Guide: Explore The Danish West Coast

Where to stay

A change of scenery, a slower pace, and shared experiences with friends and family give us the kind of recharge we crave. Making the most of a holiday isn’t about filling every hour, but knowing the right places to go when the urge to explore calls. To help you stay clear of the most touristy areas, we’ve selected a handful of charming towns and areas for you to explore below.

• Explore Husby Dune Plantation and spend hours in the beautiful landscape, or visit the town of Ringkøbing strolling around the old cobbled streets.
  Discover our collection of handpicked holiday homes in the area.

• In Klitmøller, a relaxed surf town also known as Cold Hawaii, the pace slows naturally. Wetsuits hang in a row outside the holiday homes, bikes are left in the sand, and the waves are filled with surfers from all over the world.

• If you’re dreaming of a windswept escape close to the raw, untamed nature of the West Coast, head to the old fishing town of Løkken. Wander through the dunes or stroll the town’s characteristic streets, and discover the essence of a true Danish seaside holiday here.

• The Wadden Sea National Park on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and Thy National Park are two unique nature sanctuaries, offering vast open landscapes and remarkable wildlife. Explore the holiday homes in the Thy area here.

• Just a 12-minute ferry ride from Esbjerg Harbour lies the remote and distinctive island of Fanø, known for its old thatched houses, cozy cafés, and small shops.

Where to eat

It’s fair to say that Danes express their love language through food. We’ve tasted and tested our way along the West Coast, so if you’re searching for the best places to eat, a cozy coffee shop, or which bakeries are worth a detour, these are our recommendations.

• At Kesse’s Hus in Klitmøller, taste their homemade pancakes.

• Warm up with a cup of coffee at Haandpluk in Klitmøller.

• Enjoy pizza at VØ Pizzabar in Vorupør.

• Get a taste of local ingredients at Hantsholm Madbar.

• Experience an unforgettable meal at the two-Michelin-starred Henne Kirkeby Kro.

• Enjoy a cup of coffee at Ri10 Kiosk or their Ri10 Restaurant.

• Try sourdough bread or sourdough pizza at Møllers Mikrobageri.

• Or indulge in pastries and beautifully crafted cakes at Batard Bakery.

• Visit Twenty Twenty Coffee, located in both Hvide Sande and Ringkøbing.

Local farm shops
Rooted in Denmark’s strong traditions in agriculture, the west coast is full of farm shops, offering the chance to buy and taste local produce from the area. We’ve put together an overview, so you know where to shop for ingredients to create an unforgettable homemade meal during your holiday.

• Økoladen Gårdbutik near Ringkøbing

• Randeris Bison, for those wanting to taste bison meat

• St. Gaasdal Gårdbutik

• Vestkystens Gårdbutik in Houvig

• Toftegård Økologi

• Gæstehusets Gårdbutik – a self-service shop

• Enghavegård Osteri og Gårdbutik

• Varde Ådal Lam, an organic farm shop especially known for its lamb

• Sønderho Gårdbutik, featuring the unique specialties of Fanø

What to do

Whether you want to explore charming coastal towns, taste your way through local bakeries, or enjoy a more action-packed holiday, the Danish west coast has something for the whole family.

• Take a seal safari and spot playful seals in the water, or watch them sunbathing on a sandbank.

• Taste freshly picked oysters on a guided oyster safari in Limfjorden.

• If you love wind- or kitesurfing, paddleboarding, or want to have fun at a cable park, Ringkøbing Fjord is the perfect place to visit. Explore our collection of holiday homes with canoes, kayaks and rowboats.

• Bagges Dæmning is a great cycling route for the whole family, while the dunes offer numerous trails for mountain bikers. For those seeking a real challenge, the route around Ringkøbing Fjord comes highly recommended.
  (Did you know that Tour de France-winning Jonas Vingegaard often goes for a ride in the Thy area along the West Coast?)

• Immerse yourself in the cultural, historical, and architectural experience of FLUGT, a refugee museum on the west coast that explores what it means to flee your home.

Where to wander

We have selected some of the great things to see, when visiting the large area of the West Coast of Jutland.

• A visit to Ribe, Denmark’s oldest town, is an absolute must if you are near the southern part of the west coast. A local rule of thumb - when the old wooden gates are open, you’re invited to take a look inside the local’s beautiful courtyards.

• Go red deer spotting at Grærup Langsø, known as one of Europe’s best places to see red deer in their natural surroundings. With a bit of luck, you might hear the distant roar of the rutting season or catch a glimpse of these majestic animals.

• The harbour in Hvide Sande is a beautiful spot for a leisurely stroll. Here, you can enjoy the small, colorful fishing huts that have been transformed into summer houses along the west coast.

• Witness the extraordinary phenomenon of Sort Sol, where thousands of starlings gather in dancing waves across the sky.

• Leave the dishes for later and head down to the beach to watch the extraordinary sunsets that stretch across the wide west coast beaches - a perfect way to end a day of holiday adventures.

While the wide beaches and the strong winds are the best known parts of the west coast holiday experience, we hope that our tried and tested gems can inspire your very own version of the perfect holiday by the sea.