Note 8 - Investment and Advances in Real Estate Joint Ventures (Detail) - Joint Venture Investments Accounted For Under The Equity Method - Debt Details (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
KimPru and KimPru II [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 1,010.2		$ 1,185.2
Average Interest Rate	5.54%		5.59%
Average Remaining Term	44 months 15 days	[1]	52 months 18 days	[1]
KIR [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	914.6		911.5
Average Interest Rate	5.22%		5.89%
Average Remaining Term	78 months 18 days	[1]	75 months 18 days	[1]
KUBS [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	691.9		718.9
Average Interest Rate	5.40%		5.66%
Average Remaining Term	39 months 3 days	[1]	47 months 12 days	[1]
BIG Shopping Centers [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	443.8		444.5
Average Interest Rate	5.52%		5.52%
Average Remaining Term	45 months 15 days	[1]	57 months 12 days	[1]
CPP [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	141.5		166.3
Average Interest Rate	5.19%		4.45%
Average Remaining Term	31 months	[1]	27 months	[1]
Kimco Income Fund [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	161.4		164.7
Average Interest Rate	5.45%		5.45%
Average Remaining Term	20 months 21 days	[1]	32 months 21 days	[1]
SEB Immobilien [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	243.8		243.7
Average Interest Rate	5.11%		5.34%
Average Remaining Term	55 months 9 days	[1]	61 months 27 days	[1]
RioCan [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	923.2		925.0
Average Interest Rate	5.16%		5.66%
Average Remaining Term	41 months 6 days	[1]	43 months 9 days	[1]
Intown [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	614.4		621.8
Average Interest Rate	4.46%		5.09%
Average Remaining Term	46 months 3 days	[1]	39 months 18 days	[1]
Other Institutional Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	310.5		514.4
Average Interest Rate	5.24%		4.90%
Average Remaining Term	39 months	[1]	45 months 12 days	[1]
Other Joint Venture Programs [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	1,612.2		1,804.7
Average Interest Rate	5.70%		5.60%
Average Remaining Term	57 months 24 days	[1]	56 months 27 days	[1]
All Equity Method Investments [Member]
Mortgages and Notes Payable	$ 7,067.5		$ 7,700.7

[1] Average Remaining term includes extensions