Rømø: Where Beaches Meet History
Discover Rømø: Denmark's Wadden Sea island with drive-on beaches, Viking history, and unique nature experiences. Explore vast sands, enjoy wind sports, and harvest oysters.
Rømø, a captivating Danish island in the Wadden Sea, beckons with its expansive sandy beaches, unique driving experiences, and rich cultural heritage. As the southernmost of Denmark's Wadden Sea islands, Rømø boasts some of Northern Europe's widest beaches, including Lakolk and Sønderstrand, where driving onto the hard-packed sand is permitted. Beyond the beaches, Rømø offers a glimpse into its whaling past, with well-preserved commander's houses and historical sites. The island's diverse landscape, shaped by the Wadden Sea National Park, provides opportunities for birdwatching, oyster harvesting, and exploring the unique tidal ecosystem. Whether you seek relaxation on the beach, thrilling wind sports, or a journey through history, Rømø promises an unforgettable escape.
A brief summary to Rømø
- Tønder Municipality, DK
Local tips
- Drive on Lakolk or Sønderstrand beach, but be mindful of tide schedules and soft sand patches.
- Visit the Kommandørgården Museum to learn about Rømø's whaling history and see well-preserved commander's houses.
- Explore the Wadden Sea National Park with a guided tour for birdwatching, seal safaris, or oyster harvesting.
- Attend the Rømø Motor Festival in August or the Dragon Festival in September for unique cultural experiences.
- Take the ferry to Sylt for a day trip to the neighboring German island.
Getting There
-
Driving
Rømø is connected to the mainland via the Rømø Dam, a 9km causeway (toll-free). Once on the island, follow the main road towards your destination. Signage is clear. Parking is available at designated areas near beaches and attractions. Be aware that driving *on* the beach (Lakolk and Sønderstrand) is permitted, but adhere to the 30 km/h speed limit and park responsibly. Parking on the beach is free during the day, but overnight camping is prohibited.
-
Public Transport
From Skærbæk, the nearest mainland town, bus line 285 provides access to Rømø. The bus crosses the causeway and stops at various points on the island, including Kongsmark and Havneby. From Havneby, you can connect to the ferry to Sylt. A single bus fare from Skærbæk to Rømø is approximately 30 DKK. Check Rejseplanen.dk for the most up-to-date schedules and fares.
-
Ferry
If arriving from the island of Sylt, Germany, take the FRS Syltferry from List to Havneby on Rømø. The ferry crossing takes approximately 40 minutes. Ferry prices vary depending on the season, vehicle type, and number of passengers. As a rough estimate, expect to pay between 80 DKK and 400 DKK for a car and passengers. Foot passengers can expect to pay around 80 DKK. Check the FRS Syltferry website for current fares and schedules. From Havneby, local buses or taxis can take you to other locations on Rømø.
Discover more about Rømø
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Bunker
1.7 km
A concrete relic of World War II occupation, standing silent in Denmark's westernmost forest.
Gamle Redningsstation
3.6 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
6.6 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
14.4 km
Experience the stunning Rømø-Sylt Ferry journey, connecting two beautiful islands with breathtaking views of the North Sea.
Æ Kåver
23.3 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
23.6 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.
Kammerslusen Ribe
24.5 km
Discover Copenhagen's Black Diamond: A fusion of modern architecture and cultural heritage on the waterfront.
Queen Dagmar of Bohemia
26.3 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.
Jacob A. Riis Museum
26.4 km
Discover St. Alban's Church, Copenhagen's English Gothic Revival masterpiece nestled near the historic Kastellet and Gefion Fountain.
Stormflodssøjlen
26.4 km
A slender oak column on Ribe’s riverfront, Stormflodssøjlen turns historic storm surges into visible rings, telling a powerful story of sea, danger and resilience.
Museet Ribes Vikinger
26.5 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.
Skovlegeplads
27.5 km
Discover Skovlegeplads in Fanø, where nature meets adventure in a delightful playground for families and children.
Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje
27.6 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.
Galgebakken
27.7 km
Denmark's haunting reminder of the witch hunts that claimed eleven lives in Ribe between 1572 and 1652.
Pælebjerg - Det højeste punkt på Fanø
28.4 km
Fanø's windswept summit offering panoramic North Sea views and access to scenic dune forest trails.
Unmissable attractions to see
Lakolk
1.6 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.
Bålpladsen
1.8 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.
Bunker und Bunkertour Römö
1.8 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.
Mammutbunkeren
1.8 km
A colossal World War II radar bunker half-buried in Rømø’s dunes, Mammutbunkeren offers a stark, atmospheric encounter with coastal military history.
Garagebunker
1.9 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.
Rømø Dragefestival
2.0 km
Northern Europe's largest kite festival where hundreds of colorful creations dance across the September sky.
Naturcenter Tønnisgård
2.1 km
Intimate nature center in a thatched farmhouse, opening a window onto Rømø’s dunes, wildlife and the ever-changing Wadden Sea National Park.
Marskdestilleriet
2.2 km
Modern island distillery on Rømø, transforming Wadden Sea marshland and coastal botanicals into refined gins, aquavits and relaxed tastings with a view.
