Wanting to know the best things to do in Skagen, Denmark? This small city may be on your cruise itinerary, or on your list traveling through Scandanavia. We have been several times, and loved the calm coastal vibes of the area.
Skagen is a coastal town in Denmark, on the most Northern tip of the country. This popular cruise port is just a small town. It may not packed with adventure, but does have a few things that you can do while you visit.
We used to go there every ten days on the ship that we were working on, and many crew members would not go out because they felt that there wasn’t a lot to do, but here are a few ways to enjoy your time in this cute little Danish town.
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Where is Skagen, Denmark?
Skagen is the northeastern most town in all of Denmark. Located on a peninsula, this small coastal town is part of the municipality of Fredrikshavn.
Skagen is the northernmost point of Denmark.
How to Get to Skagen, Denmark
Skagen can be reached several ways. Here are the different options for traveling there.
Visiting Skagen by Air
The closest airport to Skagen is Alborg Airport, which is around 100 km away. It takes a little hour to drive to Skagen from Alborg, and about 2 hours on the train. Cities that fly to Alborg include Amsterdam, Billund, Blackpool. Copenhagen, Gran Canaria, Kunas, Lugano, Oslo, and Tenerife.
Flight Hack: We use Skyscanner for finding flights, because you can check the calendar and see which days of the month are cheapest to fly to any given destination!
Visiting Skagen by Land
Denmark is a rather small country, so if you plan on visiting other areas, you'll have no problem reaching Skagen by land. There are plenty of buses and trains connecting to the different cities here. Another option could of course be the rent a car, as nothing in Denmark is really too far from each other.
Rent a car in Denmark:
Visiting Skagen by Sea
Did you know that Skagen is a popular port town? Cruise ships come to dock here each summer during their Baltic itineraries.
This is actually how we used to visit, because we were working on a cruise ship that visited Skagen every two weeks! The cruise port is right in the heart of the city, and is the perfect way to visit this small town.
Entry Requirements for Denmark
Now that you're ready to travel to Denmark, let's go over any requirements you may need to take care of before going.
Visa Entry Requirements for Denmark
Denmark allows free travel for those from the European Union, while many other countries can visit for a period of up to 90 days without needing a visa. Some nationalities require a Schengen Visa, which would also apply to Denmark. Here you can see the full list of countries that require a visa to enter the Schengen Zone.
The 90/180 Rule
Another important thing to note is that the 90 days apply to all countries in the Schengen area. This means that as a tourist without a visa, you can only stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period in total in the Schengen Zone. For example, if you spent 80 days in Italy, then you would only be able to stay up to 10 days in Denmark before needing to apply for a Schengen visa.
Covid Entry Requirements for Denmark
Denmark has lifted all restrictions when it comes to Covid.
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Local Adjustments for Visiting Skagen, Denmark
Whenever you travel there are things that may be different from where you are coming from. Here are a few of the local adjustments to have in mind while traveling to Denmark.
Language in Skagen
The official language in Denmark is Danish. While it's a pretty tough language, pretty much all locals do speak English too.
Currency Used in Skagen
The currency used in Denmark is the Danish Krone. Currently (April 2024) Every 1 USD or euro is equal to 7 Krone, and every 1 GDP is equal to 8.7 DKK.
Outlets in Skagen
Denmark uses the same plug types as most of Europe, which are types F & K (two round pins). The standard voltage in Denmark is 230 V with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
Can You Drink the Water in Skagen?
The water in Denmark is completely safe to drink, so we definitely suggest getting a refillable water bottle rather than buying plastic water bottles.
Tipping Culture in Skagen, Denmark
Service is actually built into the bill in the restaurants in Skagen, so tipping isn't necessary at all.
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Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark
Now that you now the basics for visiting, let's get into the fun stuff! Here are the best things to do in Skagen, Denmark.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #1: Explore Downtown
The main downtown area of Skagen Denmark is very small, but very quaint. The streets are full of restaurants, bars, and shops to browse through. Grab an ice cream cone, or walk along the train tracks.
The heart of Skagen is lined with shops and restaurants.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #2: Walk Between Two Seas
Head to the area of Grenen for some of the best things to do in Skagen. This is a great place to visit because it is where the two seas meet. There is a long sandbar here so it is a lovely place to be able to walk around and dip your feet in the refreshing waters.
Grenen is located just 4 km away from the center, so you can take a quick taxi ride, or its a little under an hour if you would like to do a scenic walk. If you take a taxi, make sure to confirm the amount before you go, as when we got the taxi back it was extremely expensive.
Head to Green to see where two seas meet.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #3: Check out the Skagen Lighthouse
Right over near Grenen, you can also pay a visit to Skagen's Grey Lighthouse, which is an active lighthouse 4 km northeast of Skagen in the far north of Jutland. We recommend taking a long walk up the beach to make your way there from the center of town.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #4: Visit the Sand-Covered Church
Another spot that we really enjoyed to visit was Den Tilsandede Kirke, otherwise known as the sand covered church. It’s not very elegant and elaborate, like most of the famous churches in Europe, but it’s charming due to its unique architecture.
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We highly recommend taking the one hour walk, as it was full of nature and very enjoyable. If you take the walk over to the church, you can also find this cute old windmill along the way!
The Sand Covered Church is one of the most important sites in Skagen, Denmark.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #5: Hike the Sand Dunes
Our favorite things to do in Skagen involve the beautiful landscapes that surround the town. So it's not secret that heading to the beach is one of them.
