Denmark’s Northern Coast Has 19-hour Summer season Days and a Quaint Surf City Known as ‘Chilly Hawaii’

Summertime in Denmark is like nowhere else. With the sundown pushed again previous 10 p.m., there’s loads of time to pedal round on a motorcycle, drink pure wine on the waterfront between swims, and take within the easy cool and all the time joyous vibes of the nation.

On a latest journey to a rugged and wild stretch of the nation often called the Jutland, I discovered that summertime buzz is taken to the following stage in these elements. This string of fishing cities in northwest Denmark has turn into an unlikely surfer hub in recent times—and extra than simply good waves have washed up on the realm’s shore.

After per week traversing the realm, I discovered the final wild flat oysters in all of Europe, bold tasting menus, hygge-packed boutique accommodations, and one million causes to enterprise into the untouched pure spoils of this area and get misplaced for a short time.

Days 1-2: Klitmøller and Hanstholm

Aalborg, Denmark’s fourth-largest metropolis, makes a handy getaway to the nation’s northern coast. You may decide to discover the artwork museums and walkable waterfront on this compact metropolis for a day or two to see why Journey + Leisure named it one of many finest locations to go in 2024. However after touchdown, our crew discovered the promise of crashing waves irresistible, so we piled in our van and headed straight to the coast on a 90-minute drive.

Denmark is an unlikely browsing vacation spot. However this area—nicknamed “Chilly Hawaii”—sits at a excessive latitude that permits it to usher in epic swells as storms go by the north. Surfers started whispering concerning the good surf introduced on by the realm’s generally harsh climate in recent times. Pink Bull heard the scuttlebutt and not too long ago hosted its premier King of the Air qualifier occasion close to Klitmøller, and the realm is at the moment gearing as much as host the World Championships for windsurfing.

We landed on a dismal day, however even by the misty coastal air, I instantly noticed the bobbing heads of surfers sitting simply previous the break because the wind whipped the coast. The place hotter climate surf cities have seashore bars and seafood shacks, cozy espresso outlets and sauna golf equipment line the seashore in Klitmøller. I opted to soak up the tranquility of the grey skies with a espresso, however you might zip up a wetsuit and seize a board courtesy of Chilly Hawaii Surf Camp and dive proper in, losing no time.

Chilly summer season days aren’t unusual in these elements—which is smart contemplating the Jutland shares latitude traces with Alaska. So even on summer season days, an extended day within the water ought to finish with a comfortable meal. I discovered simply that solely a brief drive down the coast at Hanstholm Madbar, which has a eating room lined with giant home windows that look out onto the huge grasslands. Strolling as much as the restaurant, I handed bushes of sea buckthorn (tart orange berries that develop wildly on this area) and shaggy brown cows. The serene setting is the proper place to dig into steamy pots of mussels and specials that change with the seasons.

The entire cities alongside this stretch of coast are teeny—some have simply over 1,000 residents. However phrase of premier browsing and a possibility to unplug has introduced an increasing number of guests and a slew of latest accommodations. Owned by a world-famous chef, the 36-room property at Svinkløv Badehotel ensures wonderful eating and a cottage-like ambiance, and a preferred Danish design model, Vipp, not too long ago opened a three-bedroom guesthouse that permits visitors to immerse themselves within the nature and solitude of the realm.

The following morning, I admittedly hit snooze to sleep off an extended journey day. Those that have been up vibrant and early headed to the nation’s largest seafood public sale in Hanstholm, the place contemporary catches from the North Sea are bought in a full of life ambiance on weekdays.

The remainder of day two ought to be spent among the many waves, however make time to go to Hanstholm Lighthouse. As soon as the oldest and strongest lighthouse in all of Denmark, the house additionally hosts a summertime pop-up referred to as Østlængen with pizza, conventional Danish plates of sourdough and cheese, and birkes, a neighborhood baked good that options flaky, croissant-like layers stuffed with marzipan.

Day 3: Thy and Agger

I began the day by driving about 20 minutes inland to Thy Nationwide Park. Ninety-four sq. miles of protected land is filled with sand dunes and bird-filled wetlands ripe for exploring. Climb to the highest of Lodbjerg Lighthouse for sweeping views of the rugged shoreline or spot purple deer and uncommon birds within the nation’s largest wildlife reserve.

On the sting of the nationwide park, Thy Whisky is run by eighth-generation farmers who respect the land and switch it into some stable single malts. The homeowners took me by rolling hills of barley, rye, and wheat and the entire distillery areas earlier than filling up glasses of 4 completely different whiskies for a style. The only-estate distillery additionally presents faster drop-in tastings, but it surely’s value penciling in some additional time for the tour to totally admire these terroir-driven pours.

After driving about 25 minutes additional down the coast, I settled down for a mind-blowing meal at Restaurant Tri, which sits in a tiny coastal city with lower than 200 individuals. The restaurant is chef Nicolas Min Jørgensen’s ode to regional flavors achieved by skilled sourcing and a palpable love for the realm. After I was there, a neighborhood farmer had simply dropped by with a bounty of contemporary produce and Jørgensen was upstairs drying mushrooms from a latest foraging journey—no surprise the Michelin Information has awarded this spot each a typical star and a particular inexperienced star award for sustainability.

After an extended evening, tuck into Vorupør Badehotel. The seven-room property sits proper on the ocean and outsized home windows guarantee you possibly can soak up all of the views.

Days 4-5: Mors and Limfjorden

Oysters are one other draw of the area, so my last day was spent pulling on waders and getting out into the fjord between the island of Mors and the mainland.

The world’s Danish Shellfish Middle is devoted to researching and sustaining a few of Europe’s final remaining wild oysters. The staff presents a two-hour expertise that begins with a lesson on the realm’s flat oysters earlier than it’s time to drag on slick rubber waders and get out on the water. Outfitted with a water-proof outfit, a web connected to an extended bamboo pole, and a bucket to carry my catch, I walked all the way down to the water to provide it a go. After about 45 minutes of scouring the ground of the fjord, I solely had an oyster or two to indicate for my efforts. However even on unfortunate days, the staff has loads of contemporary oysters to shuck when you toast some glowing wine to a tough day’s work.

For much more seafood, have lunch at Limfjordens Hus nestled in Glyngøre Havn. When you have room for much more oyster-infused fare, stroll over to Danish Oyster Bar to attempt a neighborhood beer that’s brewed with oyster shells leading to a delightfully briny pour that may be loved overlooking the water.

We then checked into the Tambohus Inn for our final evening within the Jutland. The lodging are homey and easy, however its location alongside the fjord is prized. Earlier than packing up for the airport, remember to cross the road to benefit from the inn’s sauna and chilly plunge into the fjord to do because the locals do—it’s the one method to cap off this epic journey.