Geomuseum Faxe & the Limestone Quarry Edge
Stand on the brink of a vast white quarry, handle fossils from a 63‑million‑year‑old coral sea, and see how geology and industry shaped this corner of Denmark.
Perched on the rim of Denmark’s vast Faxe Limestone Quarry, Geomuseum Faxe plunges you 63 million years back to a time when a warm ocean and a deep-water coral reef covered this corner of Zealand. Inside, fossils of sharks, crocodiles and countless marine creatures share space with stories of centuries of limestone quarrying and local life. Step outside and you can walk straight into the brilliant white quarry, hunt for your own fossils with hammer and chisel, and feel how geology, industry and landscape meet in one dramatic open-air scene.
A brief summary to Geomuseum Faxe
- Østervej 2b, Faxe, 4640, DK
- +4556502806
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Bring sturdy closed shoes, sunglasses and sun protection for the limestone quarry, where the white chalk reflects light and the ground can be uneven and dusty.
- Budget extra time for a fossil hunt; renting hammer and chisel is inexpensive, and you can usually keep the fossils you find as souvenirs.
- Check seasonal opening hours in advance, as the museum operates reduced hours or closes during parts of the winter while the quarry itself remains accessible.
- Families with younger children may prefer a short quarry walk near the top terraces rather than descending too far into the pit.
- Pack water and snacks; there are simple drink and ice cream options on site, but choices are limited compared with larger visitor centres.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Regional train and bus from Copenhagen
From central Copenhagen, take a regional train towards Køge and Næstved, changing at Køge for the line that stops at Faxe Ladeplads; the total rail journey typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours. From Faxe Ladeplads or a nearby stop, a local bus connects to Faxe town in about 10 to 20 minutes, with services running roughly once an hour on weekdays and less frequently on weekends. A combined one-way journey using standard public transport tickets generally costs around 120–180 DKK per adult, depending on zones and time of day.
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Car from Copenhagen and Zealand
Driving from Copenhagen city centre to Geomuseum Faxe usually takes about 1 to 1.25 hours, depending on traffic, using the main motorways and regional roads across Zealand. The route is straightforward and mostly on paved, well-maintained roads. Parking is available near the museum and quarry area at no or low cost, but spaces closest to the entrance can fill up on busy summer days and school holidays.
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Cycling from nearby towns on South Zealand
From nearby South Zealand towns such as Faxe Ladeplads or Rønnede, confident cyclists can reach Geomuseum Faxe in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, using a mix of smaller country roads and local cycle routes. The terrain is mostly gentle but includes some rolling hills, and weather conditions can influence the effort required. This option is best in late spring to early autumn and suited to riders comfortable sharing minor roads with local traffic.
Geomuseum Faxe location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Geomuseum Faxe
An ancient coral sea beneath modern Denmark
Geomuseum Faxe stands at the edge of Faxe Limestone Quarry, where the flat fields of South Zealand suddenly drop into a dazzling white amphitheatre. Here you are quite literally looking into an ancient ocean. Around 63 million years ago, long after the dinosaurs disappeared, this area lay beneath a warm sea where one of the world’s oldest known deep-sea coral reefs grew, layer upon layer. The limestone you see in the quarry walls is the compacted remains of that reef. It holds an astonishing diversity of fossils: corals, shells, crabs, sea urchins, shark teeth and the bones of marine reptiles. In the museum’s galleries, carefully prepared specimens reveal delicate structures that would be easy to miss out in the chalk, giving a vivid sense of the rich marine life that once thrived here.From quarrymen’s toil to a modern-day museum
For more than 900 years, people have quarried limestone at Faxe. That long human story is woven through the exhibitions, from early hand tools and horse-drawn carts to the heavy machinery that still works in the pit today. Displays explore how the stone has been used in churches, grand buildings and everyday homes across Denmark, shaping both architecture and livelihoods. Photographs, models and objects trace the daily routines of quarry workers, the hazards they faced and the tight-knit communities that developed around the industry. The juxtaposition of industrial heritage with deep geological time is one of the museum’s defining features: a place where hard hats and fossil corals feel like parts of the same narrative.Hands-on encounters with fossils and rock
Geomuseum Faxe is designed to be touched, tested and explored. Interactive stations let you handle real fossils, compare their weight and texture, and match them to illustrations of the living animals they once were. Simple experiments demonstrate how coral skeletons become limestone, how layers build up and how paleontologists read the rock like a history book. For many visitors the highlight begins when you step outside. From the museum you can head directly into the quarry, armed with a rented hammer and chisel. The bright chalk underfoot, the echo of your blows and the thrill of splitting open a rock to reveal a 63‑million‑year‑old fossil of your own make this a uniquely physical way to meet the past. The fossils you find and identify can usually be taken home as personal treasures.The otherworldly drama of Faxe Limestone Quarry
