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All About Grenaa

The eastern coast of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula has a 44×35 km landmass stretching out into the Kattegat Sea towards Sweden. Grenaa is a small harbor town that finds itself on the north-east part of this region, otherwise known as the Djursland peninsula. Taking a ferry to Grenaa is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare companies and book ferry tickets.

An attractive coastal resort, Grenaa, and its surroundings become the center of tourist activity in the summers. Among Djursland’s 100 beaches are 15 with a Blue Flag accreditation. However, Grenaa’s rustic allure is such that people rush to the beach, even though summertime temperatures stay below 20°C (68°F). Promising relaxed vacations, Grenaa oozes the kind of authenticity that is often lacking in some of the more famous holiday spots around the globe.
 

Routes and Ferries to Grenaa

It takes a bit of planning to reach Grenaa. That’s why it still is a great holiday destination in Denmark only a few know about. Those eager to explore the unknown can take a train or flight to Aarhus from various Danish and European cities. Followed by a bus, taxi, or tram to Grenaa.

The city does see a surge of Swedish tourists in the summer who sail across the Kattegat from Halmstad. A popular route, make it a point to book your trip via Ferryscanner in advance. Remember that last-minute ferry tickets to Grenaa are hard to get. Stena Line has 14 sailings a week, wherein the boats take four and a half hours to sail one-way. Ferry tickets to Grenaa for Halmstad start from €15 for an adult traveling without a car.

 

Port of Grenaa

Grenaa Port is one of the biggest in Denmark and primarily caters to commercial boats. Over the years, management has taken thoughtful steps to transform the harbor into a ‘green’ port, focused on being more environmentally friendly. Starting with the Anholt offshore wind farm, they hope to use electric container lifts in the future.

The ferry terminal at Grenaa Port is basic, having bare minimum facilities. You will find toilets and bus services for transfers to the city center. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Grenaa.
 

Best Beaches

The 260 km coastline of the Djursland peninsula is dotted with excellent beaches. Drive along the shore, and you’ll find everything from secluded pastoral strips to city beaches that see sunbathers in the thousands during summers.

Grenaa Sydstrand

Situated just south of the harbor, Grenaa Sydstrand is where the city’s 7km sandy coastline begins. The beach here has activities and water sports for kids and adults. This part of the shore has many summer vacation houses for rent that remain in high demand during the warm months.

Grenaa Beach

Grenaa’s main beach is also ranked as the second-best beach in Denmark. Further south of Grenaa Sydstrand, past Polder Rev, the beach maintains its natural charm even though there are all possible amenities just over the bordering sand dunes. The beach was awarded Blue Flag recognition in 2020. It has ramps making it disability-friendly, with ample parking, cafes, toilets, and changing rooms. The water is calm and ankle-high for quite a distance. Moreover, a small section in the corner is reserved for nudists.

Gjerrild Nordstrand

All the way up on the northern tip of the Djursland peninsula is Gjerrild Nordstrand. A soft sandy beach with a camping site, it is a great spot to bring the children. The region was once known for producing gravel. However, it now sees people searching for amber that washes up on the beach. There are changing rooms and toilets for convenience, and the drive from Grenaa to Gjerrild takes only 20 minutes.

Glatved Beach

A 5km pebble beach, 20 minutes south of Grenaa, Glatved is primarily a fishing and diving spot. The water here gets deep reasonably quickly and is ripe with various fish such as cod and trout. Definitely not one to bring children to, you can still sunbathe on the rocks or stop for a while and search for interesting creatures that live under the pebbles.

Bønnerup Strand

Fit for the whole family, the shallow waters, wide sandy coast, and nearby camping possibilities make Bønnerup a favorite haunt frequented by local beachgoers. This fishing village isn’t without other allures. A small marina has leisure boats arriving throughout the day, while the fish market is where you can mingle with the residents and pick up the day’s catch. For children, there are activities on the promenade, a playground, and ice-cream and pizza stalls aplenty.
 

Places To Visit

A port city with a welcoming nature, Grenaa is the perfect base from which you can discover the many secrets of the Djursland peninsula and its coastal towns.

Grenaa

A beautiful city, Grenaa isn’t too boastful about its many amusements. When staying here, you can explore several hiking trails around town, go mushroom picking in the forest, or visit museums such as Museum Østjylland, housed in a bright yellow colored merchant’s house. Kids will love a visit to Kattegatcentret, an aquarium where you can dive with sharks and learn about fascinating marine animals. If high-octane thrills is what you’re after, Djurs Sommerland is a theme park with over 60 rides, situated 20 minutes from Grenaa.

Anholt

It takes 3 hours by ferry from Grenaa to reach Anholt, an island surrounded by the Kattegat Sea. Therefore, plan for a weakened getaway to this tranquil sanctuary far away from the rest of the world. Having only 150 residents, Anholt has an area of 22 square kilometers in which you’ll find Denmark’s best beaches, picturesque walking trails, and a slightly arid section known as Ørkenen, the desert. A protected area, home to seals, and an idyllic location to rejuvenate, Anholt is Denmark’s quintessential offbeat travel destination.

Aarhus

Denmark’s second-largest city is brimming with activities that the entire family can enjoy. It takes one hour to reach Aarhus from Grenaa, so leave early to pack in as much as you can during the day. In Aarhus, start with a visit to Den Gamle By, a remarkable old town open-air museum, followed by an invigorating walk in the Botanical Garden. Lunch has to be at Aarhus Street Food, a market where 30 stalls serve comfort food from across the globe. After a spot of shopping in the Latin Quarter or the High Street, take a refreshing plunge in the Harbour Baths. Before leaving, make one final stopover to take Instagram-worthy photos of the iconic Iceberg apartment complex.

Ebeltoft

Denmark is world-famous for its contemporary design ethos, but to step back in time and learn more about its traditional past, drive 35 minutes to Ebeltoft. The town gets its vintage charm from cobblestone streets and well-maintained timber houses. It’s also a popular seasonal destination among Danes from around the country, who own or rent holiday homes in this region. A must-see attraction in Ebeltoft is Fregatten Jylland, a restored 1860 wooden warship that is now a museum offering fun activities for children.

Randers

If wanting to take a break from exploring the Danish coastline, drive one-hour inland to the city of Randers. This one-time industrial town is somewhat quieter than Aarhus but has a strong sporty presence with local football and rugby teams playing on a national level. During your day trip, visit Randers Regnskov, an indoor rainforest with animals from across Asia, Africa, and South America. Kids will especially love the night zoo experience at this one-of-a-kind excursion. Besides visiting the Danish Design Museum and Randers Kunstmuseum, keep an eye open for 15th-century wooden houses around the town. And don’t leave without having an Elvis inspired meal at Memphis Mansion.
 

Transportation Around Grenaa

Traversing around Grenaa is uncomplicated, partly because it is small, and also there are limited options to choose from. The local bus service runs between the three main points of interest: the beach, the harbor, and the center. Taxis are available readily. However, it is better to book your cab in advance to avoid delays.

To make the most of your vacation, plan to take day trips from Grenaa around the Djursland coast. Tourists from Sweden, coming via ferry, usually bring their cars for this purpose. For international travelers, renting a car is simple since Avis, Hertz, and Sixt have agencies in the city.
 

Contact
Port Authority of Grenaa: +4587587600
Police of Grenaa: +4587311448
Grenaa Health Center: +4570113131
Taxi Service: +4520204660
Tourist Office of Grenaa: +4587581200

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