Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost town, on the east coast of the Skagen Odde peninsula at the far north of Jutland. It lies within Frederikshavn Municipality in the Nordjylland region, about 41 kilometres (25 miles) north of Frederikshavn and 108 kilometres (67 miles) north‑east of Aalborg. The Port of Skagen is Denmark’s main fishing port and the town also has a strong tourism industry, attracting about 2 million visitors each year.
Skagen is the place in Denmark where the greatest number of bird species can be seen: 367 out of the country’s 471 recorded species (as of 2017). Throughout the year the area around Skagen, especially Grenen, is visited by hundreds of birdwatchers from all over Denmark, particularly in April–May and early June, and to a lesser extent from August–November. Birdwatchers also come from Sweden, Norway and Germany.
Other popular spots for birdwatching include Ellekrattet, Nordstrand (near Batterivej), Skagen Harbour, Flagbakken to the south‑west of the town, as well as the horse fields and scrub near Fyrvej, Bøjlevejen and Buttervej. Every day, all year round, Skagen Bird Observatory monitors migration at Grenen from the highest sand dune between the car park and Grenen, known as “The World’s End”.
Owing to Skagen’s reputation as an artistic community, the local arts and crafts sector is an important source of income and jobs. Artwork and handicrafts are sold in galleries such as Galerie Skagen on Trondsvej. Sankt Laurentii Vej, one of the main streets away from the harbour area, is known for its glass and pottery shops; in particular, Skagen Glasvaerksted, which produces some of Jutland’s finest glass pieces, and Skagen Potteri. In addition to its arts and crafts shops, the town has a wide range of other retailers, including jewellers, clothes and shoe shops, handbag and souvenir shops, florists and gardening suppliers. There is also a variety of food shops, with butchers, bakers, a cheese shop, fishmongers and several restaurants and cafés. Skagen has a 1,000‑square‑metre (11,000 sq ft) branch of the EuroSpar supermarket, opened in 1998. Skagen Cementstøberi A/S is a local concrete firm that produces concrete, paving stones, tiles, granite and related products.