Historie

The beginnings of tourism in Hvide Sande started in the 1950s — with memories of war, German words in the kitchen, and friendships across borders.

In postwar Europe, travel activity slowly picked up. Borders reopened, and as the wounds of war healed, German tourists began heading for the North Sea — to places known from the war years or to new experiences in the wild, open landscape.

From Fishing Village to Holiday Destination

Hvide Sande was then a young town, grown up around the sluice and fishing. Here, the first German tourists in the 1950s found something special: the sea, the wind, the dunes — and above all, the hospitality that would become the town’s hallmark for many years.

The first local residents began renting out rooms in their private homes. Not as a big tourist concept — but as a practical solution and a welcome income. Some rented out just a single room. Others went further: they emptied the whole house for holiday guests and moved themselves into the living room, basement, or garage. It was common to share both kitchen and toilet with the tourists, and many homes set up extra facilities in the basement for this purpose.

Zimmer / Rooms – a Sign, an Invitation

Driving through town, you could see hand-painted signs along the roads with the text “Zimmer / Rooms” — a discreet but clear invitation to passing tourists. The season usually started at the end of June and lasted until August. It became a routine for many families — the house was emptied, the guests moved in, and everyday life was turned upside down.

Friendships, Sweets, and Language

For many local children, it was a highlight when the German holiday children returned year after year. Close friendships developed — and a little extra excitement when sweets from Germany were shared. Some children played together all summer, and several local children actually spoke German before starting school. A German-Danish dictionary was a standard item in homes that hosted guests.

The price for a night was modest: about 5 kroner in the 1960s and around 20 kroner in the mid-1970s. But the value was much greater — both economically and personally.

The Foundation for Future Tourism

It wasn’t organized holiday centers or hotels that started tourism in Hvide Sande. It was ordinary families who, with openness and ingenuity, laid the foundation for what is now an important part of the town’s economy and identity.

Hvide Sande now welcomes thousands of tourists every year — but the story of the town’s first holiday guests and the locals who welcomed them is still an important part of the town’s soul.