Anna Ancher: Painting Light offers an encounter with an artist deeply attuned to her surroundings. Through scenes of everyday life, Ancher captures the subtle presence of light, how it enters a room, touches a surface, and quietly transforms the familiar.
For Ancher, that light was found in Skagen, a small coastal town at the very tip of Denmark. Once home to a remarkable community of artists, Skagen remains a place where art and nature sit side by side, shaped by wide skies, shifting sands and a distinctive northern clarity. It’s an ideal destination for a short, culturally rich escape, particularly for those inspired by Ancher’s world.
Day 1: Discover Anna Ancher’s World
Morning - Anchers Hus
Begin where Ancher lived. Anchers Hus, the former home and studio Anna Ancher shared with her husband, the painter Michael Ancher. Preserved much as it was during their lifetime, the house offers an intimate glimpse into Ancher’s daily surroundings. Explore its modest rooms, carefully chosen colours, and the light-filled spaces where she quietly reshaped modern painting. Personal belongings and unfinished works make this a very human encounter with the artist behind the canvas.
Lunch - Brøndums Hotel
A short walk away is Brøndums Hotel where Ancher grew up and which was once the social heart of the Skagen artists’ colony. Today, its restaurant still retains a warm, unpretentious charm.
Order local fish or classic Danish smørrebrød and imagine the conversations that once unfolded here between painters, poets and thinkers.
Afternoon - Skagens Museum
Continue to Skagens Museum, home to an outstanding collection by Anna Ancher, Michael Ancher, P.S. Krøyer and their contemporaries. The galleries trace how this close-knit group transformed Nordic art, capturing everyday life, community and landscape with striking honesty.
Evening - The Buried Church
As the day softens, take a gentle walk to Den Tilsandede Kirke (the Buried Church). All that remains visible is its tower, emerging from the dunes, a dramatic reminder of nature’s power.
Golden hour here is particularly evocative so bring a camera, sketchbook, or simply pause and look.
Dinner - Pakhuset or Restaurant Håkon
End the day by the harbour with dinner at Pakhuset or Restaurant Håkon, both known for seafood and seasonal Nordic dishes. A glass of chilled white wine or a traditional snaps makes a fitting toast to your first evening in Skagen!
Day 2: Where nature meets culture
Morning - Grenen where two seas meet
Start early with a visit to Grenen, Denmark’s northernmost point, where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea visibly collide.
Whether you walk or take the Sandormen tractor-bus, it’s a bracing, elemental experience ideal for photography, reflection, or simply experiencing the place that shaped generations of artists.
Late morning - Skagen’s coastal museum
For a deeper sense of place, visit Skagen Kystmuseum, which explores the town’s maritime history, rescue services and seafaring traditions.
Less crowded than other sites, it offers a thoughtful perspective on daily life along this dramatic coastline.
Lunch - Ruths Hotel
Head to nearby Gammel Skagen (Old Skagen) for lunch at Ruths Hotel, an elegant seaside retreat with a relaxed bistro.
Afternoon - Artists’ homes and contemporary voices
Choose between Drachmann’s House, the preserved home of poet and artist Holger Drachmann, or a visit to a contemporary space such as Galleri Molevit, showcasing Danish artists working today. Follow this with coffee and cake at a local favourite like Krages Bageri.
Evening - Dunes, sunset and sound
If you still have the energy, climb the shifting sands of Råbjerg Mile for sweeping views across sky and sea. In summer months, check local listings for live music or outdoor events, before winding down with a quiet drink near the marina as the light finally fades.
Plan your cultural escape
Where to stay
Stay in this historic, characterful and central hotel where Anna Ancher grew up.
Treat yourself to a luxurious seaside retreat and enjoy its wonderful restaurant.
Stay central in this stylish boutique hotel close to the museums.
Skagen may be small, but it offers you a packed weekend of art, culture and nature. If Anna Ancher’s paintings have stayed with you after your visit to Dulwich, Skagen offers the chance to experience the landscape and atmosphere that shaped her vision.
Follow in the footsteps of the Skagen painters, with your own brush, lens, notebook, or sense of wonder.
Start planning with Enjoy Nordjylland.
