Løkken Strand

Once a remote fishing village, Løkken Strand (Løkken beach) is now a popular tourist destination, with 16 km (10 m) of white sand and some of the cleanest water in Denmark. The good economic fortunes of this town are due to its broad sandy beach and flat hinterland, which made it an ideal place for trade. 

The town dates back to 1678, with fishermen establishing a coastline shipping trade with Norway by 1719. Though the location was remote, many travelers and tradespeople made their way from the south via the beach, turning inland at Løkken before reaching the cliff at Rubjerg Knude. At the time, families in the area earned their living selling beer and trading goods.

During the late 1880s, Løkken became a well known fishing town. As the ship trade decreased, coastal fishing increased significantly, so much that in just five years, the town was the third largest fishing ground along the west coast. 

During WWII, Løkken was developed as a German support post consisting of infantry positions and a coastal battery. Several batteries were constructed and are still there today. They are occasionally used as beach shelters.

The first seaside hotels began opening in 1895, and the town soon became known as a seaside resort with visitors arriving to bathe and swim along the coast. Over the decades, tourism grew, becoming the biggest industry in the town by the 1960s. Though only ~1600 inhabitants reside in the town year round, many thousands of visitors make their way through the area annually.