Jutland
5
Day Itinerary •
Denmark
Five days in Jutland takes you through the Danish mainland, the most varied and underrated part of Denmark. From the vibrant city of Aarhus with its extraordinary ARoS art museum through the remarkable Jutland Lake District and the extraordinary Legoland at Billund to the fine medieval city of Ribe and the remarkable tidal landscapes of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. This route covers the complete Jutland experience. Aarhus and its extraordinary Den Gamle By open-air museum, the remarkable Silkeborg Lake District and the Gudena river, the extraordinary Lego brick birthplace at Billund, the remarkable ancient city of Vejle, Denmark's oldest city of Ribe and the extraordinary Wadden Sea tidal flats of the southern Jutland coast.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly Aarhus (AAR) or Billund (BLL)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Jutland
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,000 to 1,800 DKK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
AARHUS
MORNING
AROS AARHUS ART MUSEUM
ARoS is the finest art museum in Jutland and one of the most extraordinary in Scandinavia. The remarkable Your Rainbow Panorama by Olafur Eliasson on the roof, a 150-metre circular walkway of coloured glass giving a remarkable 360-degree view of Aarhus through every colour of the spectrum, is the finest art installation in Denmark. The extraordinary permanent collection and the remarkable temporary exhibitions are outstanding. Entry approx 160 DKK. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
DEN GAMLE BY OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
Den Gamle By, the finest open-air urban history museum in Scandinavia, recreates three different periods of Danish urban life: the remarkable 1864 merchant town, the extraordinary 1927 neighbourhood and the remarkable 1974 modernist suburb. The 75 historic buildings from across Denmark were dismantled and rebuilt on this site. The extraordinary atmosphere of walking through living Danish history is unlike anything else in Jutland. Entry approx 160 DKK. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
AARHUS LATIN QUARTER AND HARBOUR
The Aarhus Latin Quarter, the extraordinary medieval street network of coloured half-timbered houses, independent shops and remarkable cafes around the cathedral, is the finest historic neighbourhood in Jutland. The extraordinary Aarhus Cathedral, the longest church in Denmark at 93 metres, is outstanding. The remarkable Aarhus harbour transformation, with its extraordinary Dokk1 library and the outstanding Iceberg apartment building, is the finest contemporary architecture in Denmark. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Moesgaard Museum south of Aarhus, housed in a remarkable grass-roofed building designed to disappear into the hillside, has the most extraordinary collection of prehistoric and Viking artefacts in Jutland including the remarkable Grauballe Man. Entry approx 180 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lagkagehuset bakery, Aarhus The finest Danish pastries in the city. Extraordinary cardamom buns. | Lunch: Aarhus Street Food market The finest street food market in Jutland. Outstanding variety. | Dinner: Domestic, Aarhus The finest restaurant in Aarhus. Outstanding Nordic cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 2
SILKEBORG LAKE DISTRICT
MORNING
SILKEBORG LAKE DISTRICT AND THE GUDENA RIVER
The Silkeborg Lake District is the finest inland landscape in Denmark, its extraordinary network of lakes and the remarkable Gudena river, the longest in Denmark at 158km, cutting through the extraordinary beech and oak forests of central Jutland. Hiring a canoe from Silkeborg and paddling downstream through the remarkable river landscape is the finest activity in the lake district. The extraordinary peace of the river, the remarkable kingfishers and otters make it outstanding. Canoe hire approx 400 DKK. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
HIMMELBJERGET, THE SKY MOUNTAIN
Himmelbjerget, meaning Sky Mountain, is the second-highest point in Denmark at 147 metres and the most remarkable viewpoint in Jutland. The extraordinary panorama over the Jutland lakes, the remarkable heathland and the outstanding surrounding forest from the summit tower is the finest inland view in Denmark. The remarkable steamboat from Silkeborg to Himmelbjerget, operating since 1861, is the finest way to arrive. Summit free. Drive: 30 min boat
AFTERNOON
SILKEBORG MUSEUM AND TOWN
The Silkeborg Museum has the most extraordinary Iron Age collection in the Jutland lake district, its remarkable display of the Tollund Man, the finest preserved Iron Age body in the world with his extraordinary face visible in remarkable detail, being one of the most moving exhibits in Denmark. The remarkable medieval town of Silkeborg with its extraordinary Papirfabrikken arts centre is outstanding. Entry museum approx 100 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jutland ridge road, the ancient track running along the spine of Jutland from Viborg to Padborg, is the oldest road in Denmark and follows the same path as Bronze Age travellers. The remarkable heathland scenery from this ancient route is outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Silkeborg hotel or cafe Early start for the canoe or steamboat. | Lunch: Riverbank picnic or Himmelbjerget cafe Simple lunch on the extraordinary lake landscape. | Dinner: Skovpavillonen, Silkeborg The finest restaurant in the lake district. Outstanding local produce.
DAY 3
LEGOLAND, JELLING AND VEJLE
MORNING
LEGOLAND BILLUND
Legoland Billund, opened in 1968 on the site of the original Lego factory, is the most extraordinary theme park in Scandinavia. The remarkable Miniland with its extraordinary scale models of world landmarks built from 20 million Lego bricks, the outstanding rides and the remarkable Lego House experience make it the finest family attraction in Denmark. The extraordinary history of how a Danish carpenter's business became the world's most famous toy company is remarkable. Entry approx 400 DKK. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
JELLING VIKING MONUMENTS
The Jelling UNESCO World Heritage Site, the birth certificate of Denmark, contains the most extraordinary collection of Viking Age royal monuments in the world. The remarkable rune stones of King Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth, the extraordinary burial mounds, the largest in Denmark, and the remarkable Jelling Church with its original Viking Age frescoes are all outstanding. The Kongernes Jelling visitor centre is excellent. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
VEJLE FJORD AND VEJLE TOWN
Vejle sits at the head of the most extraordinary fjord in Jutland, its remarkable combination of the fjord, the surrounding beech forests and the fine historic town centre making it the most dramatically sited city in southern Jutland. The extraordinary Vejle windmill on the hillside above the town and the remarkable collection of smoked Vejle sausages, the finest in Denmark, are both outstanding. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jelling rune stone of Harald Bluetooth, who united Denmark and made it Christian in the 10th century, is the most important single object in Danish history. The stone's inscription is the birth certificate of the Kingdom of Denmark. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Silkeborg hotel Good breakfast before the Legoland drive. | Lunch: Legoland restaurant or packed lunch Simple lunch inside Legoland or picnic at Jelling. | Dinner: Vejle restaurant Excellent Jutland dinner in the most dramatically sited city in the south.
