North Jutland Skagen
5
Day Itinerary •
Denmark
Five days in North Jutland and Skagen takes you to the most extraordinary tip of Denmark, where the North Sea and the Kattegat meet in a visible line of colliding waves at the Grenen sandbar. The extraordinary Skagen painters' colony, the remarkable buried church at Tilsandede Kirke, the extraordinary Rubjerg Knude lighthouse being swallowed by sand dunes, and the vibrant city of Aalborg make north Jutland one of the finest destinations in Scandinavia. This route covers the complete north Jutland experience. Aalborg with its extraordinary Viking burial ground at Lindholm Hoje, the remarkable Jutland west coast dune landscape from Blokhus to Lokken, the extraordinary Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, the remarkable Hirtshals aquarium, the fine Frederikshavn and the extraordinary Skagen at the tip of 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
MORNING
LINDHOLM HOJE VIKING BURIAL GROUND
Lindholm Hoje on the hill above Aalborg is the most extraordinary Viking Age burial ground in Scandinavia, its remarkable 700 graves from the 7th to 11th centuries marked by stone ship settings in the most extraordinary concentration anywhere in Denmark. The graves were preserved under blown sand for centuries. The remarkable museum at the foot of the hill has the finest Viking collection in north Jutland. The site at dusk when the mist rolls in from the Limfjord is extraordinary. Entry museum approx 65 DKK. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
AALBORG OLD TOWN AND CATHEDRAL
Aalborg's extraordinary old town centre has the finest half-timbered merchant houses in north Jutland, including the remarkable Jorgen Olufsens Hus from 1616, the finest Renaissance merchant house in Denmark. The extraordinary Budolfi Cathedral with its remarkable baroque spire and the outstanding Aalborg Historical Museum in the old monastery are both outstanding. The remarkable Algade pedestrian street and the fine canal district of Nytorv are excellent. Entry cathedral free. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
UTZON CENTRE AND THE AALBORG WATERFRONT
The Utzon Centre on the Aalborg waterfront, designed by Jorn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame as his last major project, is the finest piece of contemporary architecture in north Jutland. The extraordinary building on the fjord with its remarkable exhibition space and the outstanding views of the Limfjord are remarkable. The Aalborg waterfront transformation from industrial port to cultural quarter is outstanding. Entry centre approx 70 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Aalborg Carnival in May is the largest carnival in Scandinavia, its remarkable parade through the city centre attracting 100,000 visitors. Outside carnival season the extraordinary Aalborg zoo has the finest polar bear exhibit in Denmark. Entry zoo approx 180 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aalborg bakery or hotel Good breakfast before the Lindholm Hoje morning. | Lunch: Aalborg Street Food, harbour The finest street food collection in north Jutland. | Dinner: Mortens Kro, Aalborg The finest restaurant in Aalborg. Outstanding north Jutland produce.
DAY 2
WEST COAST DUNES
MORNING
BLOKHUS AND THE WEST COAST BEACH
Blokhus on the Jutland west coast is the finest beach town in north Jutland, its extraordinary broad white sand beach stretching for kilometres and the remarkable colourful beach huts giving it a unique character. The extraordinary dune landscape behind the beach, with its remarkable marram grass and the outstanding view of the North Sea horizon, is the finest coastal scenery on the west coast. The remarkable old fishing village of Blokhus still has extraordinary traditional character. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
RUBJERG KNUDE LIGHTHOUSE
Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, built in 1900 and surrounded by the most extraordinary migrating sand dunes in Denmark, is the most dramatic image in north Jutland. The dunes swallowed the lighthouse keeper's house and have now consumed half the lighthouse tower. In 2019 the lighthouse was moved 70 metres inland on steel tracks to save it from the cliff edge. The extraordinary dune landscape, the remarkable lighthouse and the powerful North Sea below create an unforgettable scene. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LOKKEN BEACH VILLAGE
Lokken is the most extraordinary beach village in north Jutland, its remarkable painted wooden beach huts, the outstanding flat beach stretching for kilometres and the extraordinary tradition of driving tractors on the sand to reach the bathing huts making it one of the most unusual beach experiences in Denmark. The remarkable Lokken Strandhotel and the outstanding beach restaurant culture in summer are both excellent. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Svinklov Badehotel perched on the edge of the Jutland dunes between Blokhus and Lokken, a remarkable 1920s bathinghouse hotel, has the finest North Sea view from any accommodation in north Jutland. Day visitors welcome for coffee. Free to view.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aalborg hotel Good breakfast before the west coast drive. | Lunch: Rubjerg Knude cafe Simple lunch at the most dramatic lighthouse in Denmark. | Dinner: Lokken beach restaurant Excellent north Jutland seafood on the extraordinary dune coast.
