is officially Germany's smallest town — population 302, area 0.45 km², located on a tiny peninsula in the Schlei fjord halfway between Kappeln and Schleswig. The town received its official town charter (Stadtrecht) in 1667 from the Duke of Schleswig and has stubbornly retained the title ever since despite being smaller than many villages. Arnis has a small yacht harbour, the famous rope-pull ferry across the Schlei (Arnis-Fähre, one of the last in Germany), a single restaurant, and 302 inhabitants. It is one of the most charming stopping points on the entire Schlei. The town's defiant retention of its 'smallest town' status is a source of considerable local pride.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (pool); harbour fee approx €8–12/night
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Speed limit 9kt; draught limit 1.8m; small harbour — limited space; the rope ferry has right-of-way when crossing (brief obstruction).
Hazards
- !Very small harbour — only 20–30 berths; may be full in peak season
- !Rope ferry crossing — brief obstruction of the Schlei; ferry has right-of-way; wait and observe before proceeding
- !Speed limit 9kt — strictly enforced on this section of the Schlei
- !Limited provisions and no fuel — must arrive from Kappeln with full stores
Skipper's Tips
- →Arnis is worth the stop for the sheer delight of being in Germany's smallest town — the sign on the harbour wall proudly declares the population (302) and the town charter date (1667)
- →The rope ferry (Schlei-Fähre Arnis) is charming — the ferryman pulls hand-over-hand across the 150m Schlei; take the 5-minute crossing for the experience
- →The view from the Arnis peninsula at dusk — looking south down the narrowing Schlei towards Kappeln — is one of the most serene in Schleswig-Holstein
- →Combine with Kappeln (4nm south): the last eel-trap fishery in Germany, smoked eel from the harbourside smokehouse, and the bascule bridge over the Schlei
- →In June, the Arnis Schlei-Festival fills the tiny town with music and food; the harbour is full but the atmosphere is wonderful — arrive early and anchor off
Facilities
Single restaurant in Arnis (seasonal). Small provisions kiosk. Nearest full provisioning: Kappeln (4nm south).
Nearest provisions: Kappeln (4nm south on Schlei) (4nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. Arnis is a classic Schlei stop — not a destination in itself but an essential overnight on the passage to Schleswig. The peaceful evening atmosphere on the Schlei is at its best here.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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