Holidays in North Jutland, Denmark

Outpost between the Baltic and North Seas

The northern part of the Jutland peninsula is not only home to Denmark’s northernmost point; it is also where the Baltic Sea begins for everyone approaching from the west. Under a definition newly established in 2014, Cape Skagen separates the Skagerrak, a sea area in the North Sea, from the Kattegat, the northwesternmost part of the Baltic Sea. The tip of the Grenen spit at Skagen advances ten metres into the sea towards Sweden each year; in 2001, it advanced as much as 100 metres. Here you can observe the phenomenon of waves from the west and east running into each other, even though the wind can, of course, blow from only one direction.
Just a few kilometres to the south, the great migrating dune of Råbjerg Mile is reminiscent of the Sahara. It moves about eight metres eastwards each year.

Blick auf Kap Skagen Photo: © oben: Thomas Nykrog/VisitDenmark, unten (2): nordlicht verlag

Ferry ports serving Sweden and Norway

North Jutland on the Baltic Sea is also home to the ferry port of Frederikshavn with ferry connections to Gothenburg in Sweden. It is also where the Limfjord, which reaches the North Sea, cuts off the northern part of Jutland to form an island, and where the Mariager Fjord and Randers Fjord estuaries are lined with inviting sandy beaches. North Jutland’s Baltic beaches are among the most beautiful in all of Denmark. The beaches between Hals and Hou are particularly well known, as are those south of the Limfjord as far as the mouth of Mariager Fjord at Als Odde. Travelling west from Skagen, you reach the ferry port of Hirtshals after just a few kilometres. Ferries from here mainly sail to Norway.

Towns and nature

A short journey west along the Limfjord brings you to Aalborg, the largest city in North Jutland. Known not only for its aquavit, it is also a popular destination for excursions and shopping among the many holidaymakers and visitors to the region. A unique attraction is the Utzon Center, a multifunctional building dedicated to Jørn Utzon, the best-known Danish architect, who was born in Aalborg and died in late 2008. A holiday on the island of Læsø in the Kattegat is something truly special. At just 118 square kilometres, it is easy to explore, yet offers not only child-friendly beaches but also forests, meadows, dunes and two harbours. After a 1.5-hour crossing from Frederikshavn, you arrive at this Baltic holiday gem, which enjoys more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Denmark.

Aalborg

A walk through Aalborg, Denmark’s fourth-largest city, is all it takes to see that the world comes together here in the north of the Jutland peninsula. Aalborg’s old town is a meeting place for tourists from Sweden, Norway, England and Germany, and listen closely and you’ll discover many more languages on Aalborg’s streets, in its corners and alleyways.

Frederikshavn

The city of Frederikshavn, with its large ferry port, lies in the north of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula on the Kattegat, surrounded by numerous seaside resorts with holiday apartments and houses.

Hadsund

Hadsund lies in the north of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula on Mariager Fjord and is surrounded by long sandy beaches, making for an exciting family holiday on the Danish Baltic coast.

Hals Hou

Hals is a small town on the Danish coast of the Kattegat, part of the Baltic Sea. The eastern end of the Limfjord is located here in Hals; the fjord divides the Danish peninsula of Jutland and forms the island of Vendsyssel to the north. About ten kilometres north of Hals is the small seaside resort of Hou. The beach between the two towns is considered the finest sandy beach in all of Denmark.

Læsø Island

Læsø lies in the Kattegat, the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea, off the northeastern coast of the Danish peninsula of Jutland. Alongside its unique natural surroundings, it offers a wide range of holiday homes and hotels for a Baltic Sea getaway in Denmark.

Sæby

Sæby is the picture of a cosy Danish provincial town, with old buildings and narrow streets that are especially inviting for a leisurely stroll on holiday. A holiday on the Kattegat, part of the Baltic Sea in northern Denmark, is made a memorable experience by the highly developed infrastructure amid an otherwise unspoilt setting.

Skagen

Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost town and a popular destination for holidays on the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts of Denmark. The area around Skagen is ideal for a holiday in Denmark in a holiday home.