How to Visit Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse
Rubjerg Knude was definitely our favorite lighthouse in Denmark.
Rubjerg Knude was the most unique lighthouse we visited while exploring Denmark's Jutland. Here's what you need to know before heading there.
By the time we made it to Rubjerg Knude, we'd seen quite a few of Denmark's lighthouses. Our road trip around Jutland let us visit some awesome 'fyrs' (that's Danish for lighthouse) scattered along the coast, like Bovbjerg and Lodbjerg. Each one was incredible in its own way, but there was one we were super excited to see up close.
We're talking about Rubjerg Knude, one of Denmark's most remarkable lighthouses - and a place that always would remind us how powerful nature is (and always will be). So, what's so special about this particular lighthouse, and why do we think it's a must-visit in Northern Denmark? Let's find out!
Not only is Rubjerg Knude packed with cool history, but it's also free to visit!
The History of Rubjerg Knude
Every lighthouse has its own story, but we think Rubjerg Knude has got to be the most fascinating of them all. Like other lighthouses, it was built to guide ships safely along the coast, with construction beginning in 1899 and finishing up in 1900. What really sets it apart is its unique location on Lonstrup Klint (a cliff) – an area where the coastline is always changing thanks to shifting sands and erosion.
This lighthouse was in operation until 1968 - then it was turned into a museum and coffee shop. They had to close in 2002, though, because the sea was getting too close. A few other buildings were nearby but had to be removed, too.
In this area, the cliff erodes an absurd 1-2 meters every year! They predicted the whole lighthouse would tumble into the sea by 2023. So, the local municipality and Danish government came up with an ambitious plan – they decided to move the lighthouse about 70 meters inland!
We visited Rubjerg Knude after it had been moved 70 meters inland.
The relocation started in 2019. They inserted huge steel beams under the lighthouse, lifted it, and put it on specially built rails and rollers. Rubjerg Knude then slowly moved around 70 meters inland, where it was safely lowered and fixed onto its new foundation. We checked out some videos on BBC and local news – and it was absolutely mind-blowing!
By the way, the lighthouse should be safe for another 40 years (until around 2060). So, if you ever get a chance to visit Jutland, make sure to check out Rubjerg Knude – it's definitely worth the trip!
Parking at Rubjerg Knude
We planned to catch the sunset at Rubjerg Knude, so we rolled into the parking lot about half an hour before 7 PM (the sunset was at 7:40 PM). This gave us plenty of time to walk there and explore the area. The oval-shaped lot was free, and there weren't too many cars since it was the end of the weekend. There were a few toilets, some picnic tables, and a closed kiosk (it was Sunday evening, so no surprise there).
Walking the Rubjerg Knude Trail
After grabbing a quick bite, we set off on the Rubjerg Knude trail, which is around 1.5 kilometers long. The trail starts right at the parking lot, and since it's the only one, you can't get lost. Just follow your nose (and the crowds if it’s a busy day). The gravel pathway, with its gentle incline, was in perfect condition and totally dry after several sunny days. We passed a few people heading back to the parking lot, but the evening was pretty quiet otherwise.
The trail to Rubjerg Knude was flat, easy, and got sandy toward the end.
Since this was our final stop, we were glad to stretch our legs before the last drive. The whole walk was very easy, suitable for most ages and abilities - it only took us about 15 minutes to reach the lighthouse. The trail became sandy with a short climb as we got nearer the lighthouse. We explored the area around the white building for a few minutes before going inside.
Rubjerg Knude's Opening Times and Tickets
It was a nice surprise to find that Rubjerg Knude was open to the public and free to enter. In our experience, this is pretty rare for Danish lighthouses (they usually have an admission fee and close earlier). For instance, a few days ago, we went to Lyngvig Lighthouse, and it was already closed (and required tickets when open).
Views from Rubjerg Knude
Climbing around 100 steps to reach the viewing platform of a 23-meter-tall lighthouse took us only a few moments. The lighthouse looks a bit rundown both inside and out, but the metal staircase seemed pretty sturdy. The reward for reaching the top was the incredible coastal views of the North Sea, Skagerrak, and the entire North Jutlandic Island.
The views of Skagerrak from the top of Rubjerg Knude were incredible.
Seeing the sea, eroding cliffs, and massive amounts of sand around us made the whole place feel almost otherworldly. From the top, we got a 360-degree view, and the flat mainland behind us looked pretty plain by comparison. It was windier up there, but the warmth made it bearable (in winter, we'd probably feel it more).
At the top, everything looked so peaceful and serene - even the Skagerrak was almost flat. What a deceiving scene. The hardest part to comprehend is how different the landscape was when the lighthouse was built in the 20th century. Nearly two meters of sand cliffs are eroded every year – it's mindblowing. By the 1960s, the dunes grew so large that the lighthouse wasn't visible from the sea anymore, losing its main purpose. The shifting sands are truly something else.
The Lonstrup cliffs are always shifting and moving, but from the top of the lighthouse, they looked completely still.
Anyway, the scenery at Rubjerg Knude is pretty special, but it's not the only spot in Denmark known for coastal erosion and dramatic changes. There's also Stevns Cliffs, where part of the old Hojerup church collapsed due to erosion, and the stunning Mons Klint, with its limestone and chalk cliffs famous for massive landslides.
