Grenaa (or Grenå) is a Danish town and seaport on the east coast of the

Jutland Jutland (; , ''Jyske Halvø'' or ''Cimbriske Halvø''; , ''Kimbrische Halbinsel'' or ''Jütische Halbinsel'') is a peninsula of Northern Europe that forms the continental portion of Denmark and part of northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein). It ...

peninsula. Tourism, education and commerce are important sectors in the economy of Grenaa. It is the only larger town on Djursland. Grenaa is the municipal seat, and the largest town, in

Norddjurs Municipality Norddjurs Municipality () is a municipality (Danish language, Danish, ''Commune (subnational entity), kommune'') in Region Midtjylland in Denmark. It covers an area of 721.2 km² and has a population of 36,658 (1. January 2025). On 1 January ...

, which covers the northern half of Djursland.

History

Grenaa was first mentioned in 1231. It was granted the official Kong-certified status of a

market town A market town is a settlement most common in Europe that obtained by custom or royal charter, in the Middle Ages, a market right, which allowed it to host a regular market; this distinguished it from a village or city. In Britain, small rura ...

in 1445.

Economy

Grenaa has a lingering production industry just as in most of the western world. Development of tourism and educational institutions is sought to play a larger role for Grenaa in the future. The 5 km sandy Grenaa Beach is significant for tourism, with a hinterland of summer cottages, including many rentals. Grenaa is a regional shopping centre for central-eastern Djursland, an about 40 km x 40 km peninsula, protruding into the sea, between Denmark and Sweden at the entrance to the

Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by the countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North European Plain, North and Central European Plain regions. It is the ...

Tourism

With 14.601 (2014) inhabitants Grenaa is also the largest town on the c. 40 km x 40 km peninsula, Djursland, where coastal tourism is important. Djursland has 22 sandy beaches along the three-sided 260 km coastline, with in the order of 7.000 summer-, and out of season-, rentals, primarily close to the coast and beaches. Grenaa Beach can be seen as the best of the beaches on Djursland, as it was elected as the best beach in Denmark in 2006. All coastlines in Denmark are accessible to the public by law, contributing to making the walkable and unspoilt coastlines of Djursland an asset for Grenaa's tourism.

Climate

The climate is coastal temperate, influenced by the

Gulf Stream The Gulf Stream is a warm and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows through the Straits of Florida and up the eastern coastline of the United States, then veers east near 36°N latitude (North Carolin ...

. Westerly and south-westerly winds are common. The yearly precipitation is . The average summer temperature is . The coldest month is January with an average temperature of .

Demographics

The geographical region, Djursland, where Grenaa is situated on the east coast, has an average population density of 42 inhabitants per square km, as compared to 407 for neighboring England and 230 for Germany. This, combined with the long coastlines, means that it seldom gets crowded on the coast and beaches. Something that also applies to the geologically varied often roling-hill country-side and farmland of Djursland, of which a bit more than 10% is forest.

Transport

Grenaa has a commercial seaport that has been expanded in recent years. The town is connected by ferry to

Halmstad Halmstad () is a port, university, industrial and recreational urban areas of Sweden, city at the mouth of the Nissan (river), Nissan river, in the provinces of Sweden, province of Halland on the Sweden, Swedish west coast. Halmstad is the seat ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...

and the Danish island of Anholt. The town is also connected by railway to Denmark's second largest city,

Aarhus Aarhus (, , ; officially spelled Århus from 1948 until 1 January 2011) is the second-largest city in Denmark and the seat of Aarhus municipality, Aarhus Municipality. It is located on the eastern shore of Jutland in the Kattegat sea and app ...

, 60 km to the south-east, and is served by Grenaa railway station, terminus of the Aarhus-Grenaa railway line. The station offers direct

local train Regional rail is a public rail transport service that operates between towns and cities. These trains operate with more stops than inter-city rail, and unlike commuter rail, operate beyond the limits of urban areas, connecting smaller cities a ...

services to

and

Odder Odder is a town in Jutland, Denmark. The town is the seat of Odder municipality, and is the biggest town in the municipality. It is located 20 km south of Aarhus and 16 km south-east of Skanderborg. Odder is part of Business Region Aar ...

as part of the Aarhus Light Rail system. The southern part of the town is also served by the railway halt Hessel. The nearest airport with scheduled national and

international flight An international flight is a form of commercial flight within civil aviation where the Takeoff, departure and the arrival take place in different Country, countries. Regular international passenger air service began in August 1919 with a flight ...

s is Aarhus Airport which lies 20 km to the south-west from Grenaa.

