Det Hvide Fyr (Skagen’s White Lighthouse)

Historic brick lighthouse turned exhibition space, Det Hvide Fyr stands above Skagen’s dunes as a serene maritime landmark of light, history and wide coastal views.

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Det Hvide Fyr

Det Hvide Fyr, Skagen’s White Lighthouse, rises from the dune landscape just north of town as Denmark’s oldest brick lighthouse, first lit in 1747 and designed by architect Philip de Lange. The 21 m octagonal tower once guided ships around the treacherous Skagen Odde with coal fires and later rapeseed oil, before being replaced by Det Grå Fyr in 1858. Today it serves as a quiet, atmospheric exhibition space and vantage point over sea, dunes and endless sky.

A brief summary to Det Hvide Fyr

Fyrvej 2, Skagen, 9990, DK
+4598459165
Visit website
Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
Budget
Mixed
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Combine a stop at Det Hvide Fyr with a walk towards Skagen’s other lighthouses to appreciate nearly three centuries of coastal navigation history in a single stretch of shoreline.
Bring a windproof layer even on sunny days; the exposed dune setting can feel noticeably cooler and breezier than Skagen’s sheltered streets.
Check locally for current exhibition schedules and potential tower access times if you are keen on seeing interior displays or climbing for elevated views.
Have your camera ready for soft evening light, when the whitewashed tower glows subtly against pastel skies over the surrounding dunes.

Getting There

Walking from central Skagen

From the central streets and harbour area of Skagen, reaching Det Hvide Fyr on foot typically takes 15–25 minutes along established pavements and firm paths across low dunes. The route is mostly level but includes some sandy sections near the lighthouse, which can be challenging for wheelchairs and prams after wet weather. Walking is free and allows you to appreciate the transition from town to open coastal landscape as you approach the tower.
Local bus within Skagen area

Regional buses serving the Skagen area run along the main roads on the town side, with stops within a 10–20 minute walk of Det Hvide Fyr. Travel from other parts of Skagen generally takes 10–20 minutes on board, plus the walk through the neighbourhood and dunes. A short bus journey within town normally costs the equivalent of about 20–30 DKK per adult, with discounts for children and period tickets. Services run more frequently in summer than in winter, so check current timetables on arrival.
Taxi from Skagen station or harbour

From Skagen railway station or the harbour area, a taxi ride to Det Hvide Fyr usually takes 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic and seasonal congestion. Fares for such a short urban journey are commonly in the range of 80–140 DKK, varying with time of day and waiting time. Taxis offer the most comfortable option if you are travelling with luggage, have limited mobility, or are visiting during colder, windier months when walking through the dunes is less appealing.

Det Hvide Fyr location weather suitability

Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures
Windy Conditions
Cold Weather
Hot Weather

Discover more about Det Hvide Fyr

An historic beacon at the edge of Denmark

Det Hvide Fyr stands on the sandy ridge just north of Skagen, where the North Sea and the Kattegat begin to feel close at hand. Built in 1747, it was Denmark’s first lighthouse constructed in brick and a statement of maritime ambition in an age when safe passage around Skagen Odde was crucial to long-distance trade. The lighthouse was designed by Philip de Lange, one of the leading architects of the time, who gave it its characteristic octagonal form and sturdy, compact profile. From its position near the junction of Fyrvej and Batterivej, the 21‑metre tower once dominated a low, windswept landscape. Even today, with dunes and summer houses in the wider area, it still reads as a solitary sentinel. Its height and exposed setting allowed its light to be seen far out at sea, reassuring captains that they had reached the northern tip of Jutland and warning them of the shoals and moving sands offshore.

From red brick tower to whitewashed landmark

Although now known as the White Lighthouse, the tower began its life in raw red brick. The masonry was left exposed for several decades, before being whitewashed in the early 19th century. The limewash both protected the bricks from salt-laden winds and transformed the lighthouse into a bright daytime seamark, easily spotted against the horizon. Over time this stark, light-reflecting surface became part of its identity, tying it visually to Skagen’s white churches and houses. The tower’s appearance changed only subtly over the centuries, even as its surroundings shifted. Paths were worn into the dunes, defensive batteries vanished, and new, taller lighthouses arrived further out on the spit. Yet Det Hvide Fyr retained its compact elegance, with narrow window openings cutting into the thick walls and a simple lantern structure crowning the top. In 1960 it was carefully restored to an earlier form, underlining its value as a piece of national maritime heritage.