DAY 3
NORTH COAST AND FREDERIKSHAVN
MORNING
NORDSOEN OCEANARIUM, HIRTSHALS
The Nordsoen Oceanarium at Hirtshals is the largest aquarium in northern Europe, its extraordinary 4.5 million litre North Sea tank with harbour porpoises, sand sharks and the remarkable diversity of North Sea marine life being outstanding. The extraordinary harbour seal and grey seal pools and the remarkable jellyfish exhibits are all outstanding. The aquarium gives the finest understanding of the remarkable North Sea ecosystem. Entry approx 200 DKK. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TORNBY KLITPLANTAGE DUNE FOREST
The Tornby dune forest between Hirtshals and Frederikshavn is the most extraordinary planted dune landscape in north Jutland, its remarkable planted conifer forest stabilising the extraordinary migrating dunes behind the beach. The remarkable walking trails through the dune forest give the finest combination of forest and beach walking in the region. The extraordinary Tornby beach below the forest is one of the finest and least visited on the north Jutland coast. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
FREDERIKSHAVN AND THE FERRY TOWN
Frederikshavn, the main ferry port for Sweden and Norway, has the most extraordinary concentration of maritime heritage in north Jutland. The remarkable Bangsbo Fort Museum with its collection of Danish resistance movement history, the extraordinary KunstPAKHUS arts centre in a converted warehouse and the outstanding Strandby fishing harbour just north of town are all remarkable. The Krudttarnet tower is the finest viewpoint in the town. Entry fort museum approx 65 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Saeby, a remarkably preserved medieval fishing town between Frederikshavn and Aalborg with the finest half-timbered houses on the east Jutland coast, is almost entirely unvisited by foreign tourists. The remarkable Saeby monastery ruins are outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lokken or en route cafe Good breakfast before the north coast drive. | Lunch: Hirtshals harbour cafe Simple lunch at the most important fishing port in north Jutland. | Dinner: Frederikshavn hotel restaurant Good dinner before moving to Skagen tomorrow.
DAY 4
SKAGEN TOWN
MORNING
SKAGEN TOWN AND THE PAINTERS' QUARTER
Skagen is the most extraordinary small town in Denmark, its remarkable yellow-painted houses, the outstanding Skagen Museum with its extraordinary collection of Skagen painters from the 1880s golden age, and the remarkable Brondums Hotel where the painters gathered creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Denmark. The extraordinary quality of the north Jutland light that attracted painters from across Europe is immediately apparent. The town is outstanding at any hour. Free to walk. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SKAGEN MUSEUM, THE PAINTERS' COLLECTION
The Skagen Museum has the finest collection of the Skagen painters, whose extraordinary work capturing the remarkable light of the Danish tip was among the most significant developments in late 19th-century European art. The remarkable works of P.S. Kroyer, Michael Ancher and Anna Ancher capture the extraordinary fishing community and the outstanding quality of Skagen's light in paintings that established Denmark's finest artistic colony. Entry approx 140 DKK. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SKAGEN HARBOUR AND THE SMOKED FISH
Skagen harbour, the most northerly fishing harbour in Denmark, still lands an extraordinary daily catch of plaice, cod and mackerel from the North Sea and Kattegat. The remarkable Skagen Rogeri smokehouse beside the harbour has been smoking fish over alder wood since 1884 and produces the finest smoked fish in Denmark. The extraordinary smell of the smokehouse, the remarkable harbour activity and the outstanding fresh fish at the stalls are all remarkable. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Anchers Hus, the home of painters Michael and Anna Ancher now preserved as a museum exactly as it was when they lived and worked there, is the finest insight into the Skagen painters' world. The remarkable studio light is outstanding. Entry approx 60 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Skagen hotel First Skagen breakfast in the most extraordinary Danish town. | Lunch: Skagen Rogeri smokehouse The finest smoked fish in Denmark at the extraordinary harbour smokehouse. | Dinner: Brondums Hotel restaurant The finest restaurant in Skagen in the most historic setting.
