North Jutland Skagen
3
Day Itinerary •
Denmark
Three days in North Jutland and Skagen focuses on the most extraordinary part of Denmark: the tip of the peninsula where the North Sea and the Kattegat visibly collide. The remarkable Rubjerg Knude lighthouse being consumed by sand dunes, the extraordinary Skagen painters' town and its unique Atlantic light, and the extraordinary Grenen sandbar at the very tip of Denmark are three of the finest natural and cultural sights in Scandinavia. This route goes straight to the highlights: the extraordinary dune coast with Rubjerg Knude, the remarkable Skagen Museum and harbour smokehouse, and two days exploring the Skagen peninsula including the extraordinary Grenen, the sand-buried church and the finest light in Denmark.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly Aalborg (AAL) or drive north from Aarhus
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,000 to 1,700 DKK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal walking on sand and dune paths
DAY 1
AALBORG, DUNES AND RUBJERG KNUDE
MORNING
LINDHOLM HOJE VIKING BURIAL GROUND
Lindholm Hoje above Aalborg is the most extraordinary Viking Age burial ground in Scandinavia. The remarkable 700 graves from the 7th to 11th centuries, many marked by extraordinary stone ship outlines in the ground, were preserved under blown sand for centuries until discovered in 1952. The remarkable museum at the foot of the hill interprets the site with excellent displays of the extraordinary finds. The hilltop view over Aalborg and the Limfjord is outstanding. Entry museum approx 65 DKK. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
AALBORG OLD TOWN AND THE RUBJERG KNUDE DRIVE
A quick exploration of Aalborg's extraordinary old town, including the remarkable Jorgen Olufsens Hus from 1616, before driving north along the remarkable Jutland west coast to Rubjerg Knude. The coastal drive passes through the extraordinary dune landscape of the Jutland west coast, the remarkable Lokken beach village and the outstanding open North Sea views all the way north. The drive itself through the dune landscape is remarkable. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
RUBJERG KNUDE LIGHTHOUSE
Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, overwhelmed by migrating sand dunes and moved 70 metres inland in 2019, is the most dramatic sight in north Jutland. The extraordinary dune landscape that has consumed the keeper's house, the remarkable lighthouse tower rising from the sand and the powerful North Sea crashing below the eroding cliff make it unlike anything else in Denmark. The walk through the dunes to the lighthouse and the extraordinary view from the top are outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Svinklov Badehotel perched on the edge of the dunes between Blokhus and Lokken has the finest North Sea view from any building in north Jutland. Day visitors welcome for coffee. Free to visit the terrace.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aalborg bakery or hotel Good breakfast before the Lindholm Hoje morning. | Lunch: Lokken beach cafe Simple lunch in the extraordinary beach village on the west coast drive. | Dinner: First night Skagen Arrive in the finest town in Denmark. Brondums or harbour restaurant.
DAY 2
SKAGEN TOWN
MORNING
SKAGEN MUSEUM, THE PAINTERS' COLLECTION
The Skagen Museum has the finest collection of the extraordinary Skagen painters, whose work from the 1880s captured the remarkable quality of north Jutland's unique light. The outstanding works of P.S. Kroyer, Michael Ancher and Anna Ancher, who painted the extraordinary fishing community and the remarkable Skagen landscape, are among the finest in Danish art. The museum is the best starting point for understanding why Skagen became Denmark's most extraordinary artistic colony. Entry approx 140 DKK. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
SKAGEN TOWN AND THE HARBOUR SMOKEHOUSE
Skagen's extraordinary town of yellow-painted houses and the remarkable Brondums Hotel where the painters gathered create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Denmark. The harbour Rogeri smokehouse, smoking fish over alder wood since 1884, produces the finest smoked plaice and mackerel in Denmark. Eating smoked fish at the harbour on a warm day with the extraordinary Skagen light on the water is the finest lunch experience in north Jutland. Free to walk. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
SKAGEN OLD CHURCH AND DUNE LANDSCAPE
The Skagen Old Church on the edge of the dunes north of Skagen town, its extraordinary whitewashed tower rising from the dune grass, is one of the most atmospheric buildings in Denmark. The remarkable graveyard, the extraordinary dune views and the outstanding combination of sea, dunes and sky in the Skagen light are all remarkable. The afternoon walk through the dune landscape toward Grenen gives the finest preview of tomorrow's extraordinary tip. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Anchers Hus in Skagen, the preserved home of painters Michael and Anna Ancher with the remarkable studio light unchanged, is the finest insight into the painters' world in Denmark. Entry approx 60 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Skagen hotel First full Skagen breakfast in the most extraordinary Danish town. | Lunch: Skagen Rogeri smokehouse The finest smoked fish in Denmark at the historic harbour smokehouse. | Dinner: Brondums Hotel restaurant The finest restaurant in Skagen in the most historic painters' setting.
DAY 3
TIP OF DENMARK
MORNING
GRENEN, WHERE TWO SEAS MEET
Grenen at the tip of Denmark is the most extraordinary natural feature in the country. Walk 1km from the car park along the sandbar to the very point where the North Sea and the Kattegat meet in a visible line of colliding waves. The extraordinary experience of standing at Denmark's northernmost mainland point with two different seas breaking at your feet simultaneously is unlike anything else in Scandinavia. At sunrise with no other visitors it is remarkable. Free. Drive: 10 min drive
MIDDAY
TILSANDEDE KIRKE, THE SAND-BURIED CHURCH
Tilsandede Kirke, the church of St Laurence consumed by migrating sand dunes in the 18th century until only the tower remained visible above the dunes by 1775, is the most extraordinary historic site in Skagen. The remarkable excavated nave buried 6 metres below the current ground level and the outstanding tower visible from the dune landscape are extraordinary. The walk through the dunes to reach the buried church is remarkable. Entry free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
FINAL DUNE WALK IN THE SKAGEN LIGHT
A final afternoon walk through the extraordinary Skagen dune landscape in the golden hour light that made this place famous among painters. The remarkable quality of the diffused north Jutland light, the extraordinary meeting of the dune grass and the sea on both sides of the narrow peninsula, and the outstanding sense of being at the very tip of Denmark make the final hours here remarkable. The drive back south passes through the extraordinary north Jutland landscape. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Skagen light at the golden hour before sunset, when the low north Jutland sun illuminates the dune grass and the sea in extraordinary warm tones, is the finest natural light experience in Denmark. The painters knew. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Skagen hotel Early start for the Grenen sunrise walk. | Lunch: Grenen cafe or Skagen harbour Simple lunch at the tip of Denmark. | Dinner: Final dinner, Skagen Farewell to the most extraordinary tip of Denmark.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Aalborg, Night 1 Good base and cheaper than Skagen. Approx 700 to 1,300 DKK per night. Skagen, Nights 2 to 3 Stay in Skagen town centre. Approx 800 to 1,500 DKK per night. Skagen booking Book at least 2 months ahead in summer. It fills completely in July.
Top Tips
1. The Skagen light at dawn and golden hour is the most extraordinary natural light in Denmark.
2. Grenen at sunrise with no other visitors is the finest natural experience at the Danish tip.
3. Rubjerg Knude lighthouse surrounded by migrating dunes is the most dramatic image in Jutland.
4. Skagen smoked fish at the harbour Rogeri is the finest seafood experience in north Denmark.
5. Book Skagen accommodation at least 2 months ahead in summer. It fills completely in July.
6. Lindholm Hoje Viking burial ground at dusk with mist from the fjord is extraordinarily atmospheric.
Total Budget
1,380 to 2,500 DKK/day