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Go fossil hunting in Denmark
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Fossils can be found throughout the year all around Denmark, and they are free of charge in nature. You are most likely to find sea urchins and their spines as well as belemnite fossils, i.e. part of the octopus' shell by the beach, and fossilized shark teeth, mussels, corals and crab shells and fish when you use a hammer and chisel.
 Go for a stroll along the beach and look for fossils and pretty stones with fossils inside; it is exciting no matter whether you are on your own or with the family. Or you can go fossil hunting e.g. in gravel or clay pits, limestone or chalk quarries and the large, well-known Danish fossil spots such as Møns Cliff and Stevns Cliff on Zealand, and the small island of Fur in the Limfjord Lake. Less known, but not less exciting, is the fossil route of Jutland which passes through Jutland's beautiful ice age landscape. You can inquire at the local tourist offices whether there are any good fossil spots near the place where you are holidaying.
In 2007, the brand new GeoCenter Møns Klint opened. Here, you can get an insight into life in the Cretaceous Sea, wander through the glaciers of the Ice Age, and join tours with the nature guides. You can also learn more about the specimens you have found in the area and on the Cliff. Faxe Limestone Quarry in the south eastern part of Zealand offers individual or guided fossil hunting. Here, the past literally reaches out of the 63 million year old sea bed.
When you want to dig into the deep layers or see the inside of chalk or limestone rock, you must bring along a hammer and chisel, and preferably also some goggles for protection. Moreover, it is a good idea to wear a pair of thick-soled shoes.
Yes, most of the time you are allowed to do so, however, if you are lucky enough to find an unusual specimen, you should contact a geological centre or museum. You might have found a fossil which falls under the category of danekræ under Danish law, i.e. you are obliged to hand over the find to a museum in Denmark - obviously against a reward. If you want to know more about this, click on www.nathimus.ku.dk/geomus.
Geological Museum in Copenhagen is the national museum for Danish geology. In addition, there are many geological museums around the country focusing on the local area. Contact the tourist offices to find out where you can study and learn more about fossils in your holiday area. View a list of geological museums in Denmark
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