Impressive chalk cliffs, idyllic beaches and dense forests – all this can be found on the islands of Lolland-Falster, Møn and Zealand in the Danish Baltic Sea, which many campers will only know from passing through on their way to Sweden or Norway. A real shame as the islands offer a varied backdrop for a relaxing break in nature, and not just in summer. Freeontour has put together the most beautiful nature areas for your next camping adventure to the Baltic Sea in Denmark.
Where are the Baltic Sea islands of Zealand, Lolland-Falster and Møn?
The islands of Zealand, Lolland-Falster and Møn are located to the southeast of mainland Denmark in the Baltic Sea. They are close together, like four pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and connected by bridges, facilitating motorhome trips across the islands. Zealand in the north of the archipelago is the largest island in Denmark, where you'll also find the capital Copenhagen. Lolland and Falster, commonly referred to as Lolland-Falster due to their proximity to each other, lie to the south of Zealand, and the smallest of the islands, Møn, nestles between Falster and Zealand to the east. The islands are only a short sea voyage from Germany. The Scandlines ferry group operates two routes with modern hybrid ferries from Germany to the islands:
- From Puttgarden on Fehmarn to Rødby on Lolland: every 30 minutes, crossing time: 45 minutes
- From Rostock to Gedser on Falster: 10 times a day, crossing time: two hours
Depending on the starting point or route, we prefer the ferry departing from Puttgarden as it's shorter and, therefore, cheaper. Caravans and motorhomes are allowed on both ferry routes. The prices vary according to the travel time and size of your caravan or motorhome. If you don't want to take the ferry, you can travel via the Danish mainland and the island of Fyn, then over the Great Belt Bridge (Storebæltsbroen), which is subject to a toll, to the island of Zealand.
What makes the Baltic Sea Islands a great camping destination?
Campers can look forward to a great infrastructure, with roughly 100 campsites and RV parks scattered across the islands of Zealand, Lolland-Falster and Møn. Many are set in idyllic natural surroundings, some even right on the coast with magnificent sea views. Most campsites on the Danish islands are open until mid- or late October, but self-sufficient campers will also find pitches that can be used all year round. Therefore, the best time to travel here is usually between spring and autumn. Another advantage is that the closeness to the numerous nature areas and sights will make it easier to undertake a range of activities on your camping holiday as well as save fuel on your motorhome trip.
Stop #1: Maribo Lakes Nature Park on Lolland
Welcome to Denmark's most island-dotted lakes. Four lakes – Søndersø, Røgbølle Sø, Hejrede Sø, Nørresø – and their surrounding waters form this nature park, which is known for its abundance of flora and fauna and enchanted beauty. In addition to the masses of water, the landscape is characterised by fields, meadows, traditional farms, moors and woodlands. Proud white-tailed eagles soar over the lakes all year round, osprey and many other birds from April to September, so don't forget your binoculars.
Other activities near Maribo:
- Water sports such as kayaking.
- Trip on the boat Anemone on Lake Søndersø (from May to September).
- Travel back in time to the 19th century in the open-air historical museum in Maribo.
- Cycling, e.g. on the waymarked 23 km Safari Route with a visit to Knuthenborg, Northern Europe's largest safari park.
- Hiking on a well-developed network around the lakes, e.g. the 5 km long Walking Safari trail through a dense forest near Knuthenborg Safari Park where wild boar and bison live.
Campsites nearby: Maribo Sø Camping in the nature park
Stop #2: Hesnæs – forested nature reserve and fishing village
This natural gem on the island of Falster boasts deep, hilly forests that give way to white sandy beaches. Embedded in this fairytale landscape lies the small fishing village of Hesnæs, where time stopped still sometime in the 19th century. Charming thatched cottages line the streets, giving the village an open-air museum feel.
Recommended activities near Hesnæs:
- Stop by the Pomle Nakke restaurant on the cliff and enjoy both the local cuisine and the view.
- Follow the traces of history in the Korselitse Østerskov forest and admire monuments from the New Stone Age (4000 BC - 1700 BC), including the Ørnehøj passage grave.
- Visit Denmark's largest tree on a walk through the Fruens Ege forest: the magnificent, roughly 600-year-old and 25-metre-high Valdemar Oak (Valdemarsegen) has a volume of around 100 cubic metres.
Our tip: nature lovers should download the Naturlandet app for the island of Lolland-Falster, where they'll find cycle paths, hiking trails and more suggestions for exploring nature on the island.
Campsites nearby: Falster Familiecamping
Stop #3: The Møns Klint chalk cliffs
This extremely photogenic, 128-metre-high postcard motif on the island of Møn is not only stunning, but also has a fascinating history. 70 million years ago, there was a tropical sea with animal and plant life where Denmark is today – including countless calcareous algae. When they died, they sank to the bottom and their tiny limestone flakes took millions of years to form the gigantic chalk layer that towers over the waves here today. Then the movement of the glaciers gave the natural wonder that is Møns Klint its imposing shape during the last ice age 12,000 years ago.
Recommended activities around Møns Klint:
- Take in the roughly 6-kilometre-long cliff. The best way to do so is from the beach by going down the 497 steps of the Maglevand Stairs at Geocenter Møns Klint and later, obviously, up again.
- If you prefer to see the view from above during a walk, there's a 267-metre-long wooden path with several beautiful viewpoints at the top of Møns Klint.