Lakolk strand
2.4 km
Endless North Sea sand, tidal drama and kite-filled skies on one of Europe’s widest beaches at Lakolk Strand on the Danish island of Rømø.
Spidsbjerg Rømø
2.6 km
A modest dune with a mighty horizon, Spidsbjerg crowns Rømø’s heather-clad heart with sweeping views over dunes, forest, Wadden Sea and distant islands.
Famous Rømø Beach
2.7 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.
Genforeningssten på Rømø
3.4 km
A modest boulder by Rømø Church that quietly links this windswept North Sea island to Denmark’s 1920 reunification and a century of borderland memory.
Rømø Church
3.4 km
Vast heather-covered dunes, wild berry foraging, and secluded coastal views await in Spidsbjerg—Rømø’s untouched slice of windswept North Sea wilderness.
Rømø Lokalmuseum
3.7 km
Small, quietly curated museum where Rømø’s everyday life, island traditions and sea-shaped history are preserved in a modest house on Kromosevej.
Nationalmuseets Kommandørgård
4.0 km
Step inside an 18th‑century sea captain’s farm on Rømø, where Dutch tiles, whaling history and wide Wadden Sea views bring Denmark’s maritime past to life.
Essential places to dine
Asia kitchen(Sushi , Wok, Buffet)
1.4 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
1.4 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
1.4 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
1.5 km
Straightforward seaside canteen in Lakolk Butikscenter, serving hearty beach-holiday favourites just a short walk from Rømø’s famously wide, wind-swept sands.
Roland Imbiss
1.5 km
Beachside grill at Lakolk Strand serving hearty, no-fuss takeaway to sandy, windblown Rømø beachgoers a few steps from the roaring North Sea.
Rømø Pizza & Pasta Restaurant
1.5 km
Casual Italian-style pizzas and pastas in the heart of Lakolk Butikscenter, ideal for hungry beachgoers and holiday families on windswept Rømø.
MEGA GRILL
6.1 km
Straightforward Danish grill bar in Havneby, serving hearty fast food and takeaway for hungry beachgoers exploring the windswept island of Rømø.
Restaurant Diget
6.4 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.
Rømø Pandekagehus
6.5 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
6.5 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.
Hansens pølser
6.5 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.
HAVNEBY KRO RESTAURANT
6.5 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.
Frankel 5
6.6 km
Cosy seaside café-restaurant on Rømø serving fresh fish and Danish comfort dishes with wide Wadden Sea views and a relaxed, coastal atmosphere.
Havnekiosken Rømø
6.6 km
Authentic harbour kiosk serving grilled burgers and fresh fish with Wadden Sea views.
Otto & Ani's Fisk
6.7 km
Fresh-caught seafood by the harbor where fishing boats unload their daily catch.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
By Vicky
1.3 km
Contemporary women's fashion and footwear on Denmark's island of Rømø, with 16+ years of style expertise.
Rømø Lys
1.3 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
1.4 km
Premium outdoor apparel and gear steps from Denmark's widest beach on windswept Rømø island.
Ny Form Rømø
1.4 km
Affordable sportswear and outdoor gear at the birthplace of Ny Form, perfectly tuned to Rømø’s wind, sand and sea-focused holiday life.
Metropolis Drachen
1.4 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.
Rømø Bolsjeri og Ishus
1.4 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
1.4 km
Toys, airsoft gear, and kites in charming Lakolk Butikscenter near the beach.
Lakolk Butikscenter
1.4 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
1.5 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
1.5 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
1.5 km
Practical island supermarket in Lakolk Butikscenter, supplying beachgoers and holiday homes on Rømø with everyday groceries in a relaxed coastal setting.
Cafe Hattesgaard
2.1 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
4.3 km
A cozy Fanø clothing boutique offering understated Scandinavian style, curated island-ready outfits, and a calm coastal atmosphere in an intimate setting.
Atzen Honning Rømø
4.9 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
5.1 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
16.3 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
16.3 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.
Klubben 1811
26.2 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.
Termansens
26.2 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.
Stenbohus
26.3 km
Cosy, timeworn bar in the heart of Ribe, blending historic surroundings with easygoing drinks, local character and relaxed late‑night atmosphere.
Strygejernet
26.3 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
26.6 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
26.7 km
Cosy neighbourhood wine shop and intimate vinbar in Ribe, pairing curated bottles with generous takeaway tapas and relaxed Danish hygge.
TimeOut Bar
31.9 km
Unpretentious bodega-style beer hall in central Tønder, pouring simple drinks and late-night conversation for locals and curious travelers alike.
Grosmann's
32.2 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
32.6 km
Fanø's cherished community bar serving authentic Danish island hospitality with live music and genuine warmth.
Hjørnekroen
35.1 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
36.2 km
A pocket of sand, deckchairs and drinks on Esbjerg Harbour, Dokken City Beach turns the working waterfront into a relaxed urban seaside escape.
Dowdi Pub Bar
36.5 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.
SoHo - Bar & Cocktails
36.6 km
Adults-focused cocktail bar tucked inside Esbjerg Street Food’s old theatre hall, pairing crafted drinks, modern design and a lively, central city atmosphere.