Discover Maribo: Monastic History and Lakes

Maribo lies in the heart of Maribosøerne Nature Park. At the same time, its monastic history, museums and outdoor activities shape the visitor experience. When looking for a hotel, you can choose where to focus based on whether you want to visit historical sites, explore nature or plan a longer cycling route.

Monastic History and Museums

The abbey ruins are about a ten-minute walk from Maribo station. Before your visit, check with the responsible museum for current visiting arrangements. Maribo Cathedral also tells the story of the town’s monastic history: it was originally built in the 15th century as part of a double monastery. Visitors can see Leonora Christina’s gravestone and the crypt with her coffin.

Two exhibitions at Stiftsmuseet offer different historical perspectives. The OMG (Oh My God) exhibition displays unique medieval crucifixes. The Lola exhibition introduces a Stone Age girl who lived about 5,700 years ago. The museum thus brings medieval religious art together with a much earlier period of human life.

At the open-air museum De Gamle Huse, visitors can play old village games or take part in Frilandsquizzen. A seasonal activity is “Craftsman for a Day,” which includes activities such as whitewashing, weaving fences and applying clay plaster the traditional way. Group events can also include a tasting of old local dishes from the region.

Nature and Activities on the Water

Maribosøerne Nature Park is a protected natural area. Maribosøerne is also an EU Special Protection Area for birds and a Ramsar site. White-tailed eagles have successfully bred there every year since 1997. On the lakeshore, Naturskolen provides access to eight hectares of publicly accessible natural areas.

Naturskolen’s 200-metre sensory trail passes through varied terrain. Along the way, visitors encounter fallen trees, gnarled branches and viewpoints; a small surprise is also said to be the sacrificial bog with skulls and bones. Its short length clearly distinguishes this trail from a longer excursion.

On the lakes in the nature park, Maribo Kano rents out canoes, kayaks, boats and SUP boards. Fishing is permitted at Naturskolen’s boat landing on Søndersø under the 2025–2029 nature park plan. Check local fishing regulations before setting out.

Trails, a Circular Route and a Museum Railway

For a cycling trip, the 41-kilometre “Skov, kyst og vin” route is one option; it starts and ends at Maribo station. Another way to experience the route to Bandholm is the museum railway, with its scenic eight-kilometre journey. The comparison highlights the different options: a 41-kilometre cycling route starting and ending at the station, or an eight-kilometre train ride from Maribo to Bandholm.

Different themes can also be explored on foot. The Klosterruten is one of two modern pilgrimage routes that cross in Maribo. Pilgrimshuset serves as a hub for hiking routes connecting nature, monasteries, churches and manor houses. A walk through Maribo also follows in the footsteps of Kaj Munk, who was born in the town.

Another outdoor destination is Bangshaveskoven, home to the five-metre-tall forest troll Frie Vilje, created by artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials. So, alongside historical collections and buildings, visitors can also choose a distinctive art figure and activities on the water when deciding what to focus on during their stay.

Discover more destinations: Askø By, Harpelunde, Sønderby, Sakskøbing, Soesmarke, Bandholm, Vesterborg Sogn, Dannemare.

Return to the main travel overview: Lolland.