Blokhus is a seaside resort on Jammer Bay in North Jutland. Blokhus is one of the very popular seaside resorts around Jammer Bay, where you can drive your car right onto the beach. As a result, there is a lot of activity here on sunny days, so that the beach can sometimes be mistaken for a motorway. Blokhus, with large holiday home settlements and a distinctive tourist infrastructure in town, offers the right conditions for holidaymakers for whom days at the beach are at the top of their travel itinerary. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quiet holiday region, this is definitely not the place for you.
Blokhus, a charming coastal town in North Jutland, Denmark, within
Jammerbugt Municipality, attracts around one million visitors annually
with its blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and
family-friendly activities. Originally a small fishing village known as
Hune Hvarre, it has evolved into a vibrant holiday destination
surrounded by dune plantations and the North Sea. The town's sights
emphasize its maritime heritage, artistic flair, and outdoor recreation,
making it ideal for beachgoers, art enthusiasts, and adventure seekers.
Blokhus Beach (Blokhus Strand)
Blokhus Beach stands as the town's
crown jewel, renowned as one of Northern Europe's finest stretches of
white sand, backed by high dunes and the roaring North Sea. Spanning
several kilometers, this beach is unique in Denmark for allowing cars to
drive directly onto the sand, a practice rooted in local traditions that
enhances accessibility for picnics, kite flying, or simply enjoying the
views. The wide, powdery sands are perfect for long walks, sandcastle
building, or sunbathing, with the dunes providing natural windbreaks and
habitats for local flora like marram grass. In summer, 47 iconic white
beach huts line the shore, serving as changing rooms and photo
opportunities, evoking a nostalgic seaside charm. Evenings bring a
special ritual: the local cannon guild fires a historic cannon at the
beach center, a tradition that adds a dramatic flair to sunsets. The
beach's clean waters hold Blue Flag status for environmental quality,
supporting activities like swimming, windsurfing, and beach volleyball.
Historically, the area was barren of trees in the 1600s, but
19th-century dune plantations stabilized the landscape, preventing sand
drift and creating the scenic backdrop seen today. Winter transforms it
into a serene spot for storm watching, though erosion from North Sea
waves remains a challenge. Nearby, the beach connects to hiking paths in
the Blokhus Dune Plantation, a 642-hectare protected area with trails
winding through pine forests and heathlands.
Fårup Sommerland
Just a short drive from central Blokhus, Fårup Sommerland is one of
Denmark's premier amusement parks, blending thrill rides, water
attractions, and family entertainment across a sprawling forested site.
Opened in 1975, it has grown into a major draw, earning titles like
Europe's Best Amusement Park in 2021 and 2023 from the European Star
Awards. The park features over 60 rides, including the standout Fønix
roller coaster—Denmark's tallest and fastest, reaching 40 meters high
and speeds of 95 km/h with intense loops and drops. Other highlights
include the Aquapark, Scandinavia's largest outdoor water park with
slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, ideal for cooling off in summer.
Family-oriented areas offer gentler experiences like the 4D cinema,
animal petting zoo, and playgrounds, while thrill-seekers can tackle
coasters like Orkanen (which dives underwater) or the wooden Lynet. The
park's integration with nature—set amid pine trees and lakes—adds a
unique Danish touch, with picnic spots and barbecue areas encouraging
all-day visits. Seasonal events, such as Halloween fright nights or
summer concerts, keep it dynamic. Accessibility is family-focused, with
free entry for children under 90 cm and eco-friendly initiatives like
solar power. It's particularly popular with Blokhus visitors as a day
trip, contributing to the town's tourism boom.
Skulpturparken
Blokhus (Blokhus Sculpture Park)
Nestled in a verdant parkland
setting, Skulpturparken Blokhus is an open-air art haven that combines
contemporary sculptures with playful elements, making it accessible for
all ages. Established as a permanent fixture after annual sand sculpture
festivals, the park spans several hectares and features massive sand
sculptures crafted by international artists, often themed around fairy
tales, history, or pop culture—these are rebuilt annually using
thousands of tons of local sand. Beyond sand art, the collection
includes permanent works in bronze, stone, and wood, scattered amid
flower beds, ponds, and walking paths. Visitors can explore interactive
zones like a large sandbox for kids, hopping pads, and shaded cafes for
relaxation. The park's floral landscaping creates a serene atmosphere,
with blooming gardens enhancing the artistic displays. In November and
December, it transforms into a magical Christmas market with lights,
stalls, and holiday-themed sculptures, drawing crowds for seasonal
cheer. Reviews highlight its variety: from intricate sand castles to
abstract modern pieces, all set against a backdrop of pine forests. It's
not just visual—events like art workshops and live demonstrations add
educational depth. The park embodies Blokhus's creative spirit, tying
into the town's beachy, sandy identity while offering a cultural
contrast to natural sights.
