Denmark: The most beautiful coastal resorts for your holiday

Did you know that Denmark (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands) has 7314 kilometres of coastline? And that you are never more than 50 kilometres from the sea on a holiday in Denmark? So you see, our northern neighbour is perfect for a holiday by the sea.

Only the weather is not always suitable for the beach - but that can be easily solved: if you simply choose one of the beautiful coastal towns as your destination. There, the beach is not necessarily the biggest attraction, because historic houses, narrow streets and fishermen's romance have their very own charm.

1. fairytale town Ærøskøbing on the Baltic Sea island Ærø

Fairytale Town is the nickname of Ærøskøbing, also known as Ärösköping. Ærøskøbing, the main town on the Baltic Sea island of Ærø near Flensburg, is 750 years old and is considered the best-preserved Danish town from the Middle Ages. Whereby town can be a little misleading, because not even 1000 people live in Ærøskøbing. No wonder, then, that the entire town is a listed building.

When visiting Ærøskøbing, you should not only visit the snow-white beach and the colourful beach huts, which have long since become a tourist magnet. You should also take plenty of time to stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and admire the brick and half-timbered houses.

2 Faaborg: The Pearl of Funen

Old half-timbered houses, narrow streets and the magnificent harbour with yachts and old wooden ships adorn the small town of Faaborg on the Danish island of Funen (Danish: Fyn). The village of 7,000 inhabitants is idyllically nestled between the Fyn Archipelago and the hills of the Svannige Bakker. From the hills you also have a perfect view of the old town of Faaborg, one of the best preserved in Denmark.

Faaborg's landmark is the free-standing bell tower of the old town church of St. Nicholas, which was demolished after the Reformation. Your tour of the city should also include a visit to the Vesterport city gate. This is a historic place, as only two former city gates have been preserved in the whole of Denmark.

The old town of Faaborg is perfect for strolling.

© Source: imago images/Martin Werner

3 Sønderho on Fanø: Denmark's most beautiful village 2011

Around 300 thatched skipper's houses characterise the village of Sønderho on the Danish Wadden Sea island of Fanø. If these houses could talk, they would have a lot of stories to tell. Most of them were built between 1700 and 1800. The small town with 300 inhabitants was named Denmark's most beautiful village in 2011.

Many of the cute houses serve not only as living space - because Sønderho also impresses with its great art and culture scene. Especially in the summer, attractive galleries and a varied programme of events await travellers who come to Fanø for their holidays. You should take at least two hours for a tour of the town - and visit the church, mill and harbour.

Oh yes, some of Fanø's most beautiful beaches are right on your doorstep. You should also keep your eyes open, because seals also like the area around Sønderho very much. You can also get to know the surroundings on various hiking, cycling or kayaking tours.

4 Skagen: Yellow houses in Denmark's northernmost town

Yellow houses and red roofs - that's what Denmark's northernmost town, Skagen, stands for. At the northern tip of Jutland live 7665 people, who are joined by thousands of tourists, especially in the summer months. Miles of sandy beaches, a seaside resort and the magnificent harbour are just some of the sights. You should definitely visit Grenen, where the two seas Skagerrak and Kattegat meet. You might even see a seal sunning itself on the beach.

If you have time, stroll through the cosy, narrow streets of the old town, stop at the restaurants or buy souvenirs at one of the small shops. Skagen is particularly popular with artists, which is why there are numerous studios and galleries here. In summer there is an event almost every day, usually outdoors.

Yellow houses characterise the townscape of Skagen.

© Source: imago images / Danita Delimont

5 Ebeltoft: 250 years of history in the east of Jutland

Cosy town life meets beautiful beaches: Ebeltoft on the Djursland peninsula in the east of Jutland is popular with tourists from all over the world, especially in summer. You should leave your high heels at home here, because the old town has cobblestones.

The main sights of Ebeltoft are the Glass Museum, the wooden ship "Fregatten Jylland", the old mill and the Old Town Hall. It was built as early as 1789 and served as a library, fire station and court from 1804. Since 1904, the Old Town Hall has housed a museum that tells the story of Ebeltoft. The prison cellar, for example, is still preserved.

Not only the beautiful beaches of Ebeltoft are worth a trip, the old town is also worth seeing.

