Struer is a station town and market town in northern West Jutland
with 10,303 inhabitants (2020), located in Struer Parish and at the
same time the capital of Struer Municipality, located in the Central
Jutland Region. Struer was previously in the county of Ringkøbing
County.
Struer is primarily known for housing the electronics
company Bang & Olufsen, which is world famous and employs approx.
one-fifth of all city dwellers. The fjord town is also known for the
Struer Museum (the house of the poet Johannes Buchholtz). It is
located on the southwest side of Venø Bay in the Limfjord and has a
marina near the city center, which is especially well visited by
tourists in the summer.
Struer Museum
At the heart of Struer's identity is the Struer
Museum, a state-recognized cultural-historical institution that delves
into the region's recent history with a special emphasis on sound,
listening, and innovation. Housed in a historic building, the museum is
particularly renowned for its exhibits on Bang & Olufsen, showcasing the
company's journey from its founding in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend
Olufsen to its global status in high-end audio design. Visitors can
explore interactive sound experiments on the lower floor, which are
described as fun, engaging, and educational—perfect for families or tech
enthusiasts. Other sections include the Railway Museum of Central- and
West Jutland, featuring locomotives, wagons, and recreated waiting rooms
that highlight Struer's role as a railway hub, as well as Buchholtz'
House, the preserved home of a local writer offering insights into
19th-century Danish life. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions
and events. Visitor reviews praise its interactive elements and the way
it puts Struer "on the world map" through B&O's story, with an average
rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 39 reviews. Admission is affordable, and
it's open year-round, though check for seasonal hours. It's a must-visit
for understanding how a small town became synonymous with cutting-edge
design.
Bang & Olufsen Factory Tours
Closely linked to the
museum, Bang & Olufsen offers guided tours of its manufacturing
facilities in Struer, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the
production of premium audio equipment. These tours are available during
the summer months and are organized in collaboration with Struer Museum,
catering to groups with a "relevant interest" such as design students,
audio professionals, or enthusiasts. Typically lasting a few hours, they
include visits to the head office, factory floors, and sometimes the
museum, with opportunities to see craftsmanship in action—from aluminum
milling to speaker assembly—and learn about B&O's philosophy of timeless
design and superior sound quality. Tours are conducted in English or
Danish; booking is required via the Struer Museum website, and they
often include coffee or light refreshments. Note that these are not open
to the general public year-round, so plan ahead. Reviews highlight the
tours as insightful and inspiring, emphasizing Struer's role in
Denmark's innovation legacy.
Limfjord and Outdoor Activities
The Limfjord is Struer's natural crown jewel, a vast waterway offering
stunning vistas and a plethora of outdoor pursuits. Stretching over 180
km, it provides child-friendly beaches, cliffs for hang gliding and
paragliding (especially at Toftum Bjerge), and trails for hiking and
cycling amid forests and green areas. In Struer, activities center
around the waterfront: rent boats or kayaks at Struer Marina for
paddling excursions, go fishing for local species like oysters, or take
guided boat trips to explore the fjord's islands. Nearby Thyholm Island
offers scenic hiking routes, while the Beaver Reserve features dams and
wildlife spotting opportunities, with resettled beavers leaving visible
traces in the landscape. The fjord's calm waters are ideal for stand-up
paddleboarding or simply relaxing on the shore. In summer, events like
the Sansefestival bring food and culture to the area. The Limfjord's
biodiversity and serene beauty make it a haven for nature lovers, with
easy access from Struer's center.
Den Japanske Have (Japanese
Garden)
For a touch of tranquility, Den Japanske Have is a
beautifully landscaped Japanese-inspired garden right in Struer's
center, offering an oasis amid the town's daily life. Spanning about 1.5
hectares, it features winding footpaths, ornamental bridges, koi ponds,
cherry blossoms, and meticulously pruned bonsai trees, creating a serene
atmosphere for reflection or picnics. Designed in the 1990s as a
cultural exchange project, the garden incorporates traditional Japanese
elements like stone lanterns and zen rock arrangements, with views
overlooking the Limfjord. It's free to enter and open year-round, though
spring blooms make it especially magical. Visitors rate it 4.5 out of 5
from 35 reviews, calling it a "hidden gem" for its peaceful ambiance and
photo opportunities.
