Hirtshals is a municipality in North Jutland County on the north coast of the island of Vendsyssel-Thy at the top of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark. Located on the North Sea, it is especially known for its fishing and ferry harbours.
It is the home of the North Sea Museum, one of Denmark's largest tourist attractions. The museum has one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The town's 35 meter high lighthouse, Hirtshals fyr is a local landmark. Building was begun June 28, 1860, and it was first lit on January 1, 1863. It is constructed of red brick, and covered with Dutch tile.
Hirtshals is Danish hometown for the Norwegian ferry company, Color Line. Each year thousands of Norwegian and German tourists travel back and forth from Hirtshals to Norwegian cities Oslo, Kristiansand and Larvik. The shops in Hirtshals thrive on the excessive number of Norwegian visitors, who shop regularly in the small town all year long.