Vippefyret – Skagen’s Tilting Beacon
A simple wooden tilting beacon on a dune above Skagen’s shore, Vippefyret brings Denmark’s early lighthouse history to life amid sea views and northern light.
Perched on a sandy rise just east of Skagen, Vippefyret is a full-scale reconstruction of Denmark’s first tilting lighthouse, originally built in 1627 to guide ships safely past the treacherous reefs off Grenen. The striking wooden beam with its iron fire basket now serves as an open-air monument to early maritime navigation, set between dunes, beach and town. It is also an easily reached viewpoint, with sweeping vistas over Sønderstrand, Skagen Harbour and the ever-restless Kattegat.
A brief summary to Vippefyret
- Fyrstuevej 17, Skagen, 9990, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Combine your stop at Vippefyret with a walk along Sønderstrand; the short climb up the dune is rewarded with broad views over beach, harbour and town.
- Come near sunset on a clear day to see the tilting beam silhouetted against dramatic skies and soft golden light over the Kattegat.
- Wear shoes suitable for sand and short, uneven paths; the approach involves walking over dunes rather than paved surfaces right up to the beacon.
- If you visit around Midsummer (Sankt Hans), check locally whether the beacon will be ceremonially lit during the evening celebrations on the beach below.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Walking from central Skagen
From Skagen’s central streets, reaching Vippefyret on foot typically takes 10–20 minutes, depending on your starting point and pace. The route is gently sloping and follows pavements and sandy paths, with a short climb over firm dune terrain near the end. Surfaces can be uneven and windy conditions are common, so bring a windproof layer. This option is free and suits most visitors with average mobility.
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Bicycle within Skagen area
Cycling is a popular way to reach Vippefyret from accommodation around Skagen, with journey times usually between 5 and 15 minutes. Several local roads and cycle-friendly routes lead towards the shoreline near the beacon. You can leave your bike at the edge of the dunes before walking the final sandy stretch. Bike rental in Skagen typically starts around 80–120 DKK per day, and this option offers flexibility to continue further towards Grenen or other coastal viewpoints.
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Bus and short walk from wider Skagen
If you are staying slightly outside the town, regional buses stopping in Skagen allow you to get close before walking the last part to the dunes. Travel time from nearby villages in North Jutland is commonly 20–45 minutes, with tickets in the range of 25–60 DKK depending on distance and ticket type. Bus services run more frequently in daytime and summer than late evenings or off-season, so checking schedules in advance is advisable. From the bus stops in town, expect an additional 10–20 minutes of walking on mostly level streets.
Vippefyret location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Windy Conditions
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Hot Weather
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Vippefyret
An ingenious wooden beacon above the dunes
Vippefyret stands on a low sandy hill just outside central Skagen, a simple yet arresting silhouette against the North Jutland sky. At first glance it looks almost like a giant seesaw: a massive horizontal timber beam resting on a sturdy wooden frame, with an iron basket suspended from one end. Today the basket is empty, but in the 17th century it held blazing tar, wood or coal, hoisted high above the surf to guide ships along one of Denmark’s most dangerous stretches of coast. The construction is deceptively straightforward. The long arm can be raised and lowered by hand, so the fire basket could be brought down to ground level for refuelling before being tipped aloft again. This practical mechanism gave the structure its name: “vippefyr” literally means a tilting or rocking lighthouse, a working tool as much as a landmark.From lifesaving innovation to careful reconstruction
The history behind this modest structure is far-reaching. The first tilting lighthouse at Skagen was erected in 1627, after an earlier beacon on the headland burned down. Its task was to warn sailors away from the shallow reefs and shifting sands of Grenen, where the Skagerrak and Kattegat meet and countless ships had been lost. The system proved so effective that similar tilting beacons were later built on other exposed Danish coasts. The original Skagen tilt beacon eventually disappeared as more modern lighthouses took over, but the idea of its revival never quite faded. A faithful reconstruction was first raised in 1913 to mark Skagen’s 500th anniversary as a market town. The current structure dates from 1958, rebuilt once more as an authentic copy, right down to the proportions of the beam and the form of the iron basket. It is no longer essential to navigation, yet it preserves a crucial chapter of maritime heritage in tangible form.Wide horizons over sea, harbour and town
