Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 922.7		$ 923.4
Average Interest Rate	5.53%		5.53%
Average Remaining Term	32 months	[1]	35 months	[1]
KIR [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	885.0		889.1
Average Interest Rate	5.05%		5.05%
Average Remaining Term	72 months 6 days	[1]	75 months 3 days	[1]
Kimstone [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	739.3		749.9
Average Interest Rate	4.59%		4.62%
Average Remaining Term	36 months 18 days	[1]	39 months 9 days	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	406.5		406.5
Average Interest Rate	5.39%		5.39%
Average Remaining Term	37 months 6 days	[1]	40 months 3 days	[1]
CPP [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	137.8		138.6
Average Interest Rate	5.21%		5.23%
Average Remaining Term	16 months	[1]	19 months	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	157.1		158.0
Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Average Remaining Term	5 months 24 days	[1]	8 months 21 days	[1]
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	243.8		243.8
Average Interest Rate	5.11%		5.11%
Average Remaining Term	40 months 9 days	[1]	43 months 9 days	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	710.5		743.7
Average Interest Rate	4.78%		4.59%
Average Remaining Term	45 months 3 days	[1]	48 months	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	241.5		272.9
Average Interest Rate	5.36%		5.32%
Average Remaining Term	28 months 6 days	[1]	31 months	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	1,002.6		1,063.1
Average Interest Rate	5.35%		5.53%
Average Remaining Term	61 months 6 days	[1]	60 months 18 days	[1]
All Equity Method Investments [Member]
Note 4 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Details) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted for under the Equity Method - Debt Details [Line Items]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 5,446.8		$ 5,589.0

[1] Average Remaining Term includes extension options