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This colossal spiral-staircase watchtower has epic views over the North Sea

The imposing viewing platform allows visitors to gaze out over Denmark’s Wadden Sea National Park

Sophie Dickinson
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Sophie Dickinson
Freelance contributor
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Fans of moody Scandi noir, rejoice: a spiralling double-helix watchtower has been unveiled in a particularly desolate-looking Danish conservation area. It’s the perfect setting for gazing out over the North Sea and contemplating the nature of man (or just taking some impressive holiday pics). 

The Marsk Watchtower was designed by architecture firm BIG and looms over the Wadden Sea National Park. The 25-metre-tall double helix is right next to the Marsk Camp restaurant, meaning you can grab snacks before climbing the 146 steps to the top.

BIG’s spiral watchtower
Photograph: BIG / Rasmus Hjortshoj

The journey down is a slightly shorter 131 steps, and there’s also a lift that runs through the core. The designers say the structure – made of hardy Corten steel – is intended to reflect the natural environment. ‘It is both a sculpture and an observation tower and designed in such a way that there is only one way up and another way down,’ a BIG spokesperson says.

If epic architecture and bracing views over northern Europe are your thing, you may also like to know that the national park also has a vast campsite for motorhomes, a playground and a mini golf course. Oh, and an ice-cream vendor – in case things weren’t chilly enough. Winner.

Tickets cost 90DKK (around £10) and must be booked in advance. Find out more here

More cool stuff in Denmark:

Copenhagen is getting a network of incredible floating parks

A Hans Christian Andersen-inspired fairytale museum has just opened in Odense

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