Visit Syddanmark, the scenic southern region of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula. Here, vibrant towns and easy-going villages sit amid a landscape of fjords, lakes and meadows. It was the home of Denmark’s most famous writer, shelters medieval history and is blessed with fascinating wildlife. Syddanmark incorporates the region north of the German border and the islands of the South Funen Archipelago.
Set between the mainland and Funen island, Lillebælt Nature Park beckons with outdoor adventures at beaches and coastal towns. Join canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and whale-watching tours in Middelfart. Walk medieval ramparts in Fredericia and find child-friendly fun at Madsby Play Park. In Kolding, the Trapholt Museum boasts a wealth of Danish art and Kolding Miniby is a miniature Denmark.
LEGO enthusiasts and families visit Billund to see giant models and ride rollercoasters at LEGOLAND Park. Travel to the North Sea city of Esbjerg, where the 30-feet (9-meter) tall Man Meets the Seasculpture faces the ocean. This is a gateway for the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO-protected coastal area teeming with seals and migratory birds. Visit Fanø island for oysters and Romø for the country’s widest sand beach.
Back on the mainland you can relive Viking traditions at Ribe Viking Center. On Jutland’s southeastern tip, Sønderborg is home to the 12th-century Sonderborg Castle and historic Dybbøl Mølle windmill. Rent a bike or car to explore the picturesque island of Als. Among its attractions are the Rococo-style Augustenborg Palace and beaches of the Kegnæs peninsula.
Don’t miss the unhurried ambiance, half-timbered villages and rolling countryside of Funen. Odense’s H.C. Andersen House recreates the childhood of the renowned author at his birth home. Explore the battlements and gardens of 16th-century Egeskov Castle and hike trails in the valleys of Svanninge Bakker. Cruise between South Funen Archipelago islands such as Aerø, Avernakø and Bjørnø.
Reach Syddanmark by flying to Billund Airport and then travel around using public transportation and pedal power. Many towns are also accessible by direct train links from Aarhus and Copenhagen.