Coal fires, oil lamps and evolving lighthouse technology

When Det Hvide Fyr first shone to sea, the light came from an open coal fire on the top platform. Coal was hoisted up through an internal shaft and burned in a basket, sending up smoke and sparks that were visible in bad weather as well as clear nights. It was hard, dirty work for the keepers, who had to manage the fire in all conditions and ensure a constant glow for passing ships. By 1835, advances in optics and fuels brought major changes. The coal fire was replaced by rapeseed oil lamps, while parabolic mirrors concentrated and directed the beam, greatly increasing range and efficiency. This shift reflected broader innovations along the Danish coast, as the kingdom professionalised its lighthouse service to better protect both national and international shipping. Det Hvide Fyr stood at the forefront of that story until 1858, when the taller Det Grå Fyr further north took over as the principal light.

Signal station and stories of the Skagen coast

The end of its role as a primary lighthouse did not spell retirement for the tower. From 1871, Det Hvide Fyr was used as a signal station, transmitting information about ice and missing lightships to vessels on the busy routes around Skagen. Flags, signal lamps and later radio equipment kept the tower relevant in an era when communication at sea was changing almost as rapidly as navigation. These years also added layers of human story to the building: watchmen scanning the horizon in winter storms, coded messages about drifting ice fields, and the constant tension of knowing that a wrong decision could have consequences for ships far out of sight. Inside the thick walls, the rooms that once housed lighthouse keepers adapted to their new function but retained the plain, purposeful character of maritime service architecture.

Today’s quiet exhibition space by the dunes

In modern times the light has long been extinguished, but Det Hvide Fyr has found a new life as an exhibition venue managed by the local municipality. The simple interiors lend themselves to art shows and cultural events, where contemporary works meet an 18th‑century shell. Depending on the current programme, you may find painting, photography or installations that echo the themes of light, weather and the sea outside. Even without an exhibition, the tower and its immediate surroundings invite unhurried exploration. The low dunes around the base provide sheltered spots to sit, and on breezy days you can hear the surf while watching the sky change over the flat horizon. From the upper levels, when accessible, views stretch across Skagen’s roofs, out towards Det Grå Fyr and along the coastline that made this modest white tower so important in the history of Danish navigation.

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Unmissable attractions to see

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Skagen Bunker

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Skagen Bamsemuseum

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Essential bars & hidden hideouts

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Munken v/Aase Pedersen

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Det Hvide Fyr (Skagen’s White Lighthouse)

A brief summary to Det Hvide Fyr

Local tips

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

Getting There

Walking from central Skagen

Local bus within Skagen area

Taxi from Skagen station or harbour

Det Hvide Fyr location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Det Hvide Fyr

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Det Hvide Fyr

An historic beacon at the edge of Denmark

From red brick tower to whitewashed landmark

Coal fires, oil lamps and evolving lighthouse technology

Signal station and stories of the Skagen coast

Today’s quiet exhibition space by the dunes

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Brøndums Hotel

Skagen Station

Galleri Bo

Skagen Gray Lighthouse

Enjoy Skagen

Skagen Havn

Kiosk v / The Buried Church

Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson

Sømærket Vin- & CiderBar

Solnedgangspladsen, Gammel Skagen

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

Cafe' Feen

Frederikshavn St.

Frederikshavn Church

Fisketorvet

Unmissable attractions to see

Vippefyret

Skagen Sønderstrand

Skagen Bunker

Skagen Bamsemuseum

Anchers Hus

Buste af Degn Brøndum

Skagen Vandtårn

Skagens Museum

Du er Smyk

Kongeligt Toldkammer

Sommerhus Skagen

Skagen Odde Nature Centre

Port of Skagen

Skagen Kirke

Leuchtturm Skagen

Essential places to dine

Saxild

Museumscaféen Brøndums Havehus

Skagen Hotel Brasserie & Restaurant

Foldens Hotel

Restaurant @ Foldens

Viseværtshuset

Lasses Pølsevogn

Bodilles Kro

Green´s Pub og Café

Casitalia ApS

Golden Cafe

Pizzeria Italia

Jakobs Café & Bar

Restaurant Firenze Pizzeria

Highway 66

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Din Boutique På Toppen

Butik Oscar

Skagens FRYD | Design & Fashion

Skagen Antik & Design

Benedikte Utzon

SKAGEN POTTERI

Skagen

Skagen Boghandel ApS

Sideways

coster copenhagen

NORMAL Skagen, Skråvej

Kiki Gram Dametøjsbutik