Venø Church and Island
On the nearby
island of Venø—reachable by a short ferry from Struer—stands Venø
Church, a quaint Romanesque structure dating back to the 13th century.
This small whitewashed church features a beautifully maintained
graveyard, simple frescoes, and a peaceful interior that reflects
Denmark's rural ecclesiastical history. With a rating of 4.7 out of 5
from 24 reviews, visitors appreciate its serene setting and the island's
overall charm, including beaches and cycling paths. Venø itself is
Denmark's smallest inhabited island with a year-round ferry, offering a
glimpse into island life with fresh seafood spots and nature walks. It's
an easy day trip, combining cultural and outdoor elements.
Struer
Harbour and Marina
Struer Harbour serves as a vibrant hub for
waterfront activities, boasting one of the largest marinas on the
Limfjord. Here, you can enjoy boat rentals, mini-golf by the fjord, or
dining at spots like FJORD Restaurant, which focuses on local
ingredients in a cozy atmosphere. The area includes playgrounds for
kids, spa facilities at Kurbad Limfjorden (a wellness center with fjord
views), and events throughout the year. It's perfect for sunset strolls
or starting a sailing adventure. The harbour's modern amenities blend
with the natural surroundings, making it a focal point for both locals
and tourists.
Other Notable Sights
Hjerm Kunstgalleri: A small
art gallery showcasing modern Danish paintings, sculptures, and
ceramics. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews, it's praised for its
knowledgeable owner and affordable art purchases.
Struer Energy Park:
A modern sports complex with halls for activities like handball,
fitness, and events. It's a community center focused on health and
motion, hosting concerts and gatherings.
Kurbad Limfjorden: A spa
emphasizing relaxation with saunas, pools, and treatments overlooking
the fjord—ideal for unwinding after a day of exploration.
Local
Churches and Architecture: Beyond Venø, explore Struer Kirke, Hvidbjerg
Kirke (4.5/5 from 2 reviews), or Gimsing Kirke for their historical
architecture and serene settings.
The Renaissance
Struer Huse originated as a charging station
for Holstebro. Already in the 17th century, building timber was
brought via Aalborg from Norway and resold to the inhabitants of
Hardsyssel.
Under the dictatorship
According to
Holstebro's town bailiff's report from 1743, grain and fat products
were exported from Struer, most often to Aalborg, whose merchants
usually owned the small schooners, with the help of which this
freight took place. The Scots brought home "Norwegian pine timber,
tar, steel, flax, hemp, salt, etc." and sold it in the surrounding
area. Several inhabitants of Struer ran their own trade as
commission agents for merchants in Aalborg and, according to a
county council judgment from 1735, had traded in this way "for
longer than anyone can remember". Other residents kept an inn and
ran a brandy trade.
Struer Huse was not a large urban
community: in 1801 there were 53 inhabitants, in 1840 there were 114
inhabitants. Until the storm surge in 1825, the Limfjorden was
closed to the west, and Aalborg controlled the trade. With the storm
surge, a passage to the North Sea was opened, which in the following
years grew, and in 1831 the first ship could sail through the "Agger
Canal". In 1839, sailing saw an upswing after another storm had
improved sailing conditions. As a result, there was a sharp increase
in the gun trade between the Limfjord (including Struer) and Norway,
Sweden, England, Schleswig, Holstein, Northern Germany and the
Netherlands. As early as 1840, 400 ships sailed through the canal,
and in 1855 sailing peaked with 1,800 ships.
In Struer's
case, it was merchant and consul in Holstebro H.P. Rygaard, who
started the sailing. He had 12 ships sailing, owned a farm, two
brickworks and a timber yard. Grain was sent to Norway with wood in
the return cargo and to England with coal in the return cargo; from
Hamburg, the ships had wine and colonial goods in their return
cargo. In 1851, 14 vessels with a total of 260 kmcl (commercial
load, sv.t. 520 net registered tons) were resident in Struer. In the
same year, 152 ships from foreign ports called Struer, of which 95
from Norway, 36 from England, 13 from Altona and 34 from Copenhagen.
