Fiskeriets Hus – Museum & Aquarium in Hvide Sande
Compact maritime museum and aquarium on the fjord in Hvide Sande, bringing the town’s fishing heritage, rescue stories and local sea life together under one red roof.
Fiskeriets Hus is a compact maritime museum and aquarium on the fjord side of Hvide Sande, housed in a distinctive red wooden building by the sluice. Inside, exhibits trace the story of local sea and fjord fishing, daring rescue operations and the creation of the town itself. Large saltwater and freshwater tanks, a petting pool and life-size fishing boat displays bring the North Sea environment to life, making it an engaging stop for families and anyone curious about West Jutland’s coastal culture.
A brief summary to Fiskeriets Hus
- Nørregade 2B, Hvide Sande, 6960, DK
- +4597312610
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least 1–2 hours if you want to explore both the museum and aquarium areas without rushing, including time to linger by the large tanks and fjord views.
- Check feeding times for the aquariums in advance; these sessions make the exhibits more dynamic and are especially engaging for children at the petting pool.
- Bring a light layer even in summer; the waterfront location and indoor climate around the tanks can feel cool after time outside on the dunes.
- Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby sluice and harbor area to see modern fishing boats and rescue vessels that echo the stories told inside the museum.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Car from Ringkøbing
From Ringkøbing town centre it typically takes 25–35 minutes by car to reach Hvide Sande and Fiskeriets Hus, following the main road along the fjord. Traffic is usually light, but in summer weekends it can slow near holiday home areas. Parking at Fiskeriets Hus is free in the adjacent lot, though spaces closest to the entrance fill quickly during school holidays and rainy days when many people choose indoor activities.
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Bus from Ringkøbing and Søndervig
Regional buses connect Ringkøbing, Søndervig and Hvide Sande throughout the day, with journey times of about 35–50 minutes depending on the starting point and route. Services run more frequently in the main holiday season and less often in the late autumn and winter months, so checking departure times in advance is important. Standard single fares are typically in the range of 30–60 DKK per adult, with discounts for children and multi-trip tickets.
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Cycling along Ringkøbing Fjord
For a scenic approach, many visitors cycle to Fiskeriets Hus using the signposted routes that follow the edge of Ringkøbing Fjord. From Ringkøbing the ride usually takes 60–90 minutes at a relaxed pace, depending on wind strength, as the coastline can be breezy. The terrain is generally flat and suitable for most reasonably fit cyclists, but strong coastal winds and changeable weather demand appropriate clothing. Bicycle parking is available near the museum entrance.
Fiskeriets Hus location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Fiskeriets Hus
Life on the Edge of Sea and Fjord
Fiskeriets Hus sits right where the North Sea meets Ringkøbing Fjord, mirroring Hvide Sande’s own story as a town built around the sluice and the constant rhythm of fishing boats. Opened in 1992, the red timber building echoes the traditional gear sheds that once lined the harbor, giving the museum an immediate sense of place before you even step inside. From its windows you look directly across the sluice and calm fjord waters, a reminder that everything here revolves around water, weather and work at sea. The museum focuses on how draining the fjord and constructing the sluice reshaped both the landscape and local livelihoods. Displays explain how the town grew up around this engineering project, gradually transforming a windswept stretch of dunes into one of Denmark’s most important fishing ports on the west coast.Stories of Fishermen and Rescue Crews
Inside, the main exhibition follows the everyday life of fjord and sea fishermen, from small inshore boats to larger vessels heading into the rough North Sea. Photographs, tools, nets and model boats show how techniques and technology have changed over time, but also how the basic risks remain the same whenever people set out over the bar and into open water. One section is devoted to the local rescue service and their dramatic missions during storms. A particularly striking story is the sinking that occurred off Hvide Sande in the early 1950s, used here to explain both the dangers of the coastline and the determination to improve safety at sea. Step into the small wheelhouse, or explore the last example of a traditional sea-going boat once launched directly from the beach, and you get a tactile sense of how exposed these crews really were.Under the Surface in the Aquariums
The aquarium area invites you below the waterline into the ecosystems of both the North Sea and the brackish fjord. Large saltwater and freshwater tanks recreate rocky seabeds and sandy shallows, where you can watch local species such as gurnards, cod, eels, crabs and lobsters going about their slow routines. The setting gives a quiet, almost hypnotic feel as fish drift through filtered light and currents. A highlight for many visitors is the petting pool, where children can gently touch selected fish and crustaceans under staff guidance. Feeding sessions are held on set days, turning the usually calm tanks into lively scenes as fish dart for food. Alongside the tanks, panels explain how each species is adapted to this coastline and what role it plays in both the marine environment and the local fishing industry.The Tale of the Eel and Other Local Legends
Among the most intriguing displays is the focus on eels, a species that has long been economically and culturally important around Ringkøbing Fjord. Here you can learn how eels pass through the area on their long, mysterious migrations and how generations of fishers have developed ways to catch and process them. The exhibition places this local story within the broader picture of changing fish stocks, regulation and conservation. Other themed sections look at the small harbor known as Tyskerhavnen, tourism on the dunes and the gradual shift from a purely working harbor to a place where holiday homes, leisure boats and visitors now share space with trawlers. Together, these stories show how Hvide Sande continues to balance work, nature and recreation along a constantly shifting coast.A Compact Stop in the Heart of Hvide Sande
Fiskeriets Hus is deliberately intimate in scale, making it an easy addition to a day spent exploring the town, walking the dunes or watching the sluice in action. Families often combine time in the museum galleries with a relaxed visit to the aquarium and a pause by the windows overlooking the water. A small café and shop round out the experience with simple refreshments and maritime souvenirs. As part of the Ringkøbing Fjord Museums network, Fiskeriets Hus connects with other sites around the fjord that explore different aspects of West Jutland’s history. Here, though, the focus stays firmly on Hvide Sande: on its origins, its fishermen and rescue crews, and the unique meeting of sea, sand and sluice that continues to define this coastal community.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Scandic Regina
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Befrielsessten i Gullestrup
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Begravet bunker
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Vadehavskysten
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Dronning Louise
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Namaste Esbjerg
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Unmissable attractions to see
Lyngvig Lighthouse
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A dune-top lighthouse between North Sea and fjord, Lyngvig Fyr blends maritime history, sweeping coastal views, family-friendly play and classic Danish west coast atmosphere.
