Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård
An 18th-century whaler's mansion frozen in time, with Dutch tiles, whale bones, and Wadden Sea views.
Step into 18th-century maritime wealth at this preserved whaler's estate on Denmark's windswept island of Rømø. The Sea Captain's House showcases lavish period furnishings, Europe's largest collection of Dutch tiles, and a dramatic sperm whale skeleton in the barn. Explore the fully furnished rooms, charming outbuildings, and enjoy Wadden Sea views from the on-site café serving homemade cakes and local refreshments.
A brief summary to Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård
- Juvrevej 60, Rømø, 6792, DK
- +4574755276
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Budget
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-3 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-3 pm
- Thursday 10 am-3 pm
- Friday 10 am-3 pm
- Saturday 10 am-3 pm
- Sunday 10 am-3 pm
Local tips
- Visit Tuesday to Saturday to enjoy the on-site café serving homemade cakes and hot drinks. The café is run by the caretaker couple and offers a cosy retreat with views over the Wadden Sea.
- Bring a packed lunch and use the picnic areas outside the house to enjoy a meal surrounded by meadows and sea views while children play safely on the grounds.
- Allow extra time to examine the hand-painted Dutch tiles throughout the interior—the collection is one of Europe's largest and reflects the cosmopolitan wealth of 18th-century Rømø.
- Note that the museum is closed Mondays and operates seasonally (Easter week, May–late September, and week 42 autumn holidays). Check opening hours before visiting.
- Dogs are welcome on the museum grounds but not inside the house or café. The farmyard terrain includes steps and uneven surfaces, which may challenge visitors with reduced mobility.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Car
From central Rømø or the Wadden Sea National Park visitor hub, drive across the causeway linking the mainland to the island. The farmhouse is situated in open pastoral landscape north of the island and is easily identified by its distinctive red-tiled roof and whalebone arch at the entrance. Free parking is available on the grounds, with additional parking nearby if the main lot is full. Journey time from Havneby harbour is approximately 15–20 minutes depending on starting point.
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Taxi
Taxis operate from Rømø's main ferry terminal and village centres. Journey time to Kommandørgården is approximately 10 minutes, with typical fares ranging from 130–180 DKK depending on distance and season.
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Public Bus
Local buses serve the island with a stop near Juvrevej within walking distance of the museum. A single fare costs approximately 24–28 DKK. Service is limited outside the high season, so check schedules in advance to confirm connections.
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Bicycle
Rømø is ideal for cycling. From Lakolk Beach or Havneby village, follow local cycling routes across the island's flat terrain toward the northern pastoral areas. Journey time is approximately 20–30 minutes depending on starting point. Bicycle rentals are available in villages throughout Rømø.
Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård
A Golden Age of Arctic Whalers
Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård stands as a striking testament to Rømø's prosperous era of Arctic whaling. Built in the mid-1700s, this imposing timbered farmhouse once belonged to one of the island's elite families whose wealth derived from commanding large whaling vessels across the North Atlantic. By the late 18th century, around 40 such commanders resided on Rømø, their estates serving as visible monuments to the fortunes amassed through dangerous polar expeditions. The house itself, though not originally built by a commander, earned its name due to its striking resemblance to the authentic commanders' houses that still dot the island, embodying the architectural grandeur of this seafaring golden age.Opulence Imported from Across Europe
Step through the heavy wooden doors to discover an interior of remarkable refinement. Walls throughout the house are adorned with hand-painted Dutch tiles—part of Europe's largest collection housed within a single residence. Grand oak furniture, fading but exquisite imported wallpapers, and carefully preserved period details reveal the cosmopolitan tastes of the original owners. These wealthy families imported their finest furnishings and decorative materials from the Netherlands, Germany, and England, creating interiors that rivaled those found in far grander urban mansions. Outside, whalebone archways hint at the owners' Arctic exploits, while inside, seafaring treasures brought back from distant oceans tell stories of voyages to the edge of the known world.The Whale and the Farmstead
One of the museum's most striking features is the complete skeleton of a sperm whale displayed in the barn. This massive creature, one of 16 whales that stranded on Rømø in 1996, provides a visceral reminder of the enormous forces and dangerous creatures that 18th-century sea captains confronted during their expeditions to Arctic waters. The skeleton's sheer size offers visitors an immediate sense of the scale and peril of the whaling trade that built this house and enriched the island. Surrounding the main residence are historic outbuildings and a charming kitchen garden, with sheep grazing in nearby meadows, creating an authentic sense of stepping back into the 18th century.Wadden Sea Heritage and Museum Experience
The house enjoys an outstanding panoramic view over the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site of immense ecological significance. The setting itself—windswept meadows, open pastoral landscape, and the distinctive red-tiled roof visible across the island—creates an atmosphere of isolation and contemplation that mirrors the lives of those who once lived here. The museum underwent thorough renovation in 1998, made possible by a major donation, ensuring that original details and period authenticity have been carefully preserved for contemporary visitors.Café and Visitor Amenities
A cosy café adjacent to the house serves delicious lunches and homemade cakes, offering a comfortable space to reflect on the day's discoveries. The café is run by the museum's caretaker couple and operates from Tuesday to Saturday. Outside, ample space for children to play and picnic areas allow visitors to bring packed lunches and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings while gazing across the Wadden Sea. The museum is closed on Mondays and operates seasonally: during Easter week, from early May to late September, and during the Danish autumn holidays in week 42.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Bunker
2.3 km
A concrete relic of World War II occupation, standing silent in Denmark's westernmost forest.
