Maribo is probably not a town that immediately comes to mind when planning a trip around Denmark. Copenhagen, Aarhus and the coastline usually get much more attention. In fact I never heard of it before my sister spent some time studying there. However it is worth spending some time here especially if you have an extended period in Denmark.
Maribo is a quiet and charming town sitting beside the Maribo Lakes, with the cathedral practically overlooking the water. Within a short distance you have nature trails, historic monastery ruins, museums and one of Denmark’s biggest family attractions at Knuthenborg Safaripark.
This guide covers the best things to do in Maribo, how to get there, what you can visit without a car and the best short day trips to add to your stay in and around Lolland.
How to Get to Maribo
Maribo is on the island of Lolland in southern Denmark. Despite looking relatively remote on the map, getting here by public transport is reasonably straightforward.
Copenhagen to Maribo by Public Transport
You do not need a rental car just to reach Maribo but can get here by train with one stop.
From Copenhagen Central Station, travel south towards Nykøbing Falster and change there for the local train towards Maribo. The total journey is usually around 1 hour 45 minutes, although this depends on the connection.
Maribo Station is also conveniently positioned right beside the town centre. The Stiftsmuseet is practically next door, while the cathedral and lake are roughly a 10-minute walk away.
Always check Denmark’s handy app Rejseplanen before travelling because regional train schedules can change.
Getting to Maribo by Car
We rented a car to give us greater flexibility and the possibility of some attractions which if you are on foot becomes impossible to visit.
If you are staying only in Maribo, it is small enough that you can explore the majority of it by foot.
Things to Do in Maribo
Explore Maribo Lakes Nature Park
The main reason I would recommend spending time in Maribo is the Maribo Lakes Nature Park, or Naturpark Maribosøerne.
The nature park surrounds four lakes: Søndersø, Røgbølle Sø, Hejrede Sø and Nørresø. Together they create one of the largest freshwater areas in Denmark, surrounded by forest, wetlands, farmland and old estates.
The easiest introduction is simply to walk down from the cathedral towards Søndersø. You can follow paths along the shoreline without needing to commit to a huge hike.
If you want something longer, the area is excellent for cycling. One marked cycling route around Søndersø and Røgbølle Sø is approximately 36 kilometres and passes viewpoints, countryside and Søholt Manor.
There is also a diverse birdlife here making it another major reason to visit. White-tailed eagles can be seen around the lakes throughout the year, while ospreys are present seasonally.
The nature park itself is free, so this is easily one of the best budget-friendly things to do in Maribo.
You can find walking and cycling information on the official Maribo Lakes Nature Park website.
Take a Boat Trip on the Maribo Lakes
If you are visiting during the warmer months, you can see the lakes from the water aboard the Anemonen tour boat.
The boat operates trips around the Maribo Lakes and is particularly good if you want to experience the birdlife without doing one of the longer walking or cycling routes.
Regular sailings generally operate between May and September, alongside occasional themed excursions. Canoeing and kayaking are also possible if you would rather explore independently.
Visit Maribo Cathedral
Maribo Cathedral is easily the most recognisable building in town. Its position beside the lake also makes it one of the most photogenic spots in Maribo. You can walk from the town centre towards the cathedral and continue directly into the lakeside paths afterwards.
The present cathedral originates from the 15th century and formed part of a large Birgittine double monastery. The monastery played a major role in the creation and development of Maribo itself.
Inside you can also learn about Leonora Christina, daughter of King Christian IV, who lived at the monastery from 1685 until her death in 1698. Her gravestone and a crypt containing her coffin remain inside the cathedral.
The cathedral is normally open during the daytime, although opening hours can change because of services and events, so check before visiting.
See the Maribo Monastery Ruins
Do not just visit the cathedral and leave.
Immediately beside it you will find the remains of the old Maribo monastery. The Birgittine monastery was completed in 1416 and was once one of Denmark’s important religious institutions.
Today only ruins and the layout of parts of the monastery remain, but the site helps make much more sense of why such a substantial cathedral exists in what is otherwise a small Danish town.
The monastery ruins are free to visit and accessible throughout the year.
Visit Stiftsmuseet and Learn About Stone Age Lola
One attraction I would definitely include, particularly if you are interested in archaeology, is Stiftsmuseet beside Maribo Station.
The museum covers around 10,000 years of history from Lolland and Falster, but its most unusual exhibit revolves around a Stone Age girl nicknamed Lola.
Archaeologists working on the Fehmarn tunnel project discovered a piece of birch pitch that had been chewed around 5,700 years ago. Researchers were able to recover a complete ancient human DNA profile from it, allowing them to learn surprisingly detailed information about the person who had chewed it.
The museum now uses the discovery to explain life on Lolland during the transition between hunter-gatherer societies and early farming communities.
Opening days are quite seasonal, so check the official Stiftsmuseet website before turning up.
Walk Around Maribo Town Centre
Maribo itself will not take hours to explore, but it is worth taking some time to walk around the centre.
Start around the main square near the town hall before wandering towards the older streets surrounding the cathedral.
