Marienleuchte: Lighthouse History and Stony Beach

Marienleuchte brings together lighthouse history and a variety of experiences by the water. At the pier, you can go straight down to the water and cool off in the Baltic Sea; the stony beach invites you to enjoy walks and search for Hühnergötter, offering a different kind of beach day. A viewpoint with permanently installed binoculars also looks out over the water, towards Denmark and at construction sites on Fehmarn. If you are looking for accommodation on Fehmarn, these different attractions can help you decide what you want to focus on during your stay.

A lighthouse with a history

The island’s first lighthouse stood at the northeastern tip of Fehmarn. Denmark’s Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke was personally present at its inauguration on 28 October 1832; the tower was named Marienleuchte in her honour. Its poor structural condition meant the old tower could not be raised as required. So, in 1964, a slender 33-metre reinforced-concrete lighthouse was built to the north. The story of the place thus stretches from the inauguration of the first tower to a later structural solution.

Pier, stony beach and special finds

The pier provides direct access to the water, where you can cool off in the Baltic Sea. If you would rather explore the beach on foot, the stony shore is a good place for walks by the sea. Visitors can also look for unusual stones such as Hühnergötter. Two different ways to enjoy the beach are on offer: heading straight into the water, or seeing what you can discover along the shore. Which one shapes your day depends on whether you are mainly looking to cool off or to take a walk and search for beach finds.

On the natural beaches in Marienleuchte, you can discover gneiss, Baltic Sea jade and belemnites. Belemnites are considered artefacts from the Cretaceous period and are in some cases several million years old. Looking at finds like these connects the beach experience with a much older history of the Earth. Local rules may apply to collecting.

Views, fishing and a bike tour

There is a viewpoint with permanently installed binoculars by the Old Lighthouse. From here, you get a good view of construction sites on Fehmarn, the water and Denmark. If you are making a special trip for this view, please check the conditions at the viewpoint before visiting.

Fishing is another possible interest: Marienleuchte is one of Fehmarn’s popular fishing spots. Another way to enjoy an active stay is to take a bike ride along the dike. Marienleuchte is a suitable destination for a ride from Presen, Klausdorf or Katharinenhof. Comparing these options can help you plan your day: the beach and water are joined by viewpoints, fishing and a bike tour as different reasons to visit.

Location and accommodation on Fehmarn

The holiday destination of Marienleuchte lies east of the neighbouring village of Puttgarden and its ferry terminal. It can be reached by a single road, Marienleuchter Weg. When looking for accommodation on Fehmarn, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on: would you like your stay to centre on the water and walks, or are views, fishing and a bike ride along the dike more important? Marienleuchte offers specific attractions for these interests. Its location east of Puttgarden and its access via Marienleuchter Weg also give you a clear point of reference when planning where it fits into your island itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lemkenhafen, Albertsdorf, Wulfen, Puttgarden, Vadersdorf, Bannesdorf, Altjellingsdorf, Burg auf Fehmarn.

See the main travel overview: Fehmarn.