Gamle Redningsstation
6.2 km
Compact red-brick lifeboat station turned firehouse, telling Rømø’s quietly dramatic story of storms, shipwrecks and island resilience along the Wadden Sea.
Kanonenhügel
8.8 km
A modest grassy mound above Havneby harbour where two 17th‑century cannons, wide Wadden Sea views and Rømø’s maritime past quietly meet.
Rømø-Sylt Linie GmbH & Co. KG
18.2 km
Experience the stunning Rømø-Sylt Ferry journey, connecting two beautiful islands with breathtaking views of the North Sea.
Kammerslusen Ribe
20.7 km
Discover Copenhagen's Black Diamond: A fusion of modern architecture and cultural heritage on the waterfront.
Æ Kåver
20.8 km
Reborn wooden seamark on Fanø’s southern edge, Æ Kåver recalls 17th‑century seafaring in a wild Wadden Sea landscape of wind, sand and wide horizons.
Sønderho Church
21.2 km
An 18th‑century island church filled with Denmark’s largest flotilla of votive ships, anchoring Sønderho’s seafaring history in a tranquil Wadden Sea village.
Queen Dagmar of Bohemia
22.3 km
A contemplative statue on Ribe’s former castle hill, honouring the gentle 13th‑century Queen Dagmar where her life and legend became entwined with Denmark’s history.
Museet Ribes Vikinger
22.5 km
A graceful neo-Gothic Anglican church in central Copenhagen, St Alban’s offers British heritage, tranquil interiors, and a picturesque setting amid city icons.
Vidåslusen
23.6 km
Discover Vidåslusen in Højer, Denmark: A historic sluice offering stunning Wadden Sea views, local cuisine, and a gateway to the Tøndermarsken marshlands.
Galgebakken
23.7 km
Denmark's haunting reminder of the witch hunts that claimed eleven lives in Ribe between 1572 and 1652.
Højer Sluse
24.6 km
Discover the historic Højer Sluse, a gateway to the Wadden Sea National Park, offering insights into coastal defense and the region's unique natural beauty.
Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje
25.2 km
Step into history at Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje, Fanø’s authentic duck decoy, where Danish coastal tradition, wildlife, and island heritage come to life in tranquil heathland.
Skovlegeplads
25.3 km
Discover Skovlegeplads in Fanø, where nature meets adventure in a delightful playground for families and children.
Pælebjerg - Det højeste punkt på Fanø
26.3 km
Fanø's windswept summit offering panoramic North Sea views and access to scenic dune forest trails.
Unmissable attractions to see
Hvalkæbehegn ved Hvalfangergården
0.9 km
A modest Rømø farmhouse fence built from towering whale jawbones, preserving the island’s dramatic whaling past in a single, striking roadside stop.
Havegærde Af Hvalunderkæber
1.0 km
A surreal village fence of towering whale jawbones, Havegærde Af Hvalunderkæber turns a Juvre farmhouse garden into a powerful reminder of Rømø’s whaling past.
Turbåden Mandøpigen
1.4 km
Intimate Wadden Sea crossings by Turbåden Mandøpigen, gliding between Rømø, Mandø and the mainland past seals, oysters and vast tidal landscapes.
Rømø shooting area
1.9 km
Vast dunes and heathland at Rømø’s wild northern tip, where military training grounds and protected nature meet under the wide Wadden Sea sky.
