Thorvald Hansen’s Tower (Læsøtårnet), Byrum
Hand‑built in the 1920s by a determined village craftsman, this 17‑metre red brick tower crowns Byrum’s hilltop with far‑reaching views across Læsø and the sea.
Rising 17 meters above a sandy hill in the village of Byrum, **Thorvald Hansen’s Tower** is Læsø’s most distinctive landmark and a testament to one man’s determination. Built in the 1920s from thousands of handmade bricks cast by local clog maker and former sailor Thorvald Hansen, the striking red lookout tower offers sweeping views over Læsø’s low, flat landscape and the surrounding sea. A steep internal stairway leads to the open viewing platform, where the island’s patchwork of heath, fields and villages stretches to the horizon.
A brief summary to Thorvald Hansens tårn
- Thorvald Hansensvej 5, Byrum, 9940, DK
- +4540420505
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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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
- Aim for a clear day; the tower’s appeal is all about the far‑reaching views over Læsø and the surrounding sea.
- The internal stairs are fairly steep and narrow, so wear stable shoes and be prepared to take your time when passing others.
- Bring a light jacket even in summer; the viewing platform can feel breezy and exposed compared with the sheltered streets below.
- Combine a visit with a short stroll around Byrum to see more of central Læsø’s everyday village life and small shops.
- Have your camera ready at the top; the circular panorama is ideal for wide landscape shots and island‑spanning photos.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Ferry plus car or bicycle from Vesterø Havn
From the mainland, travel by ferry to Vesterø Havn on Læsø, a crossing that typically takes about 90 minutes and is priced in the range of 150–400 DKK per adult depending on season and vehicle. From Vesterø Havn, Thorvald Hansen’s Tower lies roughly 10–12 kilometres inland. By car, the drive across the island’s main road network usually takes 15–20 minutes, with straightforward access onto the local streets around Byrum and free roadside parking in the village. Cyclists can expect a mostly flat 35–50 minute ride on paved island roads exposed to wind; the route is easy but can feel longer in strong headwinds.
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Bus from Vesterø Havn or Østerby to Byrum
Læsø is served by local buses connecting the ferry harbours at Vesterø and Østerby with Byrum in the centre of the island. Typical journey times are 15–30 minutes from either harbour, with buses timed to many ferry arrivals but running less frequently outside peak holiday periods. A single ticket usually costs around 20–40 DKK per adult, with discounts for children. Services are generally reliable in summer but can be sparse in the shoulder seasons, so it is worth checking the latest timetable in advance. From the bus stop in Byrum, the walk to the tower is short and follows village streets with mild gradients.
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Cycling across Læsø’s interior
For visitors already staying on Læsø, cycling to Byrum is one of the most atmospheric ways to reach the tower. From many accommodations on the island, expect 20–50 minutes of riding each way along quiet, mostly paved rural roads with gentle inclines and occasional gravel sections. Bicycle rental on Læsø is widely available through local shops and accommodations, with daily rates often in the 80–150 DKK range. The terrain is suitable for most riders with basic fitness, though strong coastal winds and limited roadside lighting after dark are important considerations.
Thorvald Hansens tårn location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Thorvald Hansens tårn
A red brick landmark born from one man’s dream
Perched on a sandy rise in the middle of Læsø, Thorvald Hansen’s Tower dominates the low village skyline of Byrum with its cylindrical red brick form. The 17‑metre structure began with a simple wish: local clog maker, bicycle repairer and former sailor Thorvald Hansen wanted once again to see the sea and the whole island from his home hill, just as he remembered from childhood. As trees and houses grew taller, the horizon disappeared, and with it his cherished wide view. Rather than accept the change, Hansen set about creating his own lookout. Inspired by the lighthouses he had climbed as a seaman, he measured their height and decided his own tower should be worthy of the name. There was no grand architect or contractor, just a determined craftsman and a patch of land above Byrum.Handmade bricks and patient, physical labour
The tower’s story is as much about method as it is about ambition. Without access to industrial materials, Hansen walked repeatedly to a nearby gravel pit with buckets, hauling sand and gravel back to his plot. He built simple wooden moulds and began casting his own half‑round bricks, a few at a time, before and after his regular workday. Day by day, the red cylinder rose from the hill, at first reaching about 11 metres before Hansen decided to extend it twice more, ultimately achieving the 17 metres visitors see today. The even rhythm of the brick courses and the simple decorative bands around the tower reflect his practical eye for pattern rather than formal training, giving the building a distinctly personal character.Climbing to the panorama above Læsø
An entrance at the base leads into a narrow interior, where a steep staircase spirals upwards toward the viewing platform. Each step brings a little more daylight through small openings in the masonry, until you emerge at the top, surrounded by open air and wide sky. From here, Byrum’s houses scatter out below, framed by heathland, fields and the glint of water at the island’s edges. On clear days, the view stretches across most of Læsø, underlining how low and flat the island is compared with the modest hill that carries the tower. The experience is not just about distance but orientation: from above, you can pick out church spires, tang‑roofed farmhouses, patches of forest and the faint line of the Kattegat, piecing together how this small island fits into the wider seascape.The spirit of Læsø captured in brick and mortar
Beyond its function as a lookout, the tower has become a symbol of Læsø’s resourceful, slightly eccentric character. Built by a village craftsman using local materials and sheer persistence, it mirrors the island’s long tradition of making do with what the sea and soil provide. The homemade bricks, the simple plaster details and the unpolished interior all speak to a place where practicality and imagination meet. Standing beneath the tower, it is easy to imagine Hansen pausing at the door, looking up in quiet satisfaction before climbing to the platform to relive his sailor’s perspective. That personal connection between land and sea, memory and horizon, is still at the heart of the experience today.Visiting today: a simple, memorable detour
Today the tower remains freely accessible as an informal viewpoint and local landmark in the middle of the island. The surroundings are modest – a grassy slope, a few benches, trees and neighbouring houses – but the contrast between the everyday setting and the far‑reaching view makes the ascent surprisingly dramatic. The stairs are relatively steep and narrow, yet manageable for most visitors with care, rewarding the short climb with one of Læsø’s widest panoramas. Combined with nearby village stops, galleries and cafés elsewhere on the island, Thorvald Hansen’s Tower makes an easy and atmospheric pause in any Læsø itinerary, especially on days of clear weather when the landscape opens like a map beneath your feet.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Cafe' Feen
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Vinga
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Skagen Havn
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Galleri Bo
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Brøndums Hotel
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Skagen Station
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Unmissable attractions to see
Læsø Museum, Museumshuset
0.1 km
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Hotel Nygaard
0.9 km
Historic island farmhouse turned cosy country hotel, with Nordic cuisine, green gardens and apartment-style rooms in the tranquil heart of Læsø.
