Explore Hirtshals through a range of interests: the harbour and maritime history sit alongside marine life and landscapes with trails for different activities. When planning, it helps to decide first which of these sides of the town you want to shape your stay.
Harbour, Lighthouse and Town History
Hirtshals Havn is an important fishing port. Every day, many fishing boats, leisure boats and ferries come and go. The harbour was built between 1919 and 1931 under the direction of engineer Jørgen Fibiger. Its first expansion took place in 1966; it has been expanded several times since. From the floating bridge at Hirtshals Marina, a route leads into town via “Trappe & Monument”.
Hirtshals Fyr also offers a view of the coast: from its top, you can see the west coast, the sea and the town. The lighthouse’s history is presented in the engine room. The Black Tower (“Det sorte Tårn”) offers another perspective: this eight-metre-high reinterpretation of the historic tower, opened in 2025, offers views of the sea, harbour, town and Hirtshals Fyr. If you are planning a visit soon, check the details in advance.
Bunker History and Hirtshals Museum
Bunkermuseum 10. batteri is Denmark’s most complete excavated defensive installation from the Second World War. On the site, 3.5 kilometres of trenches link 69 bunkers. Public guided tours of the site are offered during the summer and autumn school holidays in week 42; tours can be booked year-round. When planning, you can distinguish between the seasonal public offering and a booked tour.
Hirtshals Museum is housed in a fisherman’s cottage built from fieldstones in 1880. The living quarters have been reconstructed as an interior from 1915. The permanent exhibition “Hirtshals ved havet” covers the construction of the harbour, ferry traffic, shipwrecks and rescues, fishing, and life at the harbour. The museum thus brings together several aspects of the town’s history, while the bunker site focuses on defence during the Second World War.
Marine Life and Activities by the Water
At Nordsøen Oceanarium, you can discover different dimensions of marine life. The Oceanarium tank measures 22 × 33 metres, is eight metres deep and holds 4.5 million litres of seawater. The seal pool holds 800,000 litres; there, you can see grey seals and harbour seals, the two native seal species. The seals are fed and trained twice a day.
If you want to get active on the water yourself, you can fish in Hirtshals from the pier, on the beaches or out at sea on a sport-fishing boat. For surfing and SUP, the activity area at Hirtshals Havn has a storage box made from reused materials, as well as an outdoor changing area, a shower and drinking water. If these facilities are important to your plans, check the details before your visit.
Trails Through the Landscape
There are four Kløverstier walking routes in and around Hirtshals, ranging from 2.4 to 12.2 kilometres in length. The different distances give you a practical guide when choosing a route to fit the time you have available. Lilleheden Klitplantage lies on the edge of town. Its landscape includes heath, beach, bog, coastal meadows, dunes and lakes, with cycling, walking and running trails running through this varied area.
Bjesk and the Fish Festival
Hirtshals Museum also has an exhibition about bjesk, the Vendelboer’s national spirit, and the plants used to make it. Visitors can bring an unopened bottle of clear schnapps and have it turned into bjesk at the museum, following Hirtshals tradition. This brings together a local drinks tradition and a hands-on activity.
At Hirtshals Fiskefestival, fish takes centre stage over three event-filled days. The programme includes a fish market, a fish auction, a children’s cooking workshop, a fish buffet and tasting stalls. The buffet is prepared using local products. The festival thus puts the focus on food, while the harbour and museum offer further insights into fishing and life by the water.
The Kløverstier route lengths and the seasonal public tours at the bunker museum are practical points to consider alongside the time you have available.
Discover more destinations: Vrensted, Bindslev, Nørre Rubjerg, Tårs, Hørmested, Lønstrup, Uggerby, Vrå.
For the broader travel overview: Hjørring Municipality.
