Heading to Hou
Photo: Odder Kommune
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.
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.
Hou Coastal Path
Put on your hiking boots and learn about the local history near Hou. The 10 km hiking route begins in the centre of the seaport village of Hou. It follows the coast to the north to Hølken. The route passes through the medieval ruins of Bjørnkær which is one of the best preserved mounds i...
Vandhalla
Vandhalla in Hou is not an ordinary swimming pool. It is Denmark's most accessible swimming center. There is a 25 meter pool with easy access to the water, a circular hot tub, where the depth can be varied to suit the guests and a 90-meter waterslide - the only waterslide in Denmark acces...
What to experience in Hou?
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