Marienleuchte on Fehmarn: Lighthouse History and Natural Beaches

Marienleuchte on Fehmarn is a good fit for a trip focused on lighthouse history and time on the Baltic Sea. The village lies east of the neighboring village of Puttgarden and the ferry terminal; it is accessible by a single road, Marienleuchter Weg. There are several reasons to visit: the history of the lighthouses, direct access to the water via the jetty, walks and stone hunting on the pebble beach, natural finds, and a viewpoint. Fishing and a bike ride along the dike can also shape your stay. If you are looking for a hotel on Fehmarn, you can assess Marienleuchte as a destination based on these local interests.

Lighthouse history on the northeastern edge of the island

Fehmarn’s first lighthouse, at the island’s northeastern corner, was named Marienleuchte in honor of the Danish Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke. She was personally present at its inauguration on October 28, 1832. It was not possible to raise the old tower, which was in poor structural condition. Therefore, a new, slender 33-meter-high reinforced concrete lighthouse was built north of the old one in 1964. The inauguration and the new construction belong to different phases of the area’s history: the first explains the name, and the second the construction of another tower.

Jetty, pebble beach, and time by the water

The jetty provides direct access to the water for a refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea. Walks by the sea beckon along the pebble beach, where you can also look for hag stones. These are two distinct activities: going into the water from the jetty and walking along the beach, with the search for unusual stones providing a specific focus.

Natural finds on the beaches

On Marienleuchte’s natural beaches, you can find gneiss, Baltic Sea jade, and belemnites. Belemnites are considered artifacts from the Cretaceous period and are, in some cases, several million years old. This age reference applies to the belemnites, not to all the finds mentioned. If you are interested in geological specimens, these names give your beach visit a particular focus for searching. Local collecting rules may apply; check them before collecting if necessary.

Viewpoint and fishing

There is a viewpoint by the Old Lighthouse with permanently installed binoculars. From there, you can enjoy a good view of construction sites on Fehmarn, the water, and Denmark. Check the conditions before driving to this viewpoint. Fishing is another possible interest: Marienleuchte is one of Fehmarn’s popular fishing spots.

Getting there and cycling

For directions, Marienleuchter Weg is the main landmark: this single road provides access to the holiday destination. Marienleuchte lies east of the neighboring village of Puttgarden and the ferry terminal. A different starting point is mentioned for a bike ride: Marienleuchte is considered a suitable destination for a ride along the dike from Presen, Klausdorf, and Katharinenhof. When choosing where to go, you can therefore distinguish between arriving by road and cycling along the dike from the named directions.

Discover more destinations: Puttgarden, Bojendorf, Wulfen, Staberdorf, Dänschendorf on Fehmarn, Landkirchen, Püttsee, Katharinenhof

Go to the main travel overview: Fehmarn.