Blåvand Beach and Lighthouse

Blåvand marks the westernmost point of mainland Denmark, a headland at Blåvandshuk on the North Sea coast of Jutland, north-west of Esbjerg. It offers one of the country's widest and finest sandy beaches, a vast sweep of pale sand and marram-covered dunes where the horizon runs unbroken out to the open sea. Presiding over it all is the Blåvand Lighthouse, built in 1900 to replace an older light and standing as the westernmost building in the whole country; its white tower has become the enduring landmark of the area, and climbing it rewards visitors with a sweeping panorama over beach, dunes and water. Scattered through the dunes are the concrete remains of Second World War bunkers, part of the coastal defences of the Atlantic Wall, and several have been transformed by an artist into whimsical sculptures, most famously a herd of bunkers reimagined as giant horses emerging from the sand. This mix of wild nature and layered history gives Blåvand a character all its own. The beach is made for long, bracing walks, and the sunsets over the North Sea, with the sky ablaze behind the lighthouse, are among the finest in Denmark. Summer is the season for bathing and beach days, while autumn brings dramatic waves and windswept skies for those who love the coast at its rawest. The beach is free to enjoy, while climbing the lighthouse costs 40 DKK for adults. Time your visit for sunset, and hunt out the horse-shaped bunkers hidden among the dunes.