Garagebunker
2.2 km
A low concrete wartime bunker half-hidden in Rømø’s dunes, the Garagebunker quietly reveals the island’s strategic past amid heather, pines and North Sea wind.
Mammutbunkeren
2.2 km
A colossal World War II radar bunker half-buried in Rømø’s dunes, Mammutbunkeren offers a stark, atmospheric encounter with coastal military history.
Bunker und Bunkertour Römö
2.2 km
Guided wartime exploration beneath the pines of Rømø, where hidden Second World War bunkers and radar relics meet tranquil dunes, heather and coastal forest.
Bålpladsen
2.2 km
A rustic campfire circle amid Rømø’s dunes and heather, where woodsmoke, wide skies and simple outdoor cooking create an authentic taste of Danish hygge.
Marskdestilleriet
2.6 km
Modern island distillery on Rømø, transforming Wadden Sea marshland and coastal botanicals into refined gins, aquavits and relaxed tastings with a view.
Naturcenter Tønnisgård
2.7 km
Intimate nature center in a thatched farmhouse, opening a window onto Rømø’s dunes, wildlife and the ever-changing Wadden Sea National Park.
Juvre Sand
4.0 km
A vast off-limits tidal landscape at Rømø’s northern tip, where bird-filled Wadden Sea flats double as a Danish military training ground watched from a safe dyke-top perch.
Rømø
4.0 km
A windswept Wadden Sea island where endless beaches, tidal wildlife and sea-breezy adventures meet historic farmhouses and unhurried North Sea light.
Rømødæmningen
4.2 km
A 9.2 km ribbon of road across the Wadden Sea, Rømødæmningen links Jutland and Rømø with sweeping horizons, rich birdlife and a powerful sense of open sky.
Lakolk
4.7 km
Vast Wadden Sea sands, car-friendly shoreline and wind-filled skies make Lakolk the wide-open beach heart of Rømø’s North Sea coast.
Famous Rømø Beach
5.0 km
An immense North Sea strand where you can drive on the sand, chase the wind with kites and sails, and wander for kilometres between dunes, sky and sea.
Essential places to dine
Asia kitchen(Sushi , Wok, Buffet)
4.3 km
Casual sushi, wok and buffet dining at Lakolk Butikscenter, pairing Asian comfort food with the windswept dunes and wide beaches of Rømø’s North Sea coast.
Café Fru Dax
4.4 km
Lively beachside café at Lakolk on Rømø, famed for towering soft ice, generous café dishes and an easygoing seaside atmosphere steps from the wide sandy shore.
Café Hr. Dax
4.5 km
Casual seaside café-restaurant in Lakolk Butikscenter, serving hearty comfort food and sweet treats just behind Rømø’s vast, windswept Lakolk Beach.
Cafeteria Lakolk
4.5 km
Straightforward seaside canteen in Lakolk Butikscenter, serving hearty beach-holiday favourites just a short walk from Rømø’s famously wide, wind-swept sands.
Rømø Pizza & Pasta Restaurant
4.5 km
Casual Italian-style pizzas and pastas in the heart of Lakolk Butikscenter, ideal for hungry beachgoers and holiday families on windswept Rømø.
Roland Imbiss
4.5 km
Beachside grill at Lakolk Strand serving hearty, no-fuss takeaway to sandy, windblown Rømø beachgoers a few steps from the roaring North Sea.
MEGA GRILL
8.8 km
Straightforward Danish grill bar in Havneby, serving hearty fast food and takeaway for hungry beachgoers exploring the windswept island of Rømø.
Rømø Pandekagehus
8.8 km
Casual island café in Havneby serving generous sweet and savoury pancakes, ideal for a relaxed break between Rømø’s vast beaches and harbour walks.
Ristorante Europa Rømø
8.8 km
Casual Italian pizzas and hearty plates in the harbour town of Havneby, a relaxed refuelling stop between Rømø’s wild beaches and the Wadden Sea.
HAVNEBY KRO RESTAURANT
8.8 km
Hearty Danish inn fare and island hospitality at a traditional kro by the harbor in Havneby, gateway to Rømø’s wide beaches and the Wadden Sea.
Hansens pølser
8.8 km
Casual harbor-side hot dog stand on Rømø serving classic Danish sausages and ice cream to beach-goers, cyclists and locals in laid-back Havneby.
