walking tour of skagen denmark

Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #1 in Skagen, Denmark

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Book guided sightseeing tours and activities in Skagen.

Experience Skagen in Denmark in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Sight 1: Hvide Fyr

Skagen's White Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse just north of the town of Skagen in the far north of Jutland, Denmark. It was operational from 1747 to 1858 when it was replaced by Skagen Lighthouse.

Wikipedia: Skagen's White Lighthouse (EN) , Inscription

Sight 2: Skagen Bamsemuseum

Skagen Teddy Bear Museum was inaugurated in August 1998 and is Scandinavia's first and only teddy bear museum. The Teddy Bear Museum consists of a small shop and two small floors with a museum. The museum is built up of small display cases, each of which tells a small story or shows an environment, e.g. there is a construction site with a shop, workers and a small mixing machine, or Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Emperor's New Clothes in the shape of a teddy bear.

Wikipedia: Skagen Bamsemuseum (DA)

Sight 3: Anchers Hus

Anchers Hus is an art museum and gallery situated in the former residence of the painters Michael and Anna Ancher in Skagen, Denmark. Anchers Hus is located on Markvej in Skagen, Denmark.

Wikipedia: Anchers Hus (EN)

Sight 4: Skagen Vandtårn

The Water Tower in Skagen is a water tower in Skagen, designed by the company G.R. Øllgaard. The 34-metre-high tower was built in 1934 and could hold 150 m3 of water. Today, the tower serves as a lookout tower.

Wikipedia: Vandtårnet i Skagen (DA)

Sight 5: Skagens Museum

Skagens Museum is an art museum in Skagen, Denmark, that exhibits an extensive collection of works by members of the colony of Skagen Painters who lived and worked in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Important artists include Marie and P. S. Krøyer, Anna and Michael Ancher, Laurits Tuxen, Viggo Johansen, and Holger Drachmann. The museum also hosts special exhibitions. Its facilities include a café in the Garden House, an old building which for a while served as home residence and studio of Anna and Michael Ancher.

Wikipedia: Skagens Museum (EN) , Website

Sight 6: Skagen Church

Skagen Church is a church located in the historic town centre of Skagen, Denmark.

Wikipedia: Skagen Church (EN)

Sight 7: Villa Pax

Drachmann's House, also known as Villa Pax, is one of the major houses of Skagen, northern Denmark. Located on Hans Baghs Vej towards the western side of the town, it was built in 1829 and is now a museum. It is a writer's home museum dedicated to the writer and marine painter Holger Drachmann who lived in the house from 1902 until his death in a sanatorium in Hornbæk in January 1908. Drachmann had regularly visited Skagen from 1871.

Wikipedia: Drachmanns Hus (EN)

Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

GPX-Download For navigation apps and GPS devices you can download the tour as a GPX file .

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Skagen Travel Guide: Visit Denmark’s Magical Northern Coastal Town

The coastal gem of Skagen is, perhaps, Denmark’s best-kept secret! Located at the very top of the country (it is, after all, the northernmost point of the country), Skagen is a charming fishing village that you should definitely add to your itinerary. 

The town has an especially relaxing atmosphere, with its cheerful yellow and red houses, soft sandy beaches, and wild nature. 

Speaking of which… Skagen is also renowned for its beautiful beaches, like Grenen, where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea in a breathtaking natural spectacle you definitely shouldn’t miss.

Our Skagen travel guide will go over everything you need to know before your trip, including what to do in Skagen, how to get here, some helpful travel tips, where to stay in Skagen, and much more.

After you travel to Skagen, you’ll see why it’s one of the most popular destinations amongst Danes. 🙂 Let’s check it out!

How to Get to Skagen

While getting to Skagen might take a little effort, it’s well worth it in the end! Here are a few ways on how to travel to Skagen: 

By plane | Skagen is a small town that does not have its own airport, so your best option is the nearest airport, which is in Aalborg. There is a regular flight to Aalborg Airport (AAL) from the capital of Denmark (Copenhagen), as well as many capitals in Europe , including Amsterdam (Netherlands), Kaunas (Lithuania), Oslo (Norway), and London Stansted (the UK). In addition, there are seasonal routes from Spain (Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona), USA (Newark), Italy (Naples), and other countries. For the full list, check out our Aalborg City Guide here!