Beyond its historical value, Vippefyret is a viewpoint that neatly frames Skagen’s special setting between two seas. From the sandy knoll you can look out over Sønderstrand, a broad, pale beach often ruffled by wind and dotted with bathers in summer. Turn slightly, and the old harbour and parts of the town’s yellow houses with red-tiled roofs come into view, illustrating how close city and sea sit together. The light here is famously clear, the same northern glow that drew generations of painters to Skagen. On days with drifting clouds, the beam of Vippefyret cuts a dark line against continually shifting tones of blue and grey. In the evening, the low sun washes the dunes in soft gold, while the surf rolls in as a constant, muffled soundtrack below the hill.Everyday stillness and midsummer fire
Most of the year, the area around Vippefyret feels relaxed and unhurried. A sandy path leads up from the beach and neighbouring streets, and people linger briefly to take photographs, read the information board and watch the horizon before continuing towards Grenen, the town centre or the nearby white lighthouse. The open site, with short grass and patches of sand, invites you to pause, sit on the slope and simply watch waves, seabirds and passing fishing boats. Once a year, however, the beacon briefly comes back to symbolic life. For the Midsummer Eve celebration of Sankt Hans, festivities on the beach below are accompanied by lighting the basket at Vippefyret. Flames flare against the pale northern twilight, echoing the fires that once served as vital signals for seafarers. It is a reminder that this quiet wooden mechanism was, in its time, an advanced piece of safety infrastructure for a maritime nation.A compact stop on a broader Skagen walk
Vippefyret is not a large complex but a compact outdoor stop that fits naturally into a wider exploration of Skagen’s coast. You can comfortably see the structure, read about its story and enjoy the views in a short visit, yet the simplicity of the setting encourages you to slow your pace. Combined with a stroll along Sønderstrand, a detour to the nearby lighthouses or a walk further towards Grenen, it becomes one of several small but distinctive touchpoints with the region’s strong relationship to the sea and its light.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Brøndums Hotel
0.6 km
Discover Esbjerg’s transformation from Viking outpost to modern port through atmospheric exhibits, lifelike street scenes, and powerful wartime stories at Esbjerg Museum.
Skagen Station
1.0 km
Denmark's northernmost railway station, where historic yellow architecture meets the gateway to two seas.
Galleri Bo
1.3 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.
Enjoy Skagen
1.5 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.
Skagen Gray Lighthouse
1.6 km
Denmark's second-tallest lighthouse where two seas meet, now a hub for bird migration science and coastal heritage.
Skagen Havn
1.7 km
A bustling North Sea harbour where fishing fleets, cruise liners and a cosy marina meet under Skagen’s famous northern light.
Kiosk v / The Buried Church
4.1 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.
Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson
4.6 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.
Sømærket Vin- & CiderBar
5.1 km
Explore Jutland’s fascinating history, authentic old streets, and a unique amber collection at Esbjerg Museum in the city center—a showcase of local culture and heritage.
Solnedgangspladsen, Gammel Skagen
5.1 km
Denmark's premier sunset gathering place where the North Sea horizon ignites with daily natural drama.
Bunker Ved Palmestranden
30.0 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.
Cafe' Feen
31.6 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.
Frederikshavn St.
32.0 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
32.1 km
Frederikshavn’s red-brick landmark church, blending National Romantic architecture, a Michael Ancher altarpiece and war graves into one evocative town centre stop.
Fisketorvet
32.4 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.
Unmissable attractions to see
Skagen Sønderstrand
0.2 km
Golden sand, painterly light and a historic beacon on Skagen’s doorstep, Skagen Sønderstrand blends easy bathing with centuries of coastal and artistic heritage.
Det Hvide Fyr
0.3 km
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.
Buste af Degn Brøndum
0.6 km
A modest bronze bust in a small garden, honoring the hotelier and patron whose generosity helped transform Skagen’s artists’ colony into a lasting museum.
