Frederikshavn Municipality: Beaches, Nature and Culture

Frederikshavn Municipality has 20 beaches along two different coasts: the east coast is quieter, shallow and sheltered, while the west coast offers higher waves. Three beaches carry the Blue Flag, and ten carry the Bathing Point flag. This means that stretches of coast with different landscapes and wave conditions are found alongside one another.

Coast and nature

The 60-metre-high Cloostårnet observation tower offers views of Skagen to the north, Læsø to the east and Jyske Ås to the south. The highest observation platform is 160 metres above sea level. In the Bangsbo Ådal wildlife area, Bangsbo Dyrehave is connected to extensive deciduous forest areas. Red deer, roe deer, badgers, birds of prey, woodpeckers, small birds, otters, kingfishers and trout live freely there.

Grøn Tur runs through the landscape around Frederikshavn as an approximately 60-kilometre-long cycle route. The route passes through moraine hills, coastal meadows, river valleys, dunes, heathland, and deciduous and coniferous forests. The municipality also has marked trails for hiking and running, leading through forests, rural areas and coastal landscapes. Bangsbo Dyrehave has five trails ranging from 2.3 to 8 kilometres in length, as well as a nature playground, barbecue facilities and a house for meals brought from home.

The municipality provides a map for outdoor recreation. Among other things, it shows locations for campfires, overnight stays outdoors, picnics and letting dogs run free. Free nature experiences include campfires, spending the night under the open sky, fishing for your own evening meal and finding shelter from the rain. Katsig Bakker is designated as an area for mountain biking.

Maritime history

Krudttårnet houses an exhibition by the Coastal Museum about the port of Frederikshavn. Visitors can see the cannons at the top of the tower. Krudttårnet was the central structure of Fladstrand Citadel, which was established at the end of the 17th century.

Frederikshavn Slipway is the youngest and only surviving of four small wooden shipyards in Frederikshavn. The maritime history of the shipyard, the port and the ships is conveyed there through guided tours, open days with active workshops, lectures and exhibitions. Old ships are renovated at the slipway.

A unique ship from Ellingå dating from 1163 is exhibited in the stable at Bangsbo Hovedgård. In the manor house, visitors can experience the history of the town, textile exhibitions and a unique collection of jewellery made from human hair. Bangsbo Fort was commissioned under this name in 1952 as a Cold War fort. It was opened for guided tours in the early 1990s; a more permanent opening to the public began in 2004, including the Dronningestien hiking trail. In 2005, Bangsbo Museum took over the educational and museum activities.

Art and historic houses

Skagens Museum houses the world's largest collection of works by the Skagen painters. The offerings include changing special exhibitions, an open workshop and a historic garden. Anchers Hus preserves the Ancher family's private art collection and the complete original furnishings of the house where Anna and Michael Ancher lived with their daughter Helga.

Drachmanns Hus displays Holger Drachmann's art collection, objects from his numerous travels and the original furnishings of the house. Frederikshavn Art Museum has existed since 1978 and is a museum of modern art and crafts. It has one of the world's largest collections of bookplates, which it displays in a permanent exhibition. In addition to its exhibitions, the art museum hosts theatre performances, concerts, lectures, an art school, art films and other events.

The Tordenskiold Days are among the recurring events in Frederikshavn Municipality. Hirsholmene is located in the immediate vicinity northeast of Frederikshavn; it can be reached by the small “Seadog” ferry.

Cycle route and connections between localities

If cyclists do not want to complete the entire Grøn Tur by bicycle, they have the option of continuing by train from Kvissel, Jerup, Rimmen (Nielstrup) and Strandby.

Other places connected within the municipality include Bunken, Lodskovvad, Tolne, Ålbæk, Skagen, Strandby, Frederikshavn, Hulsig, Jerup, Kvissel, Lyngså, Sæby, Kandestederne, Skiveren, Åsted, Napstjært, Voerså, Nordby, Nielstrup, Thorshøj, Østervrå and Dybvad.

For the overarching travel overview: North Jutland.