Nykøbing Sjælland between Harbour, Culture and Forest

Nykøbing Sjælland combines a harbour, fjord, historic urban traces and nature experiences to create a diverse destination. The 5.8-kilometre Culture Trail leads through Nykøbing Sjælland, around the harbour, through the forest and along Nykøbing Fjord. This places the town’s history and landscape along a shared line of discovery.

Town History and Art in the Centre

The oldest parts of Nykøbing Sjælland Church date from around 1225. The nave and chancel were built at that time using the new technique of fired brick construction. The churchyard is a historical urban site: the preserved grave monuments document the history of the town in the 19th century, its families and professions that have now almost disappeared.

You will also encounter art in the town. Nine town passages connect Algade with the surrounding neighbourhoods and are decorated with individually designed artworks. Away from the pedestrian street, these town passages offer a free art experience. In the centre of Nykøbing Sjælland, the Odsherred Theatre also has a theatre auditorium.

The Hempel Glass Museum displays historical glass, a modern glass collection, the Heering Glass Collection and sculptures by Viggo Jarl in its permanent exhibitions. The Odsherred Museum focuses on cultural-historical periods in Odsherred, from antiquity to modern tourism. A replica of the Sun Chariot can also be seen there in the centre of Nykøbing Sjælland. Summer activities for children, a museum shop and a small café complement the museum’s offerings.

Anneberg and the Psychiatry Museum

Anneberg Kulturpark opens up the former psychiatric hospital in Nykøbing Sjælland through guided tours, audio walks and exhibitions. The Psychiatry Museum presents exhibitions about psychiatric patients and their treatment from the Middle Ages to the present day. It also explains the conditions under which people lived and worked at the psychiatric hospital in the 20th century. Tours of the Psychiatry Museum must be booked in advance.

The grounds of the Psychiatry Museum are considered an architectural treasure in the style of “Better Danish Building Technique” and are now among the largest complexes of this style in Northern Europe. The site includes a hospital church and a chapel. This allows the location to combine exhibition themes with a distinctive architectural setting.

Forest Trails, Former Coastal Cliff and Seaside Resort

In the immediate surroundings of Nykøbing Sjælland, Grønnehave Skov offers an extensive network of paths, a dog forest, a Heart Trail, a barbecue area and several tables and seating areas. Dogs may run freely in the dog forest as long as they remain under the control of their owners. The east-facing slope was once a coastal cliff shaped by the Stone Age sea.

Nykøbing Sjælland Lystbådehavn marina is located at the end of Nykøbing Bay in the Isefjord. It is sheltered and situated close to the forest and town centre. Skærby Beach, a sandy beach suitable for swimming, is also very close to Nykøbing Sjælland. The harbour, forest and beach therefore offer different settings for days by the water and in nature.

Harbour Life and Practical Information

Recurring events take place in the harbour of Nykøbing Sj. These include the Ovnhus arts and crafts market on the fourth weekend in July, as well as flea markets on selected Fridays in June, July and August. In the town, Nykøbing Sjælland also offers a wide range of specialist shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants. Nykøbing Sj station is served by Lokaltog.

At Næsholm Castle Ruin, you can enjoy a view of a castle complex on an island in the middle of the restored Nygård Lake.

Other destinations at this local level include Klint, Rørvig, Lestrup, Abildøre, Nyrup, Højby, Føllenslev and Skæreby.

For the higher-level travel overview: Odsherred.