Klintholm Harbor, Møn

Harbour village between working boats and holiday yachts

Klintholm Harbor sits on the eastern edge of Møn, where the Baltic Sea reaches deep into a man‑made basin lined with fishing vessels, leisure craft and visiting yachts. Built in 1878 by the owner of the nearby Klintholm Estate to export local produce and chalk, the harbour has grown into a combined fishing port and marina, with a village that feels purpose-built around the water. Along the quays you see nets drying, fuel berths and cranes alongside polished sailboats and visiting cruising yachts. Around 200 permanent residents call this compact settlement home, but in summer the waterfront can feel much bigger, with masts, campervans and cyclists all converging on the same sunny promenade.

Seaside life: cafés, fresh fish and family beach time

The main draw today is the relaxed harbourfront life. Several small restaurants and cafés cluster around the basins, many with outdoor seating that catches both evening light and the smell of salt on the air. Freshly landed fish is a local specialty, served in simple harbour eateries or sold at a dedicated fish shop when the boats come in. Just beyond the quays lies a broad, gently shelving sandy beach that is particularly suited to children. The shallow water and typically modest waves of this stretch of the Baltic make paddling and casual swimming inviting in summer. On warm days, the scene is one of ice creams, kids with nets, and families wandering between playgrounds, jetties and the shoreline.

Gateway to Møns Klint and wild Baltic seascapes

Klintholm Harbor is one of the main access points for exploring Møns Klint, the island’s famous white chalk cliffs. In the summer season, boat excursions depart from the harbour and trace the base of the cliffs, giving a sea‑level perspective on the towering formations and the lush beech forest that tops them. Anglers are equally well served. The coast from Klintholm east towards Møn’s lighthouse is known for sea trout and garfish, with the best seasons in spring and autumn for trout, and from early May for garfish. The water here is shallow, and waders are recommended if you are serious about reaching the prime fishing spots. For less committed visitors, simply watching local anglers working the shoreline can be part of the harbour’s quiet entertainment.

History in the harbour: from trade port to rescue haven

Although the village feels contemporary and holiday‑oriented, Klintholm Harbor carries a significant historical episode. On 5 May 1945, the day Denmark was liberated at the end of the Second World War, a barge carrying hundreds of starving prisoners from the Stutthof concentration camp drifted into the harbour with the help of a German tug. Local residents rallied to provide food, shelter and medical care, saving most of those on board. A memorial stone stands near the shore where the barge came in, marking the spot and commemorating the victims and survivors. It is a sober counterpoint to the otherwise carefree waterfront, and spending a few quiet moments here adds depth to an understanding of this coastline and its role in wider European history.

Marina facilities and the feel of a nautical hub

For sailors, Klintholm offers a large marina with berths for visiting yachts, electricity and water on the pontoons, and easy access at all tides. The harbour also functions as a service port for offshore wind farms in the Baltic, so you may see crew transfer vessels and workboats alongside cruising yachts and traditional fishing craft. Basic amenities such as restrooms, showers, a small supermarket and tourist information are available close to the quays, making it a practical base for exploring Møn or preparing for Baltic passages. In the evenings, the forest of masts, clinking rigging and glow from restaurant windows give the harbour a distinctly nautical atmosphere.

Seasons, light and the character of Møn’s coast

Møn enjoys relatively mild summers, with long, bright days and temperatures usually in the comfortable range for sitting outdoors by the water. Winter brings shorter, often grey days, when the harbour quietens but remains an atmospheric place to watch shifting Baltic weather and the play of wind on the sea. Across seasons, what defines Klintholm is its blend of working harbour authenticity and low‑key seaside resort feeling. Whether you come to board a boat for Møns Klint, to cast a fishing line, or simply to wander the quays with a cone of locally made ice cream, the setting offers a gentle, distinctly Danish coastal experience.