Guide: A Slow-Paced Getaway Through South Zealand and Møn

Some places simply feel welcoming from the very first minute. Not because something is happening all the time, but because the pace naturally slows down. That was exactly the feeling Emily Salomon and her friend Sofie discovered on their journey through South Zealand and Møn.

From traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches in Næstved and sea views at Stevns to tulips at Gavnø and glass workshops in Holmegaard. Three days of memorable meals, scenic detours and the kind of views that make you instinctively reach for your phone to capture the moment.

Morning in Næstved with coffee, shopping and a lively market square

Emily Salomon's journey began in Næstved City, where charming pedestrian streets, independent shops and the lively town square set the scene for the first day. This historic market town in South Zealand has a relaxed pace that invites you to slow down. It's the kind of place where you'll want to linger over your coffee and pop into just one more shop.

For lunch, Emily and Sofie stopped at Alt Godt, where they enjoyed traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches and cold drinks overlooking Axeltorv, the town's central square.

If you visit Næstved on a Wednesday or Saturday, you'll find the town buzzing with even more life. That's when Axeltorv hosts its market days, with flowers, fresh produce, local delicacies and small stalls filling the square between the historic buildings. The air is scented with fresh coffee and baked treats, people wander from stall to stall, and the atmosphere feels almost Mediterranean. Just with better smørrebrød.

Sea views and UNESCO World Heritage at Stevns

After leaving Næstved, the two friends continued their journey to Stevns, where Rødvig Kro & Badehotel was ready to welcome them.

Here, they found sweeping views of the Baltic Sea, a bathing jetty just a stone's throw from the hotel's front door and peaceful surroundings with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stevns Klint as a spectacular backdrop. The seaside hotel has been named one of Denmark's best on several occasions, and it's easy to understand why within minutes of arriving.

From the hotel, Emily and Sofie followed the trail along Stevns Klint to Højerup Old Church, which appears to balance right on the edge of the dramatic chalk cliffs. Below them, the Baltic Sea shimmered in shades of blue and green, while the white cliffs rose steeply above the water. Out here, the breeze feels a little fresher, the silence a little deeper, and the view is one you'll find hard to leave behind.

As evening settled over Stevns, another highlight of the trip awaited at Rødvig Kro & Badehotel. In the restaurant, Emily and Sofie were served a three-course dinner made with seasonal ingredients, while the Baltic Sea stretched out beyond the windows, changing colour as the light faded.

The atmosphere at the historic seaside hotel was warm and relaxed. It's the kind of place where dinner naturally lingers a little longer. With a glass of wine in hand, locally inspired dishes on the table and the cliffs visible on the horizon, it was easy to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.

Morning by the sea and tulips in full bloom

There are few better ways to start the day than with sea views and a leisurely breakfast, and that's exactly what awaits at Rødvig Kro & Badehotel.

After enjoying homemade bread, delicious cheeses and freshly brewed coffee, Emily and Sofie set off for Gavnø Castle. As they drove through the rolling countryside of South Zealand, the yellow fairytale castle suddenly appeared at the end of the small stone bridge leading to Gavnø. Surrounded by water, centuries-old trees and flourishing gardens, it looked as though it had stepped straight out of a storybook.

At Gavnø, the castle gardens were in full bloom during Denmark's largest Tulip Festival. Thousands of tulips in shades of pink, peach and cream stretched between winding paths, fountains and ancient trees, while the castle's warm yellow façade glowed among the flowers.

Many visitors return to Gavnø year after year because the castle gardens offer the perfect setting to slow down and spend time together. Conversations flow easily in these beautiful surroundings, while cameras quickly fill with photos of the colourful floral displays.

Peace, gourmet dining and fresh sea air on Møn

After lunch at the castle café, Emily and her friend Sofie continued south towards Møn. The drive itself is part of the experience, winding along quiet country roads past open fields and glimpses of the sea.

The closer you get to Møn, the more the atmosphere changes. Everything feels calmer. More open. It's as if the pace naturally slows down another notch.

It was the perfect setting for their next stop: Egn Boutique Hotel. Located close to Råbylille Beach, it's the kind of place that makes you want to extend your stay by just one more night. The atmosphere is relaxed, the design is understated, and the sense of tranquillity is almost impossible not to embrace.

In the evening, the restaurant at Egn Boutique Hotel set the scene for a gourmet dinner that quickly became one of the highlights of the trip. The experience began with a selection of small snacks served at the table before each course arrived at an unhurried pace, celebrating local ingredients and the flavours of the season.

There were crisp vegetables, delicate sauces, freshly caught fish and desserts that were almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

Everything felt carefully considered without ever becoming formal. Warm and welcoming rather than overly polished. The kind of dinner where the hours slip by unnoticed, accompanied by good wine, great conversation and plates you're reluctant to send back to the kitchen.

The fascination of handcrafted craftsmanship

On the final day of their journey, Emily and Sofie headed to Holmegaard Værk, where glowing molten glass, working studios and Danish design history fill the former factory buildings.

Here, visitors can watch skilled glassblowers shape molten glass right before their eyes. Emily and Sofie also tried the craft for themselves, creating their own glass pieces in the workshop.

They also explored the special exhibition New Galaxy by artist Esben Weile Kjær. The exhibition transforms glass into something almost futuristic, with large-scale installations, vibrant colours and dramatic lighting that make the galleries feel like a blend of contemporary art space and science fiction. The contrast between the historic glassworks and the modern artworks makes the experience even more memorable.

Before heading home, the two friends rounded off their journey with lunch at Restaurant Holmegaard. They were served traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches topped with hand-peeled shrimp, fresh herbs and homemade bread. The kind of lunch you could happily eat every Friday.

After three days exploring South Zealand and Møn, it wasn't just their phones that were filled with photos. They also left with the feeling of having visited a place where they had truly been able to slow down and recharge.

From the lively town square in Næstved and the sea views at Stevns to the tulips at Gavnø, gourmet dinners on Møn and glowing molten glass at Holmegaard Værk, the journey revealed just how many memorable experiences await in this corner of Denmark.

And perhaps that's what a truly indulgent getaway is all about. Not trying to see as much as possible, but taking the time to enjoy every moment a little more.