On Femø, Sønderby combines a green, loosely built-up village setting with cultural venues and distinctive trails. Abundant vegetation and a few small open fields define the village. Its layout is considered very original and uniform; the farms were situated around the village green. Choosing Sønderby means encountering not only individual sights, but also a village form in which the green, farms and open spaces together shape the landscape.
Village Green, Farms and Field Layout
On Femø, Sønderby and Nørreby are the two villages at the centre of star-shaped field layouts, which include living hedges and straight paths radiating out from the villages. The village layout can therefore also be viewed in relation to the field structure: the farms were grouped around the village green, while the paths lead outwards. Sønderby is somewhat winding to explore. This gives the description of the village a specific focus: it is shaped not only by individual cultural venues, but also by the arrangement of the green, farms and paths.
Storytelling Motifs and Trails
Damstrædet leads to Eventyrstrædet in Sønderby. Fairy tales, trolls and witches are hidden among the old poplar trees. Troldestien is located at Madsens Vænge in Sønderby. Another network of paths is Labyrinten: it is 200 metres long and designed after the paths and roads on Femø. The motifs differ: Eventyrstrædet focuses on hidden storybook characters, while Labyrinten takes the island’s paths and roads as the inspiration for its own network of trails. Troldestien is another named trail in the village.
Art and Local History
Femø Præstegård in Sønderby serves as a cultural centre; the Femø Bibliotekspunkt is located in the building at Kirkehældevej 29. Femø Museum is also in Sønderby. It displays local objects, including old tools from various trades, a large collection of stones, kitchen utensils and stuffed animals. The collection thus brings together examples from working and everyday life with a range of objects from nature and the home.
Holger Wederkinch’s limestone sculpture “Los, Ræv og Urhane”, dating from 1922, stands beside Sønderby Gadekær. The murals in Femø Church are particularly important for understanding the Reformation debate.
Ferry, Festival and Walks
Most visitors reach Femø on the Femøsund ferry from Kragenæs. The crossing from Kragenæs to Femø takes 55 minutes. As crossing times may change under future ferry arrangements, check the operator’s information before travelling. The Femø Fortællefestival takes place every year on the second full weekend in June. The 2026 edition’s programme included storytelling events in the garden of Femø Præstegård in Sønderby. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the dates for your chosen year.
At Birkemosens Weidengarten, you can walk from 7 a.m. until sunset. Check these times locally before you arrive. This means there are several things to consider when planning: the ferry to Femø, a possible festival date and the conditions for walking in the willow garden. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Sønderby, you can compare these points with your travel dates and whether you are most interested in the village layout, art or storytelling culture.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Maribo, Torrig, Fejø, Bandholm, Horslunde, Soesmarke, Nakskov, Sletnæs.
Back to the main travel overview: Lolland.
