Blåvand Beach

Blåvand marks the westernmost point of mainland Denmark, a windswept stretch of the North Sea coast on the Blåvandshuk headland northwest of Esbjerg in southwest Jutland. It is famous for one of the country's widest sandy beaches, an enormous expanse of pale sand backed by dunes where the horizon seems to stretch forever and the light and sky feel vast. Nearby, the Blåvand Lighthouse stands as the westernmost building in Denmark, a landmark on this exposed edge of the country. What makes Blåvand especially memorable are the old German bunkers left along the coast from the Second World War, several of which the artist Bill Woodrow transformed into giant "moles" burrowing out of the sand, now one of the beach's most photographed and playful sights. The wide shore is a natural playground for long walks, beachcombing, kite-flying and, in summer, swimming, while the surrounding area offers dunes and coastal nature to explore. Access to the beach is free and open around the clock, so you can come for sunrise, a midday swim or a golden sunset. Allow around three hours to walk the sands, find the famous mole bunkers and take in the raw beauty of Denmark's western tip; catching the bunkers at sunset makes for an especially striking photo.