Skagen (pronounced "skay-gen" in Danish) is the northernmost town in Denmark, located on the east coast of the Skagen Odde peninsula in the far north of Jutland. It's part of the Frederikshavn Municipality in Nordjylland, 25 miles north of Frederikshavn and 67 miles northeast of Aalborg. The Port of Skagen is Denmark's primary fishing port and also boasts a thriving tourism industry, drawing 2 million visitors each year.
Skagen is the best place in Denmark for birdwatching, with a total of 367 out of the country's 471 bird species found here (as of 2017).
Birdwatchers from all over Denmark, as well as from Sweden, Norway, and Germany, visit the area around Skagen, especially Grenen, throughout the year. The peak times for birdwatching are in April-May and early June, with a smaller influx in August-November. Popular birdwatching spots include Ellekrattet, Nordstrand (near Batterivej), Skagen Harbour, and Flagbakken southwest of the town, as well as the horse fields and brushwood near Fyrvej, Bøjlevejen, and Buttervej.
The Skagen Bird Observatory monitors bird migration on Grenen every day of the year from the highest sand dune, known as "The World's End," located between the parking lot and Grenen.
Skagen is also known for its artistic community, which contributes significantly to the local economy and job market. Art and crafts are sold in galleries like the Galerie Skagen on Trondsvej. Sankt Laurentii Vej, a main street away from the harbor area, is famous for its glass and pottery shops, including Skagen Glasvaerksted, known for some of Jutland's finest glass pieces, and Skagen Potteri. The town also has a variety of other shops, including those selling jewelry, clothing, shoes, handbags, souvenirs, flowers, and gardening equipment. Food stores include butchers, bakers, a cheese shop, fishmongers, and numerous restaurants and cafes. Skagen has a 11,000 square foot branch of the EuroSpar supermarket, which opened in 1998. Skagen Cementstøberi A/S is a local cement company that produces concrete, paving stones, tiles, granite, and other items.