Heading to Hou
The town is known for its ferry connection to Tunø and Samsø, but Hou is much more than a port. It also has eateries and experiences as well as a beautiful white sandy beach not far from there.
The ferries first
All year round, a steady stream of people catch one of the daily ferry departures to the islands of Samsø or Tunø. And many do so without getting to know the cosy atmosphere that literally waits just around the harbour pier at the marina and the old fishing village.
Can I buy a ticket to the Tunø ferry on site?
Yes, but we recommend that you book in advance to make sure there is room.
A paradise for sailors
Behind the old historic shipbuilding yard lies the cosy marina which offers the perfect setting for yachtsmen with all the facilities one could desire. The marina is for everyone. It is nice to walk along the quay and soak up the maritime atmosphere. There is a café and an ice-cream parlour right on the water’s edge for those with a sweet tooth and, on the other side of the road, you can let yourself be tempted by delicious delicacies and cuts of meat at the butcher’s Hou Mesterslagter or find exactly what you need in the local co-op, Dagli'Brugsen Hou.
Did you know that every year in July, the port of Hou is the setting of Hou Port Festival with music, partying, sports, entertainment and the popular Hou Drop where brave participants throw themselves into the port in creative, homemade vessels?
8 km of hiker-friendly sandy beaches
On the other side of the ferry port is Hou Beach, a high-quality Blue Flag beach. From here, the beach continues uninterrupted for 8 km to the north. If you are ready for a solid hike, we recommend walking from Hou to Saksild on the beach where you will get good views of Denmark's most beautiful, sandy beaches - for example, Hølken, Dyngby and Rude. On the journey you will pass several Blue Flag beaches.
Accommodation at the beach
Denmark’s most friendly beach for the disabled
The Coastal Path runs along Hou Beach. This is a wheelchair-accessible path with sea views to Hølken Strand and to the port of Hou through trails in town.
Along the way, you will pass one of Hou’s major attractions, Vandhalla, a large swimming pool with a 90-meter long slide. The water park is Denmark's most friendly for the disabled with special tools and Denmark’s only fully accessible water slide. A bathing jetty with a lift and stairs that provide you with horizontal access to the water to help you bathe in the sea.
Questions and answers on Hou
Can I go to Hou by public transport?
Yes, you can. Regional bus No 103 connects Aarhus to Hou via Odder and stops at the ferry port. At less busy times, you can catch the Flexbus (In danish)from Odder to Hou. See the timetables on the Midttrafik (in danish) website.
Do you spell Hou with a ‘v’ or a ‘u’?
For many years, the name was officially spelled ‘Hov’. However, institutions and residents have preferred the spelling with ‘u’.
In 2019, the residents voted on whether to change the spelling of the name and an absolute majority voted for a change.
Therefore, ‘Hou’ is now the official way to spell the name of the town.
What to experience in Hou?
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