Points of interest

* Grenaa Beach – 5 km of sandy beach starting at Grenaa Marina. Nominated as one of 2 best Danish beaches in 2006 * Walks and hiking – North and south along the coastline from Grenaa, and along the other varied and accessible 260 km coastline of Djursland * Fishing and diving – from Grenaa Beach and east and south of Grenaa along the 50 km east coast of Djursland * Cliffs of Sangstrup and Karlby – Fossil rich coastal lime cliffs 8 km north of Grenaa * Kattegatcentret – Aquarium by the Sea in Grenaa with large sharks and a focus on Nordic salt water fish. 250 species of marine creatures from around the world, including seals. * Grenaa Marina – marine environment with cafes, etc. * Djurslands Museum & Danish Fisheries Museum in Grenaa * Baunhøj Mill, View overlooking Grenaa and countryside * Mushroom picking in the forests and non-farmed areas of Djursland from August, through autumn until first frost. Such as in, Plantagen, a wood starting at the southern end of Grenaa * Dansk Motor- og Maskinsamling / The Machine Collection with the largest collection of historical stationary engines in Northern Europe going back to 1860. Restored and functioning. 2 km from Grenaa * Sea trout and other fresh water fishing in Gren å, running through Grenaa, and in the adjoining, Sound of Kolind, canal system * Salt water fishing from the coasts north and south of Grenaa. Such as for sea trout, mackerel place and garfish * Randers Regnskov – Zoo – Rain forest zoo by the river, Gudenaa, in transparent domes representing different continents. 60 km from Grenaa *

– Denmark's second largest town, with several international attractions, such as, The Old Town, Den gamle By, 60 km from Grenaa * Fjord og Kystcentret – visiting centre related to Randers Fjord in

Voer The Voer (Dutch, ; ) is a small river in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a right-bank tributary to the river Meuse. It has three (creek-) tributaries of its own: the ''Veurs'', the ''Noor (Meuse), Noor'' and the ''Beek''. The source of the Voer ...

45 km from Grenaa – focus on activities with regards to fish, fishing and shore biology, exhibits, boat rentals, and guided tours. Mini car ferry across Randers Fjord * Herring fishing at Voer in Randers Fjord – seasonal – 45 km from Grenaa *

Kalø Castle Kalø Castle () is a ruined castle located in eastern Jutland, in Denmark, 20 km from the city of Aarhus within Mols Bjerge National Park. History The castle was constructed in 1313 by the Danish king Eric VI of Denmark, Erik Menved (Erik ...

– ruined castle on a peninsula with bights, inlets on southern Djursland 35 km from Grenaa * Mols Bjerge National Park – Hilly ice age like steppe landscape – walks, sightseeing drives, and horseback riding, on southern Djursland 30 km south of Grenaa * Djurslands medieval country churches. Thorsager church is the only

round church A round church is a church with a completely circular plan, thus a rotunda in architectural terms. There are many Nordic round churches in Sweden and Denmark (notably the island of Bornholm); round churches were popular in Scandinavia in the ...

in Jutland. Udby church by Randers Fjord is a picturesque navigation mark for incoming ships *Kalø Vintage Car Rally (Tirsdagstræf) – Popular gatherings for motor enthusiasts, every Tuesday afternoon and evening except in winter, close to Kalø Castle Ruin on southern Djursland, 32 km from Grenaa * Djurs Sommerland – Amusement park. The largest attraction on Djursland with regards to number of visitors. 22 km from Grenaa *The Agricultural Museum, Landbrugsmuseet, Farmlife through the times. Extensive historical vegetable gardens and fruit orchards at Gl. Estrup Castle, by the town, Auning, 35 km from Grenaa *The Manor Museum, Herregårdsmuseet, at Gl. Estrup Castle, by the town, Auning, 35 km from Grenaa * Katholm Castle, 6 km south of Grenaa * Rosenholm Castle – by Hornslet, plus other castles and manor houses on Djursland * Golf – Lübker Golf Resort by Nimtofte, also other golfing and golf-resorts such as by Grenaa-, Ebeltoft and Uggelbølle * Munkholm Zoo – Zoo for families with small children. Including friendly animals, and no long walks. 14 km from Grenaa * Ree Safari Park – Zoo – In hills including savanna-like landscapes. Also large animals. 22 km from Grenaa * Skandinavisk Dyrepark – Zoo – Park with extensive Nordic wildlife including brown- and polar bears. 22 km from Grenaa * Glasmuseet, Ebeltoft. Modern international glass art and craftsmanship. Also local glass-craft workshops in the Ebeltoft-area. 31 km from Grenaa * , Ebeltoft – One of the world's largest wooden warships, restoration for 15 million euros completed in 1998. 31 km from Grenaa File:Grenå å igennem Grenå.jpg, The river Gren Å runs through Grenaa File:Grenå Strand vinter 1.jpg, Winter kite-surfing at Grenaa Beach

