Krudttårnet Gunpowder Tower, Frederikshavn

A 17th‑century gunpowder tower turned harbourfront museum, where naval history, bold engineering and Frederikshavn’s maritime story meet in one compact landmark.

4.3

Looking to book tours, experiences or hotels? Let me help you...

Home
Denmark
Frederikshavn
Krudttårnet

Rising beside Frederikshavn’s harbour, Krudttårnet is a robust 17th‑century gunpowder tower that once guarded Denmark’s northern coastline. Built between 1686 and 1690 as part of the Fladstrand fortifications, this round Martello‑style tower later supported the Danish fleet during the Great Northern War and was dramatically moved 270 m in one piece in the 1970s to make way for shipyard expansion. Today it serves as a compact maritime and military museum with cannons, naval stories and summer events.

A brief summary to Krudttårnet

Kragholmen 2, Frederikshavn, 9900, DK
+4526881717
Visit website
Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
Budget
Mixed
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Plan your visit in summer if you want to experience the Tordenskiold-themed historical town around the tower, when costumed interpreters and family activities bring the naval era to life.
Allow at least 30–60 minutes inside the tower to read the exhibits and examine the roof structure and cannons on the upper level; the site itself is small but historically dense.
Bring a light jacket, as the thick stone walls can keep the interior cool even on warm days, and the waterfront location can feel breezy outside.
Check current opening times and any event schedule in advance, as access to the interior and special activities may be seasonal or limited to specific days.
Combine a stop at Krudttårnet with a stroll along the harbour to photograph the contrast between the old defensive tower and modern ferries and shipyard structures.

Getting There

Train and walking from Aalborg

Take a regional train from Aalborg to Frederikshavn Station; services typically run at least once an hour and the journey takes about 1–1.5 hours. A standard adult single ticket usually costs around 80–120 DKK, depending on time and fare type. From the station it is roughly a 15–25 minute walk through the town centre to the harbour area where Krudttårnet stands on Kragholmen. The walk is on mostly flat pavements but may include some cobbles and can be windy near the waterfront.
Car from Skagen and regional surroundings

Driving from Skagen to Frederikshavn typically takes around 35–45 minutes via the main coastal route. There is usually public parking available close to the harbour and in central Frederikshavn, some of it time-limited or paid during the day with rates commonly in the range of 10–20 DKK per hour. From nearby parking areas you should expect a short walk over generally level ground to reach Krudttårnet, though exposed conditions by the water can make it feel colder in winter.
Local bus within Frederikshavn

Local and regional buses connect residential districts and nearby towns to Frederikshavn’s central area, with journey times typically between 10 and 40 minutes depending on distance. A single adult ticket bought on board or via local ticketing apps generally costs around 20–40 DKK. Many services stop within walking distance of the harbour; from these stops, allow about 10–20 minutes on foot along urban streets to reach the tower, bearing in mind that wheelchair users may prefer routes with dropped kerbs and smoother surfaces.
Foot access from Frederikshavn ferry terminal

If you arrive in Frederikshavn by ferry, for example from Gothenburg or nearby islands, you can walk from the ferry terminal to Krudttårnet in roughly 10–25 minutes, depending on the berth used and your pace. The route passes through an active port environment with some uneven surfaces and can be exposed to wind and rain, so suitable clothing and footwear are advisable. No additional transport costs apply, but allow extra time during busy ferry operations.

Krudttårnet location weather suitability

Any Weather
Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures
Cold Weather

Discover more about Krudttårnet

Seafront Stronghold of the Old Fladstrand

Krudttårnet stands like a stone sentinel on Kragholmen, a rounded tower that once formed the core of the coastal defences for the old trading settlement of Fladstrand, today’s Frederikshavn. Constructed between 1686 and 1690, it was designed to store gunpowder safely while withstanding bombardment from the sea. The thick masonry walls, small openings and compact footprint reflect a single, uncompromising purpose: to keep the harbour operational and the fleet supplied. Its strategic location at the entrance to the harbour meant that ships approaching the coast did so under the watchful eye of the tower and its associated batteries. From here, the Danish navy could control access to the Kattegat and the routes further north towards Norway. Even as the town around it changed from fishing outpost to industrial port, the rounded silhouette of Krudttårnet remained a constant landmark.

War, Fleet and a 4,500‑Ton Relocation

During the Scanian War and later the Great Northern War, Krudttårnet served as an important support point for the Danish fleet. Powder, shot and supplies were kept within its vaulted interior, ready to be distributed to the guns defending the harbour approaches. The building’s simple exterior concealed a highly functional military heart that helped secure one of Denmark’s key naval gateways. By the 1970s a new challenge appeared: the expansion of Frederikshavn’s shipyard. Instead of demolishing the old tower, engineers undertook a remarkable feat. The 4,500‑ton structure was braced with concrete rings, carefully jacked up and slowly pushed and pulled about 270 metres to a new position. Completed in 1975, this move preserved the historic building in its entirety and added a modern chapter of engineering ingenuity to its long story.

