Danmarks vestkyst – billeder og fotoguide til kysten

Denmark's west coast – nature, pictures and photo inspiration

Denmark's west coast is one of the country's most iconic natural areas. Here, the powerful waves of the North Sea meet with wide sandy beaches, high dunes and a special light that has inspired photographers and artists for generations. From Skagen in the north to Blåvand in the south, you will find dramatic coastlines and quiet moments, perfect for both photography and nature experiences.

Also read our guide to nature photography in Denmark and landscape photography , where we share tips for capturing the special atmosphere of the coast.

West Coast Photography

The West Coast is not only a beautiful part of Denmark's nature, but also a magnet for tourists from home and abroad. Here you can swim, fish and hike in a unique natural area. Find your favorite picture from the West Coast , or continue reading to explore more about the nature of the West Coast.

West Coast Flora and Fauna

Along the Danish west coast you can find a rich flora and fauna. Many dunes along the West Coast are planted with horsetail and horsetail. The blue-green grasses are robust and strong, so they can withstand wind and salt. Their long roots help to hold the sand in place and protect the dunes when the weather shows its teeth. It is beautiful to walk along the wide sandy beaches and see how horsetail and horsetail sway in the wind.

In the sea near the coast you can see larger animals such as seals, seabirds and even porpoises. On the beach it is often easy to find seashells, and further out in the shallow water there are snails and live mussels hiding in the sand. Of course there are also jellyfish such as jellyfish and firemen. You may also be lucky enough to see fish. Often it is small flatfish that flee when we approach them, and you see a dark shadow disappearing over the sandy bottom.

Seals on the west coast of Denmark near Skagen

Well-known natural areas along the West Coast

There are a number of natural areas along the Danish west coast, all of which are known for their beautiful and unique nature. Some of the most popular areas are:

Skagen

Skagen Odde or Grenen is a nature area located at Skagen in northern Denmark. It is known for its beautiful nature and many different landscape types. Skagen Odde is known for its large, open dune heaths that stretch along the entire northern coast of the area. The dune heaths are a unique nature area that is known for its great biodiversity and for the many opportunities for activities, including hiking, cycling and birdwatching. Skagen Odde also has a number of other beautiful nature areas, such as Skagen Plantage and Skagen Odde, where you can experience forests, meadows and beaches. Skagen Odde is an area with fantastic nature and offers many experiences for nature lovers.

Raabjerg Mile

Råbjerg Mile is a large dune located near the North Sea coast. It is the largest moving dune in Northern Europe and is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and diverse wildlife. The dune is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including grasses, flowers, birds and insects. The dune is also an important habitat for several endangered species, such as the beach toad and the sand lizard. Råbjerg Mile is a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the beauty of the natural world and learn about the dune's unique ecosystem.

Rubjerg Knude and Lonstrup

Rubjerg Knude is a nature reserve located near Lønstrup in Vendsyssel. It is known for its large sandbox, which is one of the largest in Europe. The sandbox is formed by the wind blowing sand from the sea onto land, gradually covering the area. Rubjerg Knude is also known for its beautiful landscape with dunes, forests and a lighthouse that stands on the edge of a hill with a fantastic view of the area. Rubjerg Knude is a popular tourist destination, and many people visit the area to experience its unique nature.

Thy National Park

Thy National Park is a national park in northwestern Denmark. It covers an area of ​​approximately 20,000 hectares and includes a variety of habitats, including dune heaths, fjords, heaths and meadows. Thy National Park is known for its great biodiversity with many different plant and animal species. There are a number of rare species, such as the white-tailed eagle, osprey and grey seal. Thy is also known for its many activity options, including hiking, cycling, kayaking and fishing. It is a popular tourist destination, and many people visit the area to experience its beautiful nature and wildlife.

Blåvand and Blåvandshuk

Blåvand is an area by the North Sea, known for its beautiful nature and many different natural areas. Blåvand is known for its large, open dune heaths that stretch along the entire west coast of the area. The dune heaths are a unique natural area, known for its great biodiversity and the many activity options, including hiking, cycling and birdwatching. Blåvand also has a number of other beautiful natural areas, such as Skallingen and Blåvandshuk Lighthouse, where you can experience forests, meadows and beaches. Blåvand is an area with fantastic nature and offers many experiences for nature lovers.

Lodbjerg and Lodbjerg Lighthouse

Lodbjerg Lighthouse is a lighthouse by the North Sea in northwestern Denmark. It is one of the tallest lighthouses in Denmark and is known for its beautiful location with a fantastic view of the sea and the surrounding area. The lighthouse is located in an area with unique nature, and there are many opportunities to experience the nature around the lighthouse. You can go hiking along the dunes and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea or visit the surrounding forests and meadows with their diverse flora and fauna. Lodbjerg Lighthouse is a fantastic place to experience Danish nature.

