North Jutland

In terms of municipalities, North Jutland consists of Brønderslev, Frederikshavn, Hjørring, Jammerbugt, Læsø, Mariagerfjord, Morsø, Rebild, Thisted, Vesthimmerlands and Aalborg.

The northern part of the region is actually an island, completely separated from the Jutlandic peninsula by the Limfjord. It goes by the name of North Jutlandic Island (Nørrejyske Ø in Danish), but is usually considered part of Jutland anyway. The same holds true for the smaller Limfjord islands, including Morsø. The North Jutlandic Island is divided between the traditional provinces of Thy, Han Herred, and Vendsyssel.

North Jutland is largely a rural region. There is only one city in North Jutland, all other settlements have less than 30,000 inhabitants.

• 🌍 Aalborg — old, urban center for North Jutland, founded in the Viking Age. The city has grown around an inland harbour on the Limfjord and has a proud history as one of Denmark's industrial centers. Today, it is still a hub for various industries, as well as education, culture, and trade.

• 🌍 Thy National Park — the first national park to be established in Denmark
• 🌍 Bulbjerg — a Dark Sky Park on the west coast.

The geography of North Jutland can be confusing. The Limfjord is, by geographic terms, not a fjord, but a strait. The North Jutlandic Island is a natural island, separated from the mainland by the Limfjord, but it is traditionally described as part of Jutland. The island is seldom referred to in daily parlance, however; most people stick to the three constituent provinces of Thy, Han Herred, and Vendsyssel instead.

This region presents some beautiful nature hikes, some of which are among the very best in Denmark. These noteworthy hikes include the cross-regional long-distance route of Hærvejen, starting off in Hirtshals (or Frederikshavn) and traversing the entire Jutland peninsula, as well as shorter and more manageable trails like Vestkyststien along the North Sea coast and the one-day trails of Rebild Bakker Ruten at Rebild and Mariagerfjord Panoramaruten at Hobro, the latter presenting some amazing scenery of a Danish fjord.

Apart from restaurants and regular eateries, West Jutland presents a number of local specialities:

• Skawbo rødspætte — rye-breaded, fried plaice (on the bone), served with butter sauce, potatoes, and a berry porridge of cranberries, lingonberry or gooseberry. Traditional dish of the Skagen area.
• Rulleål — filleted eel, rolled with onion and parsley, and cooked in salty water. When cold, the eel-rolls are sliced and served with a special salad (lettuce with a dressing of cream, vinegar and a dash of sugar), and sometimes Danish dark ryebread. In a variation of the dish, known as Ål i gelé, the eel-rolls are jellied. Local delicacy from the Limfjord region.
• Krøstekål (or Krystekål) — a special side dish of stewed white cabbage, traditionally served around Christmas. The cabbage is shredded, cooked, and then squeezed and wrung, before it is stewed with cream and butter. When served, it have the consistency of mashed potatoes. At the table it is traditionally eaten with a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar, pickled beetroots, pork, and strong mustard. Local speciality from the region of Thy.

• Jomfru Ane Gade — a popular bar street in Aalborg.

• Thisted Bryghus — historic brewery in the town of Thisted. The beers can be had all over Denmark in well-assorted bars, including the iconic 'Limfjords Porter'. Guided tours available.

You don't need to stick to town hotels, when you visit North Jutland. Apart from plenty private Bed & Breakfast offers, and countryside holiday homes for rent, North Jutland have the highest concentration of beach hotels in Denmark. Nearly all of them are on the west coast, and quite a few are high-end with exquisite restaurants and luxurious service. Here is a good selection:

• Ruths Hotel the Skagen area is packed full of lovely beach hotels, some of which are historic high-end luxury stays. Ruths Hotel is among the most famous.
• Svinkløv Badehotel high-end seaside hotel with a history dating back to 1925. Renowned for its relaxed, toned down atmosphere, location and good restaurant.
• Løkken Badehotel celebrated as the best beach hotel in Denmark in 2018, this historic hotel is located in the small coastal settlement of Løkken, a very popular destination for holidaymakers in the summer.
• Strandhotellet Blokhus this luxurious wellness-centered beach hotel was recently built in 2017, but in a style that mirrors the original traditional Danish beach hotels, including the iconic white-painted wooden panels. The small settlement of Blokhus on the North Sea coast is very popular with beach-goers in the summer.
• Villa Vest Badehotel another historic, traditional beach hotel in Lønstrup on the North Sea coast. Simple, elegant style with good service. Close to the Rubjerg Knude dune.
• Strandgaarden Badehotel a lovely beach hotel on the island of Læsø in an old timber-framed building. Læsø has some good child-friendly beaches, as it is situated in the more quiet Kattegat Sea.
• Aalbæk Badehotel small three-star beach hotel in the little village of Aalbæk, north of Frederikshavn. The beach here is excellent, and child-friendly. Overall, the Kattegat Sea coasts are much calmer and safer than those on the North Sea in the west, but from Aalbæk, you can easily do both; the North Sea coast is just a ten minute drive away, across the Skaw Spit.

Camping is also an option in North Jutland, and you can choose to do it cheap by bringing your own tent, or rent a campsite cottage or maybe a van. Some places are focused on families with children and offers extra entertainment for kids.

• Jambo Feriepark is a relatively new and appraised family friendly campsite with plenty of on-site entertainment options for kids especially. Cheap stay if you bring your own tent, or pay more and stay in a campsite cottage or a van. The North Sea coast and Fårup Sommerland is just around the corner.