- Water lovers can also see the cliffs from the sea, e.g. on one of the guided kayaking or stand-up paddling tours.
- Visit Geocenter Møns Klint and learn more about the eventful history of this unique place.
- Go on a fossil hunt. The Geocenter organises guided tours that are included in the museum entrance fee. With a bit of luck, you might just find fossils of primeval sea creatures – and you can even keep what you find.
- Møns Klint was chosen as one of the first Dark Sky Parks in Denmark. Far away from light pollution, the night sky is especially dark here and ideal for gazing at the stars above.
Campsites nearby: Camp Møns Klint near the chalk cliffs
Stop #4: Bike trip to the island of Nyord
A secluded island (practically) for you alone – this is how you'll most likely feel on the tiny island of Nyord to the north of Møn. The island only covers an area of five square kilometres and, as an important breeding habitat, is home to a variety of bird species, wild bees and Denmark's smallest museum. Nyord is completely car-free and still unspoilt. You can get there from Møn via a single-lane bridge and park your car in the village of Nyord. Then continue on foot or by bike – or you can leave your campervan at the campsite on Møn and go on a long bike ride.
Recommended activities on Nyord:
- Visit the wild bees of Nyord on the Wild Bee Walk. The bee trail starts and ends at Hyldevang Naturcenter and goes past beehives, information boards and stunning nature to the beach meadows, a huge bird sanctuary, by the sea.
- Get some coffee and cake at the Noorbohandelen farm shop and learn more about the small island at the in-house museum. Afterwards, try some of their homemade mustard at the Nyord Mustard Mill next door.
- Enjoy the tranquillity of the village, which has barely changed in the last 200 years.
- Stop over at Denmark's smallest museum during a walk through the Nyord Enge Nature Reserve. It's housed in Møllestangen, a former lookout hut for ships.
Campsites nearby: Møn Strandcamping (please note: it's only open until the beginning of September)
Stop #5: Activities in the Dybsø Fjord Wildlife Reserve on Zealand
The Dybsø Fjord south of Næstved is a lagoon in the southwest of the island of Zealand, the largest island in the Baltic Sea and Denmark. The entire area around the fjord is a recreational area, with its picturesque fjord landscape simply radiating peace and relaxation. You can unwind, go for walks and bike rides along the shore of the fjord and enjoy untouched nature resulting from the lack of tourism in this region.
Recommended activities at Dybsø Fjord:
- Trip to Stejlebanke, a large nature area on the road between Næstved and Vordingborg near Vester Egesborg. This hill towers above the fjord landscape, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful view of the fjord while hiking or cycling.
Campsites nearby: De Hvide Svaner Camping, Enø Camping
Stop #6: Hiking on the island of Nekselø
Now it's about to get really secluded and tranquil – Nekselø is a tiny island to the northwest of Zealand. It's only 2.2 km² small and has less than 20 inhabitants. You'll find a visit to the car-free island extremely relaxing. It's completely under conservation and, therefore, still very original and untouched. There's a lush coastal forest on its eastern coast. To get to Nekselø, you have to take a 20-minute ferry ride from Havnsø.
Recommended activities on Nekselø:
- Go on a hike around the island to relax. We recommend taking a picnic with you.
- Pretty picnic spots can be found on the hills of Gadebjerg and Elmebjerg, which are roughly 40 m above sea level and from where you can enjoy a great view of the island and the surrounding sea.
Campsites nearby: Vesterlyng Camping, Teglværksgårdens Camping, Sanddobberne Camping, pitches at Havnsø Havn
Stop #7: The fishing village of Rørvig
Rørvig lies in the Ise Fjord in northwest Zealand. A snow-white dune beach stretches towards the sea, small fishing boats sway in the old harbour and there are a whole lot of holiday home areas around this tourist location. You can take a short walk through the town and the harbour, but what's really interesting are the Korshage nature reserve and Hovvig bird sanctuary around Rørvig.
Recommended activities around Rørvig:
- Take long beach walks and hikes along Hesselø Bay and into the wooded hinterland.
- Enjoy the local cuisine at one of the fish restaurants, e.g. The Fish Buffet at the port.
- Stroll through the town and its intricate handicraft shops.
- Go on a day trip by ferry to Hundested, where a modern harbour meets old fishing traditions and fishing cutters still bring in the daily catch.
Campsites nearby: Camping Rørvig Strand, Odsherred Camping Nordstrand
Stop #8: Forest bathing in Gribskov
Covering 5,500 hectares, Gribskov Forest is the second largest forest in Denmark, after Rold Skov Forest in the central north of the country. The Danish kings once created a huge game area here and organised large hunts. Today, Gribskov is a welcoming oasis, primarily attracting people looking for tranquillity as well as forest bathers. Forest bathing is nothing more than a long, mindful walk among trees. Its positive effect on our physical and mental health has long been scientifically proven.
Recommended activities in Gribskov Forest:
- A dense network of waymarked hiking and cycling trails goes through Gribskov Forest. Various routes will take you past information boards, lakes, very old trees and traces of the forest's past.
- A visit to the magnificent Frederiksborg moated castle south of the forest and its baroque garden where you'll also find a cosy restaurant, Café Havehuset.
- Our tip: a small ferry chugs across the lake from 15th May to 15th September, allowing you to also admire the castle from the water.
Campsites nearby: Hillerød Camping, Blåkildehus Farm Camp, Fredensborg Camping