Fanø

Fanø is a Danish island located in the Wadden Sea and known for its beautiful nature. Fanø has large, open dune heaths along the west coast, which is a unique natural area with great biodiversity. The island offers many opportunities for activities, including hiking, cycling and birdwatching. Fanø also has other beautiful natural areas, such as Sønderho Klitplantage and Fanø Bad, where you can experience forests, meadows and beaches. Fanø is an island with fantastic nature and offers many experiences for nature lovers.

Romo

Rømø is a Danish island in the Wadden Sea and known for its beautiful nature. The island has large dunes along the west coast with great biodiversity and many activity options. Rømø offers hiking, cycling and birdwatching as well as beautiful natural areas such as Rømø Lyng and Rømø Church. Rømø is an island with fantastic nature, offering many experiences for nature lovers.

Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea is a unique natural area with great biodiversity and many activity opportunities, including hiking, cycling and birdwatching. The area is characterized by strong winds, large tidal fluctuations and a unique wildlife. It is a popular tourist destination, where many people visit to experience the beautiful nature.

Denmark's west coast by the Wadden Sea on Rømø

Discover the magical past on Denmark's west coast

Fishing along the West Coast used to be a magical experience. From beaches such as Vorupør, Stenbjerg, Klitmøller, Thorup Strand, Slettestrand and Løkken, fishermen launched their boats directly into the water. These beaches were undeveloped and provided direct access to the North Sea. In the morning, fishermen pulled their boats through the sand and out into the waves, eager to catch the day's catch. With their knowledge of weather, tides and fishing grounds, they navigated safely to ensure a good catch.

The traditional sea boats

This traditional form of fishing from the shore created a special atmosphere where the beach, the boats and the sea were united in a historical interplay. It was not only the fishing that was significant, but also the old fishing boats, which formed an important part of the cultural heritage of the coastal communities. Photographing these old boats is a journey back in time, capturing the beauty and history of a fishery that was once the lifeblood of these communities.

So next time you visit these beaches, don't forget your camera and be inspired by these authentic symbols of fishing life in the past. Be part of history and immortalize the old boats that still rest on the beaches, capturing their essence and charm in your photos. Today, they are a reminder of an era when fishing was a cornerstone of the life of coastal communities. Let photography be your time machine, transporting you back to the days when fishermen set out from the beaches and their boats sailed out into the endless sea.

Fishing boats and sea boats on the west coast at Sletterhage

Boats on the west coast, fishing boats

Where are fishing boats found along the West Coast? On the West Coast of Denmark, there are several beaches where you can experience fishing boats and cutters on the beach. These beaches include:

  • Vorupør Beach: Vorupør is an old fishing village on the North Sea, where you can see both smaller fishing boats and cutters being pulled up onto the beach after a fishing trip. It is an authentic experience to observe the fishermen's daily work and see their catch being landed.
  • Stenbjerg Beach: Stenbjerg is a small coastal town with a charming beach. In the summer you can see small fishing boats on the beach.
  • Klitmøller: Klitmøller, also known as “Cold Hawaii”, is famous for its fantastic surfing opportunities. Although the place is primarily known for surfing, you can still find smaller fishing boats on the beach.
  • Thorup Strand: Thorup Strand is a small fishing village on the North Sea, where you can experience one of the largest active fishing fleets on the Danish west coast. Fishing boats are pulled up directly onto the beach, and you can observe the fishermen preparing their gear and taking care of their catch. Thorup Strand became particularly well known with the TV series “Gutterne på Kutterne”, where TV2 followed five fishermen from Thorupstrand.
  • Slettestrand: Slettestrand is a beautiful and peaceful beach close to Svinkløv. Here you can see some beautiful and historic fishing boats that are cared for and maintained at the local boatyard right by the sea. Although the fishing is not as prominent as in some of the previously mentioned places, you can still experience fishing life and see local fishermen on the beach.
  • Løkken Strand: Løkken Strand is a popular beach destination that attracts many visitors every year. Although fishing boats and cutters are not as common as in traditional fishing villages, you can sometimes see smaller fishing boats and cutters on Løkken Strand. It can be exciting to catch a glimpse of the local fishermen's boats and their activities on the beach.

These beaches along the West Coast give you the opportunity to experience maritime life, see the old fishing boats and cutters and maybe even get the chance to photograph these historic ships in their natural surroundings. It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in history and culture while enjoying the scenic surroundings of the North Sea.

Ending

The west coast is a place where nature truly shows its power and beauty. Whether you visit the lights of Skagen, the dunes of Fanø or the wild waves of Klitmøller, you will find motifs that both challenge and inspire. For us, the west coast of Denmark is not just a landscape – it is a place where you can feel the grandeur of nature and find peace on the horizon.

If you want to take the atmosphere from the west coast home with you, you can explore our collections of nature posters and Denmark posters , where we have collected authentic photographs from the entire coast and the rest of the country.

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