Overlooking the Kattegat Strait, Sæby is a historic town and seaport on the east coast of Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula. It centres around an atmospheric Old Town and a lively harbour that features a sculpture celebrating Henrik Ibsen’s “Lady from the Sea”, which the playwright penned after a stay here in 1887.
Things to do in Sæby
Stroll through the streets of Sæby to admire its historic buildings, including its whitewashed Gothic church that’s beautifully decorated with frescoes. Dominating the pier at the entrance to Sæby's harbour is a six-metre-high statue titled the “Fruen fra Havet”, which was created by the Norwegian-born artist Marit Benthe Norheim.
You can take a step back in time at the Kystmuseet Sæby, which occupies a beautifully-preserved half-timbered farmhouse dating from the 17th century. Learn about the establishment of a Carmelite convent in Sæby during the Middle Ages and how the Sæby Stream helped local businesses and workshops to flourish. There’s also an exhibit about the discovery of a natural spring, which saw tourists flock to Sæby in the late 19th century.
Also worth visiting is the Sæbygård Manor Museum, an atmospheric residence from 1576 that houses a decorative art and portrait collection spanning 300 years. Surrounded by a moat, it shares its garden and parklands with the Sæby Golfklub, which features an 18-hole course, a 6-hole pay-and-play course and practice facilities that include a driving range and putting green.
Getting around Sæby
Sæby is a 15-minute drive from Frederikshavn and around 40 minutes from Aalborg Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect Sæby with destinations across Jutland and the town itself. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of accessing the surrounding attractions.