Boolsens Stenhave
A quiet stone garden in Frederikshavn where an author’s lifelong passion for geology now unfolds as an open-air story of ice, rock, and deep time.
Tucked into the leafy Bangsbo area of Frederikshavn, Boolsens Stenhave is a tranquil stone garden with a quirky backstory. Here, more than a thousand glacial boulders gathered by author Johannes Boolsen between 1939 and 1973 are arranged as a kind of open‑air geology book. Now part of the green grounds by Bangsbo Museum and the botanical garden, it offers peaceful paths, labels explaining the rocks’ origins, and pockets of shade ideal for slow wandering and quiet contemplation.
A brief summary to Boolsens Stenhave
- Dronning Margrethes Vej 6, Frederikshavn, 9900, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
-
Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Combine the stone garden with a broader wander through Bangsbo Museum’s grounds and the botanical garden to make a relaxed half-day in the area.
- Wear comfortable shoes; paths are mostly grass and soil, which can be soft or slightly muddy after rain.
- Bring a light jacket outside the warmest months, as the elevated, leafy setting can feel breezy even on otherwise mild days.
- If you are curious about the geology, consider taking photos of stone labels so you can look up the rock types in more detail later.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
-
Local bus
From central Frederikshavn, use a city bus line serving the Bangsbo area; journeys typically take around 10–20 minutes depending on route and traffic. Buses run regularly during the day, with reduced frequency in evenings and on weekends. A single adult ticket within the local zone usually costs in the range of 20–35 DKK. From the nearest bus stop, expect a short, gently uphill walk on paved and park paths to reach the garden, manageable for most visitors but potentially challenging for those with very limited mobility.
-
Bicycle
Cycling from Frederikshavn’s central streets to the Bangsbo museum area generally takes 10–20 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route uses local roads and signposted cycle paths typical of Danish towns, with a noticeable but steady incline as you approach Bangsbo. You can bring your own bike or rent one in town, with day rental commonly around 80–150 DKK. This option suits visitors comfortable with moderate hills and sharing roads with local traffic.
-
Taxi
A taxi ride from the town centre or the ferry terminal to the Bangsbo grounds usually takes about 8–12 minutes, depending on traffic. Daytime fares within Frederikshavn for such a distance typically fall in the 90–160 DKK range, varying with company, time of day and waiting time. Taxis can drop passengers close to the museum area, from where it is a short, mostly level walk through the park to Boolsens Stenhave, convenient for those who prefer to minimise walking or are travelling with small children.
-
On foot from central Frederikshavn
Strong walkers can reach the Bangsbo area directly on foot from central Frederikshavn in roughly 35–50 minutes. The route follows urban streets and then quieter residential and park surroundings with a noticeable but not extreme uphill section near Bangsbo. Surfaces are paved, with some sections of compact gravel in the park. This free option suits visitors with good mobility who enjoy turning the journey itself into part of their outing.
Boolsens Stenhave location weather suitability
-
Clear Skies
-
Mild Temperatures
-
Hot Weather
-
Cold Weather
-
Any Weather
Discover more about Boolsens Stenhave
A writer’s garden of stones turned open-air collection
Boolsens Stenhave began life as the highly personal project of Danish author Johannes Boolsen, who spent more than three decades collecting striking glacial boulders and rock specimens in his private garden near Bangsbostrand. From 1939 to 1973 he assembled over a thousand stones, arranging them in careful groupings that reflected his fascination with the Ice Age landscape and the region’s geology. In 1973, Boolsen’s property and his stone collection were acquired by the municipality of Frederikshavn. The stones were entrusted to the nearby Bangsbo Museum, which moved and re‑established the garden in the green surroundings by the museum complex. What had once been a private obsession became a public space, allowing anyone to wander between the boulders that had so captivated their collector.Reading the geology of North Jutland under open skies
Today the garden functions as a calm, outdoor supplement to the cultural attractions at Bangsbo. The stones are arranged in beds and clusters that highlight different rock types and origins, from rounded granite boulders dragged here by ancient ice sheets to layered pieces showing patterns formed deep in the Earth’s crust. Discreet signs help you identify what you are looking at, turning a gentle stroll into a quiet geology lesson. Because the garden is modest in size and fully open‑air, it never feels overwhelming. Instead, you move slowly along grass paths and low borders, noticing shapes, colors, and textures as you go. Children tend to gravitate to the biggest boulders and unusual markings, while those with a scientific bent can linger over labels and structures that illustrate how Denmark’s landscape was shaped.Within the leafy Bangsbo parkland
