When you go to visit Denmark, I imagine your first thought is to spend a couple of days in the capital, Copenhagen. It is a stunning city, don’t get me wrong! I’ve been living here for the past 10 years.
But Denmark is so much more than Copenhagen – and Skagen is one of the places I would recommend visiting if you have a little extra time.
Here you’ll find 7 things you should see and experience in Skagen, Denmark.

I didn’t visit the place for the first 30 years of my life in Denmark! Until I went on a road trip through Denmark in 2020. I have always been busy traveling to meet other cultures and experience other countries instead of my own. In 2020 I was forced to stay within country borders, and it was like a new world opened up!

How you get to Skagen, Denmark

By plane/train/bus

Skagen is Located at the top of the country. It can be a bit of a journey to get there, depending on where you travel from.
The nearest airport is Aalborg (AAL) which has both national and international flights. From Aalborg, it’s a 2-2,5 hour bus ride. You can check the most up-to-date info about Danish public transport on the journey planner.

If you travel from Germany it will be about a 7-hour journey from the Danish border. I like to use Omio(#reklame) when booking my train rides.
Alternatively, you can use the Danish rails DSB.
Flixbus (#Reklame) is cheaper than the train but it usually takes longer and it’s less comfortable, in my opinion. A good option for budget travelers.

Going from Copenhagen would take about the same time as from the German border – so 7-ish hours, and I would use the same platforms to find my ticket as well as the current best journey, as that changes during the day and season.

By car

Traveling by car is somewhat easier than public transportation as you can decide when to go + when and where to stop. The time spent on transportation will be almost the same though. If you are travelling from south of Sweden, Copenhagen or Sjælland I prefer to catch the ferry from Sjællands Odde to Aarhus but it is also possible to go down to the bridge and cross Fyn.
Driving there yourself could also provide you with more flexibility while you are there. Getting around to the different sights can be tedious, as the distances are not all walking friendly.

By bike

When you get there, I would recommend that you rent a bike! Especially in the summer, biking is the most amazing way to get between the different sights (if you don’t have a car – and sometimes even when you do).

In 2020 I visited the area with my best friend, we rented bikes from our B&B and decided to bike from The Sandy Church to the sand dunes Råbjerg mile. It was a 40-50 min bike ride, and we decided to follow Google Maps. As we got started we found the most amazing bike path through the gorgeous landscape of sand and grass dunes along the coast and the land. I have later learned that the name of the bike path is Hulsigstien – and I can only recommend you to bike that way! If you go around lunchtime, you will find many spots that are ultimate places for a picnic.

“biking is the most amazing way to get between the different sights“

7 things you should see and experience in Skagen, Denmark

• 1.The sandy church
• 2.The tip of Skagen
• 3.Sunset spot
• 4.Sand dunes of Råbjerg mile
• 5.Take a walk in the cozy streets
• 6.The Skagen painter museum
• 7.Seafood

1. The sandy church

“Den tilsandede kirke” is a very old church from the 14th to 16th century that was covered in sand. Due to the open location with lack of structural or vegetation cover. The sand blew with the wind and ended up covering most of the church. Now it’s only the tower that’s accessible to the public.

2. The tip of Skagen

Have you ever looked at a map of Denmark? – What does it look like to you?

It is a common perception that Denmark looks like a person with a hat and a big nose 🙂

Skagen is the most northern point of the country and the tip of the hat also called ‘Grenen’ / ‘The Branch’.
This is where the wild ocean of Skagerrak which is a part of the Northern sea and the calm Kattegat meet. This can create wild waves and currents at times, and it is strictly forbidden to swim. What is possible and allowed though, is to stand with one foot in each sea – how amazing is that!

“stand with one foot in each sea – how amazing is that!“

From the parking lot, you can either catch the public tractor transportation or walk the 3 km to the tip.
The tractor called ‘Sandormen’ (The sandworm) is a shuttle bus service taking you to the tip and back. Remember to buy your ticket in the shop or the outside ticket machine before boarding. Due to a lack of cell signal, it is not possible to pay on board. The price for a return ticket is (in 2024) 35 kr (just under 5 Euro) for adults and 15 kr (2 Euro) for kids.
If you have legs that can carry you well, I would suggest walking the 30 min. You can either walk to the right along the beach, where you’ll also see bunkers from the 2nd World War. Or you can walk more to the left, through the protected landscape with interesting animal and plant life. Maybe go one way out, and another way back? Either way, you’ll get a nature experience, guaranteed!