Inside the Powder Tower Museum

Today Krudttårnet functions as a small museum focused on naval warfare, local fortifications and the evolution of Frederikshavn as a harbour town. Stepping inside, you find exhibits of gunpowder barrels, cannonballs and weapons that evoke the thunder of past battles. Informative displays outline the tower’s role in coastal defence, its involvement with the fleet and the dramatic relocation of the building. On the upper level, the unique roof construction becomes visible, a sturdy timber framework designed to carry weight and withstand the elements. Here, cannons are displayed on what once served as the fighting deck, allowing you to imagine gunners loading and firing at hostile ships. From the embrasures, glimpses of the modern port create a striking contrast between centuries-old masonry and steel shipbuilding.

Tordenskiold’s Town and Living History

In summer the area around Krudttårnet often transforms into a historical townscape inspired by Tordenskiold, the famed Danish-Norwegian naval hero, and the period when Fladstrand played a role in his campaigns. Temporary wooden houses, stalls and tents appear near the tower, staffed by guides in historical costume who bring the 18th century to life through stories, demonstrations and playful activities. Family-friendly games, simple crafts and hands-on experiences give younger visitors an accessible way into the maritime history of the region. The tower itself is usually included in this living history environment, allowing you to combine a conventional museum visit with a more theatrical encounter with the past. Even outside event periods, the open apron around the tower offers clear views and ample space to appreciate its maritime setting.

A Compact Stop on the Frederikshavn Waterfront

Krudttårnet is a relatively small site, making it ideal for a short but rewarding stop on a wider exploration of Frederikshavn’s harbourfront. The surrounding open ground and views over docks and ferries highlight the town’s continuing role as a maritime hub. Information panels and the tower’s clean lines make it a straightforward place to understand: there is one main building, a focused story and a strong sense of place. Whether you come for a quick photo stop or linger inside the museum, the tower offers a tangible link between modern shipyards and centuries of naval history. Its survival and relocation testify to the value placed on heritage in an otherwise utilitarian port landscape, and its sturdy stone form continues to anchor the waterfront skyline.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Frederikshavn St.

0.2 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.

Frederikshavn Church

0.2 km

Frederikshavn’s red-brick landmark church, blending National Romantic architecture, a Michael Ancher altarpiece and war graves into one evocative town centre stop.

Fisketorvet

0.4 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.

Cafe' Feen

0.6 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.

Port of Frederikshavn

0.6 km

A deep-water working harbour where ferries, shipyards and offshore giants share the waterfront, shaping the maritime heart of Frederikshavn.

Frederikshavn Sogn

1.2 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.

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

2.3 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

10.7 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

11.9 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

30.5 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

30.5 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

30.7 km

A bustling North Sea harbour where fishing fleets, cruise liners and a cosy marina meet under Skagen’s famous northern light.

Enjoy Skagen

31.2 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

31.4 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

31.7 km

Denmark's northernmost railway station, where historic yellow architecture meets the gateway to two seas.

Unmissable attractions to see

Frihedsmonumentet

0.2 km

Frihedsmonumentet is a tranquil memorial park in Frederikshavn, honoring Danish resistance and World War II victims in a peaceful, central garden beside the main church.

Mindesten

0.2 km

A modest granite memorial on Frederikshavn’s church square, Mindesten quietly commemorates Denmark’s World War II liberation and invites a moment of reflection.

Mindesmærke for Scandinavian

0.4 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.

Tordenskjold statue

0.4 km

Experience the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.

Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum

0.4 km

Small in scale but rich in ideas, Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum og Exlibrissamling fuses contemporary art, ex libris treasures and a lively cultural calendar in one intimate venue.

Versorgungsschiff „EDDA BOREAS“

0.5 km

A cutting-edge offshore wind support vessel occasionally moored at Frederikshavn’s working harbour, showcasing hydrogen-ready technology, cranes and gangways for the future of offshore energy.

Triaden sculpture

0.6 km

Discover Mindesten in Frederikshavn: A serene memorial honoring local history amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.

Nordre Skanse

1.2 km

Grassy historic earthworks overlooking Frederikshavn’s harbour and the Kattegat, where simple ramparts, sea views and open sky tell a quiet coastal story.

Palmestranden

2.4 km

Denmark’s only true palm-fringed urban beach, blending soft white sand, safe shallows and playful seaside activities with views over Frederikshavn’s working harbor.

Palm Beach (Frederikshavn)

2.7 km

Denmark's only palm beach—a tropical escape where real palms sway above white sand and Baltic waters.

FunHouse Frederikshavn

2.7 km

1,500 m² of colorful indoor action by the Frederikshavn harbor, where kids climb, bounce and slide while adults pause with a coffee and a clear view.

Bangsbo Botaniske Have

3.0 km

Denmark's premier botanical garden where English-style elegance meets Northern Europe's largest alpine crevice garden.

Mindesten for de 3

3.1 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.

Boolsens Stenhave

3.1 km

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.

Kystmuseet Bangsbo

3.2 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.

