© ️ Julian Berndt

Experiences at Fanø 2024

If you visit Fanø, you have many wonderful experiences ahead. You can go to a museum, go out and see the old bunkers and thereby experience the many relics from World War II, go out and see one of Thomas Damsbo's trolls or just go out in Fanø's beautiful landscape and enjoy nature and the almost endless coastline.

Fanø's historic cities

Nordby and Sønderho

Nordby is the first thing you experience on Fanø, as the ferry from Esbjerg sails directly here. In the city you can take a walk down the harbor promenade, experience the fine streets of the city whose houses have not changed much since they were created in the 19th century, go into the city church and much more.

Sønderho is a beautiful little town, and here many of the houses are protected, as you want to maintain the atmosphere the old buildings give to the town. The city exudes relaxation and here you can get down in gear with some beautiful walks in the nature around the city or some good food and drink.

© ️ Gitte Lindeborg

© ️ Fanø Art Museum

For those interested in art

Fanø Art Museum

Here you can experience art from both Danish, German and Swedish artists, and the art is mainly centered around the Wadden Sea island.

The island became hugely popular with artists, probably due to the stunning scenery, and they therefore flocked here. Of course, you had to have a place to exhibit the many works, and this is where Fanø Art Museum was created. The museum is located in the town of Sønderho, so you can slip past the museum while you experience the rest of the city.

Thomas Dambo's troll works

Anchor Dreamcatcher

The artist Thomas Dambo has designed a wealth of fantastic trolls which are located in many different places in the Danish landscape, and Anker Drømmefanger is one of them. The troll will definitely be a hit for both big and small.

© ️ Julian Berndt

© ️ Julian Berndt

History from World War II

Fanø Bunkers

During World War II, many bunkers were built along the Danish west coast, more specifically 300, as it was a good and particularly strategic location for the Germans.

You can experience the remains of the buildings here on the island, which gives an exciting insight into the time back then.

Nature in focus

Safari National Park

You can go on several guided tours on Fanø. There are opportunities for seal safaris, national park safaris, wolf safaris and sea eagle safaris. So if you need to get out into nature and you also want to hear stories about the island, its landscape and wildlife, then one of these guided tours will be just the thing for you.  

© Gitte Lindeborg

© ️ Julian Berndt

A trip out into the open

The Big Five

The Big Five is a fantastic hike and offers beautiful views and scenery all the way. If you follow the route, you will along the way pass The Big Five, which are five dune peaks where you get a view of the landscape on Fanø.

Defense installations from the 2nd World War

Atlantvolden

Fanø was central to the Atlantic Wall during World War II due to its strategic location at the entrance to Esbjerg Harbour. The island was heavily fortified with over 300 bunkers, five large cannon emplacements and many other defense installations.

Although the war ended before these facilities became fully operational, they remain as strong testimony to Fanø's importance in the German occupation and the extensive military activity on the island.

© Wadden Sea National Park

©️ Thomas Kulpe

Traditional mill from 1895

Sønderho Mill

Sønderho Mølle is a historic gallery Dutch mill, built in 1895 and saved from demolition in 1928 by Fonden Gamle Sønderho.

The mill has since been restored and appears today as an impressive example of traditional mill building, with a construction that balances on eight small iron blocks.

The mill is open for visits from Easter to the end of week 42.

A playground for the whole family

The forest playground

The forest playground on Fanø is located in the scenic Fanø Klitplantage between Rindby and Sønderho. Here there are activities for both children and adults, including an obstacle course, sensory area and thematic areas such as Sherwood Forest and Fairy Tale Forest.

The playground also has a picnic area with benches, barbecue and fire pits and a covered barbecue house, perfect for a day in nature. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own food basket and remember to clean up after themselves.

© Fanø Posten

©️ the geranium house

Fun for the whole family

Fanø Bad Minigolf

Fanø Bad Minigolf offers two exciting mini golf courses close to Fanø Bad. Here you can choose between a classic 18-hole course and a 9-hole adventure course.

Both courses are part of Fanø Vesterhavsbad's Golf Club and offer fun and challenge for both children and adults. It is a perfect activity for a relaxed day with family or friends in the scenic surroundings on Fanø.

The country's oldest landmark

Seamark Kåveren

Kåveren, also known as Æ Kåver, is a historic landmark at Sønderho on Fanø, first erected in 1624. In the old days, the 14.5-metre high beacon helped sailing ships safely from the North Sea into the tidal channel Knudedyb.

After being overturned in a storm in 1935, the Kåveren was re-erected in 2011 as a faithful replica of the original mark. The area around Kåveren is protected, and visitors are encouraged to use the marked paths to protect the dunes and the vegetation.

©️ Sven Grove Jørgensen

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