Storhavens Gårdbutik
1.1 km
Cosy Læsø farm shop and visitor yard where homemade ice cream, woollen treasures and friendly animals turn a simple stop into a relaxed island experience.
Læsø Saltsyderi
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Living saltworks on remote Læsø where smoke, steam and medieval craft turn briny groundwater into Denmark’s most distinctive sea salt.
Læsø Airfield
2.6 km
Compact island airfield in the heart of Læsø, where short hops, big skies and salty island air turn arrival and departure into part of the holiday.
Store Pigesten
3.0 km
A stranded Ice Age boulder on Læsø’s tidal meadows, Store Pigesten fuses geology and folklore in one stark, unforgettable landmark on the Rønnerne.
Rønnerne
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Kærene
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Læsø stenen
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Hornfiskrøn
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Holtemmen
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Højsande Holtemmen
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Østre Foldgårdsø
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Læsø Fiskesø
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Hotel Strandgaarden - badehotel
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Essential places to dine
Restaurant Bakken
0.1 km
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Orangeriet
1.5 km
A light‑filled glasshouse lounge at Østergård Kultur B&B, where Nordic breakfasts, quiet reading corners and intimate gatherings meet Læsø’s open countryside.
Cafe Læsø
6.6 km
Harbourfront brasserie in Vesterø Havn serving locally inspired seafood and hearty steaks with relaxed Baltic island charm and views across the marina.
Hummerens Hus Restaurant
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Læsø's premier harborfront seafood destination, celebrating island lobster and Nordic culinary tradition.
Carlsens Hotel
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Historic harbor hotel where Læsø's maritime traditions meet contemporary Danish hospitality.
Restaurant Havnebakken
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Harbourfront restaurant on Læsø serving local seafood and Danish comfort dishes in bright blue-and-white interiors with sweeping views over Vesterø Havn.
Den lille Deli
6.8 km
Harbourfront café on Læsø serving rotisserie chicken, seaside classics and local treats with sunset views over Vesterø Havn and a relaxed island atmosphere.
Majids Pizzaria
6.8 km
Harbourfront pizzeria in Vesterø Havn serving hearty pizzas and classic fast food just steps from Læsø’s marina, ferry quay and broad sandy beach.
VesterØL
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An intimate harbourfront restaurant at Vesterø Havn, pairing creative Nordic cooking and island seafood with expert beer and wine in a cosy coastal setting.
Grill-Cafeen Læsø v/ Bent Frimodt Andersen
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Unfussy harborfront grill in Vesterø Havn serving classic Danish comfort food just steps from the ferry and the beach on the tranquil island of Læsø.
Læsøfærgens Bistro
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Modvind
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Røget Læsø Fjæsing
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Harborfront seafood and smoked-fish specialties in a modest, maritime eatery at Østerby Havn, bringing Læsø’s daily catch straight from local boats to your plate.
Frøken Madsen's Spisehus
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Cafe Fru Olsen
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Læsø Uldstue ApS
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Læsø Slagteren
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Small island butcher in Byrum specialising in local Læsø meat, smoked delicacies and easy meals for cottage kitchens, grills and beach picnics.
Læsøshoppen
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Folkekirkens Nødhjælp Genbrug
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SuperBrugsen
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Læsø’s largest supermarket in Byrum blends local flavors and everyday essentials, serving as a vibrant community hub and convenient stop for travelers on Denmark’s island.
Læsø Tang
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Tofteladen I/S
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Læsøfruerne
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Spinderiets Butik
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Blichfeld Cafeen
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Læsø Økologi
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Læsø Håndarbejde v/Marianne Ishøy
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XL-BYG Læsø Tømmerhandel A/S
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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JOY´S PUB
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Two Step Up v / Brian Jensen
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Ship Inn ApS
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Sportsbaren Frederikshavn
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Café Pitstop Frederikshavn
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Munken v/Aase Pedersen
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Cultural Heritage
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