After returning, we decided to wander around the sand dunes some more. Remember that besides the lighthouse and sand dunes (or unless you're here for bird watching), there's not a whole lot to see and do at Rubjerg Knude. There weren't many people, and though walking in the loose sand was trickier, it was way more fun. Don't forget, there aren't any barriers near the cliff edge like at the Cliffs of Moher, so make sure to keep a safe distance.
With the epic scenery of Lonstrup cliffs, it really feels like you're standing on the edge of the world.
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Extra Tip: Walk to the nearby Marup Church
Had we had more time, we'd probably have walked to Marup Church (Marup Kirke), around three kilometers north - it shares a story similar to Rubjerg Knude's. The Romanesque church sat on the edge of the Lonstrup Cliffs for centuries but faced the same problem – the North Sea eroding the cliffs. Unlike the lighthouse, the church wasn't lucky and had to be removed in 2008. Only parts of the former graveyard remain today, but it's only a matter of time before they go too.
From the lighthouse, we could see Lonstrup, a little coastal village three kilometers north.
Besides the few remaining gravestones, you'll find a big anchor from the British frigate HMS Crescent, which sank off the coast here in 1808, sadly taking over 200 sailors' lives. There's a walking trail connecting both places, so you could start in Lonstrup (the trailhead is at the southwest corner of the village).
If you're disappointed about not seeing a church here, check out the nearby sand-covered church on Skagen Odde, the UNESCO-listed Roskilde Cathedral, or the aforementioned Hojerup Church, which is still facing an uncertain fate.
What to Wear for Rubjerg Knude
You don't need much for Rubjerg Knude – just dress for the weather and be ready for some sand in your shoes. There's a ton of it here. Once we got back to the parking lot, we had to dump a lot of sand out of our shoes. This happened a lot in Jutland, whether we were at Romo Island, Thy National Park, or here, but walking on sand dunes (not a solid beach) made it the worst here.
Walking on the dunes was super fun, but we got sand literally everywhere.
We had our trail runners (hard-shell shoes, no mesh) because we planned to do several beach hikes in Denmark besides Rubjerg Knude, but they didn't really work here. The sand was so loose that it still got into our shoes around the ankles. Also, a windbreaker could be useful since it gets quite windy along the coast.
Watching Sunset at Rubjerg Knude
We planned to watch the sunset at Rubjerg Knude, but we kind of overlooked that the forecasted cloudy and rainy weather might arrive earlier. It was still a warm and pleasant evening, but the clouds coming in from the sea blocked the horizon, so there wasn't much of a sunset after all.
Clouds or not, being at Rubjerg Knude for sunset was still a fantastic experience.
The sky stayed pretty colorless, keeping its navy shade for most of the evening. We didn't mind the dark clouds moving in, but we did get a bit nervous about the next day since we planned to visit Skagen and hike to Grenen. From our experience, beach walks in rainy weather are no fun.
On the other hand, there's something different about the air when the weather's about to change that's hard to put into words. Experiencing this on the coast always feels more intense - I guess it's the anticipation.
Where to Stay Near Rubjerg Knude
Since it was getting dark, we drove to Skagen (around an hour away) for the final leg of our journey. We had booked a lovely boutique Hotel Strandly Skagen with parking, a cozy room, and a yummy buffet breakfast. Staying in Skagen is perfect for anyone heading north to explore Skagen Odde the following day.
Obviously, there are loads of accommodations much closer to Rubjerg Knude. The coast is dotted with apartments, family homes, and B&Bs. Nearby Lonstrup (just 7 minutes away) has places like Hotel Kirkedal B&B and Lonstrup Egelunds Motel. Then there's Hjorring, about 20 minutes from Rubjerg Knude, the largest town in Vendsyssel, where you can find popular spots like Hjorring Kro and Hotel Phonix Hjørring.
How Much Time to Spend at Rubjerg Knude
It took us around 30 minutes to reach Rubjerg Knude and come back, plus at least another 30-45 minutes to climb the lighthouse and walk around the dunes. So, yeah, an hour is definitely plenty for Rubjerg Knude.
You could totally take it slower than we did and stay as long as you want (if there had been a proper sunset, we would've hung around longer). Also, keep in mind you can start your walk to Rubjerg Knude from either Lonstrup or Norre Lyngby, which will add at least another hour or two to your trip.
It's wild how Rubjerg Plantage contrasts with the sand dunes at Rubjerg Knude.
When to Visit Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse
Rubjerg Knude is open year-round, so you don't need to change your Denmark itinerary just to visit. Plus, you can see the lighthouse from outside any time of the year since the area is always open to the public.
We visited Rubjerg Knude on a September evening, and it was super quiet, with hardly any tourists around. The lighthouse is a popular spot, so you can bet there will be loads of people during peak summer (July and August) and probably on weekends, but that's true for most coastal areas in Jutland.
We visited Rubjerg Knude once the peak season ended, and there were hardly any tourists around.
Getting to Rubjerg Knude
Rubjerg Knude is located in the northwest part of Jutland and is easy to reach by car (the parking lot is about 1.5 kilometers from the lighthouse) - see rental car prices in Denmark here. It's about an hour’s drive from Aalborg, two hours from Aarhus, and four hours from Odense.
There's also bus 80 that leaves from Hjorring and drops you off in nearby Lonstrup (get off the bus at Lonstrup Kirke). You can hike to the lighthouse from there, passing Marup Church and following the cliffs. Just keep in mind it's a 3.5-kilometer trek one way.
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.