Museum for Papirkunst (Museum of
Paper Art)
For a more intimate cultural experience, the Museum for
Papirkunst showcases the intricate world of paper art, a niche yet
fascinating medium with deep roots in Danish craftsmanship. Housed in a
modern building in Hune near Blokhus, the museum features rotating
exhibitions of paper sculptures, installations, and historical
artifacts, including delicate cut-outs, origami-inspired works, and
large-scale pieces that explore themes like nature and human emotion.
Founded in 1995, it draws from global collections but emphasizes
Scandinavian artists, with interactive displays allowing visitors to try
paper folding or view demonstrations. The "slow art" philosophy
encourages mindful appreciation, with quiet galleries and detailed
explanations of techniques like papercutting (psaligraphy). Highlights
include massive paper trees or narrative scenes that blend fragility
with durability. It's family-friendly, with workshops for children, and
ties into Blokhus's artistic vibe. The museum's location amid dune
landscapes adds a poetic contrast, symbolizing paper's ephemeral quality
against enduring nature.
Gateway Blokhus and Dune Plantations
Gateway Blokhus serves as the entry point to the expansive Blokhus Dune
Plantation, a 642-hectare nature reserve blending recreation with
conservation. This area, planted in the 19th century to combat sand
drift, now offers a network of hiking and cycling trails, including the
47-km Path 100 connecting to nearby Løkken. The gateway itself features
a natural playground with climbing structures made from local wood,
picnic areas with free outdoor ovens, and information boards on local
wildlife like deer and birds. Mountain bike tracks wind through
undulating dunes, forests, and heathlands, providing varying difficulty
levels. The plantations' biodiversity includes rare plants and insects,
with guided tours available for deeper insights. It's a hub for outdoor
enthusiasts, offering serenity away from the beach crowds, and
exemplifies Denmark's commitment to sustainable tourism.
Other
Notable Sights
Hune Kirke: This picturesque Lutheran church, dating
back to the 12th century with later additions, features a well-kept
garden, cemetery, and simple Romanesque architecture. It's a tranquil
spot for reflection, often praised for its inviting open-door policy.
Kulturhuset Blokhus: A cultural center hosting events, exhibitions, and
performances, it's central to the town's square, which includes shops
and an outdoor stage for summer concerts.
Haven i Hune (Anne Just's
Garden): A beautifully landscaped private garden open to visitors,
showcasing exotic plants, sculptures, and serene paths—perfect for a
peaceful stroll.
By bicycle
The North Sea Cycle Route (NSCR) runs
through Blokhus, but is only signposted as DK 1 in North Jutland. In
Blokhus begins (in the direction of Hirtshals) or ends (in the direction
of Hanstholm) one of the most unusual sections of the cycle path: The
route between Blokhus and Løkken is almost 17 km long along the mostly
blocked beach - quite exhausting with a loaded touring bike.
On
foot
Like the NSCR, the North Sea Trail and Hærvejen hiking trails
continue north along the beach from Blokhus.
Early History and Origins
The region's human presence dates
back to prehistoric times, with evidence of hunter-gatherer
settlements in North Jutland from the end of the last Ice Age around
12,000 BCE, as part of broader migrations from southern and eastern
Europe. However, Blokhus itself emerged as a distinct settlement
much later, primarily as a fishing community in the post-medieval
period.
In the early 1600s, the area around Blokhus was sparsely
populated and largely barren, with few trees due to shifting sands
and harsh coastal conditions. Timber was scarce, and the landscape
consisted of windswept dunes and plantations that would later be
stabilized. The village served as a basic fishing outpost, with
locals relying on the North Sea for livelihood. Navigation was aided
by natural landmarks; initially, Hune Church (located nearby in
Hune) functioned as the first seamark for sailors, visible from the
sea due to its elevated position. As dunes accumulated over time,
obscuring the view, this role diminished.
By the late 19th
century, Blokhus began transitioning from a purely utilitarian
fishing village to a site of early tourism and trade. In the 1880s,
a prominent red seamark (Blokhus Sømærke) was constructed, standing
15 meters tall to guide vessels safely to shore. This structure,
which juts into the sky year-round, symbolizes the town's maritime
roots and replaced the church as a navigational aid. The seamark's
establishment marked a key development in Blokhus' infrastructure,
supporting both fishing and emerging commercial activities.