Standing on the quarry rim, the landscape feels almost lunar: broad terraces of white stone, turquoise rainwater pools and the distant movement of working machines. On sunny days the light is intense, bouncing off the chalk and sharpening every contour. Clouds of dust drift slowly above the pit, while gulls and small birds wheel along the edges. As you walk the paths into the quarry you pass through time, descending through rock layers laid down over thousands of years. Here and there you can see fossil-rich bands studded with shells and coral fragments, or large blocks where ancient burrows and reef structures are clearly visible. The sheer scale of the excavation, and the contrast between quiet fossil hunting corners and active industrial zones, gives the site a striking, cinematic atmosphere.A family-friendly gateway to deep time
Despite dealing with vast timescales, Geomuseum Faxe keeps the experience accessible. Exhibits use clear language and visual storytelling, making it easy for both children and adults to grasp the basics of geology and paleontology. Seasonal guided fossil hunts add expert insight, turning the quarry into an open classroom where questions are encouraged and finds are explained on the spot. Around the museum you will find a small café-style area, outdoor seating and green patches where you can rest between indoor galleries and outdoor exploring. On warm days the combination of chalk dust, sun lotion and the click of hammers becomes part of the sensory memory of the place. It is an attraction that combines learning, fresh air and a touch of adventure in a single compact visit.Seasons, conditions and practical atmosphere
The character of Geomuseum Faxe changes with the weather and time of year. In high summer, heat and sharp light dominate the quarry; sunglasses, sturdy shoes and water are indispensable. In cooler seasons, the pit feels starker and quieter, but the museum’s indoor spaces remain an inviting refuge where you can linger over displays without rushing. Because the quarry is an active worksite, some paths can be uneven and certain areas may be off limits at times. Information panels and staff help you understand how the site is managed for safety while remaining open to the public. Whether you stay mainly indoors with the fossils or spend most of your time roaming the chalk, the overall mood balances scientific curiosity with the simple pleasure of being out in a very unusual landscape.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
Den blå sø
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Camp Adventure
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Skovtårnet (Forest Tower)
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Roneklint Fyr
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Rødvig Beach
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BonBon-Land
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Bønsvig Strand
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Mindesten for greve Christian Moltke
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Boesdal Kalkbrud
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Dyrehaven
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Cold war museum Stevnsfort
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Essential places to dine
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Fjordkroen
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Restaurant Villa Gallina
11.3 km
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Frederiksminde hotel og restaurant
15.4 km
Romantic fjordside pavilion in Præstø where classic Danish charm meets New Nordic fine dining, intimate gardens and slow, atmospheric escapes from everyday life.
Restaurant Sommers
15.5 km
Relaxed harbourfront restaurant in Præstø serving generous Danish comfort dishes and seafood, with bright Nordic interiors and a terrace overlooking the marina.
Cafe Mocca
15.6 km
Relaxed harborfront café-restaurant on Præstø Fjord, serving hearty classics, brunch and drinks with wide fjord views and an easygoing small-town atmosphere.
Café Bliss
18.0 km
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Muldiverset
19.2 km
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Cafe Skov & Strand
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Elverhøi
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Bone's Næstved
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Mad & Ro
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Marios Pizza Bar & Grill
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Gæsteriet
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Tokyo Running Sushi Storcenter
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Pink vibes
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Dansk
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H&M
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Matinique Næstved
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Dissing
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Næstved Storcenter
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Sussis Bodega ApS
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Grillen
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Ellemarkens Bodega Drøvlen
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Bodega Dueslaget
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Champagne Riget
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Adventurous
- Relaxing
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Industrial
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Protected Area
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Myth & Legends
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
- Requires Hike
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
