A trip to Denmark's picturesque peninsula: Where to eat, sleep and enjoy nature in Djursland
We designed a route that takes you through Djursland's beautiful places to escape to, hidden natural gems and old coastal towns. Here we guide you to what Landfolk summer houses you should stay in and what places to see and eat at on your trip.
Djursland is both a short train journey and a world away from the second largest city in Denmark, Aarhus. On the peninsula of Djursland, you can slow down, eat delicious food, take a morning swim at the beach and get blown away by the beauty walking in Mols Bjerge and along the coast.
The route starts at Grenaa's soft beaches and ends at the steep slopes of Helgenæs. The route can easily be customised depending on where you want to stay overnight and whether you prefer to drive between the coastal towns or follow local cycle routes like Danes often do. Along the way, you will of course find a string of Landfolk summer houses that provide the perfect setting for your trip.
Start your holiday at the east coast's finest beaches in Grenaa
Start your holiday in Pernille's beautiful black wooden cottage, located just a stone's throw from the beach, the forest and Grenaa town. The summer house has a terrace on both sides, so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy your morning coffee and the evening sun.
When you're not spending time in the bright, open spaces of the holiday home or playing football in the garden, you can settle down in the low dunes at Grenaa Beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful in Djursland with fine-grained sand, shallow water and a blue flag signaling clear, safe waters.
In the neighbourhood, lots of local shops await you. For example, visit Høbjerg Gartneri og Gårdbutik just south of Grenaa, which sells fresh vegetables from its own nursery in the farm shop. Or stop by the idyllic winery Hylkegaard to get some chilled white wine for the summer house terrace.
Feel the summer vibe and buzz of life in Øer
A drive through the rolling fields of Djursland brings you to Øer Maritime Ferieby, which is worth a visit for its square houses reflected in the water with cobalt blue, brick red and yellow colours. The holiday village was created by the famous Danish architects Friis and Moltke in the 1980s with seven artificial islands connected by harbour basins and canals.
Signe and Ronni's charming holiday home exudes cosiness with recycled finds and an unpretentious colour palette. You can sail right to the doorstep of the holiday home, and outside the door you'll find an array of activities: let loose in the swimming pool, play a game of mini golf or tennis, or spend the day on SUP boards by the water. Feel the special summer atmosphere and the buzz of life at the 'lock', where the yachts sail in, and at the 'Children's Crab Bridge', where the children can have fun crab fishing. The holiday village is even more beautiful in the evening, when the sun reflects off the water and the masts sway in the wind.
Follow in the footsteps of Signe, Ronni and the family on the Øerstien trail, which takes you across canals, birch forest and light purple moorland. About halfway along the route you'll find a campfire site - a perfect spot for a break with pancakes or s'mores. The family also recommends a visit to Øer Gårdbutik, whose shelves are stocked with local meat, fresh vegetables and herbs and sourdough bread.
Get lost in Ebeltoft's idyll and cultural gems
Get lost in Ebeltoft's summer idyll with half-timbered houses, flowering hollyhocks and cobblestones. The 700-year-old trading town is home to a wide range of attractions. For example, visit the Frigate Jylland, which takes you back through centuries of seafaring. Also stop by the Ebeltoft Glass Museum on the harbour front, which displays unique and beautiful glass art.
Stroll along the fishing boats in the harbour. Here you can buy fresh fish, enjoy a drink and oysters at the Oyster Bar or have the best coffee in town at the café Apelgren Jordt.
Looking for a place to stay near Ebeltoft? Jakob and Christine open the doors to their beautiful thatched holiday home Lærkebo. Relax under the fruit trees in the garden and get mesmerised by the 270-degree view of the Ebeltoft bay from the blue windows. A few hundred metres away from the house you can lounge by the beach, and if you're craving a delicious meal, Jakob and Christine recommend the cultural mecca Maltfabrikken, known and loved by locals for its coffee, food and events.
Explore handpicked summer houses in Ebeltoft
Go on an adventure in the unique Ice Age landscape of Mols Bjerge
Our route around Djursland also takes you past Mols Bjerge - the scenic heart of the national park with deep ice holes and high Ice Age mountains. Buckle up your hiking boots and follow the many beautiful nature trails past hills and valleys, rare plants, butterflies and wild horses.
For the more energetic, a hike to the top of the Bronze Age burial mounds Trehøje and Agri Bavnehøj will reward you with views of rolling hills, the coast and shimmering inlets. If you want to spend the night in Mols Bjerge, check out Rikke's holiday home with bright and cosy interiors. The holiday home is surrounded by forest and invites you to cosy up with its wood-burning stove, sauna and cosy corners.
A short stroll from the holiday home is Kalø Castle Ruin, where weathered castle ruins take you back in time to the 14th century. Take the steel staircase to the top for spectacular views of the bay. End the day with a wonderful meal at the sustainable and vegetarian restaurant Moment (https://www.restaurantmoment.dk/), which serves green gourmet food from the bitter, crispy and sweet world of vegetables.
Land at the "end of the country" on Helgenæs
End your summer house tour along the coast in Line and Morten's architect's gem on Helgenæs. The holiday home is characterised by its clean lines, large panoramic windows and beautiful design details that nod back to the house's 70s heritage.
When Line, Morten and the family aren't relaxing by the bonfire or searcing for amber on the beach with amber lanterns, they like to take a trip to the "end of the country;" at the tip of Helgenæs you can visit the cute little lighthouse Sletterhage Fyr during the summer months, where lighthouse keeper Hans opens his doors and sells ice cream. If you're lucky, you might spot the dorsal fins of porpoises in the water.
Follow the paths from the lighthouse and explore the wild nature of Helgenæs. Continuing east along the beach, you'll arrive at the German Tower, the last remnants of the radar installation built by the Germans during World War II. When you get home, settle down in the evening sun with a glass of wine at the peaceful, private lookout point Møllehøjen, where you can enjoy the view of Aarhus Bay and let your mind wander freely.