Boolsens Stenhave sits in a leafy pocket just by Bangsbo Museum and the surrounding park. Mature trees cast dappled shade across the stones, while the wider area includes lawns, forested slopes, and other themed gardens. Birds provide a gentle soundtrack, and in light wind you hear the rustle of leaves as much as the distant sounds of the town below. The setting makes it easy to combine a visit with time in the adjoining Bangsbo Botanical Garden and the museum’s historic buildings. Benches and low walls offer resting spots where you can sit at eye level with a stone face that has been polished by glaciers, rain, and time. On clear days the light shifts across the rock surfaces, bringing out unexpected colors, flecks of mica, or subtle banding.A slow, reflective stop in Frederikshavn
A visit to Boolsens Stenhave is unhurried by design. Many guests spend under an hour here, pairing it with a walk through the wider park, while others use the garden as a quiet corner for reflection or sketching. The ground is mostly level and grassy, making it gentle underfoot, though some areas can be soft after rain. There is no spectacle or formal program, only the invitation to look more closely at the material that underlies landscapes and buildings across North Jutland. Whether you treat it as an informal classroom, a scenic shortcut between other sights, or simply a restful pause surrounded by trees and stone, the garden adds a subtly distinctive layer to the Bangsbo experience.Legacy of Johannes Boolsen
The spirit of its founder remains present in the orderly, almost narrative arrangement of the stones. Boolsen’s choice to gather and categorise these boulders at a time when such private collections were unusual speaks to a personal curiosity about deep time and natural history. By preserving his work in this public garden, Frederikshavn has woven an individual passion into the shared story of the town. Standing among the stones, it is easy to imagine the years of patient searching that went into the collection, each new find hauled home and placed in relation to the last. The result is a space that feels both scholarly and quietly poetic: a reminder that even seemingly inert rocks can carry stories that stretch far beyond a single human lifetime.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Frederikshavn Sogn
2.0 km
A grand Romanesque church and living parish at the heart of a North Jutland port town, where seafaring history, sacred art and everyday Danish life meet.
Fisketorvet
2.7 km
A modest central square in Frederikshavn where everyday small-town life, summer tourist hosts and a hint of maritime character quietly meet by the harbor.
Frederikshavn Church
3.1 km
Frederikshavn’s red-brick landmark church, blending National Romantic architecture, a Michael Ancher altarpiece and war graves into one evocative town centre stop.
Frederikshavn St.
3.2 km
Compact, coastal rail terminus linking Frederikshavn’s harbor, ferries and town center, and a relaxed stepping stone to beaches, bunkers and northern Jutland landscapes.
Port of Frederikshavn
3.2 km
A deep-water working harbour where ferries, shipyards and offshore giants share the waterfront, shaping the maritime heart of Frederikshavn.
Cafe' Feen
3.5 km
Aalborg’s beloved Kildeparken blends music, art, and green tranquility, offering a vibrant escape in the city center for relaxation, exploration, and community events.
Bunker Ved Palmestranden
4.9 km
Second World War bunkers half-buried in the dunes behind Frederikshavn’s palm-lined city beach, blending coastal history with a relaxed seaside setting.
Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen
7.7 km
A modest roadside stone in rural Vendsyssel, the Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen quietly links a single life story with the open fields and farm roads of Gærum.
The Lady From The Sea
9.8 km
A towering harbour figurehead where Ibsen’s sea‑bound heroine, medieval Mary and hundreds of children’s symbols merge into one evocative coastal landmark.
Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson
32.7 km
A modest granite stone in Skagen Klitplantage honouring the dune inspector who planted millions of pines and transformed the shifting sands south of Skagen.
Kiosk v / The Buried Church
32.8 km
Delve into Esbjerg’s evolution from coastal hamlet to harbor city at this immersive museum, blending archaeology, wartime history, and lifelike local scenes in Denmark’s West Jutland.
Skagen Havn
33.2 km
A bustling North Sea harbour where fishing fleets, cruise liners and a cosy marina meet under Skagen’s famous northern light.
Enjoy Skagen
33.7 km
Esbjerg Museum reveals the city’s story through immersive exhibits on maritime legacy, archaeology, and daily life—offering an interactive journey into Danish west coast history.
Galleri Bo
33.9 km
Explore Denmark's vibrant west coast heritage at Esbjerg Museum, where local history, archaeology, and immersive exhibits bring Esbjerg's dramatic story to life.