From Aalborg, take the 75 train up to Skagen — click here to plan your trip via the North Jutland Transport Company. 

By train | There are a handful of train routes to Skagen, but most require a layover in Aalborg. For example, the journey from Copenhagen to Skagen takes about 6 hours and includes a trip on the InterCity train from Copenhagen to Aalborg, and another train from Aalborg to Skagen. As mentioned above, you’ll most likely be taking the 75 train from Aalborg to Skagen. 

By car | There are a few options of traveling to Skagen by car. You can either take the quickest route, which is the E39 road and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can also opt to go through Frederikshavn on the E45, which takes a bit longer but has views of the Danish countryside (and a few peeks of the seaside!) 

By bus | There are a few options to travel to Skagen by bus, but they involve multiple stopovers (depending where you’re traveling from) and aren’t the most convenient option. We recommend a different option (such as renting a car or taking the train) in order to get to Skagen. 

By ferry | If you’re coming from Sweden, you can take the ferry from Gothenburg to Frederikshavn. From there, it’s a 40-minute train ride on train #75, the same one that goes from Aalborg (mentioned above). 

Transportation in Skagen

By car | If you are traveling by car, you can easily explore Skagen and its surroundings by car. Parking is readily available in the city center – just be aware that some of the narrow streets in Skagen’s old town can be tricky to navigate, so consider parking your car in the designated parking lot and exploring the city on foot. Take the car only to further-out attractions like the Migrating Sand Dune or Grenen Beach. 

On foot | If you prefer to explore Skagen on foot, you will find it easy to do so as the city is small and compact, with most attractions within walking distance of each other. We recommend grouping together the attractions furthest away (i.e. Grenen Beach and the Skagen Bunker Museum) to make logistics easier. 

By bike | You can rent a bike from one of the several bike rentals in the city center. Biking is a popular and convenient way to get around Skagen, and you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic seaside at a leisurely pace. There is a network of paths and parking spaces for bicycles throughout the city, so you will not have any problems with movement and parking. Two of the best companies include Skagen Cykeludlejning and Skagen BikeRental .

Where To Stay in Skagen

There are plenty of accommodations and hotels in Skagen, and you won’t have any trouble finding one that meets your needs and budget – just be sure to book ahead of time, as it gets very popular during summer and the good hotels are quickly sold out!

Because Skagen is a popular summer tourist destination (and has tons of bed & breakfast-style hotels), many accommodations also offer complimentary breakfast – be sure to keep this in mind when planning your trip. 

Skagen Harbour Hotel | Without a doubt, Skagen Harbour is one of the best hotels in Skagen! The beautiful modern rooms are inspired by local landscapes and colors, plus you’ll definitely feel the hygge atmosphere from the moment you step into your room. In short, this is the creme de la creme of hotels and an absolutely delightful experience – no wonder it has a 4.8 out of 5 review on Google. 🙂

Hotel Plesner | Delightfully minimalist and bright, Hotel Plesner is right next to the city center and within walking distance to the harbor. As a nice bonus, this is one of the hotels in Skagen with complimentary breakfast! 

Hotel Strandly Skagen | An adorable old school hotel that’s family-run and with plenty of character – it feels as if you’re visiting your sailor captain grandpa! Try to find subtle hints of Skagen, such as the posters of the vippefyr or the old wooden barrels used as tables. 🙂 

Hotel Marie | Located right near the harborfront, Hotel Marie is a laidback hotel with all the comforts you could ever need. The rooms are spacious, have plenty of amenities (tea and coffee maker!), and are soundproof. The adorable white shiplap around the room and blue hues are an extra touch that make the hotel feel like it was meant to be in Skagen. 

Things to Do in Skagen

Grenen Beach

Grenen Beach is the most popular tourist attraction in Skagen, and for good reason!