Havnekiosken Rømø
8.8 km
Authentic harbour kiosk serving grilled burgers and fresh fish with Wadden Sea views.
Otto & Ani's Fisk
8.9 km
Fresh-caught seafood by the harbor where fishing boats unload their daily catch.
Frankel 5
8.9 km
Cosy seaside café-restaurant on Rømø serving fresh fish and Danish comfort dishes with wide Wadden Sea views and a relaxed, coastal atmosphere.
Restaurant Diget
9.0 km
Panoramic golf-course views, generous brunches and flexible gourmet dining inside Enjoy Resorts Rømø, with terrace seating and on-site leisure activities next door.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Cafe Hattesgaard
2.6 km
Atmospheric café-meets-antique emporium set in a historic farmhouse on Rømø, known for legendary cakes, local hospitality, and one-of-a-kind vintage finds.
Elisabeth
3.8 km
A cozy Fanø clothing boutique offering understated Scandinavian style, curated island-ready outfits, and a calm coastal atmosphere in an intimate setting.
By Vicky
4.3 km
Contemporary women's fashion and footwear on Denmark's island of Rømø, with 16+ years of style expertise.
Rømø Lys
4.3 km
Handcrafted candles, Danish design and gourmet gift baskets in a cosy Lakolk shop, just steps from Rømø’s vast North Sea beach.
Westwind Lakolk
4.3 km
Premium outdoor apparel and gear steps from Denmark's widest beach on windswept Rømø island.
Metropolis Drachen
4.3 km
Specialist kite shop in Lakolk Butikscenter, where Rømø’s steady North Sea winds, colourful kites and practical advice meet just behind the island’s vast beach.
Ny Form Rømø
4.4 km
Affordable sportswear and outdoor gear at the birthplace of Ny Form, perfectly tuned to Rømø’s wind, sand and sea-focused holiday life.
Rømø Bolsjeri og Ishus
4.4 km
Cheerful seaside sweet shop and ice-cream house where traditional Danish boiled candy and generous cones meet Rømø’s windswept beach holiday vibe.
Butik Rømø
4.4 km
Toys, airsoft gear, and kites in charming Lakolk Butikscenter near the beach.
Lakolk Butikscenter
4.4 km
Laid-back coastal shopping, cafés and beach essentials at the sandy heart of Rømø, just a short stroll from the sweeping drive-on shores of Lakolk Beach.
Elisabeth v/Arie Levi
4.5 km
Handcrafted leather and travel goods in Rømø's coastal shopping heart, steps from Denmark's widest beach.
Ib's Gavecenter v/Mona Pedersen Ib
4.5 km
Cosy coastal gift shop in Lakolk Butikscenter, offering seaside souvenirs, Danish home décor and thoughtful keepsakes just moments from Rømø’s wide sandy beach.
Rømø Supermarked
4.6 km
Practical island supermarket in Lakolk Butikscenter, supplying beachgoers and holiday homes on Rømø with everyday groceries in a relaxed coastal setting.
Atzen Honning Rømø
7.6 km
Small island honey farm turning Rømø’s heather, flowers and sea breeze into distinctive honeys and sweet souvenirs just outside the harbor town of Havneby.
Den Gamle Købmandsgård
7.8 km
A homely island supermarket in historic farm buildings, blending fresh groceries, bakery treats, ice‑cream and garden minigolf into one easy Rømø stop.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Mødestedet
13.5 km
Cozy wine bar on Skærbæk’s main street, where locals and visitors share unhurried glasses of wine, simple snacks and relaxed conversation from day to evening.
Bodega Pubs v/ Kim
13.6 km
Cozy local bodega in Skærbæk serving cold beer, simple drinks, and laid-back Danish bar culture in a friendly, down-to-earth neighborhood setting.
Termansens
22.1 km
Intimate jazz and live music in a centuries-old townhouse, where Ribe’s historic charm meets cozy, small-scale culture house vibes after dark.
Klubben 1811
22.1 km
Casual, spacious bar in Ribe’s old town, mixing sports, pool and cold beer in a bright, easygoing setting just steps from the city’s medieval streets.
Stenbohus
22.3 km
Cosy, timeworn bar in the heart of Ribe, blending historic surroundings with easygoing drinks, local character and relaxed late‑night atmosphere.
Strygejernet
22.3 km
Intimate corner pub in Ribe’s old town, pairing rustic coziness, smoke-free comfort and friendly bar life with simple drinks, games and unhurried evenings.