Ringkøbing-Skjern Museum
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Wartime stories and West Jutland heritage in a charming 15th-century market town.
Bork Vikingehavn
20.4 km
Step through the gates of Bork Vikingehavn and into a vivid Viking harbour, where longhouses, ships and sagas create an immersive journey into West Jutland’s past.
Kong Hans' Bro
24.4 km
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Jyllands Park Zoo
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Family-focused countryside zoo near Herning, blending close-up animal encounters with big playgrounds, tivoli rides and wide green spaces for a relaxed full-day outing.
Haunstrup Brunkulslejer
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Former brown coal mines turned wild Jutland playground of forest, sand pits and trails, where industry’s scars have softened into a characterful nature escape.
Gaia's Pynt
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Iron Age Settlement
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Subtle traces of three Iron Age longhouses and ancient fields in Marbæk’s quiet forest, revealing 2,000 years of coastal farming history just north of Esbjerg.
Snejbjerg Mini Saab Museum
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Deep Forest Art Land
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Karlsgarde Sö
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Trylleklippen
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Kløvertorvet, Snejbjerg
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Tirpitz Museum
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Essential places to dine
Slusegrillen
0.3 km
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Lille K by Grantland
0.5 km
A chef's intimate culinary workshop by the harbour, serving honest Nordic cuisine without pretence.
Ristorante Pizzeria Italia
11.8 km
Cosy Italian restaurant in Ringkøbing’s old town, serving crisp pizzas, homemade pasta and hearty three‑course menus with both indoor tables and a small patio.
SANDGAARDEN
12.8 km
Seaside fine dining in Søndervig, where Nordic‑French cuisine, a serious wine list and a sheltered courtyard turn a West Jutland beach day into an elegant evening.
Restaurant Havtorn
28.4 km
Cosy West Jutland restaurant near Vedersø Strand, serving classic Danish seaside dishes and local flavours in relaxed, coastal-inspired surroundings.
Billum Kro
44.8 km
Classic Danish inn near the North Sea and Wadden Sea, blending simple modern comforts, hearty traditional cuisine and easy access to western Jutland’s coastal landscapes.
Restaurant Gl. Daws - Cafe, Restaurant og Vinbar
47.9 km
Relaxed Danish brasserie, wine bar and café in a historic half‑timbered building, with courtyard and rooftop terrace in the centre of Varde.
Restaurant JA
49.3 km
Industrial heritage meets modern Nordic cooking in Holstebro’s former iron foundry, where seasonal West Jutland produce and a walk‑in wine cellar shape relaxed, refined evenings.
Silvio's Ristorante
49.4 km
Authentic Italian cooking with Danish hygge in the heart of Holstebro, pairing thin-crust pizzas, handmade pastas and a welcoming, relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere.
Restaurant domæne - Gourmet restaurant Herning
50.4 km
Michelin-starred Nordic–French tasting menus served under a sculptural dome in the quiet countryside just outside Herning.
Ho Kro
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A refined yet welcoming country inn in the village of Ho, serving seasonal West Jutland gourmet cuisine with thoughtful wine pairings and real kro cosiness.
Ho Pub & Cafe
51.9 km
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Luxus Restaurant v/Gril Take Away I Herning
52.2 km
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A Hereford Beefstouw, BOXEN
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Classic Danish steakhouse craftsmanship brought inside Jyske Bank Boxen, serving serious steaks, wine and design-led ambience right where Herning’s big events unfold.
Fru Kristof
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Season Hvide Sande
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Westwind
12.6 km
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Guld & Rod
12.9 km
A sprawling indoor flea-market style hall in Ringkøbing, where locals’ stands overflow with vintage furniture, quirky collectibles, craft supplies and everyday bargains.
Westwind SurfShop
19.6 km
Watersports basecamp on Ringkøbing Fjord, combining surf shop, school, rentals and cosy facilities right on the sheltered shoreline of Bork Havn.
Westwind Bork
19.8 km
Coastal clothing and surf-lifestyle essentials in the heart of Bork Havn, perfectly tuned to the ever-changing winds of Denmark’s wild west coast.
Coast Henne Strand I/S
29.5 km
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West Wind Henne ApS
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ONLY
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Sinnerup ApS
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WestLys
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Danmission Op Shop
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Al Hádi Inter Food
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Garnshoppen
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Uhrskov Vinhandel
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botex Herning
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Warwik Bryghus
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Big Ben Old English Pub
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Pioner Bar Varde
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Fox and Hounds
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Æ Huk Bar
50.0 km
Authentic Danish coastal bar where local fishermen and travelers gather in genuine North Sea hospitality.
Glamour Place
51.8 km
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Skorpionens Hule
52.0 km
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Black Wolves
52.4 km
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Don Quijote
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min PUB
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Vestre Hjørnet
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Heidi's Bier Bar
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Petit Bar
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Baren Herning
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The Old Irish Pub
54.6 km
Lively Irish-style pub in central Herning, pouring pints, screening football and keeping the party going with music, quizzes and late-night bar energy.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Waterfront
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Festival / Event Nearby
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