Skagen Station
34.2 km
Denmark's northernmost railway station, where historic yellow architecture meets the gateway to two seas.
Unmissable attractions to see
Mindesten for V. VANGSTED
0.1 km
Explore the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.
Kystmuseet Bangsbo
0.1 km
Historic Bangsbo manor turned coastal museum, where medieval ships, wartime stories and a 1900s cultural salon meet in lush parkland on Frederikshavn’s edge.
Bangsbo Botaniske Have
0.2 km
Denmark's premier botanical garden where English-style elegance meets Northern Europe's largest alpine crevice garden.
Mindesten for de 3
0.6 km
A modest war memorial in Frederikshavn honoring three local lives lost during World War II, inviting a brief, thoughtful pause amid the town’s everyday rhythm.
Skovhuset
0.7 km
Rustic forest house in Bangsbo Dyrehave where woodland, deer and open-fire meals create a quietly atmospheric escape just outside Frederikshavn.
Pikkerbakken
0.7 km
Forest-framed hilltop with a striking airwalk, sweeping Kattegat views and quiet wartime relics above the harbor town of Frederikshavn.
Gravplads fra jernalderen
1.4 km
Wander a forested hillside near Frederikshavn where 62 Iron Age burial mounds, stone banks and hidden cellars quietly reveal over a thousand years of rural Danish life.
Bangsbo Fort - Bunkermuseum
1.4 km
Hilltop World War II and Cold War fortress overlooking Frederikshavn and the Kattegat, with panoramic views, bunker explorations and immersive coastal history.
Vandværksskoven
1.8 km
Small, pine-scented Vandværksskoven offers Frederikshavn’s easiest escape into the woods, with mellow trails, a 3 km MTB loop and links to the Bangsbo hills.
Kongeegen
2.0 km
A quietly imposing oak on Frederikshavn’s northern edge, Kongeegen offers a simple, characterful pause between suburban streets and the open North Jutland landscape.
Fladbjerg gravhøj
2.1 km
A modest prehistoric burial mound on a hill above Frederikshavn, where ancient ritual quietly meets the landscaped calm of a modern cemetery park.
Cloos Tower
2.3 km
North Jutland’s hilltop lookout: a 60 m tower above beech woods and fields, with sweeping views over Vendsyssel, family-friendly green space and woodland trails.
Triaden sculpture
2.6 km
Discover Mindesten in Frederikshavn: A serene memorial honoring local history amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.
Tordenskjold statue
2.7 km
Experience the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.
Mindesmærke for Scandinavian
2.8 km
A solemn granite memorial on Frederikshavn’s harbourfront, commemorating the 159 lives lost in the 1990 Scandinavian Star ferry fire beside the waters they once crossed.
Essential places to dine
KFUMs Soldaterhjem i Danmark
0.4 km
Homely soldiers’ canteen and community house in Frederikshavn, serving hearty Danish meals and quiet companionship beside the local barracks.
Møllehuset - Restaurant i Bangsbo
0.4 km
Nordic fine dining where forest, stream, and seasonal cuisine create unforgettable moments in nature.
Hotel Lisboa
1.0 km
Cozy, family-run base on Frederikshavn’s quiet southern edge, blending simple comfort, honest Danish cooking and easy access to forest, shoreline and Bangsbo.
Skippers Grill
1.5 km
Unpretentious chicken and grill bar on Søndergade serving hearty Danish fast-food classics, generous portions and easy takeaway in central Frederikshavn.
Restaurant NerD
1.5 km
Modern Nordic cooking and harbour classics served with sweeping views over Frederikshavn Marina and the Kattegat, in a relaxed, design-forward waterfront setting.
Centergrillen
1.8 km
Casual grill bar meets Asian-inspired takeaway in a no-fuss Frederikshavn neighborhood favorite, serving hearty portions from lunchtime through the evening.
Samgor
2.4 km
Straightforward sushi and Asian comfort food in central Frederikshavn, balancing generous portions, friendly pricing and a strong takeaway focus for everyday dining.
La Vida Cafe Restaurant Pizza Pasta Place
2.5 km
Italian-American dining hub in Frederikshavn's center with pizzas, pastas, burgers, and Mediterranean fare for every taste.
Madbaren no 13
2.6 km
Intimate Frederikshavn gastropub pairing relaxed social dining with a standout selection of specialty beers in a warm, living-room-style setting.
WE MEAT Burger - Frederikshavn
2.6 km
Casual, central and comfort-focused, WE MEAT Burger serves hearty burgers, fried chicken and indulgent sides for easy-going evening meals in Frederikshavn.