Café Valdemar
22.6 km
A compact late‑night bar and disco in the heart of historic Ribe, blending casual drinks, chart‑driven beats and a friendly weekend crowd on Sct Nicolaj Gade.
Vin For Dig Ribe
22.6 km
Cosy neighbourhood wine shop and intimate vinbar in Ribe, pairing curated bottles with generous takeaway tapas and relaxed Danish hygge.
Grosmann's
28.3 km
Small-town Danish hygge in a tiny cocktail bar on Kirkegade, where classic drinks, warm lighting and everyday village life meet in laid-back South Jutland style.
Kabyssen
30.5 km
Fanø's cherished community bar serving authentic Danish island hospitality with live music and genuine warmth.
TimeOut Bar
32.4 km
Unpretentious bodega-style beer hall in central Tønder, pouring simple drinks and late-night conversation for locals and curious travelers alike.
Hjørnekroen
32.8 km
Cosy corner bar in Nordby where Fanø’s island life, live music nights and classic Danish bodega charm come together over draught beer and easy conversation.
Dokken City Beach
33.6 km
A pocket of sand, deckchairs and drinks on Esbjerg Harbour, Dokken City Beach turns the working waterfront into a relaxed urban seaside escape.
Teddy’s Corner
33.6 km
Unpretentious local bar in Toftlund offering simple drinks, small‑town hygge and an easygoing glimpse into everyday South Jutland nightlife.
Dowdi Pub Bar
33.9 km
Old-school brown pub in central Esbjerg with inexpensive beers, wood‑panelled charm and a relaxed, local crowd from daytime regulars to late‑night lingerers.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Rotes Kliff
27.3 km
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Rotes Kliff in Sylt, a premier disco club and cocktail bar perfect for unforgettable evenings.
Fanø Blokart
28.0 km
Experience high-speed land sailing on the scenic sands of Fanø, where wind, adventure, and stunning North Sea landscapes converge at Fanø Blokart.
Club Fanø Rindby
30.5 km
Vital hub for kite sports, fatbiking, and Nordic coastal adventure on Fanø, pairing local expertise with welcoming spirit in the island’s scenic Rindby beach area.
P2 Champagne & Cocktail Tønder
32.5 km
Intimate champagne and cocktail lounge bringing late-night sparkle and city-style glamour to the historic heart of Tønder.
Al Capone
32.5 km
Tønder’s sole nightclub, Al Capone blends a rustic 1920s‑inspired mood, late‑night beats and strong drinks into an intimate speakeasy‑style party den.
No.31 - Bar & Natklub
34.1 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub on Esbjerg’s Skolegade, blending late-night bar vibes, loud DJ sets and a youthful dance floor in the heart of the city.
Bilka-søen
38.8 km
Esbjerg's energetic nightclub delivering vibrant music, dancing, and social entertainment in a lively atmosphere.
Crazy Daisy Vejen
50.3 km
High-energy disco club in central Vejen, bringing late-night music, dancing and big-city nightclub vibes to a compact South Jutland town.
Fishi
56.7 km
Compact, no-frills nightclub in Vejen with loud beats, simple drinks and a friendly small-town crowd that keeps the dance floor moving late into the night.
Koldingtivet Engen
67.9 km
Compact Kolding disco where locals pack the dance floor, mainstream hits fill the speakers and late-night energy turns a modest venue into a full-bodied club night.
Discoteque Tordenskiold
68.3 km
Kolding's legendary two-floor discotheque and cultural institution since 1973.
Mørks Kælder
68.5 km
Modern basement nightclub in central Kolding, pouring drinks and classic dance tunes for a grown-up crowd late into the weekend night.
Pitstop
68.7 km
Small, central and loud, Pitstop is Kolding’s alternative live music stronghold, blending intimate gigs, late-night dancing and laid-back bar vibes in a historic building.
Jazz 6000
68.9 km
An essential stop in Kolding for jazz lovers, Jazz 6000 brings world-class live music, community spirit, and a cozy club atmosphere to southern Denmark.
Liglad Day & Nightlife
69.8 km
Compact late-night club on Grindsted’s main street, mixing local vibes, DJs and simple drinks for weekend nights that run into the early hours.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Unique
- Tranquil
- Cultural Heritage
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Heritage Neighborhoods
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Panoramas
- Iconic Views
- Waterfront
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Myth & Legends
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly