How to Visit Bovbjerg Lighthouse (and Cliffs)
Our morning visit to Bovbjerg Lighthouse felt almost magical.
Planning a trip to Bovbjerg Lighthouse? You've landed in the right spot – this guide's got all the must-know info for your visit.
With its striking red color standing out against the grassy sand dunes, Bovbjerg Lighthouse easily snagged the title of one of the most beautiful lighthouses we have seen in Denmark. Even when we were planning our trip and struggling to remember all those Danish names (which were a bit of a headache), this was one lighthouse that always caught our eye, no matter how many were on our itinerary.
Watching the sunrise at Bovbjerg Lighthouse was just like we pictured our road trip through Jutland - endless views of the Skagerrak, rolling dunes, sandy beaches under cliffs, and a beautiful lighthouse. But the journey to this 'fyr' (that's Danish for lighthouse) had its challenges, and we almost didn't make it. Anyway, if you're visiting Geopark Vestjylland, Bovbjerg is totally worth a stop. So, let's dive in!
How to Visit Bovbjerg Lighthouse
There's a little story about how we found ourselves at Bovbjerg. After a long day on the road (visiting the fascinating Tirpitz Museum and other cool spots), we finally checked into our accommodation in the evening. While enjoying a hot cup of tea that Lucie made and a complimentary raisin Danish I found in the hallway, we tweaked our Denmark itinerary once again.
We decided to take the Thyboron-Agger ferry the next morning on our way to Thy National Park. Since it would be Sunday and the ferry started at 9 AM, we figured we'd have plenty of time to explore another spot on the coast (and catch the sunrise) before getting to Thyboron (where we planned to check out the Battle of Jutland Memorial).
This gave us time to squeeze in one more place. Lucie suggested we should still see Bovbjerg Lighthouse, which we had skipped earlier because we ran out of time. There was so much to explore in Jutland, but our time was limited, and we had to make some compromises - visiting Bovbjerg after dark just didn't make sense. The next morning, though, was a different story.
The Bovbjerg lighthouse is open to the public, but we got there so early that it was still closed.
The only downside was that the lighthouse would be closed, so no tower climb or museum visit for us. But honestly, that wasn't a huge issue. We've been to a few lighthouses before, and we knew we'd have plenty of other opportunities to visit some on this trip, given how many there are along Denmark's coast.
Since we're all about lighthouses, coastal views, walks, and sunrises, this decision was a no-brainer. The hardest part was actually making ourselves go to bed early to get some much-needed sleep – but falling asleep wasn't a problem at all.
History
Built in 1877, Bovbjerg Lighthouse has been aiding ships in navigating the perilous Skagerrak strait for over a century. It was fully automated in 1965 and is still in operation today, managed by the Danish Maritime Authority.
The coolest thing about Bovbjerg is that, apart from the top, where the beacon and automated controls are, it's owned and run by the local community. So it's not just a lighthouse but also a community center with art exhibitions (something new every month), workshops, and talks on various topics. Plus, it seemed, at least on the surface, like a great example of a tourist spot where locals and tourists got along well, which isn't always the case.
Getting to Bovbjerg Lighthouse
We woke up while it was still dark, packed all our stuff into the car (not too hard since we didn't have much luggage), and hit the road. It was a quiet morning, and we didn't encounter many cars on the rural roads during the half-hour drive to Bovbjerg.
Unless you're cycling through Jutland, driving is the easiest way to reach Bovbjerg Lighthouse - compare rental car prices in Denmark here. Driving on the rural roads was fine, but we were surprised that the last bit was a dirt road - about 1.5 kilometers, whether you came from Ferring (north) or Ramme (south, east direction).
We had to take a dirt road to Bovbjerg, but it was well-maintained.
The road was in really good condition when we went, unlike the rough washboard track to Borgarfjordur Eystri, which we took a few years ago in Iceland to see puffins. Still, it's good to know the paved road doesn't go all the way to the lighthouse.
Lastly, there's no bus to Bovbjerg, so your only options are a car or bike. Bovbjerg is about two hours from Aarhus, two and a half hours from Aalborg, and about the same from Odense.
Parking
We passed the first parking area near the lighthouse and parked our car at the second one, perched on the cliff's edge. Despite arriving around sunrise, we weren't the first – three local fishermen and a lone camper were already there.
So, parking at Bovbjerg Lighthouse was free, but you couldn't park overnight. The lot was small and might get crowded on summer weekends – folks then often park on the side of the road to Ferring.
Exploring Bovbjerg Cliffs
Bovbjerg Cliffs stretch for about six kilometers between Ferring in the north and Fjaltring in the south, reaching up to 40 meters, with the highest point right here by the lighthouse. For comparison, the highest Danish cliffs, Mons Klint, are about three times higher. But to us, it didn't matter because the views from the top were already amazing.
The views from Bovbjerg Cliffs were amazing - notice those groynes sticking out into the sea, protecting the coast.
One of the most amazing things we learned about Bovbjerg Cliffs is that they saw three different Ice Ages – Elster, Saale, and Weichsel. If you're into geology, you can see traces of all these glacial periods – clay, till, and meltwater deposits – here (similar to how you can see evidence of the meteorite impact at Stevns Klint). We're not geologists, and while these little details are often hard for us to spot, it was still pretty cool to learn how the glaciers shaped the cliffs.
Just remember, the cliffs have been shaped by hundreds of years of erosion, and getting too close to the edge can be dangerous. As a little (okay, it was actually big) warning from Mother Nature, there was a huge slip right next to the parking lot.
Bovbjerg cliffs had a big landslide some time before we got there.
By the way, the mix of good winds and high cliffs makes Bovbjerg a popular paragliding spot among locals. We didn't see any paragliders, so I checked out some videos later. While it can't compete with what we saw on our Swiss Alps ski trip, I was still surprised by how fun this activity looked, even in a small place like this.
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Walking Along Bovbjerg Strand
The sun was rising behind us on the west coast of Jutland, but since it was mostly cloudy, I only got a few photos of the grassy farmland, a few horses, and the sun poking through the clouds on the horizon. While Lucie was still taking in the coastal views from the top, I was already descending the wooden stairs, hoping to snap some cool shots of squawking gulls, towering cliffs, and lonely anglers.
Besides a couple of local anglers, the beach at Bovbjerg was completely empty in the morning.
Bovbjerg Strand was pretty quiet, except for the gulls making a ruckus and the waves lazily rolling in. It's usually pretty windy here, but not on the day we visited, so everything felt way calmer than we expected. It was actually great because we could just wear shorts and a fleece jacket, even in mid-September.
Some of Jutland's beaches weren't quite what we imagined - the coast is really impacted by North Sea waves, currents, and harsh weather, causing erosion. Because of this, many areas have breakwaters (groynes) to protect the coast. The landscape looks less wild and untamed, but we get why it's needed.
Without coastal protection, erosion could cause the coastline to recede up to 10 meters a year in some spots, which is mind-blowing! A few days later, we visited Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse and saw what happens when there's no coastal protection. It was a clear reminder of the true power of nature.
After a few minutes, Lucie joined me on the beach, and we just wandered around, watched the sea, and soaked in the quiet morning. Those morning beach walks were something we knew we'd miss once we got back home to Czechia.
We could've spent the whole morning here, but we knew there was much more to see and do in Jutland - plus, we had a ferry to catch. So, we climbed back up the stairs, checked out the bunkers, and then hit the road again.
That morning beach walk at Bovbjerg was so calm and relaxing.
Exploring Bovbjerg WW2 Bunker(s)
We saw tons of similar WW2 bunkers all over Jutland – whether it was exploring Romo Island or hiking to Grenen, so finding one at Bovbjerg wasn't surprising. Here, the Germans built in the 1940s a platform for Wurzburg Riese and FuMO 5 Boulogne radars as part of their Atlantic Wall, along with barracks and a 6-man shelter for the personnel.
It didn't take us long to check out all that's left of Bovbjerg's WWII bunkers.
The radars are obviously long gone, and all that's left of the barracks are the foundations. The remaining structures were pretty small, and aside from a small info panel, there wasn't much else to learn. There were some ropes attached to the radar platform that you could climb, but we didn't give it a shot (just like we skipped the rope on the Sorte Naese trail in Thy National Park). Still, it was cool to have this little WW2 site as a bonus for visiting the lighthouse.
This concrete platform once held one of the radars Germans set up at Bovbjerg during WW2.
If you're into huge bunkers and want a more polished tourist experience, Hanstholm Fortress and Tirpitz Museum were definitely our top picks! By the way, one of the radars was named after the city of Wurzburg – a cool detail since we visited it a few months ago on our Bavaria road trip.
Visiting the Bovbjerg Lighthouse
Since it was too early, we didn't get to go in, but if you get there during opening hours, it's a good idea to explore the lighthouse and its museum. You can learn about the history (shipwrecks, this lighthouse, etc.), the geology of the cliffs, and coastal protection. And don't miss climbing the tower for amazing views of Jutland.
Opening Times: Cafe + Lighthouse
Bovbjerg Lighthouse has the same hours as the café. In summer, it's usually open from 11 AM to 5 PM in July and August. But like I mentioned, there's still plenty to see even if you arrive outside of those hours like we did.
Back in the days when shipwrecks were frequent, the Bovbjerg lighthouse was built to guide ships safely.
Tickets
The entry fee to Bovbjerg Lighthouse only costs 25 DKK, which we thought was super reasonable. Just make sure to visit during opening hours to actually get in, unlike us.
Guided Tours
You can join guided tours at Bovbjerg Lighthouse, run by super knowledgeable volunteers, which sounds awesome. But we found the 700-1000 DKK admission a bit pricey (though it might be worth it if you're a lighthouse enthusiast, traveling with a group, or want to support the local community).
When to Visit Bovbjerg
We happened to visit Bovbjerg in September, right between summer and fall, and since we arrived super early, we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
The best time to visit Bovbjerg Lighthouse is during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn (May to September), especially if you're there for the beach, not just the lighthouse. The weather is usually more pleasant, the days are long, and you can enjoy the stunning coastal views, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. Just be prepared for crowds if you come in the summer or on sunny weekends. If you want a quieter experience, the shoulder seasons or winter are great options.
Climbing those wooden (and sandy) stairs from the beach back to the lighthouse was a nice little morning warm-up.
Hotels Near Bovbjerg Lighthouse
There are tons of smaller accommodations scattered around the countryside near Bovbjerg Lighthouse, and if you have a car, you can pick whichever you like. For example, we stayed in Skaerum Molle, a pretty unique spot in the heart of Jutland's countryside, about 30 minutes from the lighthouse. It had a cool vibe with lots of history and character, unlike the big, comfy, but soulless AC Marriott we stayed in later in Copenhagen. But it was a bit further away.
So, if you want to stay close to Bovbjerg without spending a fortune, there's the popular Danhostel Fjaltring just six kilometers away. It's a countryside hostel with basic rooms, a shared kitchen, and all that, but we think it has everything you'll need for the night.
Around 13 kilometers northeast, just outside the small town of Lemvig, you'll find the charming Bed and Breakfast Lemvig. If you haven't experienced a Danish B&B yet, now's the perfect time - this one looks great. And if traditional hotels are more your thing, there's Hotel Lidenlund in Lemvig or Seaside Hotel in Thyboron.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