Historic 1882 hotel in Frederikshavn's heart, steps from train and ferry, with spa and Scandinavian breakfast.

Maestros Steakhouse Frederikshavn

0.4 km

Relaxed Angus-focused steakhouse in central Frederikshavn, serving generous cuts, burgers, pizzas and pasta all day in a warm, casual neighbourhood setting.

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

Sportsbaren Frederikshavn

0.3 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

0.3 km

Relaxed café-bar hybrid on Skippergade blending sports, karaoke and pub vibes in a down-to-earth local hangout in Frederikshavn.

John Bull

0.4 km

English-style harbor pub blending maritime character with classic pub hospitality in Frederikshavn's waterfront district.

Freddy´s Bar

0.4 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.

JOY´S PUB

0.4 km

Cozy harborfront neighborhood bar in Frederikshavn with affordable drinks, local atmosphere and occasional live music on late-opening weekend nights.

Flying Hirsch

0.5 km

High-energy after-ski bar in central Frederikshavn, serving playful drinks, loud music and alpine party vibes late into the night.

Frederikshavner Kroen

0.5 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.

Lygten I/S

0.6 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.

Munken v/Aase Pedersen

0.6 km

Traditional Danish bar in the heart of Frederikshavn, offering straightforward drinks, long opening hours and a cosy glimpse into local everyday pub life.

Two Step Up v / Brian Jensen

0.6 km

Frederikshavn's legendary late-night bar where locals and travelers unite over live music and Danish drinks until dawn.

Bangsbo Brewing Company

0.7 km

Intimate nanobrewery crafting rotating small-batch Danish beers in a welcoming taproom.

Peder Wessel v/Lisbeth Wagner

0.8 km

Traditional, inexpensive neighbourhood bar on central Søndergade, offering no-frills drinks, cosy maritime character and an easygoing slice of Frederikshavn nightlife.

Le Drink

1.2 km

Cosy neighbourhood cocktail bar in Frederikshavn, serving unfussy drinks and relaxed conversation in an intimate, low‑key setting off the main streets.

DK-Café

1.2 km

Local gaming den meets casual bar in a low-key Frederikshavn café where slot machines, screens and simple drinks create an everyday, untouristy hangout.

Ship Inn ApS

1.5 km

Unpretentious neighborhood bar in central Frederikshavn, serving inexpensive drinks and harbor-town vibes in a compact, maritime-flavored setting.

Compact, late-night Aalborg nightclub with loud party hits, simple cocktails and a tightly packed dance floor on bustling Vesterå.

Happy Friday

75.3 km

Experience Støvring's vibrant nightlife at Happy Friday Cocktail Bar, where expertly crafted cocktails meet a lively atmosphere.

Skørping Bodega

78.0 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

78.0 km

Embark on an orienteering adventure with Rold Skov Orienteringsklub in Denmark's captivating Rold Skov forest.

Mjølner

79.1 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.

Delirium

85.8 km

Experience the electrifying nightlife at Delirium, Gothenburg's premier night club with pulsating music and vibrant energy.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

Discover Krudttårnet with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease and convenience.

Krudttårnet Gunpowder Tower, Frederikshavn

A brief summary to Krudttårnet

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Train and walking from Aalborg

Car from Skagen and regional surroundings

Local bus within Frederikshavn

Foot access from Frederikshavn ferry terminal

Krudttårnet location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Krudttårnet

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Krudttårnet

Seafront Stronghold of the Old Fladstrand

War, Fleet and a 4,500‑Ton Relocation

Inside the Powder Tower Museum

Tordenskiold’s Town and Living History

A Compact Stop on the Frederikshavn Waterfront

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Frederikshavn St.

Frederikshavn Church

Fisketorvet

Cafe' Feen

Port of Frederikshavn

Frederikshavn Sogn

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen

The Lady From The Sea

Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson

Kiosk v / The Buried Church

Skagen Havn

Enjoy Skagen

Galleri Bo

Skagen Station

Unmissable attractions to see

Frihedsmonumentet

Mindesten

Mindesmærke for Scandinavian

Tordenskjold statue

Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum

Versorgungsschiff „EDDA BOREAS“

Triaden sculpture

Nordre Skanse

Palmestranden

Palm Beach (Frederikshavn)

FunHouse Frederikshavn

Bangsbo Botaniske Have

Mindesten for de 3

Boolsens Stenhave

Kystmuseet Bangsbo

Essential places to dine

Buffet Restaurant The Reef

Scandic The Reef

Det Gule Pakhus

Smørgåsen

Restaurant Sæson Frederikshavn

Fregatten frederikshavn

Gastropub L.A

Fisk Og Grill

Jerry’s

Restaurant Empire

Farmors Café

Hyttefadet

Valentino

Best Western Hotel Herman Bang

Maestros Steakhouse Frederikshavn

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

VERO MODA

Spar Dame

THE.BAANK.DK

Mira Maja Jewellery

Kidsbrandstore

Søstrene Grene

CHANGE Lingerie

Reolsupermarked Frederikshavn

JACK & JONES

ONLY

Butik Genfund