FLUGT – Refugee Museum of Denmark

About the museum

After the end of World War II, around 250,000 German civilian refugees came to Denmark. In the Aal Plantage near Oksbøl, the country's largest refugee camp was established in 1945; at times around 35,000 people lived there, more than in most Danish towns. The camp had its own schools, self-government, and a theater with a cinema, and existed until 1949. The camp's dead lie in the refugee cemetery next to today's museum.

Over about 15 years, the Vardemuseerne collected memories and objects of German refugees. This led to FLUGT – Refugee Museum of Denmark, for which the architecture firm BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group joined the two surviving wings of the former camp hospital with a curved new building made of Corten steel. The exhibitions were designed by the Dutch firm Tinker Imagineers. In June 2022, Queen Margrethe II inaugurated the museum, and a few days later it opened to the public.

The museum spans from the German refugees of 1945 to people who more recently came to Denmark from Hungary, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Syria, or Ukraine. Instead of text panels, an audio guide with the voices of actors leads through the rooms. A trail with listening stations follows the surviving camp roads through the plantation; since June 2026, a reconstructed refugee barrack also shows everyday life in the camp.

Highlights

• Architecture by BIG: historic camp hospital with a curved Corten steel new building
• Personal stories of flight from 1945 to today, told by audio guide instead of text panels
• Reconstructed refugee barrack on camp life (since 2026)
• Approximately 4 km listening walk along the paths of the former camp
• Refugee cemetery with 1,796 graves directly next to the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Flygtninge til alle tider – Life stories of refugees from Germany, Hungary, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine – from flight to a new start in Denmark, told with sound, film, installations, and objects.
• Flygtningelejr Oksbøl – History of Denmark's largest refugee camp 1945–1949 with objects, memories, and film footage in the rebuilt camp theater.
• Livet i barakken – Reconstructed refugee barrack with rebuilt living quarters and an exhibition on the German refugees in Denmark.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Vardemuseerne

Director

Claus Kjeld Jensen

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought on site at the ticket desk; the audio guide is included in admission. Free admission with ICOM and ODM card. Schools and educational institutions have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

From parking lot P1 with accessible parking spaces, a paved path leads to the entrance; accessible restrooms by the café and cloakroom. Wheelchairs and walkers welcome. In the conference room, an induction loop can be switched on. Those who prefer reading to listening can request texts at the ticket desk. The approximately 4 km outdoor trail over forest paths is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 8+

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The exhibition "Flygtninge til alle tider" contains powerful images; the museum recommends it for children aged 8 and up accompanied by their parents. The exhibition on the Oksbøl camp and the listening walk are suitable for all ages. Strollers may be brought in, and changing facilities are accessible to mothers and fathers. Free admission under 18.

Getting there & parking

Behind the museum is a large dog forest; leashes are required in the plantation.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

FLUGT Café with dishes from different food cultures and regional ingredients, organic drinks, coffee, and ice cream; terrace with a view of the plantation. Museum shop with design and books, accessible without a ticket. Free lockable lockers with a self-chosen code. Dogs (except assistance dogs) must stay outside; shaded dog kennels with water are available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 140 guests.

Conference rooms for meetings, seminars, conferences, and evening events with 5–140 participants; packages including museum visit, equipment, and catering.

Plan your visit