Hirtshals (Hjorring, Denmark)

Hirtshals is North Sea (Baltic) seaport (cargo and ferry port) and town on Denmark's North Jutlandic Island (Vendsyssel-Thy, Nordjylland region) with population around 6,000. The seaport is also on the Skagerrak Strait that connects North Sea and Baltic Sea (via the Kattegat sea area). Hirtshals is one of Denmark's principal / largest ferry ports, as well as an important fishing port.

The seaport's harbour is artificial (constructed between 1919-1931) and in 1966 was expanded. In 1925 was opened Hirtshalsbanen (Hirtshals railway line) that links directly the seaport (via Hjorring) with the country's rail network.

Town's economy is heavily based on commercial fishing and tourism (including home rentals during summer). International tourists arrive mainly via cruiseferries from Norway. Norwegians also do shopping excursions to Hirtshals year-round. FJORD LINE offers direct crossings between Norway and Denmark. The routes Hirtshals-Stavanger-Bergen and Hirtshals-Langesund are operated year-round, while route Kristiansand-Hirtshals is summer-only. Another Norwegian passenger shipping company - COLOR LINE - offers fast-ferry services linking Hirtshals with Kristiansand and Larvik.

FJORD LINE's schedule includes:

• 7 weekly crossings Hirtshals-Bergen (travel time 16,5 hours)
• 7 weekly crossings Hirtshals-Stavanger (10,5 hours)
• 7 weekly crossings Hirtshals-Langesund (4,5 hours)
• 3 daily crossings Hirtshals-Kristiansand (2 hours 15 min)

COLOR LINE's schedule includes:

• 2 daily crossings Hirtshals-Kristiansand (3 hours 15 min)
• 2 daily crossings Hirtshals-Larvik (3 hours 45 min)