Prætsø Fjord with the towns marina in the background

Small in size, but rich on history; Præstø on Southern Zealand is a picturesque ancient merchant borough dating back to the 14th century, at the bottom of a small fjord of the same name. It makes for a worthwhile excursion if you're in the area. In 2020, it was home to 3,900 people.

Get in

The last train has long since made its final trip to Præstø, so you'll either need your own wheels or jump on a bus, which is a fairly infrequent occurrence, so plan ahead.

Buses 78 and 79 runs from Næstved which has frequent train services to Copenhagen. Another, more cumbersome option from the capital is Bus 91 from Faxe which has train services on the Østbanen from Køge which is on the end of the E S-train line. Bus 63 connects with Vordingborg further south on the same railway line as Næstved, so use this if you are heading south towards the islands (Lolland-Faster). Line 256 is your choice for going onwards to Møn as it ends in Stege, the islands largest city.

If you have your own vehicle, simply follow the Sydmotorvejen motorway (E47/E55) to either exit 38 (Tappernøje) or exit 39 (Bårse) and turn east, it's well signposted - the former is the most picturesque as it will take you along the fjord.

See

Nysø

• 1 Rødeled Pottery (Pottemageriet Rødeled), Rødeledvej 1 (in the west end of town, take bus 79 to Rødeledvej Stop), ☏ +45 5599 1031, sp-ssv@stam.dk. This workshop and museum is the oldest pottery in Denmark. Free. 
• 2 Nysø Manor Park (Nysø Slotspark), Nysøvej 3 (in the northwest end of town). Nysø is a beautiful old mansion from 1673, built as one of the first baroque buildings in the country by a local merchant. Thorvaldsen's small white atalier (see below) is still found in the park. Entrance to the building is summer only, and only to the museum wing. 10 DKK. 
• 3 Thorvaldsens Museum Nysø, Nysøvej 5, ☏ +45 55 37 25 54. May-August only; Tu-F 14:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00. One of Denmark's few blockbuster artists; sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) spent his final years here, and had a atelier provided by the baron and baroness. The collection, which is housed in one of the wings, includes many works from his time on Nysø Manor. 20 kr. 
• 4 Det Gamle Rådhus (Old Townhall), Torvet 10. Sa Su 11:00-15:00. Museum and cultural centre. Exhibition of naturalistic landscape painting of the surrounding countryside by Ole Ring (1902-1972). Courtyard cafe that hosts concerts on summer Sundays. 

Do

• 1 Café Bernhard, Adelgade 41, ☏ +45 55 99 19 20. The local activity centre with theatre, temporary exhibits, concerts, cinema and a café 
• 2 Feddet Strand Camping & Feriepark Canoe and Kayak rental, Feddet 12 (on Feddet, the opposite side of the fjord from Præstø city). Canoe and kayak rental 
• 3 Sólfari, Præstøvej 140, Mosebølle (7 km north along the fjord), ☏ +45 40 40 55 80. Horse-riding with Icelandic horses also have an activity centre with peashooter and air-rifle shooting, archery and paint ball. 
• 4 Kalvehave Labyrintpark (Labyrinth park), Hovvejen 12 (leave Præstø and go south towards Møn on Mønvej; after 10 minutes you will see the labyrinth park on the right hand right next to the road), ☏ +45 5534 4771. Open all days during the summer holidays 10:00-18:00, rest of the year check for opening hours. Although the park is not big, it is quite interesting and you easily spend half a day there. They have labyrinths and large puzzels outside and a room indside with smaller puzzels and mind games. They sell sandwiches and ice cream, but also have a picnic area if you want to bring your own food. Kids (3-12) 50 kr, adults 60 kr. 

Buy

Adelgade is the main shopping street

• Retail stores. Almost all of the retail stores in the town is placed in the centre of town on Adelgade which runs east-west parallel to the seafront, one street up. This includes a music store, several fashion shops, sports equipment, combined optician, jewelry and watch shop, a delicatessen store, electric equipment, household equipment etc.
• Grocery Stores. The town has four grocery stores, Aldi (on Vesterbro as you enter the town from the west), Meny and Netto (both placed on Svend Gynges torv in the centre of town, next to the bus terminal) and Fakta (on Østerbro east of the town centre). Because of the close proximity to a harbour they are allowed to be open 7 days a week during the tourist season. Meny also houses a bakery with individual opening hours (opens early in the morning).

Eat

• 1 Café Mocc@, Havnepladsen (on the harbour), ☏ +45 55943132. M-Th 10:00-21:00, F Sa 10:00-23:00, Su 09:00-21:00. Combined café and restaurant with live music during summer. Seating inside and outside right on the harbour front 
• 2 kaktus III, Adelgade 45, ☏ +45 9955 1246. lunch and dinner. Family type restaurant with a kids friendly menu placed in the centre of town right off the main street in a small plaza One course 50-150 kr. 

Drink

• 1 Keegans, Havnepladsen 8, ☏ +45 55 37 47 20. M-Th 13:00-23:00, F Sa 13:00-01:00, Su 13:00-01:00. Sportsbar with occasional live music 
• 2 Café Mocc@, Havnepladsen (on the harbour), ☏ +45 5594 3132. M-Th 10:00-21:00, F Sa 10:00-23:00, Su 09:00-21:00. Café with occasional live music 
• 3 Torvecaféen, Torvestræde 5. Traditional Danish bar. 

Sleep

• 1 Christinelund Feriecenter, Christinelundsvej 36, ☏ +45 24 61 19 05. Vacation centre in an old manor from 1850. Has teamed up with other local outfits to provide horse riding, canoeing and sailing as part of stays here. 350-600 kr. 
• 2 Fjordkroen, Bækkeskovstræde 23, Tappernøje, ☏ +45 55 96 58 10. This inn has great views over the fjord, but is a fair bit away from the town. Rooms with private patios to enjoy the view, and a camping ground (which seems to be full-year layovers only though). There is a nice beach nearby, 1790 kr. 
• 3 Hotel Frederiksminde, Klosternakken 8, ☏ +45 55 90 90 30. Impeccably renovated "old world" hotel from 1870. Amazing views of over the fjord, B&O televisions in the rooms, paintings, hunting trophees and professional staff. The on-site restaurant serves fresh local produce, in a nice light conservatory with sea view. 995-1895 kr. 
• 4 Kirsebærkroen, Kirsebærvej 1, ☏ +45 55 99 39 55. Built in 1780, this intimate B&B in a white, half-timbered house with thatched roof, offers 'mini apartments' with kitchenettes and a small attached patio with table and chair. 345-495 kr. 

Connect

• Præstø Tourist information, Klosternakken 8 (just by Frederiksminde Anlæg), ☏ +45 5590 9192. Late June to late August: Tu-F 10:00-16:00, Sa 10:00-14:00, Su M closed. 
• Post Office. The city post office is placed inside the SuperBest Grocery store. It is open M-F 10:00-17:00.
• Café Mocc@ and the harbour offers free Internet connection as WiFi network.

Go next

Præstø is placed 20 minutes by car from Vordingborg, Næstved and Møn. Vordingborg and Næstved are larger cities with more shopping opportunities and an old center of town.

The island Møn has a lot to offer. The main city is Stege with great shopping opportunities, but Møn is most famous for the great nature it has to offer. Møns Klint is impressive white chalk cliffs rising from the sea. Ulfshale is a large area with splendid nature, forest and marches, with and a lot of rare birds.