Skagen Bunker
0.6 km
Explore a former German WWII hospital bunker in Skagen’s dunes, where dense exhibits and raw concrete bring the Atlantic Wall and Denmark’s wartime story to life.
Skagen Bamsemuseum
0.6 km
A tiny Skagen museum where hundreds of teddy bears, old and new, act out playful scenes and stories in a cosy house with a charming garden courtyard.
Anchers Hus
0.7 km
Step into the preserved home and studios of Anna and Michael Ancher, where Skagen’s famed artists’ colony comes to life among canvases, furniture and coastal light.
Skagen Vandtårn
0.7 km
Historic red-brick water tower turned summer viewpoint, offering a brisk climb and sweeping 360-degree views over Skagen’s rooftops, dunes and surrounding coastline.
Skagens Museum
0.7 km
Denmark’s northern light on canvas: the original Skagen painters’ museum uniting intimate interiors, wind-swept seascapes and a historic artist community under one roof.
Du er Smyk
0.8 km
Hands-on hygge in Skagen: design your own jewelry, sip a coffee and turn beads, pearls and pendants into a personal keepsake in this intimate Danish jewelry café.
Kongeligt Toldkammer
1.1 km
A modest former Royal Customs Chamber in Skagen’s harbour, where brick, ledgers and fishing boats quietly reveal the town’s seafaring and trading past.
Sommerhus Skagen
1.2 km
Discover Maskinrummet—Skagen’s harbor-side maritime museum where historic ship engines, nautical stories, and hands-on exhibits bring Denmark’s seafaring past to life.
Port of Skagen
1.3 km
Denmark’s largest fishing harbour and Skagen’s maritime heart, where working trawlers, cruise ships and a lively marina share the luminous tip of Jutland.
Skagens Havn Østmole
1.5 km
Wind, waves and working boats at Skagen’s eastern breakwater, where Denmark’s largest fishing harbour reaches out into the open sea.
Skagen Kirke
1.5 km
A warm yellow seaside church where maritime heritage, Nordic light and thoughtful architecture meet in the historic heart of Skagen.
Skagen Marina
1.5 km
A bustling mix of yachts, fishing boats and seafood sheds, Skagen Marina captures the maritime soul and golden light of Denmark’s far northern tip.
Essential places to dine
Museumscaféen Brøndums Havehus
0.7 km
Light-filled garden café in Skagens Museum’s grounds, serving Nordic light lunches, fresh coffee and home baking amid the historic art quarter of Skagen.
Saxild
0.7 km
Organic, vegetable-led Danish lunch, sourdough baking and wine in the historic garden of Skagen’s artist quarter at Saxild’s Gaard.
Skagen Hotel Brasserie & Restaurant
1.0 km
Seafood-focused hotel brasserie in central Skagen, serving harbour-fresh fish, Danish classics and comforting desserts in a relaxed, Nordic-style dining room.
Foldens Hotel
1.1 km
Traditional Skagen hospitality in a central, lively hotel and café that blend coastal character, simple comforts and classic Danish flavours just off the main street.
Restaurant @ Foldens
1.1 km
Cozy, central Skagen hotel restaurant serving classic Danish dishes and local fish in a relaxed, candlelit setting just steps from the town’s main streets.
Viseværtshuset
1.1 km
Lively Skagen restaurant and music hangout at Foldens Hotel, serving hearty Danish comfort food by day and turning into a bustling live‑music bar by night.
Lasses Pølsevogn
1.1 km
Classic Danish hot dogs and specialty sausages served from a traditional street stand on a bustling square in the heart of Skagen.
Bodilles Kro
1.2 km
Classic Danish inn-restaurant in Skagen serving hearty kro dishes, local fish and plant-based options in cozy interiors and a leafy summer courtyard garden.
Pizzeria Italia
1.3 km
Cosy Italian pizzeria in Skagen's heart, serving generous portions and authentic cuisine with warm, multilingual hospitality.
Casitalia ApS
1.3 km
Unfussy Italian comfort food just off Skagen’s harborfront, serving pizzas, pastas and easy crowd-pleasers from late morning to late evening every day.