Råbjerg Mile is a migrating coastal dune between Skagen and Frederikshavn. It is the largest moving dune in Northern Europe with an area of around 2 km² and a height of 40 m above sea level. This is great for some exercise, nice views, and a nice place to set up to relax.
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Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #6: Have a Picnic on the Beach
As Denmark is a very expensive country, we found that one of our favorite things to do was to go to the supermarket and get some food to take with us on the beach. It saved us money, and was a fun way to spend our day!
Having a picnic in Skagen is a great way to enjoy the beach and save on food.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #7: Take a Stroll Through Town
There may not be many large monuments or buildings around, but the town is full of picturesque little homes with all of their orange roofs.
Walk past the train tracks and there are several neighborhoods. Take a stroll around to admire the architecture, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
Walk outside of the downtown area to enjoy the picturesque orange buildings.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #8: Take a Stop at Skagen's Vippefyr
This is a navigational light mechanism located in Skagen in the far north of Jutland. The original vippefyr, the first of its kind, was built in 1627. A faithful copy now stands on the same site.
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Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #9: Snap a Photo at Det Hvide Fyr
One of the best things to do in Skagen Denmark is to just admire some of the beautiful structures that it has. Our personal favorite is the Set Hvide Fyr.
This is another picturesque lighthouse worth making a stop at. If you are walking north of the town towards Grenen, it will be very easy to stumble across on your way.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #10: Browse through the Skagen Bunker Museum
Here is one of the best things to do in Skagen for history lovers. Located right near Grenen, is the private bunkermuseum which is located in an old German bunker of the Regelbau 638 type.
This was used during the Second World War as an infirmary for treating wounded soldiers and is now fitted out as a small museum with uniforms, weapons and other artifacts.
Things to Do in Skagen, Denmark #11: Check Out an Abandoned Construction on the Beach
Heading north along the beach, about a half hour away walking from downtown, you will find a huge area of random constructions.
It seems to be an abandoned building of some sort, and is pretty interesting to check out. Create your own story of what may have been, or grab your camera for a unique photo shoot.
Along the beach there are various abandoned structures that are fun to explore and photograph.
Getting Around Skagen, Denmark
Skagen is very small, and actually a lot of it we encourage you to walk. If you would like to go to places a bit outside the center, then the only option is taking a taxi. There is no public transportation in Skagen, nor does Uber operate in Denmark.
Taxis run on a meter, so there is no need to worry about getting ripped off. However, taxis are quite expensive in Skagen, so we suggest trying to take them sparingly.
If you happen to be coming from Aalborg, it would be a good idea to rent a car so that you can also explore more freely, and it may even be cheaper than getting taxis. If you do want to rent a car from the airport then we suggest doing so in advance to ensure there is availability. Down below is one of the sites we use most to book our rentals.
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Local Food & Drink in Skagen, Denmark
While we did visit Skagen quite often, we did not really have many meals in restaurants when we were there. Restaurants are extremely expensive in Denmark, and the cuisine is pretty simple. Something as simple as a sandwich can cost as much as $30.
For this reason, we found that going to the supermarket was much more cost efficient for us. The supermarkets are very clean and have high quality products. This is why we prefer buying food there and setting up our own little picnics on the beach.
Where to Stay in Skagen, Denmark
The best area to stay in Skagen is nearby the main pedestrian street which is St. Laurentijvej. Anywhere within walking distance of this area will be the best place to base yourselves in order to easily access all of the top things to do in Skagen, Denmark.
Is Skagen, Denmark Safe?
Denmark, as well as the surrounding Scandanavian countries, have some of the lowest crime rates in the world. People in Skagen are super friendly, and we always felt welcome and safe as tourists there.
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Other Things to Know About Skagen, Denmark
Now that you know almost everything you need to know, here are a few other things to keep in mind while visiting Skagen, Denmark.
Weather in Skagen, Denmark
Denmark, as well as other Scandinavian cities experience long and very cold winters, with short and mild summers. In the summer Skagen experiences almost 24 hours of sunlight, while there are very few hours of sunlight in the winter.
The Best Time to Visit Skagen, Denmark
We really only suggest visiting Skagen, Denmark in the summer months, from June to August.
How to Pack for a Trip to Skagen, Denmark
Even in the summer Skagen can experience cool temperatures, especially at night! We suggest bringing a jacket and layers, no matter when you visit, as well as sneakers or comfortable shoes for getting around.
You can bring a bathing suit for the beach, but only on rare occasions will it actually be hot enough that you'd be able to swim.
Packing List for Skagen, Denmark
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Sunglasses
- Light jacket for the summer, and a heavy one for the winter
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Sneakers or comfortable shoes for walking
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- Drone (We use the Mavic Mini Pro 3 because it's super light and great quality)
- Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
- Travel toiletries (our favorites are from Sheer Alternatives because they're all natural and 100ml)
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Skagen, Denmark may be small, but it definitely has its charm. We suggest visiting here in the summer, as temperatures are perfect, and the town is much more lively. This area is good for a quick 1 or 2 day visit, as everything on this list of things to do in Skagen can be done in a short time.
We hope you enjoy this cute Danish town! We have plenty of other European cities, as well as cruise ports to share with you. Head to the destination drop down menu on the front page of our site to discover your next destination.
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