Plan a trip to North Jutland

North Jutland is the northernmost region of Denmark and most sparsely populated. The area is splendid, with beautiful beaches, dunes, and forests.

Aalborg is the largest city in the region, situated in the western part of North Jutland, and on the southern bank of Limfjorden just off the coast of the Baltic Sea. It was the Vikings who discovered this historic trading town and this can be seen in its well-preserved 17th century buildings, which also attest to the city's former economic prosperity. The Aalborg Historical Museum has a fascinating collection of artifacts and exhibits of about 1000 years of the region's history.

The 15th century Monastery of the Holy Ghost is another historical site worth visiting. Legend has it that restless ghosts reside in the walls and are still roaming around at night.

Art lovers can explore the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg, which has a fascinating collection of international, modern and contemporary art.

Meanwhile, Skagen, at the northernmost tip of Denmark, is one of the main fishing centers of Denmark and its old-world “fishing” charm attracts many visitors. It is also a popular retreat for artists and writers and is known to be an artists’ colony from the late 1800’s. The Skagen Museum has close to 2000 works of art by artists who came to paint in Skagen, where they could create with no restrictive criticism.

On the outskirts of the city is the 14th century Den Tilsandede Kirke (which means the Sand-buried church). The church was literally buried by sandstorms and over the years made it impossible to get in. Eventually the church itself was demolished and only the top of the white church tower and gable was left.

Grenen!  There is no doubt that the most popular attraction in Denmark is at the northernmost point, at the tip of the sandspit which was formed by the confluence of the Strait of Skagerrak, which is part of the North Sea and the Kattegat Sea. This is Grenen’s “claim to fame”! This collision of waves is what causes a unique natural phenomenon and has also become a habitat for wildlife and birds. It was declared a nature reserve protected under the EU Habitats Directive, as it is an important migration site for a wide range of birds. It is a haven for bird watchers and particularly for birdwatchers who observe birds of prey, as they believe this is one of the best spots in all of Northern Europe, not only Scandinavia!

There are special trucks waiting to take visitors to the edge of the sandspit to witness this phenomenon.  To round out your special trip to Grenen,  you can visit the Skagen Odde Nature Centre which is a museum devoted to all the elements of this area.

Note: If architecture is one of your interests you should know that Jørn Utzon, is the architect of the Skagen Odde Nature Centre; he who is world-renowned for the Sydney Opera House.

Secret: If surfing is your thing, then you might want to take time out to visit Klitmøller, a small (formerly fishing) town. Its moniker “Cold Hawaii” explains it all. With the right conditions and during the right season (usually winter) you can surf or windsurf in blessed peace and surrounded by incredible nature.  With a population of about one thousand people, Klitmøller is not on the regular “tourist map”, so it is here that you just might get a real sense of homey Danish culture and hospitality.