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Danish town
Photo: Niels Elgaard Larsen - User: (WT-shared) Elgaard at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Skanderborg is a small town in East Jutland. It has a population of about 25,000 and is a generic, quiet Danish provincial town. With a quiet life of its own, it is strongly linked to the regional capital, Aarhus, which is only a 20 minute commute away. Although not as beautiful or well known as nearby Silkeborg, Skanderborg can make for some picturesque and relaxing days enjoying nature. It makes a great stop on a tour of the Søhøjlandet region, or as a base for a few days.
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Hosting a range of different museums, the website gives a good overview of all the activities. On the main street, in a quaint little house, is the city museum. It gives opportunity to learn about the local history, development of the city, arts and so forth.
In the forest just nearby the youth hostel, some old bunkers are situated. During the German occupation in WWII they served as the Danish head quarters of the Luftwaffe, and later a small detention camp, and is now a delightful little museum, displaying many interesting artifacts and foundings from the war and the local area in particular.
In a very picturesque location outside the city this old abbey, mostly consisting of relics and ruins, now hosts a museum. Makes for a great stop on a bike trip.
Being the old castle, the grounds now hosts only a church and cemetery that is still worth a visit.
The spot of the highest altitude of the country (a mesmerizing 170m!), the lowest-highest spot in Europe.
Especially during winter times handball is a much beloved sport in all of Denmark, and Skanderborg has a men's team playing in the best league. It's quite well supported, and still it's easy and fairly cheap to go watch a game. "Home ground" is at the Morten Børup Skolen.
Starting off by the small pier by the culture house, Dagmar does smaller tours around the lake during summer. With some Danish commentary and opportunity to buy drinks on board. Mostly popular with the pensioners and odd families though.
Just North of the city, in smaller town Stilling, there is a water ski club where you can do try-outs and watch competitions if they are on.
SmukFest
Once a year the town comes to life as it hosts the second largest music festival of Denmark, "Danmarks Smukkeste Festival" or simply "SmukFest". Always taking place the second weekend of August, it hosts around 50,000 guests and a line-up consisting of mostly strong, national names but well-known international acts as well. The festival has 4 full days of music, several camps sites as well as plenty of different activities surrounding the grounds. The atmosphere is light and the festival is well known for its open-minded and positive nature with only very few incidents being reported. A full ticket will set you back 2000 DKK, but there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the shenanigans for free. The town really is different during that week of the year, the presence of the festival being felt all over.
Tapas, soups, sandwich, etc, with a great view over the lake.
Relatively new pub and bar owned and run by the popular local brewery Skanderborg Bryghys (SB). Try a few of their many brews on tap or enjoy a wellmade cocktail or a glass of wine.
If you are interested, the Skanderborg Bryghus brewery itself is also open to visitors on Danmarksvej 17, in the northern part of town.
Local waterhole that everybody knows. In the basement of a significant old, listed building, this place can be pretty dead during weekdays, but still manages to fill up more than it's suitable for during weekends. Sometimes live music or events.
Named after the mascot of the annual music festival of the town, this place hosts gigs of local and national bands in an informal setting.
Danhostel
Green Key certified youth hostel by the lake, rather far from the town and train station.
Camp site south west of town in a wooded area close to the lake.
Hotel of the town, situated by the very end of the main street, in opposite part of town from the train station. Located nicely by the lake and forest. Also has a mid-range restaurant.
A 15 min drive towards Silkeborg, this proves as a nice get-away. Good dining as well.
By bus
Aarhus is reached by line 200. Horsens to the south served by line 107. These lines run frequently.
By car
Skanderborg is located on the E45 Highway.
The town center is small and can easily be navigated on foot or bike.
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Articles and travel topics about Skanderborg and Denmark.
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