This beach is Denmark’s northernmost point where two seas meet – the Skagerrak (which makes up part of the North Sea) and Kattegat (which the Baltic Sea drains into) – creating a unique natural phenomenon. As a result, many tourists like to come here and stand in two seas at once. Cool, isn’t it?

You can get to Grenen Beach by walking about 4 kilometers (about 50 minutes) from the city center or taking a taxi. Likewise, there is also a parking lot within short walking distance to the beach. 

Skagen Bunker Museum

Located 1 kilometer from Grenen Beach is another famous tourist landmark: the Skagen Bunkermuseum! During World War II, this bunker was used as a makeshift hospital to treat wounded German soldiers. Visitors can see the operating room, armory storage, and artifacts from the era (such as original weapons, uniforms, and personal items). 

Skagens Museum

If history isn’t your thing, no worries – there’s also the Skagens Museum. The Skagen Museum features a wonderful collection of works by Danish artists, with a focus on the famous artists of Skagen.

These ‘Skagen painters,’ which included the likes of Anna Ancher, Thorvald Bindesbøll (the man who created the Carlsberg beer logo!), and Peder Severin Krøyer, were heavily inspired by the region’s stunning natural beauty. 

This is one of our favorite museums in Skagen, and an excellent introduction to the area to get yourself in the relaxed ‘Skagen mindset’. 🙂 

See the Migrating Sand Dune (Råbjerg Mile)

Råbjerg Mile is, perhaps, one of the most unique landmarks in Denmark – and for good reason! This is a massive sand dune located southwest of Skage and considered to be the largest migratory dune in Northern Europe, moving about 15 meters per year!

Over time, the Migrating Sand Dune will eventually cover the main road to Skagen as it moves northeast. However, the local government does not ‘stop’ (stabilize) the dune from moving because it allows future generations to research dune migration patterns.

You can climb to the ‘top’ of the dunes and enjoy lovely views of the surrounding landscapes – it feels as if you’re in a mini-desert! 

The Sand-Covered Church

While we’re on the topic of the Migrating Sand Dune… As you might have guessed from the name, The Buried Church was one of the landmarks affected by the sand dune. 😉

Built sometime in the 14th century and dedicated to Saint Lawrence of Rome, this church was mostly buried between the 17th and 18th century by the Råbjerg Mile (Migrating Sand Dune) mentioned above. Interestingly, the churchgoers constantly tried to clean the church from sand, but unfortunately the church was officially closed by royal decree in the late 1700s and demolished. 

Nowadays, only the church tower is visible – which is still impressive, considering that its height is about 22 meters! Travelers can go inside (entrance is free) and there is a nice view of the surrounding area.

Ancher’s Hus

If the name Anna Ancher sounds familiar, congratulations – you have a great memory. 😉 We first mentioned her in the Skagens Museum (above), but Anna also has another awesome tourist attraction in Skagen: her house! 

This adorable red house is where Anna Ancher lived with her husband, Michael Ancher (also a famous painter), and their daughter Helga — who, you guessed it, was also a painter!

After Helga Ancher died in 1964, the house was taken under guardianship and restored over the next few years. It opened in 1967 as an art collection / museum, exhibiting the Ancher’s collection of more than 200 paintings by various Nordic, British, and Dutch artists.

Besides the art, the Anchers Hus also has lovely timepiece furniture – as you walk through the museum, it feels like you went back in time and are a guest at the Anchers!

Vippefyr 

Located slightly outside of Skagen’s city center, this mechanism was used in ancient times as a beacon for navigation and now serves as a historical maritime attraction for tourists. The original vippefyr was built in 1627 and has been rebuilt many times during its existence. The current vipperfyr is a well-made replica, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting.