Skagen seals

One early September morning, when I couldn’t sleep, I got up and went to the tip to watch the sunrise. I was completely alone when I walked along the beach – and the sight that met me was stunning! Suddenly I had the company of close to 20 seals, just hanging out at the tip. I kept my distance so as not to startle them. Some of the seals were extra careful and slid into the water, and some were eyeing me carefully to ensure I wasn’t a threat. After some time 3 people joined me.

“….and some were eyeing me carefully to ensure I wasn’t a threat.“

This was such a special experience – so if you are an early riser, this is an experience I wouldn’t have been without!

3. Sunset spot

In the old part of Skagen you’ll find a dedicated sunset spot called ‘Solnedgangspladsen I højen’ – Get there in good time before the sunsets, There are a lot of people and very limited parking spots. You’ll also find a small café for refreshments, but it’s easier to bring them yourself. Remember to bring a good amount of warm clothes, depending on the time of the year you visit.

4. Sand dunes of Råbjerg mile

Råbjerg Mile is one of the most amazing natural phenomena I have seen in Denmark. It is a sand dune that stretches 1000 meters in each direction. who would have thought you could find a desert in Denmark?
The fine white sand moves approximately 15 meters every year! every year! That means that in 100 years the main road to Skagen will be covered in sand. This phenomenon is very similar to the one that covered the sandy church – due to a lack of trees and plant growth to shelter from the sand in the wind. The dune has now grown so big that it will overpower anything it meets on its way – which is something you can see in my photos below.

“Whether you have 15 minutes or 50 minutes – this place is worth a visit.“

The sand is amazing to walk around in barefoot. Whether you have 15 minutes or 50 minutes – this place is worth a visit. It is especially a hit for kids (and childish souls) who can jump around in the 10-meter-tall hills. Be aware of the risk of quicksand. This is something I didn’t know when I was there and never encountered, but something that’s good to be aware of. Especially flat areas with a dark-ish wet look.
Don’t let that keep you from going though!

5. Take a walk in the cozy streets

One of my favorite things to do is to go for a walk in the city center of Skagen and look at all the small cozy houses, street names, and flowers in the summer. You’ll notice that many of the tiles on the side of the roofs have been painted white. There are many myths as to why that is. I say, pick the myth you like the best, and go with that 😉

“or maybe it was to protect the house from evil spirits?“

Do you think it was for the fishermen to better be able to spot the houses and ‘home’ when they were out at sea? or maybe it was to protect the house from evil spirits? Could it be as camouflage from bird poop, when the birds hung out on the borders of the roof? or is it a technical roof-building issue that used to make it necessary, and now they have continued with the tradition even though it’s no longer necessary? – I don’t know which one it is. But feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

6. The Skagen painter museum

The very special area of Skagen was used by a group of Danish painters in the 19th century. Because of the special light and surroundings, they found this area specifically inspiring and spent much time painting here – so much so they became known as the Skagen painters. If this is your vibe – check out the museum dedicated to all of their stunning paintings!

7. Seafood

Skagen is wrapped in the sea and hence has some of the absolute best seafood. So a must-do, when you visit Skagen, is to go to one of the many restaurants by the harbor!

Where you should stay in Skagen, Denmark

Summer house

Skagen and its surroundings are a very popular summer destination – so you will be able to find loads of summer houses for rent. During the low season (outside of the summer months and school holidays), you might be able to find some good deals.

Renting a room

Lots of locals rent out their extra rooms to travelers. It’s a great way to get a bit more knowledge of local living.

“There was a big tuna project happening at the time of our visit.“

My friend and I stayed with a family that had three extra rooms in the basement, with a shared kitchen. Apart from us, they had 2-to-3 fishermen staying. There was a big tuna project happening at the time of our visit. A specific kind of endangered tuna species was currently off the coast of Skagen. One of the Danish universities had volunteer fishermen helping them catch and mark the tuna and then set them free again. This was an opportunity for these hobby fishermen to catch a very large fish (200-500kg) that they would, otherwise, never have the opportunity of catching. Win-win!

Hotels

Skagen is also known for fancy (and less fancy) hotels. I don’t have any personal recommendations, since I have never stayed at any of them – but no doubt you will be able to find plenty of hotels if you’d like a bit more comfort.

Let’s wrap this up!

Thank you so much for reading along – I hope you found some useful information and enjoyable stories. Feel free to ask any related questions in the comments below!

If you’d like to read more about stunning beaches in other parts of the world – you can read about one of my favorite places in the Dominican Republic right here!