© Source: imago images/Panthermedia

6 Svaneke on Bornholm: Denmark's most beautiful small town 2013

What Sønderho achieved in 2011, Svaneke on Bornholm achieved two years later: Svaneke was named Denmark's most beautiful small town. In the old town there are many yellow-washed houses with mulberry and fig trees in the gardens. Because Svaneke has succeeded particularly well in preserving its historical charm, the small town has received several awards.

During your visit, you can stroll along the promenade, look at the yellow-washed half-timbered houses and sample the smokehouse and brewery. In the cosy market square, which is surrounded by numerous small streets winding uphill and downhill, you can also taste very fresh sweets: in Svanekes Bonbon-Manufaktur.

Svaneke on Bornholm is known for its yellow half-timbered houses and historic charm.

© Source: imago images/cmfotoworks

7 Gilleleje: Where modernity meets tradition

As early as the 16th century, people lived in Gilleje in the north of the island of Zealand, as archaeological excavations prove. Today Gilleleje is a small town that combines modernity and tradition. Freshly caught fish is served in the old harbour, while fancy avocado sandwiches are served next door.

Especially around the harbour, life rages in summer. Not only do yachts, excursion boats and historic wooden boats moor here, but numerous events such as concerts or performances also take place here in summer. If you prefer to be active, you can hike along the coast - with a view of romantic bays in the Kattegat maritime area.

Traditional Danish houses and modern life at the harbour meet in Gilleleje.

© Source: imago images/robertharding

8 Dragør: A historic fishing village becomes a shipping centre

Only about twelve kilometres from the Danish capital Copenhagen (which, by the way, is also a coastal city itself) you will find the small town of Dragør, right on the Öresund strait. Historically, Dragør was a small fishing village. But in the meantime Dragør has developed into an important small town in the shipping industry.

11,000 people live in Dragør, whose old town - also with yellow-washed houses - is very well preserved. In the summer, numerous music, art and food festivals invite you to try something new all the time. In the houses of the old town, on the other hand, tourists can buy souvenirs or enjoy a meal in one of the numerous restaurants.

In the museums of the small town, which can be found both at the harbour and on old farms, you can learn more about the history of the place not far from Copenhagen during your visit. By the way, the people of the capital also like to take advantage of the peace and quiet in Dragør.

9 Stege: Where hygge is lived out

As early as 1175, the Danish King Waldemar I had a castle built in what is now Stege on the Baltic Sea island of Møn - it was the origin of the town. Today, the medieval town of Stege is not only the main town on Møn, but also a popular destination with tourists.

It is virtually impossible to get stressed out in Stege, because the Hygge way of life is very important here. You can stroll through the winding alleys, visit the old town wall or the mill gate, or sip a coffee in one of the numerous cafés and restaurants. And if it does get too busy, you can simply explore the nature on Møn.

10 Lønstrup: The place that threatens to sink into the sea

Many places don't manage what Lønstrup has done: The small fishing village has kept its old charm despite the many tourists who come to this place in Jutland every summer, especially for swimming.

Lønstrup is known as an artist's paradise - here you will find numerous artisans, from painters and composers to glassblowers, ceramists and jewellery artists. Galleries, studios and workshops invite travellers to watch the works of art being created.

Lønstrup's landmark is the Rudjerg Knude lighthouse, which stands just outside the small town. Erosion and rising sea levels have eroded so much soil between the sea and the lighthouse that Rudjerg Knude had to be moved further inland two years ago. Mårup Church is also experiencing a similar fate: when the church was built in 1250, it was about a kilometre from the shore. Now the church and the water are only a few metres apart.

11 Sæby: the epitome of the Danish idyll

Sæby in North Jutland is the epitome of the Danish idyll, as advertised by the tourism portal "Visit Nordjylland". The community of 8800 inhabitants is historically a fishing village and has retained its old charm: whether you stroll through the alleys with the yellow-washed houses, let yourself be enchanted by the water mill or watch artisans blowing glass or cutting amber, Sæby offers something for every taste.

Cute, historic houses characterise the centre of Sæby in Denmark.

© Source: imago images/A. Farnsworth

There are, of course, plenty of activities away from it all: Sæby is famous for its child-friendly beach and has other attractions, such as the art museum in a colourful half-timbered house or "Minibyen Sæby" - a miniature replica of the town. The Renaissance castle Sæbysgård, located a little west of the town centre, is also worth a visit.