Stroll Around the Historic City Center

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to enjoy a relaxing stroll around Skagen! There are plenty of things to see, from the colorful houses to the charming cobblestoned streets, but perhaps the best views are from a cafe along the harbor. 😉 

Photo Credits: Danish train by Oxyman | Grenen Beach by Christian Faber | Sand-Covered Church via Joshua Kettle | Skagens Museum and Ancher’s Hus via Art Museums of Skagen | Bikes, vippefyr, and city center via Peter Jørgensen (Destination Nord)

Visiting Skagen in Denmark: Best things to Do

If you want to go to the northernmost point of Denmark then set your sights to “the Skaw.” Situated in between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea on the Jutland peninsula, the tiny yet amazingly picturesque piece of land known as Skagen may be the kind of escape city dwellers dream of.

Situated about 300 miles from the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

• 1 Amazing places to visit in Skagen Denmark for Art lovers
• 2 Things to do & See in Skagen Denmark
• 3 Skagen beach Denmark – Enjoy Grenen
• 5 Related articles

Skagen is pronounced as “skane.” It is situated in Jutland at the tip of Denmark, about 300 miles from the Danish capital of Copenhagen .

Amazing places to visit in Skagen Denmark for Art lovers

Skagen Denmark is a perfect place to visit particularly for art lovers. Strolling through this old town considered to be an art colony will give you a truly enriching experience. You’ll get to see here the yellow houses with their red-tiled roofs and for your souvenir items, you have lots of art galleries to choose from where you can purchase ceramic items, paintings and jewelry.

A distinct Skagen trademark (the “Skagen yellow” is known in Denmark as a type of color for house paint). No wonder then that artists have found inspiration in the area and have called it home since the 1800s.

The “Skagen Painters” was a group of artists who came to Skagen and painted landscapes and open-air sceneries heavily influenced by their environment. Some of the paintings have found their way in galleries all over the world and have fetched handsome prices at auctions.

Summertime remains the busiest season yet in Skagen when tourists come in droves and enjoy the many holiday activities around.

Things to do & See in Skagen Denmark

Aside from exploring the region and enjoying the sunny weather, there are other interesting Skagen attractions such as the Skagen Museum which houses a collection of artwork by the Skagen Painters (features some 1,800 art works).

The Open-air Museum with its displays of fishing and other sea-faring activities and the ruins of the Tilsandede Kirke, a 14th-century church that used to be one of the biggest in the Jutland region. But in time got buried down because of sand drift.

For early risers, it’s always interesting to watch the fish auctions at the port when the fresh catch of the day gets snapped up by zealous buyers.

Finding a place to stay in Skagen is an easy task due to its fine hotels.

Known as the Land of Light, Skagen is an old fishing village that dates back to 600 years ago. Specifically, it’s located in the area where the North Sea meets the Baltic sea.

Also, Skagen is famous for smartwatches. They have been inspired by Skagen City Denmark and the Danish coastline. Check out their website here .

Skagen beach Denmark – Enjoy Grenen

Skagen Denmark is blessed with a uniquely striking topography – picture stretches of heathlands and sand dunes surrounded by the pristine sea waters that clash together along Grenen, the north most point in Jutland.

For one of the most amazing views, you need to visit Grenen where a path leading to the tip of Denmark exists. There, you can enjoy a relaxing walk along the shore with your friends or loved ones , watch the beautiful sunset and the merging waves of the two seas.

It might also interest you that beyond this small town of Skagen is Denmark’s terminus. This is an expanding beach that grows every year owing to the dirt carried and deposited along the Danish northwestern coast. In fact, the coast has already extended to some 1,000 yards over the past century.

Where is Skagen Denmark?

Skagen is located in the north of Denmark. It is situated in between the North and Baltic Sea on the Jutland peninsula.

Where are Skagen Denmark watches made?

Skagen watches are created in Skagen. Not only they create watches, but also wearables and jewelry.

What to do in Skagen Denmark?

First, enjoy beautiful nature and beaches. Secondly, don't forget to visit Skagen Museum. Also, enjoy the old town houses, it's perfect for art lovers.

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Would love to visit there. My love of the yellow has been used inside and out of properties I listed for sale in Berkeley, CA. Must be in the genes. My father’s side is from Vester, Denmark, not close.

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Walking Tour of Skagen (SKA08)

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