Fehmarn has plenty to offer for a wonderful vacation. But if you’re staying a few days longer or simply looking for a change of pace, there are several worthwhile day trips you can take from the island. Denmark is just a short ferry ride away, the Hanseatic city of Lübeck is less than an hour away, and lakes and castles await in Holstein Switzerland.
On this page, you'll find the best destinations from Fehmarn, including approximate travel times and practical tips, including information for families with children and dog owners. All travel times are listed from Burg on Fehmarn.
Are you looking for activities and places to visit right on the island? Then check out our page on Sights on Fehmarn.
From Puttgarden in the north of Fehmarn, the Scandlines ferry (and in the future the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel) It takes 45 minutes to get to Rødby on the Danish island of Lolland. Ferries run every half hour, and you can take the trip on a whim. You can buy tickets online or right at the harbor. You can take the ferry by car, bicycle, or on foot. Puttgarden is about a 20-minute drive from Burg.
There are several worthwhile destinations on the Danish side. Knuthenborg Safari Park is the largest safari park in Northern Europe and is located just about 30 minutes from Rødby. Giraffes, rhinos, and tigers roaming in spacious enclosures make it a highlight for families. Those interested in nature and geology should head to the chalk cliffs of Møns Klint. The white cliffs and the adjacent GeoCenter are impressive, though Møn is about 1.5 hours from Rødby and is better suited as a full-day excursion.
The Border Shop is located right on the harbor in Rødby, where many vacationers shop for Scandinavian products. A day trip to Copenhagen is also possible, but you should plan for a long day. It takes about 2.5 hours to get from Rødby to the Danish capital.
Important information when traveling to Denmark with a dog: You need a valid EU pet passport and a current rabies vaccination. Denmark also has a list of 13 banned dog breeds, including mixed breeds. You can also find a list of the banned dog breeds on our page for Vacation Rentals That Allow Dogs.
Be sure to check the current entry requirements before your trip.
As soon as you cross the Fehmarnsundbrücke, you’ll be in Ostholstein. The region along Lübeck Bay offers several destinations that are perfect for a day trip from Fehmarn.
Heiligenhafen is located just before the Fehmarnsundbrücke and can be reached in about 20 minutes. The pier with its modern promenade, the small harbor, and the Graswarder Nature Reserve make the town a pleasant destination for a half-day trip. Heiligenhafen is also a great stopover on the way to more distant destinations.
Hansa-Park is Germany’s only theme park located directly on the Baltic Sea, about 50 minutes from Fehmarn. Eleven themed areas, over 125 attractions, and various live shows provide entertainment for a whole day. The park is open seasonally, typically from late March through October. It is a popular destination for families with children of elementary school age and older. Dogs are not allowed in the park.
You can reach the Hanseatic city of Lübeck in about 70 to 80 minutes. The medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is perfect for exploring on foot. The Holstentor, St. Mary’s Church, the Buddenbrookhaus, and the winding alleys with their historic courtyards are well worth a leisurely stroll. For many, a visit to Niederegger for the famous Lübeck marzipan is a must.
If you’d like to extend your trip, you can combine a visit to Lübeck with a stop in the seaside resort of Travemünde. There you’ll find a wide sandy beach, the four-masted barque Passat, and a lively harbor promenade. You should plan a full day for Lübeck and Travemünde.
Grömitz is located about 40 minutes from Fehmarn. The Noah’s Ark Zoo features spacious outdoor enclosures spread over ten hectares and is particularly appealing to families with young children. In nearby Cismar, you’ll find the House of Nature, home to Europe’s most extensive collection of snails—an unusual but worthwhile little museum.
The Oldenburg Wall Museum is located just about 25 minutes from Fehmarn. On the site of the former Slavic settlement of Starigard, ramparts, houses, and harbor facilities have been reconstructed. Anyone interested in medieval history will find here a vivid insight into the lives of the Slavs in East Holstein.
Holstein Switzerland begins about 50 minutes southwest of Fehmarn and offers a stark contrast to the flat landscape of the island. The region is characterized by rolling lake landscapes, forests, and small towns with historic centers.
Eutin is a great starting point. This small town on Lake Eutin features a castle worth seeing, a charming old town, and is nestled in lush green countryside. In Plön, you can explore Lake Plön and Plön Castle. The Five Lakes Cruise, a boat tour through several interconnected lakes, departs from Malente.
Holstein Switzerland is particularly well-suited for couples and nature lovers. The region is also great for those traveling with dogs, as there are numerous hiking trails along the lakes.
If you're already familiar with the immediate area or are looking for something specific, you'll find a few more worthwhile destinations in the wider region.
The Karl May Festival in Bad Segeberg is a classic family attraction. Every summer, Winnetou adventures are performed in an open-air theater on the Kalkberg. Bad Segeberg is also worth a visit outside of the festival season: The Kalkberg Cave is home to one of Europe’s largest winter roosts for bats, and at the Noctalis Bat Center, you can learn all about these nocturnal animals. Bad Segeberg is about 70 minutes from Fehmarn.
Much closer is the Museumshof Lensahn, just a 25-minute drive away. Here, traditional farming is brought to life, and events such as classic car meets and harvest festivals are held throughout the year.
The Donkey Park in Nessendorf is easily accessible—about a 35-minute drive—and is popular with families with young children. Over 100 donkeys of various breeds are there to be petted and fed.
On a rainy day, the Weissenhäuser Strand, located about 30 minutes from Fehmarn, is a great option. The subtropical water park and the Dschungelland adventure park are open regardless of the weather and offer a great indoor alternative, especially for families.
Many of the destinations listed here are easily accessible with a dog, but some are not. To make sure you don’t find yourself facing closed doors, here are the most important tips.
To enter Denmark, you need an EU pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination. Denmark has a list of 13 banned dog breeds, including mixed breeds. Dogs are generally not allowed in Hansa-Park. Holstein Switzerland, on the other hand, with its hiking trails and lakes, is ideal for outings with your dog.
For museums, zoos, and other attractions, we recommend checking their respective websites beforehand to see if dogs are allowed. As a general rule, be sure to pack water and a bowl, and make sure to provide plenty of shade and breaks during long car rides in the summer.
If you're vacationing on Fehmarn with your dog, you'll find dog-friendly vacation rentals in Burgtiefe and Burg.
A car is the most convenient option for day trips from Fehmarn. Fehmarn currently has no train service. Due to the construction of the Fehmarn Belt Crossing, the rail line between Lübeck and Fehmarn is expected to be suspended until 2029. An express bus (X85) runs, but it is not well-suited for spontaneous day trips in the surrounding area.
We have deliberately chosen not to list admission prices on this page, as they change regularly. You can find current prices and opening hours on the websites of the respective providers.
From Burgtiefe and Burg, you can reach the Fehmarnsundbrücke in just a few minutes. From there, you can head directly to the mainland toward Heiligenhafen, Lübeck, or Holstein Switzerland. For a trip to Denmark, drive north to the Puttgarden ferry terminal, about 20 minutes from Burg.
At Inselblume Fehmarn You'll find high-quality vacation homes in central locations, from which you can easily explore both the island and the surrounding area. And if you're traveling with your dog, we've got you covered with suitable accommodations for you.