Land art made from earth and light

A dome-shaped hill made from soil excavated during road construction combines landscape and art at Lyshøjen. The hill is 30 metres high and 280 metres in diameter. It was made using 800,000 cubic metres of earth excavated during construction of the Esbjergmotorvejen. Nineteen dome-shaped lamps are built into Lyshøjen and flash in time with traffic on Vestkystvejen. Here, a striking earthwork meets a light display linked to road traffic. Lyshøjen is considered Denmark’s largest land art installation.

Enjoy the beach and the water

Esbjerg Strand has a lagoon with opportunities for swimming and water activities, regardless of the season and the tides. Check the current water quality status before swimming. In the northern part of Esbjerg Strand is Aqtiv, with a floating bathing pontoon, showers and changing facilities. There is also a sauna, although its opening hours are limited. As individual facilities may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

The 660-metre-long wooden Hjerting promenade offers a different perspective on the beach. It has ramps and a viewing platform, and also provides access to the beach and various beach activities. If you plan to visit this area, check the latest information about individual facilities, as they may change.

City history and the Wadden Sea

The Esbjerg Museum has three permanent exhibitions about the occupation, the resistance movement and the urban environment in the first half of the 20th century. The BESAT exhibition offers an interactive look at everyday life in Esbjerg during the occupation in 1943. Together, these themes offer different historical perspectives, from resistance and city life to the everyday experience of a particular year.

The Fiskeri- og Søfartsmuseet in Sædding is one of six gateways to the Wadden Sea National Park. The exhibition includes a reconstruction of Esbjerg Harbour as it was between 1910 and 1970, as well as working maritime workshops. The museum also offers the chance to see seals, marine animals and birds of the Wadden Sea up close. The harbour reconstruction, workshops and animals bring different aspects of the maritime world to life.

Nature and trails in Marbæk and Nørreskoven

Marbæk, a large and varied natural area and part of the Wadden Sea National Park, lies northwest of Esbjerg. Forest, heathland, beach, lakes and the Wadden Sea form a continuous landscape there. A marked mountain bike singletrack of around five kilometres runs through Marbæk Plantage. Its sections are graded blue, red and black. Check local conditions before setting out.

Another route in Marbæk is about ten kilometres long. It runs through varied natural surroundings from the parking area on Sanatorievej at Gyvelvænget to the path behind Myrtuegård at Myrtuevej 39. The two routes differ in both length and the character described: one is a marked mountain bike singletrack with graded sections, while the other is a longer route through the landscape.

At Dyrehaven in Nørreskoven, you can observe sika deer, red deer and fallow deer up close. The enclosed area is home to wild animals. South of Dyrehaven is a free-to-use 18-hole disc golf course. The red-marked Energistien is a 3.4-kilometre route for walking or running; it goes around the former deer park and the golf course. Wildlife watching, disc golf and the marked route offer different ways to enjoy this natural area.

A seal safari to Mandø

The Vadehavscentret’s seal safari starts at the centre and goes to Mandø. The journey is made either in the centre’s tractor bus or in your own car to the stopping point. As this is a bookable experience, check the current tour calendar in advance.

Discover more destinations

Astrup, Endrup, Nørre Farup, Seem, Store Darum, Sjælborg, Hjerting, Esbjerg, Bramming, Gredstedbro, Ribe, Omme, Ålbæk, Vilslev, Egebæk, Hostrup, Gørding

For the regional travel overview: Southern Jutland.