Golden Cafe
1.3 km
Waterfront Nordic dining where fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients shine in a relaxed, welcoming harbor-side setting.
Green´s Pub og Café
1.3 km
Vibrant harborfront brasserie in Skagen blending classic Danish hygge, local flavors, and live music—perfect for foodies, music lovers, and culture seekers alike.
Restaurant Firenze Pizzeria
1.3 km
Long‑running Italian favourite by Skagen’s harbour, serving generous pizzas, pastas and seafood in a cosy, casual setting just steps from the fishing boats.
Dit smørrebrød - Skagen
1.3 km
Classic Danish smørrebrød and cosy “mormor” cooking in a harbour‑side dining room with red‑checked tablecloths at the heart of Skagen’s seaside life.
Jakobs Café & Bar
1.3 km
Lively all‑day café, bar and seasonal nightclub in the heart of Skagen, blending terrace dining, comforting brasserie dishes and live music into one social hub.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Din Boutique På Toppen
0.7 km
Intimate plus-size fashion and Danish art in a cozy Skagen boutique, where Scandinavian style, comfort and local creativity meet on Sankt Laurentii Vej.
Butik Oscar
0.8 km
Curated Scandinavian design and home furnishings in Skagen's artistic heart.
Skagens FRYD | Design & Fashion
0.8 km
Handcrafted Danish design and children's fashion celebrating Scandinavian artistry and simplicity.
Skagen Antik & Design
0.9 km
Family-run antique and design shop in central Skagen, combining exclusive seagull-themed Nordic textiles with carefully curated maritime and local antiques.
Benedikte Utzon
0.9 km
Refined Scandinavian fashion in the heart of Skagen, where natural materials, calm design and coastal-inspired colors create a quietly luxurious boutique experience.
SKAGEN POTTERI
0.9 km
Small working ceramics studio and shop in central Skagen, known for robust stoneware sinks and coastal-inspired pottery that bring a touch of Nordic craft into everyday life.
Skagen
1.0 km
Casual cotton, coastal motifs and easygoing Nordic style at a small T‑shirt shop woven into the relaxed, seaside rhythm of Skagen’s Markvej.
Skagen Boghandel ApS
1.1 km
Cosy local bookshop in central Skagen, blending books, games and stationery with friendly service and a touch of everyday Danish coastal life.
Sideways
1.1 km
Intimate Skagen wine boutique with a special love for American Pinot Noir, curated bottles, and gourmet specialties ideal for gifts, picnics, and cosy evenings.
coster copenhagen
1.1 km
Contemporary Scandinavian fashion with bold prints and sustainable style in charming northern Skagen.
NORMAL Skagen, Skråvej
1.1 km
Danish beauty and wellness retail in Skagen's vibrant town center.
Kiki Gram Dametøjsbutik
1.2 km
Helårs dametøjsbutik i hjertet af Skagen med personligt udvalg af danske modebrands, hyggelig atmosfære og nærværende betjening siden 1988.
Harbour Club
1.2 km
Compact coastal fashion boutique on Skagen’s main street, blending Scandinavian simplicity with maritime flair just minutes from the working harbour.
Cha Cha
1.2 km
A compact, fashion-forward boutique on Skagen’s main shopping street, offering Scandinavian-inspired clothing and accessories tailored to the town’s breezy coastal lifestyle.
Ny Form Skagen
1.2 km
Practical sports and outdoor clothing in central Skagen, ideal for kitting out coastal walks, beach days and active adventures at Denmark’s northern tip.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Apéro Champagne & Kaffebar
1.0 km
Authentic French bistro and champagne bar in a historic railway station, blending Parisian elegance with Nordic charm.
Apéro hos Bellevue
1.0 km
An intimate Skagen bar where Nordic light, coastal calm and well‑poured drinks create a slow, sophisticated pause between sea, town and evening plans.
Tørst Cocktailbar
1.3 km
Inventive Nordic-inspired cocktails, cosy harbour-side hygge and shareable tapas boards in a stylish, candlelit bar at the heart of Skagen.