2takt Café & Brasserie
2.6 km
Historic industrial space reimagined as a refined Scandinavian brasserie with exceptional dietary inclusivity.
Moby Dick
2.6 km
Hearty Danish comfort food with a maritime twist in the heart of Frederikshavn, where generous plates and warm lighting create a cozy harbor-side evening.
Bai Sheng
2.7 km
Interactive Mongolian BBQ and sushi buffet where chefs grill your selections before your eyes.
Bone's Frederikshavn
2.7 km
Harborfront American BBQ and hearty comfort food with a salad bar, soft-ice and plenty of space for families, groups and hungry travelers in Frederikshavn.
Delicious Factory
2.7 km
Casual central Frederikshavn café serving generous sandwiches, fresh pasta salads and colourful juices in a bright, easygoing setting ideal for quick meals or relaxed breaks.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Danmission Op Shop
1.9 km
Charity-driven thrift shop in central Frederikshavn, where changing shelves of second-hand finds turn everyday shopping into a sustainable treasure hunt for a good cause.
Frederikshavn Bazar
2.4 km
Compact international supermarket in Frederikshavn’s pedestrian heart, stocking global staples, spices and snacks with a no-fuss, everyday local atmosphere.
LePac
2.5 km
Cosy central Frederikshavn florist and gift shop, blending fresh seasonal bouquets with curated decorative presents for easy, thoughtful gifting in Søndergade.
Zoey
2.6 km
Sophisticated plus-size fashion celebrating curves and confident style in Denmark's north.
Kop & Kande
2.7 km
A cosy central Frederikshavn homeware store where Danish design, practical kitchen tools and ready-to-wrap gifts make an easy, everyday stop during your town wander.
INTERSPORT Frederikshavn
2.7 km
Central Frederikshavn sports store for footwear, clothing and gear tailored to Danish weather, everyday training, family activities and active coastal holidays.
SOLO - Frederikshavn
2.7 km
Compact, contemporary women’s fashion on Frederikshavn’s main pedestrian street, ideal for a relaxed browse between cafés, errands and harbor strolls.
Butik NEXT
2.7 km
A curated second-hand boutique in the heart of Frederikshavn, where Scandinavian style, sustainable fashion and relaxed browsing come together on Rimmensgade.
Tøjeksperten
2.7 km
Premium men's fashion with 365-day exchanges and seamless online integration in central Frederikshavn.
dansk Frederikshavn
2.7 km
Harborfront, budget-friendly clothing store in Frederikshavn, stocking practical styles for babies, kids, tweens, women and men under one bright, efficient roof.
Rosenborg SHE
2.7 km
Intimate women’s fashion and footwear boutique on Søndergade, offering wearable Scandinavian style in the heart of Frederikshavn’s cozy shopping streets.
Deres Collection
2.7 km
Modern women’s fashion in a relaxed Nordic boutique, set in the walkable shopping streets of central Frederikshavn.
Knud E
2.8 km
Long-established Frederikshavn womenswear boutique offering Scandinavian-inspired fashion, quality outerwear and warm, personal service in the heart of Danmarksgade.
Gerda
2.8 km
Independent neighborhood clothing boutique in Frederikshavn, offering relaxed Scandinavian style, personal service, and a calm alternative to high-street fashion chains.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
2.8 km
Playful Danish design shop in central Frederikshavn, brimming with colourful gifts, party supplies, stationery and clever everyday items at wallet‑friendly prices.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Ship Inn ApS
1.6 km
Unpretentious neighborhood bar in central Frederikshavn, serving inexpensive drinks and harbor-town vibes in a compact, maritime-flavored setting.
Le Drink
2.2 km
Cosy neighbourhood cocktail bar in Frederikshavn, serving unfussy drinks and relaxed conversation in an intimate, low‑key setting off the main streets.
Peder Wessel v/Lisbeth Wagner
2.4 km
Traditional, inexpensive neighbourhood bar on central Søndergade, offering no-frills drinks, cosy maritime character and an easygoing slice of Frederikshavn nightlife.
My Nordisk Mjød
2.4 km
Intimate mead bar and micro‑meadery in Frederikshavn, serving handcrafted Nordic honey wines inspired by a garden apple tree and regional Danish ingredients.
Bangsbo Brewing Company
2.4 km
Intimate nanobrewery crafting rotating small-batch Danish beers in a welcoming taproom.