19th and Early 20th Century Development
From the mid-19th century
onward, Blokhus gained recognition as a health and leisure
destination. Affluent Danes sought the "fresh North Sea air" for its
purported therapeutic benefits, transforming the village into a
summer retreat. It functioned as a shooting ground (for hunting) and
trading post, with early infrastructure supporting these activities.
Classic white bathhouses appeared on the beach, providing changing
facilities for bathers and becoming iconic symbols of the town's
budding tourism industry. These structures, present seasonally from
May to September, date back to this era and evoke the Victorian
bathing culture popular across Europe.
By the early 20th century,
Blokhus had solidified its role as a holiday spot. The bathhouses
proliferated, and a lifeboat rescue station was established to
support maritime safety amid growing coastal traffic. Nearby
attractions, such as the medieval Børglum Monastery (dating to the
Middle Ages and mentioned in sources from at least 1317), added
cultural depth, drawing visitors interested in history. The
monastery, originally a religious site, later served as a manor and
now hosts exhibitions.
World War II and the German Occupation
Denmark's occupation by Nazi Germany from 1940 to 1945 profoundly
impacted Blokhus, given its strategic coastal location. As part of
Adolf Hitler's expansive Atlantic Wall—a 5,000-kilometer defensive
system stretching from Norway to France—fortifications were hastily
constructed along Jutland's west coast. Work began immediately after
the invasion in April 1940, earlier than in other regions, with
thousands of bunkers built using standardized "Regelbau" designs. In
Blokhus and nearby areas like Saltum and Løkken, concrete bunkers,
gun emplacements, and anti-tank obstacles were embedded in the dunes
to repel potential Allied invasions.
These structures, numbering
around 2,000 in Denmark alone, included massive "super bunkers" that
remain among the most intact WWII relics in Europe. In 1944, German
forces dismantled and removed the Blokhus rescue station to
repurpose materials or clear sightlines for defenses. The occupation
disrupted local life, with the beaches mined and access restricted.
Post-liberation in 1945, many bunkers were abandoned but later
preserved as historical sites, offering insights into the war's
impact on civilian areas.
Post-War Era and Modern
Developments
After WWII, Blokhus rebounded by emphasizing
tourism. The 1950s and 1960s saw infrastructure improvements,
including roads and accommodations, catering to growing domestic and
international visitors. The town's authentic charm—rooted in its
fishing heritage—was preserved amid expansion. In 2007, as part of
Denmark's municipal reform, Blokhus became part of the newly formed
Jammerbugt Municipality, enhancing administrative and economic ties
with neighboring areas.
The late 20th and early 21st centuries
marked a tourism boom. Nearby Fårup Sommerland amusement park,
opened in 1975 and voted Europe's best in 2021–2022, draws families
with roller coasters and water attractions. Cultural sites like
Skulpturparken Blokhus (sculpture park) and Fun Art Blokhus emerged,
alongside natural gateways for hiking and cycling. In 2011, Blokhus
gained global attention when the world's tallest sandcastle (21.16
meters) was built on its beach, reinforced with glue and clay,
symbolizing its sandy heritage.
In 2019, the iconic Rubjerg Knude
Lighthouse (built 1900, threatened by erosion) was relocated inland,
preserving a dramatic piece of coastal history. The rescue station
was reopened in 2021, restoring a WWII-era loss and emphasizing
maritime safety. Today, Blokhus balances tradition with modernity,
offering eco-tourism, art events, and family activities while facing
challenges like coastal erosion.
Key Historical Landmarks
Blokhus Sømærke (Seamark): Built in 1880, a 15-meter red tower
symbolizing fishing history.
Bathhouses: Early 20th-century white
structures on the beach, evoking early tourism.
WWII Bunkers:
Remnants of the Atlantic Wall in the dunes, open for exploration.
Hune Church: Medieval origins, early seamark.
Børglum Monastery:
Medieval site nearby, used for exhibitions.
Rubjerg Knude
Lighthouse: Relocated in 2019 after a century of erosion battles.
Blokhus Gateway: Modern nature hub with historical ties to dune
plantations.
Timeline of Key Events
Early 1600s: Sparse,
treeless landscape; early fishing settlement.
1880s: Construction
of the red seamark to aid navigation.
Mid-19th Century: Emergence
as a summer health retreat and trading post.
Early 20th Century:
Bathhouses built; lifeboat station established.
1940–1945: German
occupation; Atlantic Wall bunkers constructed; rescue station
removed in 1944.
1975: Fårup Sommerland opens nearby.
2007:
Integration into Jammerbugt Municipality.
2011: World's tallest
sandcastle erected.
2019: Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse relocated.
2021: Rescue station reopened.