Notable people

* Hans Broge (1822–1908) a Danish merchant and politician * Frits Hartvigson (1841–1919) a Danish pianist and teacher, spent many years in England * Christian Zacho (1843–1913) a Danish landscape painter of Danish beech woods * Ludvig Kabell (1853 in Vejlby – 1902) a Danish landscape painter * Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel (1854–1931) emigrated to Texas c.1880, an author on the laws of Texas and a bookseller * Julie Laurberg (1856–1925) an early Danish photographer, also active in women's rights * Peder Mørk Mønsted (1859 in Balle Mølle – 1941) a Danish realist painter of landscapes * Achton Friis (1871 in Trustrup – 1939) a Danish illustrator, painter, writer and explorer *

August Krogh Schack August Steenberg Krogh (15 November 1874 – 13 September 1949) was a Danish professor at the department of zoophysiology at the University of Copenhagen from 1916 to 1945. He contributed a number of fundamental discoveries within seve ...

(1874–1949) a Danish professor at the dept. of

animal physiology Physiology (; ) is the science, scientific study of function (biology), functions and mechanism (biology), mechanisms in a life, living system. As a branches of science, subdiscipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ syst ...

at the

University of Copenhagen The University of Copenhagen (, KU) is a public university, public research university in Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the second-oldest university in Scandinavia, after Uppsala University. ...

; awarded the

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine () is awarded yearly by the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute for outstanding discoveries in physiology or medicine. The Nobel Prize is not a single prize, but five separate prizes that, acco ...

in 1920 * Olivia Holm-Møller (1875 in Homå – 1970) a Danish sculptor and painter of richly coloured, almost abstract paintings * Gerda Wegener (1886 in Hammelev – 1940) a Danish illustrator and painter of

Art Nouveau Art Nouveau ( ; ; ), Jugendstil and Sezessionstil in German, is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and ...

and later

Art Deco Art Deco, short for the French (), is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design that first Art Deco in Paris, appeared in Paris in the 1910s just before World War I and flourished in the United States and Europe during the 1920 ...

images of fashionable women * Søren Krarup (born 1937) a Danish pastor, writer, politician, member of the

Folketing The Folketing ( , ), also known as the Parliament of Denmark or the Danish Parliament in English, is the unicameral national legislature (parliament) of the Kingdom of Denmark — Denmark proper together with the Faroe Islands and Greenland. E ...

2001–11 * Rebekka Mathew (born 1986) former child star, half of the Faroese pop duo Creamy IMDb Database
retrieved 25 April 2020 * Hans Ørberg (1920 in Store Andst – 2010) a Danish

linguist Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The areas of linguistic analysis are syntax (rules governing the structure of sentences), semantics (meaning), Morphology (linguistics), morphology (structure of words), phonetics (speech sounds ...

and a teacher in Grenaa Gymnasium (1963–1988), the author of , a widely used method for learning

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

through the natural method

Sport

* Peter Koefoed (1902 – 1983 in Grenaa) a Danish field hockey player, competed in the

1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the IX Olympiad (), was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated from 28 July to 12 August 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The city of Amsterdam had previously bid for ...

* Caspar Schrøder (1905 in Auning – 1989) a Danish fencer, competed at the

1936 Summer Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XI Olympiad () and officially branded as Berlin 1936, were an international multi-sport event held from 1 to 16 August 1936 in Berlin, then capital of Nazi Germany. Berlin won the bid to ...

* Hans-Henrik Ørsted (born 1954) a Danish former professional track cyclist, team bronze medallist at the

1980 Summer Olympics The 1980 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad () and officially branded as Moscow 1980 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 19 July to 3 August 1980 in Moscow, Soviet Union, in present-day Russ ...

* Steffen Rasmussen (born 1982 in Stenvad) a football goalkeeper with 404 caps with AGF Aarhus

Localities

* Djursland * Mols * Mols Bjerge National Park * Ebeltoft *

Glatved Beach Glatved Beach is a coastline 10 km south of the town Grenaa in Denmark. The 5 km long beach is part of a stony coastline with fairly deep water close to the shore, spanning the 50 km long eastern shore of the peninsula, Djursland, a ...

* Danish steam frigate Jylland * Katholm Castle *

* Grenaa Beach * Bønnerup Strand * Cliffs of Sangstrup * Lake Stubbe