Anholt – Island Nature, Coast and Culture

Anholt combines protected island nature with coastal paths, dunes, a lighthouse and a museum. When looking for a hotel or accommodation on Anholt, you can first consider whether nature, activities by the water or culture should shape your stay. The island offers specific points of interest for each choice; at the same time, clear rules for the landscape and access apply in the protected areas.

Ørkenen, dunes and protected coast

Ørkenen is Northern Europe’s largest raised heath and can be explored on foot. Up to 280 species of lichen grow on the sand, including many distinctive and rare species. A total of 1,881 hectares of Anholt are protected; the protection regulations also govern public access. Motor vehicles are prohibited in Ørkenen and on all of Anholt’s beaches, except with a special permit for work-related journeys. Pakhusbugten is a deep bay sheltered from westerly winds, with large expanses of sand and migrating dunes that reach around 20 metres in height. Totten is fully protected and is one of the largest and most important resting and breeding areas for the grey seal population in Europe.

Paths to viewpoints and the lighthouse

Kærlighedsstien/Nordbjergstien runs between the village of Anholt and the harbour and offers views of Ørkenen and Flakket. Sønderbjerg is 48 metres high and offers views across large parts of Anholt, the dune landscape and Ørkenen. Anholt Fyr was built in 1788 and is one of Denmark’s oldest lighthouses. The lighthouse can only be reached on foot; the route leads through Ørkenen or along the beach and is 7 to 10 kilometres long. From an observation house next to Anholt Fyr, seals at Totten can be watched from binocular range; a powerful pair of binoculars is available there free of charge.

Museum, guided tours and literature

The Anholt Museum presents changing exhibitions featuring old household items, photographs, tools, traditional costumes and more. An exhibition on the Stone Age explores the changing Stone Age cultures on Anholt: from the hunter-gatherer Stone Age, when the area was still connected to Jutland, to later flint knappers and seafaring peoples of the subsequent farming Stone Age. During the summer season, the museum organises one or two guided town tours each week. They start at 10 a.m. at the museum and last about two hours. The Anholt Literature Festival brings together new Danish literature with Swedish, Norwegian, Faroese, Greenlandic, Finnish and Icelandic literature.

Water, fishing and family route

The M/F Anholt ferry between mainland Denmark and Anholt takes about three hours for the crossing. Anholt Vandsport rents out kayaks and SUPs for half or a full day; life jackets and wetsuits are included in the equipment. Fishing is possible on Anholt all year round; with around 23 kilometres of coastline, it is possible to fish around the island. Nordbjerg also has an interactive, child-friendly Natureventyr route for children aged 3 to 9 and their families.

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Anholt, you can also find Trustrup, Nimtofte, Selkær, Ørum Djurs, Auning, Ørsted and Store Sjørup.

For the broader travel overview: Norddjurs Municipality.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Anholt Island.