Soon after, around 1860, the Aggerkanalen began to fill up with
sand. At the same time, "Frederik the VII's canal" was dug through
Løgstør Grunde, and thus improved Aalborg's access to the western
part of the Limfjord. The consequence was that local shipping again
languished. In 1860, Struer had 159 inhabitants.
The early
industrialization
It was only after the construction of the
railway in 1865 that Struer really began to grow: in 1870 the town
already had 592 inhabitants and in 1880 1008 inhabitants.
In
1879, the town, then located in Gjemsing Parish, is described as
follows: "The loading dock Struer with harbor and several commercial
establishments, several private schools, windmill, railway station,
guest house, etc."
Around the turn of the century, the town
is described as follows: "Holstebro's Ladeplads Struer, by Struer
Bay, whose harbor is described, has a Church, new Prestegaard,
Citizen's School, private Real School (founded in 1882) with the
right to hold general preparatory exams, Mission House, one of the
County Municipality owned Epidemihus (built 1900 on a piece of land
donated by the municipality for c. 30,000 kroner; with 17 beds and a
disinfection facility; builder: Jensen, Skive), pharmacy, doctor's
residence, veterinarian's residence, savings bank for S. and
surroundings (founded 1871; 31 /3 1900 was Savings Credit 155,129
DKK, Interest 4 pCt., Reserve 13,089 DKK, Number of Accounts 622),
Bank (established 1897; Share capital: 50,000 DKK; 31/12 1901 was
Folio- and the deposit account 223,426, the current account 146,527
kroner), gas works (built 1897), electric lighting station (built
1901), meat inspection station, brick works, sawmill, machine
factory, steam boiler factory, bicycle factory, cement foundry, dye
factory, tobacco factory, beer brewery, mineral water factory .,
Fish smokehouse, Fish export shops, Mill, Community dairy, Printing
house („S. Avis“ is published in Holstebro and „S. Dagblad" in
Ringkjøbing), many craftsmen and traders, several hotels and
guesthouses, railway, telegraph and state telephone exchanges. as
well as customs clearance control point, post office and steamship
station. The town is in the Dampskibsforb. with Kbh. and the cities
of the Limfjord."
In 1917, Struer was granted market town
rights.
The interwar period
Throughout the interwar
period, Struer's population was increasing: in 1916 4,166, in 1921
4,715, in 1925 5,059, in 1930 5,463 in 1935 5,726, in 1940 6,294
inhabitants. At the same time, a suburb grew up in Gimsing
Municipality.
At the census in 1930, Struer had 5,463
inhabitants, of which 281 supported themselves by non-material
activities, 1,983 by craft and industry, 661 by trade etc., 1,311 by
transport, 262 by agriculture, forestry and fishing, 475 by
housework, 473 were out of business and 17 had not stated the source
of income.
The post-war period
After World War II, Struer
continued its population growth. In 1945 there were 6,754
inhabitants in the market town, in 1950 7,492 inhabitants, in 1955
8,029 inhabitants, in 1960 8,335 inhabitants and in 1965 8,984
inhabitants. At the same time, the suburb, B&O-byen, developed in
Gimsing Municipality.
Up until the end of the 1960s, Struer Station functioned as headquarters for the central West Jutland administrations in DSB. At the time, there were up to 150 DSB employees in the city.
Struer has two education centers for young people, four primary schools and a free school. Struer State Gymnasium has approx. 730 students divided into approx. 20 classes. The high school offers the Danish youth programs STX, HF. HG, HHX, HTX, the international IB and 10th grade. Furthermore, the high school has a boarding department that gives students the opportunity to live at the school. This makes the high school attractive to many foreign students and helps to create an international environment. Struer Friskole has existed since 1983 and in 1985 it moved to its current location at Drøwten 8, on the southern edge of Struer. Struerskolen has three lines with a focus on learning and lifestyle and is aimed at both young people and adults.