DAY 4
RIBE, DENMARK'S OLDEST CITY
MORNING
RIBE, DENMARK'S OLDEST CITY
Ribe, founded around 700 AD, is the oldest city in Denmark and the most remarkably preserved medieval town in Scandinavia. The extraordinary Ribe Cathedral, begun in 1150, towers over a town of remarkable half-timbered houses that has barely changed in centuries. The remarkable night watchman tour each evening, the extraordinary Viking Museum with its remarkable excavated Viking Age harbour, and the outstanding white storks nesting on chimneys each summer are all remarkable. Entry cathedral free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE RIBE VIKING CENTRE
The Ribe Viking Centre outside the town recreates the extraordinary Viking Age market town in living detail, with remarkable craft demonstrations, the outstanding Viking ships and the fine costumed guides showing how Ribe functioned as one of the most important trading cities in northern Europe in the 9th century. The centre is on the site of the actual Viking Age Ribe. Entry approx 175 DKK. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
RIBE EVENING AND NIGHT WATCHMAN WALK
The Ribe night watchman tour, taking place every evening in summer at 8pm, is the most extraordinary local tradition in Denmark. The remarkable night watchman in full 18th-century costume leads visitors through the extraordinary medieval streets, ringing his bell and singing traditional watchman songs. The extraordinary atmosphere of the oldest city in Denmark at dusk is outstanding. The remarkable storks nesting on chimneys in spring and summer are extraordinary. Tour free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ribe marsh landscape south of the city, the largest area of salt marsh in Denmark, is one of the finest birdwatching sites in Jutland with remarkable flocks of migrating waders in autumn and the outstanding starling murmurations in spring. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ribe hotel Good breakfast in the most atmospheric city in Jutland. | Lunch: Svinget, Ribe Outstanding smørrebrød and Danish classics in the medieval town. | Dinner: Restaurant Backhaus, Ribe The finest dinner in Denmark's oldest city. Local Jutland produce.
DAY 5
WADDEN SEA AND WEST COAST
MORNING
WADDEN SEA UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
The Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching from Denmark to Germany and the Netherlands, is the most extraordinary tidal landscape in Europe. The remarkable mudflat walking tours at low tide from Romo or Mandoe islands give the most extraordinary experience of this unique ecosystem. Walking across the seabed to an island through the tidal channels, the remarkable birdlife and the outstanding sense of the vast tidal landscape are unforgettable. Guide approx 200 DKK. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
FANOE ISLAND AND THE WEST COAST BEACH
Fanoe, accessible by a 12-minute ferry from Esbjerg, is the finest island on the Jutland west coast, its extraordinary broad sandy beach stretching for kilometres and the remarkable traditional village of Sonderho with its thatched fishermen's cottages being the finest preserved fishing village in Denmark. The extraordinary Fanoe beach is one of the longest in Denmark. Ferry approx 80 DKK return. Drive: 30 min drive + ferry
AFTERNOON
BLAAVAND LIGHTHOUSE AND DUNES
The Blaavand lighthouse on the westernmost point of Denmark's mainland coast stands in an extraordinary dune landscape with the North Sea stretching to the horizon. The remarkable walk from the lighthouse south along the coast passes through the most extraordinary dune system in Denmark. The Tirpitz Museum nearby, embedded in the sand below the remarkable German World War II bunker, is one of the finest museum buildings in Denmark. Entry Tirpitz approx 160 DKK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tirpitz Museum at Blaavand, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and embedded in the sand around a German WWII bunker, is one of the finest museum buildings in Denmark. The remarkable amber, smuggling and coastal defence exhibitions are outstanding. Entry approx 160 DKK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ribe hotel Final Jutland breakfast before the Wadden Sea drive west. | Lunch: Sonderho, Fanoe Traditional Danish lunch in the finest thatched fishing village in Denmark. | Dinner: Esbjerg or return Final Jutland evening. Fresh North Sea fish on the harbour.
Where To Stay
Aarhus, Nights 1 to 2 Denmark's second city. Good value vs Copenhagen. Approx 700 to 1,400 DKK. Silkeborg or Ribe, Nights 3 to 5 Lake district or oldest Danish city. Approx 700 to 1,200 DKK. Legoland note Stay in Billund for Legoland or drive from Silkeborg in 45 minutes.
Top Tips
1. Aarhus is significantly cheaper than Copenhagen and has an extraordinary food and culture scene.
2. Book Legoland tickets online in advance. Summer queues without pre-booking are very long.
3. The Silkeborg canoe route on the Gudena is the finest day out in the Jutland lake district.
4. Ribe is the oldest city in Denmark. Walk the night watchman tour every evening in summer.
5. The Wadden Sea at low tide stretches for kilometres. Always go with a guide for the mudflat walks.
6. Den Gamle By in Aarhus is the finest open-air museum in Denmark. Allow a full half day.
Total Budget
1,400 to 2,600 DKK/day