DAY 5
GRENEN AND THE TIP OF DENMARK
MORNING
GRENEN, WHERE TWO SEAS MEET
Grenen, the remarkable sandbar at the very tip of Denmark where the North Sea and the Kattegat collide, is the most extraordinary natural feature in Denmark. Walk the 1km from the car park along the sandbar to the very tip where the two different-coloured seas meet in a visible line of waves. At sunrise with no other visitors the experience of standing at the northernmost point of the Danish mainland with two seas breaking at your feet is extraordinary. Free. Drive: 10 min drive
MIDDAY
TILSANDEDE KIRKE, THE BURIED CHURCH
Tilsandede Kirke, the Sand-Buried Church of St Laurence, was gradually overwhelmed by drifting sand dunes in the 18th century until only the tower was visible above the dunes by 1775. The extraordinary excavated nave, buried 6 metres below the current ground level, and the remarkable tower visible from the surrounding dunes are one of the most extraordinary sights in north Jutland. The walk through the dune landscape to reach it is remarkable. Entry free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
GRENEN DUNE WALK AND FINAL LIGHT
The afternoon at Grenen in the extraordinary north Jutland light is the finest farewell to Denmark. Walk back along the sandbar as the sun drops toward the North Sea horizon and the remarkable quality of the light that brought the painters here becomes completely understandable. The extraordinary colours of the dune grass, the sea and the sky at the Danish tip in the evening light are outstanding. The experience of being at the very end of the country is remarkable. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Skagen Old Church, the whitewashed church on the edge of the dunes north of Skagen town, is one of the most atmospheric buildings in Denmark. The remarkable graveyard with its extraordinary view of the dune landscape is outstanding at any hour. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Skagen hotel Final Skagen breakfast before the Grenen walk. | Lunch: Grenen cafe or picnic Simple lunch at the most northerly point of the Danish mainland. | Dinner: Final dinner, Skagen Farewell to the most extraordinary tip of Denmark.
Where To Stay
Aalborg, Nights 1 to 2 North Jutland's main city. Approx 700 to 1,300 DKK per night. Skagen, Nights 3 to 5 Stay in Skagen town for the painters' quarter. Approx 800 to 1,500 DKK. Skagen summer tip Skagen fills completely in July. Book at least 2 months ahead.
Top Tips
1. The Skagen light is unlike anywhere else in Europe. The painters were right to come here.
2. Grenen sandbar at sunrise with no other visitors is the most extraordinary natural sight in Denmark.
3. Rubjerg Knude lighthouse surrounded by sand dunes is the most dramatic image in north Jutland.
4. Skagen smoked fish at the old Skagen smokehouse is the finest seafood experience in Denmark.
5. Lindholm Hoje Viking burial ground at dusk with the mist is one of the finest sights in Jutland.
6. Book Skagen accommodation at least 2 months ahead in summer. It fills completely in July.
Total Budget
1,380 to 2,500 DKK/day