Aalborg

Jomfru Ane Gade, Aalborg Photo by Cees van Roeden Click on the image for larger version

Historic Aalborg

Aalborg is a friendly energetic university city that makes an excellent base for exploring northern Jutland. It offers a number of fine museums, the second-largest zoo in Denmark, and the pleasant amusement park known as Tivoliland.

You can spend an enjoyable day in Aalborg simply walking through the Old Town and exploring the little shops, cafés and alleyways you pass. If you want to experience a bit of Aalborg’s history, take a leisurely tour of the city’s most notable buildings and museums.

Budolfi Domkirke is a whitewashed 12th-century cathedral decorated with colorful frescoes and beautifully carved woodwork. Nearby you’ll find the museum of the Aalborg Franciscan Friary. Located underground on the ancient friary site, it traces the history of medieval Aalborg based on findings from archaeological digs in the 1990s.

Jens Bang’s House was home to a prosperous 17th-century merchant. It is the largest Renaissance private residence in Scandinavia. Nearby is the lovely but slightly less dazzling Jørgen Olufsens Gård, the former home of a wealthy mayor.

For a taste of Scandinavian Modernism visit the North Jutland Museum of Modern Art (Nordjyllands Kunstmuseum) Elissa and Alvar Aalto and Jean-Jacques Baruël designed its airy, “organic” building in the 1960s. The outstanding collection focuses on modern and contemporary Danish and European art.

End your day at one of the oldest sites in the area, Lindholm Høje. Located just north of the city, it’s the largest Viking burial site in Scandinavia and there’s an excellent museum on the grounds.

Aalborg has many fine restaurants and cafés for lunch and dinner. When you’re taking time for food and drink, be sure to sample Aalborg Akvavit, the potent, caraway-flavored liqueur that is the city’s claim to fame.

North Sea Coast

Danes and visitors alike flock to the western coast of northern Jutland for its long stretches of white sand beaches. In summer, pack a beach blanket and a picnic lunch and join the crowds for a bracing swim in the North Sea at Blokhus or Løkken, two of the more popular beach towns. If you visit after a storm, be on the lookout for bits of amber that may be washed ashore by the strong winds and choppy seas.

Either before or after the beach, Børglum Monastery near Løkken is worth a stop. Once a royal residence – back in the 12th century – this religious retreat has a long, and sometimes bloody history.

Air Photo, Skagen Photo by Jan Winther Click on the image for larger version

Scenic Skagen

The 600-year-old resort town of Skagen is known for its yellow houses with red tile roofs and white edging. It is also famous as an artists’ retreat. Take some time to explore the town, then head a bit farther north – by foot, bike, or “tractor train” – to Grenen, the source of their inspiration.

Grenen, the northernmost tip of Denmark, isn’t at the end of the earth, even though it might seem that way. Here the waters of the Kattegat and the Sakgerrak meet in a swirling, crashing surf that is simply magnificent to behold.

Surrounded by all this natural beauty it’s easy to understand why artists have been vacationing in this region for centuries. See some of their finest work at the Skagen Museum. If you’re interested in learning more about the life and history of the area, visit the open-air Skagen Local History Museum, which depicts the lives of fishermen, sailors and lifeboat crews.

Lunch in town then head down the east coast of the peninsula.

Råbjerg Mile, south of Skagen, is the largest area of migrating sand dunes in Denmark. It travels 20 to 30 meters each year. This natural phenomenon is fascinating but it can cause problems, as you’ll discover at Den Tilsandede Kirke – the church buried in the sand.

The charming town of Sæby is a pretty seaside stop. Or if you’re eager for more historic sites, visit Voergård Slot. This beautiful Renaissance castle was built around 1520 by the bishop of Børglum but remodeled extensively in the late 16th century. Today it houses a unique collection of art and antiques.

Be sure to check out VisitDenmark.com, the official tourism web site of the Danish Tourism Board!