West Jutland - At the North Sea Coast

West Jutland is a geographical region in the west of Denmark, which extends at the west coast of Cimbrian Peninsula from Tønder in the south to Limfjord in the north. The exact borders cannot be determined and they differ depending on who is speaking. People disagree on the border of East and South Jutland. One thing, however, is certain: the natural border of West Jutland in the west are the North and the Wadden Sea. These seas characterise the region and create a maritime atmosphere. The temperate coastal climate is harsh but pleasant and beneficial to your air passages, skin and immune system.

The white surf hits the long beaches at the coast and the wind blows the white sand of the great sand dunes in all directions - that is West Jutland's landscape at the North Sea. With its clean water, wonderful sunsets, scenic marshland and beneficial climate, Denmark's west coast is the dream destination for spa holidays. Further inside of the region, the natural panorama consists of smooth hills, fertile soil, beautiful dune forests and heath. The Wadden Sea National Park, which has been part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 2009, is a paradise for every bird lover. The many sandbanks and dykes in the region are breeding and resting places for millions of birds and they are home to seals. Another natural attraction is the country's westernmost point near Blåvand on the peninsula of Skallingen. The long sandy beaches and white sandbanks of Horns Rev (or "Horns Reef") fascinate thousands of people every year.

West Jutland is not sparing with art and cultural museums or historical sites. Esbjerg, the country's seventh biggest town and the region's largest town, accommodates the Fisheries and Maritime Museum and the sculpture "Men at Sea" by Svend Wiig Hansen. In Ringkøbing and Ribe, Denmark's oldest town, you can marvel at distinct red brick houses and Ribe Domkirke, the country's oldest cathedral. The medieval Spøttrup Castle on the peninsula of Salling is worth a visit too. It is one of the best-preserved castles of its time and takes you back to 16th century Denmark with its red walls and the castle mound, which has a height of nine metres. The many bunkers of the Atlantic Wall from World War II are equally popular with visitors. You see remains of the former fortification along the whole west coast. They are listed in every travel guide as are the region's numerous lighthouses (e.g. Blavand Fyr, Bovbjerg Fyr).

Charming merchant towns, small fishermen's villages and idyllic port towns characterise the region of West Jutland. They are great for a shopping stroll or a visit to a restaurant. You can buy clothes and souvenirs and taste the local cuisine in Esbjerg, the region's biggest town, as well as in Ringkøbing, Søndervig, Ulfobrg and Holstebro. The cuisine mainly consists of freshly caught fish, blue mussels, oysters, North Sea shrimps, heather fed lamb and beef.

Pack your binoculars or fishing line and go birdwatching or fishing. Thanks to the many birds in the Wadden Sea and the abundance of fish in the North Sea, West Jutland is real paradise for birdwatching and deep sea fishing. In addition, you can go on a seal safari, a walk across the mudflats, go cycling, horseback riding, surfing or bathing. Many visitors also enjoy flying kites in the strong winds or looking for amber in the regional waters.

West Jutland can be reached by car or by plane via the international airport in Esbjerg. Many holidaymakers prefer the warm summer months. Spring and autumn, however, are the seasons during which the region's many birds form the natural phenomenon of the "Sort sol" ("black sun").