I loved visiting South Jutland in Denmark with my Dad. It is a great region to explore if you are after beaches, like the Wadden Sea region or want to visit beautiful old Ribe and towns like Kolding and Esbjerg.
What To Do in South Jutland Denmark?
Visit Ribe - This oldest medieval town of Denmark with its crooked cobbled stone streets and timber-framed houses is the reason to go to Southern Jutland. Meander the streets of old town and pay a visit to one of the main attractions; the Ribe Domkirke, Ribe VikingeCenter or Ribe Kunstmuseum.
Where to sleep in Ribe?
Lustrup Farmhouse Marked - A farmhouse with authentic charm, hygge and great comfort. Cozy apartments with a fantastic location near Ribe and the Wadden Sea.
Hotel Den Gamble Arrest By Skovmose - Den Gamle Arrest is a former prison. A first class experience, in combination with the Restaurant Kolvig by Skovmose.
Hotel Dagmar - Another boutique stay at Hotel and Restaurant Dagmar. Beautiful Rooms and suites with a view to Ribe Cathedral.
Hotel Vadehav - Enjoy your stay at Hotel Wadden Sea with beautiful hotel rooms with stunning views over the old part of Ribe town and Ribe Cathedral.
The best shops in Ribe?
If you are not so much a Viking Fan, Ribe is also a lovely place for shopping.
Find your way to Appel Living for beautiful home decor good. The best Scandinavian design products handpicked for you. The shop Garnlusen is your one stop shop for yarn, ceramic and wooden products that are great for (self) gifting. The Habengood Vintage Shop and Maude Retro & Vintage are your go to for retro, vintage and second-hand shopping. At the Artizan shop you'll find a broad variety of crafts like pottery, jewelry, sculptures, knitwear and knit kits amongst other. Hornvarefabrikken is a shop producing arts and crafts made out of horn.
Where to eat in Ribe?
Ribe also has some lovely places for food. First of all, try Quedens Gaard (very populair). This bright, coloured and fun place is great for breakfast, brunch or lunch. You might pick up some lovely gifts too.
After your shopping spree you can also sit back, relax at Terpager & Co Wine and Coffee Bar. A cozy place for food, coffee, wine or anything in between. Check-out their instagram feed. Looks amazing he? Fancy something vegetarian, vegan or glutenfree? Find your way to Café Kaerlig
We enjoyed our lunch at the Weis Stue, one of Denmark's oldest inns. This ancient wooden beamed house dates back to 1600. We went for traditional smørrebrød (Danish open sandwiches) and local beer. Fancy staying for the night in Ribe? Weis Stue also has charming rooms to stay.
Restaurant Saelhunden is an amazing quality seafood restaurant by the riverfront. Look at that mouthwatering menu. The same goes for Restaurant Kolvig by Skovmose, also located near the waterfront, and Restaurant Dagmar located inside the hotel Dagmar. Both restaurants also offer a stay for the night with beautiful rooms.
What is there to do in the Wadden Sea National Park?
Tractor-bus rides to Mandø Island, Oyster Safaries, bird-watching and seal spotting. Beautiful hikes, exhibitions at Vadehavscentret (a Unesco World Heritage) and experiencing Sort Sol (Black Sun). The Marsk Tower offers a spectacular view over the Wadden Sea National Park. This beautiful nature reserve on the West Coast of Denmark has a lot to offer.
There are 3 Wadden Sea Islands to visit: Fanø, Rømø and Mandø.
Things To Do on the Island Mandø, South Jutland
Hop on the Mandø tractor to visit the island of Mandø where you should go to Mandopigen Cafe - a stylistylish café in a former barn, which has preserved the wall's raw structures and exposed ceiling beams. Great for a cuppa and cake or delicious lunch. And the perfect start or finish after your Oyster- or Seal safaries tours. A great place to stay is Bed and Breakfast Mandø.
Things To Do on the Island Rømø, South Jutland
The island of Rømø is the largest Danish Wadden Sea island with the towns Lakolk en Havneby. It does get busy with tourist so make sure you are a little prepared for that. The Commander and the Whale route – a Panorama cycle route of 31km where you’ll cycle past beautiful Commander Farms, one of which is now a museum of the whalers of Rømø, where you can get up close to the huge skeleton of a sperm whale. You can rent a bike at Rømø Cykler in Havneby. Cycling not your thing? Maybe you are more up for the hop on hop off Rømø tractor? But what we all love is a big ice cream at Café Du Frax or feast on fish and chips at Otto & Ani's Fisk cafetaria.The highlight of the island is Café & Antik Butik Hattesgaard and really worth a detour. Housed in a white thatched farmhouse you’ll find a picture perfect antique and homeware store with the cutest café and outside terrace for coffee and cake. I repeat – worth a detour! A great place to stay is Poppelgaarden Rømø.
What are great hikes and trails Wadden Sea National Park?
Vadehavet - Vesterbjerge | 4.5km | Head out on this 4.5-km loop trail near Vester Vedsted, Region of Southern Denmark. Easy loop.
Vadehavscentret - Vadehavet | 6.3 km | Discover this 6.3-km loop trail near Ribe, Region of Southern Denmark. Starting point is the VadehavsCentret. Easy loop.
Gränstien Loop Vester Vedsted | 10.6 km | Head out on this 10.6-km loop trail near Vester Vedsted, Region of Southern Denmark. You can start your walk from the Vadehavscentret. Moderate Loop.
Visit Møgeltonder, South Jutland
This small cozy town with the beautiful main street Slotsgaden is a little gem. On this street you can find antique shop Butik Slotsgaden and Mormors Lille Cafe, also known as Grandma's little cafe and very cute and adorable.
The main to highlights of this little village are The Møgeltonder Kirke with its beautiful frescoes and Schackenborg Slot, a royal castle, onces home to the youngest son of Queen Margrethe. The perfect first stop when visiting Denmark.
Ready to explore Central Jutland