Buddy Holly Skagen
1.3 km
Late-night bar and nightclub in Skagen’s harbor district, where rock ’n’ roll vibes, live music, and an easygoing crowd keep the party going into the small hours.
Havnekroen
1.3 km
Cosy harbourfront bar on Skagen’s quay, pairing simple drinks with close‑up views of fishing boats, sea air and the ever‑changing light over Denmark’s northern port.
Kompasset
1.5 km
Traditional harbor pub in Skagen where locals and visitors meet year-round for beer, coffee, live music and laid-back hygge by the waterfront.
Linie 74 af 2019
1.5 km
Authentic Danish pub with hidden courtyard garden and live music in Skagen's harbor heart.
DK-Café
31.3 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.
Munken v/Aase Pedersen
31.6 km
Traditional Danish bar in the heart of Frederikshavn, offering straightforward drinks, long opening hours and a cosy glimpse into local everyday pub life.
Café Pitstop Frederikshavn
31.9 km
Relaxed café-bar hybrid on Skippergade blending sports, karaoke and pub vibes in a down-to-earth local hangout in Frederikshavn.
Sportsbaren Frederikshavn
32.0 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.
My Nordisk Mjød
32.3 km
Intimate mead bar and micro‑meadery in Frederikshavn, serving handcrafted Nordic honey wines inspired by a garden apple tree and regional Danish ingredients.
Rkt v/Rudy Finn Kristensen
32.4 km
Authentic maritime bar where Frederikshavn's harbor spirit flows through every conversation and drink.
John Bull
32.5 km
English-style harbor pub blending maritime character with classic pub hospitality in Frederikshavn's waterfront district.
Freddy´s Bar
32.5 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.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Sportens Venner I Frederikshavn
32.3 km
Rock music venue on Frederikshavn's waterfront, hosting live performances and DJ sets in an electric harbor-side atmosphere.
Delirium
77.4 km
Experience the electrifying nightlife at Delirium, Gothenburg's premier night club with pulsating music and vibrant energy.
Red Reef
77.5 km
Discover the vibrant nightlife at Red Reef, Lysekil's premier night club known for its energetic atmosphere and fantastic music.
Penang karaoke
78.6 km
Experience a night of fun and music at Penang Karaoke, Gothenburg’s premier karaoke bar with vibrant atmosphere and endless entertainment.
Utopia Jazz
78.7 km
Discover the essence of jazz at Utopia Jazz, Gothenburg's premier jazz club for live music and vibrant atmosphere.
Klubb Impuls
79.5 km
Discover the vibrant jazz scene at Klubb Impuls in Gothenburg, where live music and a lively atmosphere create unforgettable experiences.
Wanda's swing
79.7 km
Immerse yourself in Gothenburg's vibrant nightlife at Wanda's Swing, a premier night club offering great music and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Charlies Nightclub
80.0 km
Discover the lively atmosphere and vibrant music at Charlie's Nightclub in Kungshamn, where unforgettable nights come alive.
Gretas
80.8 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife at Gretas, Gothenburg's premier gay nightclub, where fun and inclusivity come alive every weekend.
Club Charlie
80.8 km
Discover Gothenburg's nightlife at Club Charlie, where unforgettable music and vibrant energy create the ultimate party experience.
Club Galej
80.9 km
Experience vibrant nightlife and unforgettable parties at Club Galej in the heart of Gothenburg, where music and dance come alive.
M.A.D
80.9 km
Discover the heartbeat of Gothenburg's nightlife at M.A.D, a vibrant night club offering unforgettable experiences and electrifying music.
Backstage
81.0 km
Discover Gothenburg's vibrant nightlife at Backstage Night Club, where the music never stops and memories are made.
Yaki-Da Restaurang & Nattklubb
81.1 km
Experience the lively fusion of dining and nightlife at Yaki-Da, Gothenburg's premier venue for unforgettable evenings.
Balambaras
81.1 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Gothenburg at Balambaras, a premier nightclub and cocktail bar offering innovative drinks and electrifying music.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
- Waterfront
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
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