Two Step Up v / Brian Jensen
2.6 km
Frederikshavn's legendary late-night bar where locals and travelers unite over live music and Danish drinks until dawn.
Lygten I/S
2.6 km
Old-school Danish "brown" beer hall in central Frederikshavn, serving inexpensive drinks, thick pub atmosphere and local colour from early morning to late night.
Frederikshavner Kroen
2.6 km
No‑frills Danish pub in central Frederikshavn, pouring cheap beer, late‑night drinks and plenty of local atmosphere in a compact, well‑worn bar room.
Flying Hirsch
2.6 km
High-energy after-ski bar in central Frederikshavn, serving playful drinks, loud music and alpine party vibes late into the night.
JOY´S PUB
2.7 km
Cozy harborfront neighborhood bar in Frederikshavn with affordable drinks, local atmosphere and occasional live music on late-opening weekend nights.
Freddy´s Bar
2.7 km
Cozy harbourfront bar in Frederikshavn with live music, a generous beer selection, and laid-back Danish pub vibes just steps from the ferry terminal.
John Bull
2.8 km
English-style harbor pub blending maritime character with classic pub hospitality in Frederikshavn's waterfront district.
Sportsbaren Frederikshavn
3.1 km
Lively central Frederikshavn sports bar with wall-to-wall matches, cold beers, betting, slot machines and pool in a relaxed, down-to-earth Danish pub atmosphere.
Café Pitstop Frederikshavn
3.3 km
Relaxed café-bar hybrid on Skippergade blending sports, karaoke and pub vibes in a down-to-earth local hangout in Frederikshavn.
Munken v/Aase Pedersen
3.5 km
Traditional Danish bar in the heart of Frederikshavn, offering straightforward drinks, long opening hours and a cosy glimpse into local everyday pub life.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Sportens Venner I Frederikshavn
3.0 km
Rock music venue on Frederikshavn's waterfront, hosting live performances and DJ sets in an electric harbor-side atmosphere.
Casino Aalborg
54.0 km
Compact, adult-only casino in the heart of Aalborg, pairing classic table games and slots with a relaxed Nordic nightlife atmosphere inside a city-center hotel.
CLUB MOONLIGHT Aalborgs dansested for voksne
54.0 km
Compact, nostalgic and unapologetically dance‑focused, Club Moonlight brings 80s, 90s and today’s hits to a mature over‑21 crowd in central Aalborg.
Rocken
54.0 km
Aalborg's premier basement rock and metal nightclub, hosting live bands and DJ sets Friday through Sunday.
C Night Club
54.1 km
Craft cocktails meet dance floor energy on Aalborg's premier nightlife street.
ESCAPE CLUB & Shisha Lounge
54.1 km
Intimate nightclub and shisha lounge in the heart of Aalborg’s Jomfru Ane Gade, mixing DJ-driven dancing, drinks and hookah corners late into the night.
Club Wolf
54.1 km
Compact, late-night nightclub on Aalborg’s Jomfru Ane Gade, blending chart hits, strong weekend energy and a tightly packed dance floor in the city’s bar street hub.
Night Cirque
54.2 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub in central Aalborg, where pulsing beats, bold lighting and a stylish crowd keep the dance floor alive late into the night.
LouLou Aalborg
54.2 km
Polished cocktails and high-energy club vibes collide at this compact, late-night hotspot on Aalborg’s legendary Jomfru Ane Gade.
Club Stygge
54.2 km
Compact, late-night Aalborg nightclub with loud party hits, simple cocktails and a tightly packed dance floor on bustling Vesterå.
Happy Friday
72.2 km
Experience Støvring's vibrant nightlife at Happy Friday Cocktail Bar, where expertly crafted cocktails meet a lively atmosphere.
Skørping Bodega
74.9 km
A friendly local bodega near Rold Skov, Skørping Bodega captures the spirit of Danish bar culture with its authentic charm, inviting atmosphere, and vibrant community.
Rold Skov Orienteringsklub
74.9 km
Embark on an orienteering adventure with Rold Skov Orienteringsklub in Denmark's captivating Rold Skov forest.
Mjølner
76.0 km
Small-town Nibe’s late-night heartbeat, where a compact dance floor, loud party tunes and local crowds turn a quiet fjord town into a lively night out.
Mariager Fjord Golf
84.6 km
Mariager Fjord Golf blends a challenging 18-hole course with spectacular fjord views, laid-back Danish charm, and a welcoming clubhouse overlooking North Jutland’s scenic waters.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