Maribo developed around the monastery, so the cathedral, monastery area and lake form the historic core of the town.
There are cafés and restaurants around the centre if you want to stop for lunch before continuing towards the lakes.
You will most likely pass through some streets if you are walking down from the station to the lake.
Visit Knuthenborg Safaripark
I think this is one of the main highlights during my trip in Denmark. Knuthenborg Safaripark is one of the biggest attractions anywhere on Lolland and is only a few kilometres outside Maribo. I will definitely recommend having a car for visiting this safari park as it gives you the full experience and saves you a lot of walking.
There are large sections which you drive through them including giraffes, deer, zebras and elephants. I particularly really liked the giraffes as they really walk right besides your car it was amazing. Here are a few photos of animals which can really come up to you and in some cases block the road. Remember that the animals have the right of way.
The park also includes walking areas, rides, Dinosaur Forest and the Museum of Evolution.
I would allow most of a day for Knuthenborg rather than trying to squeeze it between other Maribo attractions. We were there on opening hours meaning at 10am and left around 2:30 pm. This gives you a great day out and then go down to the lake to explore all the other stuff to do in Maribo in one day.
With regards to ticket prices, they vary depending on the date and how early you book, so check the official Knuthenborg Safaripark website before visiting.
Can You Visit Knuthenborg Without a Car?
Yes, although having a car gives you the full safari experience.
There are bus connections from Maribo towards the Knuthenborg area, although services can be limited, so check the timetable carefully before relying on public transport.
The park also allows visitors to enter by bicycle, although certain animal areas cannot be entered by bike for safety reasons.
If Knuthenborg is one of the main reasons you are visiting Maribo, I would recommend driving if possible.
Best Day Trips From Maribo
Maribo works particularly well if you have a rental car and want to explore southern Denmark without constantly changing accommodation.
Møns Klint
The biggest day trip and I think one of the more popular day trips to do from Copenhagen as well is Møns Klint.
From Maribo it is roughly 85 kilometres by road, with the drive taking around one hour under normal conditions. If you are visiting from Copenhagen it takes slightly longer but you can read more about it in my How to Get to Mons Klint guide.
Unfortunately I would not recommend coming here by public transport from Maribo as it is highly inconvenient. A car rental here would go a long way.
Dodekalitten
Another excellent shorter trip is Dodekalitten, north-west of Maribo near Kragenæs.
The site consists of enormous granite figures arranged in a circle overlooking the Smålandsfarvandet.
Eventually the artwork is intended to consist of 12 figures, each approximately 7 to 9 metres tall.
Despite looking like some mysterious prehistoric monument, Dodekalitten is actually modern art.
It is open throughout the day and is free to visit. From the parking area near Kragenæs, allow roughly 15 minutes to walk through the forest and fields to reach the sculptures.
Explore Glentehøj Passage Grave
This is probably one of the ancient sites you may have heard about around Maribo.
Just beside the Dodekalitten area lies Glentehøj, a remarkably well-preserved megalithic passage grave dating from around 3200 BC.
The mound is about 30 metres across, and you can actually crawl through the passage into the burial chamber.
Archaeological excavations uncovered human remains along with flint axes, knives, pottery and amber beads. Bring a torch because the chamber is dark.
Combining Glentehøj and Dodekalitten makes a very easy half-day trip from Maribo.
A Suggested One-Day Maribo Itinerary
This depends if you are arriving here by car or public transport. I am going to recommend the suggested one day like I did in Maribo
In the morning if you are coming in from Copenhagen I would head straight to Knuthenborg Safaripark I spent around half a day there and by the time you get here from Copenhagen it will be well in 10am just in time for opening hours. If you arrive earlier then you can start exploring near the cathedral in Maribo center.
This can also be the case if you arriving into the train station.
Afterwards we spent some time walking and unwinding down near the lake. Spend some time following the lakeside paths through the Maribo Lakes Nature Park. If you are travelling during summer and the departure times work, you could do the boat trip aboard Anemonen.
How Long Should You Spend in Maribo?
This really depends on your preference. I would at least spend a day to focus on the one day itinerary I just mentioned above.
You can easily spend the night here though to get to Mons Klint easier from here. We also combined Mons Klint with a visit to the Ringsted Designer outlet for some shopping.
For Maribo itself, one full day is enough to see the cathedral, monastery ruins, lake, town centre and one or two smaller attractions.
Two days works much better if you want to include Knuthenborg Safaripark or a day trip out.
Conclusion – Is Maribo Worth Visiting?
Maribo is worth visiting if you are already exploring Lolland-Falster or want to see a quieter side of Denmark.
For me it was well worth just to see how the locals live outside the busy city of Copenhagen. It is a small village right on the doorstep of nature.
If you are looking for something off the beaten path in Denmark then I would whole heartedly recommend this quiet town which you can pretty much find everything. It is the perfect place to unwind a bit. I do however encourage you to visit in the summer months where the days are longer and you can enjoy the weather and exploring lakeside.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more Denmark Guides coming soon!
