[1][2] On the site there is also an automated weather station, restaurant, and, since May 15, 2005, a Museum of International Lighthouse History.

[3][4] Until the end of the 18th century, only three lighthouses in Skagen, Anholt, and Kullen guided the shipping route through the Kattegat.

Two towers were proposed instead of one so that sailors could differentiate them from the lighthouse in Kullen, and a royal resolution on December 10, 1770, ordered their construction on the Nakkehoved cliffs.

They were originally 9 and 7.5 meters tall and lit by coal fires in iron baskets at the top of each tower.

[6] The original lighthouses were located roughly 2 kilometers west of the town of Gilleleje at the coordinates: The two towers were initially only operational from April 1 to August 31, 1772, and were shut down due to tax disputes.

Shortly thereafter, on March 26, 1801, a vital message was sent, which read:[9] En engelsk flåde ligger en halv mil i nordøst til øst fra Nakkehoved, i alt 52 skibe An English fleet is located a half a mile northeast to east of Nakkehoved, 52 ships in all The message was sent via Kronborg to Copenhagen, and alerted the capital of the impending attack by admiral Nelson's fleet.