Background

Marielyst Seaside Resort & Beachfront Dunes

A classic Danish seaside resort on Falster, where a 20 km ribbon of white sand, shallow Baltic waters and a lively little holiday town create an easygoing coastal escape.

4.5

Marielyst is a classic Danish seaside resort on the Baltic coast of Falster, famed for its long, soft white-sand beach, shallow child-friendly waters and relaxed holiday-town atmosphere. A ribbon of dunes, dyke and footpath backs more than 20 km of coastline, while a compact center offers cafés, ice-cream stalls, mini-golf, gokart, surf activities and summer nightlife. It is an easygoing base for families, couples and anyone seeking a breezy coastal escape with plenty of low-key fun.

A brief summary to Marielyst

  • Digevej, Væggerløse, Marielyst, 4873, DK
  • Duration: 1.5 to 8 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Bring windproof layers even in summer; breezes off the Baltic can feel cool on the long open beach, especially in the evening or on overcast days.
  • Use the dyke-top footpath for longer walks or runs along the coast; it gives better views and drier footing than the sand after rain.
  • Families with small children will appreciate the shallow nearshore water, but still keep an eye on changing wind and wave conditions.
  • For quieter stretches of sand, walk further away from the central access points near the main square, especially on sunny weekends.
  • Outside high summer, many cafés and activity providers operate shorter hours, so plan meals and activities earlier in the day.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Regional train and local bus from Nykøbing Falster

    From Nykøbing Falster station, take a regional bus towards Marielyst or Gedser that stops in Marielyst; buses typically run at least once per hour in the daytime, less frequently in the evening. The journey takes around 30–40 minutes including stops. A one-way adult ticket usually costs around 30–50 DKK, with discounts for children and travel cards. Services operate year-round but may be less frequent on weekends and public holidays, so check the timetable in advance.

  • Car from Nykøbing Falster and the wider Zealand region

    Driving from Nykøbing Falster to Marielyst takes about 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic. From other parts of Zealand, allow 1.5–2.5 hours, including the motorway sections and the bridge to Falster. There are multiple public parking areas near the central beach accesses and town square; some are free while others may have time limits or fees in the peak summer season, typically under 10–15 DKK per hour. Roads are paved and straightforward, but traffic can be slower on sunny weekends and during school holidays.

  • Bicycle from Væggerløse and nearby villages

    From Væggerløse and the surrounding summer-house areas, Marielyst can be reached by bicycle in roughly 15–30 minutes, depending on your starting point. The terrain is flat and suitable for most riders, including older children, and there are local roads and cycle-friendly routes rather than steep or demanding sections. This is a cost-free option once you have a bike; just remember lights and reflective gear if returning after sunset, as some stretches can be quite dark.

Marielyst location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Hot Weather

Unlock the Best of Marielyst

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Marielyst

White-Sand Shores on the Baltic Coast

Marielyst stretches along the eastern shore of Falster, where an exceptionally long band of white sand meets the Baltic Sea in a wide, shallow arc. Here the beach runs for roughly 20 kilometres, giving you ample space to find your own patch of sand, wander for kilometres, or simply sit and watch the shifting colours of sea and sky. The gently shelving seabed and usually calm waters make this one of Denmark’s most family-friendly coastlines, inviting young children to paddle safely at the water’s edge. Behind the beach a line of dunes forms a natural buffer, topped by hardy grasses that rustle in the sea breeze. A dyke, built in the late 19th century to protect the reclaimed inland fields from flooding, now doubles as a scenic corridor. A narrow footpath runs along its crest for the full length of the coastline, offering big sky views and a sense of being suspended between land and sea.

A Holiday Town Built Around the Sea

Just a short stroll from the surf, Marielyst’s compact centre feels purpose-built for holidays. Streets cluster around a central square lined with ice-cream parlours, cafés, casual restaurants and seasonal shops selling everything from beach toys to local treats. In summer the atmosphere is lively and informal, with people drifting between terraces, mini-golf courses and arcades in bare feet and sunhats. This is very much a place designed for easygoing days: rounds of mini-golf after the beach, a game of go-kart or paintball for older kids and teens, and a choice of simple eateries when hunger kicks in. As evening falls, the neon of amusement venues mixes with the glow of sunset over the dunes, and you can wander back to the beach to watch the last light fade over the Baltic.

From Farmhouse to Seaside Resort

Marielyst’s story as a resort begins not with grand plans but with a single farmhouse. After devastating floods in 1872, a major drainage effort turned low-lying land behind the dunes into workable fields. A farmer named Hans Jørgensen established a new farm here and, in a personal touch that would soon define the whole area, named it Marielyst after his wife, Marie. In 1906 the lawyer Frederik Graae transformed that farmhouse into a seaside hotel, Marielyst Østersøbad, opening it with considerable fanfare and welcoming notable guests from Denmark and beyond. The venture caught the imagination of city dwellers looking for clean air and sea bathing, and the area rapidly developed into a fully fledged resort. Soon elegant summer villas in contemporary styles appeared, and over time an extensive zone of holiday homes grew up behind the dunes, turning Marielyst into one of Denmark’s classic summer-house areas.

Nature, Footpaths and Coastal Light

Beyond the sandy shore itself, Marielyst’s appeal lies in its coastal landscapes and ever-changing light. Formed by glacial deposits at the end of the last ice age, the low coastline blends dunes, dyke, fields and small forest patches into a gentle, human-scale landscape. The narrow footpath on top of the dyke invites long, contemplative walks with open views of rippling water, passing cloud shadows and distant kitesurfers. Birdlife is abundant in the surrounding wetlands and fields, especially towards Bøtø and other quieter stretches of coast, making the area attractive for casual nature watching and photography. Even outside the main bathing season, the beach remains a rewarding place to visit: winter swimmers brave the cold, dog walkers follow the firm sand, and the low sun throws metallic reflections across the Baltic.

Active Days and Relaxed Evenings

For visitors who like a bit of activity, Marielyst offers more than just sunbathing. In season, local operators provide stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing and kitesurfing sessions, while an adventure park just inland mixes golf-themed games with family-friendly challenges. Simple playgrounds near the central stretch of beach keep younger children entertained without leaving the seafront. As day gives way to evening, the emphasis shifts from activity to atmosphere. Many people return to the dunes or the pier to watch the sky blaze pink and orange before fading into a luminous northern twilight. Others linger over relaxed dinners or drinks in the town centre. Whether you are here for a week in a summer house or a short coastal break, Marielyst’s combination of long beach, soft light and unhurried holiday rhythm is its defining charm.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near Marielyst

Popular Hotels near Marielyst

Select Currency