South Jutland

South Jutland is the southern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. It is known as Sønderjylland in Danish (or rather Synnejylland in local dialect), and forms a large part of the administrative Region of Southern Denmark that also includes Funen.

Cities

Esbjerg is the biggest city in South Denmark, and an important port town for all of Denmark.

In the South Jutland region described in this article, Esbjerg and Kolding are the only real cities; all other settlements have less than 30.000 residents.

• 1 Esbjerg - The city sprung up around the big harbour constructed here in 1868, after Denmark lost a lot of land, including the big harbour in Altona (now Hamburg), in the 1864 war with Germany. Considering South Jutland's other towns and long history, Esbjerg is regarded as a newcomer and modern city in the region. Esbjerg is an important commercial port for all of Denmark, the city counting 71.500 residents as of 2024. Off-shore industry, transport, energy, and commercial fishing forms the backbone of the city, but there are cultural attractions here as well to experience.

• 2 Kolding - Historic, yet modern, city with a charming urban core and good shopping opportunities. Kolding is commonly associated with what is known as Trekantsområdet along with Vejle and Fredericia, both in the East Jutland area of central Jutland.

Towns

• 3 Sønderborg - Sønderborg is the cultural capital of South Jutland and the Borderland region. At just a little more than 28.000 citizens, it is half the size of Kolding, yet its historic importance and cultural assets are impressive. Built around the namesake Royal fortress since the 1100s, Sønderborg offers many culture and history sites of interest, and the surrounding countryside is very beautiful.
• 4 Haderslev - Education and administrative center in a productive agricultural region. The town originated as a trading post on the Baltic Sea in the 1100s and has been a significant administration center since the 1200s when the Haderslev cathedral was built.
• 5 Åbenrå

Smaller towns

Important and interesting small towns, with less than 10.000 inhabitants, includes:

• 6 Vejen - Rural railway town in the South Jutland interior. Situated right on the ancient Ox Road (Hærvejen), formerly used for herding cattle and soldiers to Germany, Vejen has always been an important transport junction for the region.
• 7 Ribe - Small beautiful old town with cobblestone streets and old houses galore. Despite its relatively small size with about 8.300 residents, Ribe is home to a large medieval cathedral and is perhaps the oldest known town in Denmark, founded in the 700s AD in the Viking Age.
• 8 Tønder - Another picturesque town of old preserved houses and cobblestone streets. At about 7.500 residents, Tønder is a small town, but has plenty to offer visitors.
• 9 Christiansfeld - Beautiful village with a unique architectural appearance, founded and built in the 1700s by a Moravian Church order.
• 10 Højer - Although a tiny town at only a little more than 1000 residents, Højer is famous for its local handicrafts. Beautiful old thatched roof houses.

Other destinations

• 1 Wadden Sea National Park — the largest of Denmark's national parks covers the Danish part of the Wadden Sea from Ho Bugt to the German border, and includes the islands of Fanø, Mandø and Rømø, Skallingen, the Varde Å valley, and many marshlands
  • 2 Fanø. The main attraction here is the white sand beach, which is also a popular playground for different types of sports, such as kite flying, surfing and buggies.  
  • 3 Rømø. It has spectacular nature: the heather, the enormous beaches, the Wadden Sea.  

Mandø bus

• 4 Mandø Island — has some interesting wildlife, nature conservancy, ornithology, and mud-flat exhibitions (some seasonal). Trips from here on to Koresand sandbank, which has a seal reserve, are also possible and take around 3 hours. It can only be reached at low tide from Vester Vedsted.

Understand

What unites the different areas of South Jutland, is the close proximity to Germany, which has influenced the local culture in both good and bad ways through the centuries. Today, Denmark are on good terms with its giant neighbour in the south, and South Jutland cooperates on many levels with the German side of the Jutland peninsula.

See

The landscape and history varies across South Jutland, and presents lush nature, woodlands and calm fjords around Sønderborg and Åbenrå in the east, rural countryside with a long agricultural history in the midlands, flat Wadden Sea coastlands with endless beach meadows in the west, and coastal islands with a long proud history of global seafaring also in the Wadden Sea area.

Nature

Vista from Skamlingsbanken

Heathland in Stensbæk Plantage

Endless flat coastal meadows in the Wadden Sea marshlands

• 1 Skamlingsbanken, Skamlingvejen 125, 6093 Sjølund (8 km southeast of Kolding). Historic viewpoint and the highest natural point in South Jutland, at 113 metres. Despite the low height, there is a great all-round view across the region of Kolding, Lillebælt strait, and the island of Funen. The hills and local surroundings of wide grassland, ravines and woodland are all protected nature, offering a good opportunity for short nature hikes. The highest point is known as Højskamling and is historical significant for the birth of modern Danish democracy and nation state. In the mid 1800s, large groups of people gathered here to celebrate free speech and a new Danish nationalism, and there are still festivities and political speeches here on Denmark's constitution day of Grundlovsdag on the 5th of June. Several monuments for historic important Danes are scattered throughout the landscape, and not far from the top is a spectacular visitor center from 2021 built into the hillside. free (kr 50 for the visitor center).  
• 2 Stensbæk Plantage (Between Ribe and Gram). Stensbæk Plantage is part of a larger nature protection of beautiful heathlands and forests of more than 2000 hectare. The small Gels å river runs through the area. Experience the area on foot along several marked routes, in a canoe on the Gels å river, on horseback, or a mountainbike. free.  
• 3 Draved Forest (Draved Skov) (10 km northeast of Tønder). 200 hectares (490 acres) protected, deciduous forest. Although small, it is the largest primary forest in all of Denmark. (updated Jul 2024)
• 4 Wadden Sea Centre (Vadehavscentret), Okholmvej 5, Vester Vedsted, 6760 Ribe (a few kilometres southwest of Ribe), ☏ +45 75 44 61 61, info@vadehavscentret.dk. Enter and experience the unique Wadden Sea landscape at the visitor centre near Ribe. The Wadden Sea is a huge international coastal nature site, the largest tidal flats system in the world, stretching from Denmark through Germany and well into the Netherlands. The Danish parts are both a national park, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. kr 140 Adults, kr 50 Children.  

Culture and history

Gråsten Castle, summer residence for the Danish Royal family

Koldinghus

There are many well-preserved castles and manor houses in this region, and the Danish Royal family have strong ties to South Jutland. The many military conflicts with Germany through the centuries, has also left its marks in the region, with many historic military sites to experience.

• 5 Augustenborg (northeast of Sønderborg). Royal castle and town. The beautiful castle, built in the Baroque style, can not be visited, only appreciated from a distance, but you can stroll around the castle park and the picturesque old town.  

• 6 Christiansfeld (between Kolding and Haderslev). Old historic town in yellow brick, founded in 1773 and administered by a Moravian religious order. Unique architecture and history. UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

• 7 Dybbøl Banke (immediately southwest of Sønderborg). The most important battle site in Denmark from the defining 1864 war with Germany. Experience the military conflict as it unfolded for the soldiers themselves. History center and landscape.  

• 8 Gråsten Castle (west of Sønderborg). Historic white Royal castle in the village of Gråsten on the Flensborg Fjord. The Danish Royal family will be here in the summer, but guided tours of the castle church and associated garden park in the English style can be booked.  

• 9 Koldinghus (in Kolding). Ruin of a former Royal castle, founded in the 1200s, now refitted as a museum.  

• 10 Schackenborg og Møgeltønder (west of the town of Tønder). Experience the well-preserved quaint old village of Møgeltønder and the Schackenborg Royal Castle. Participate in cultural events at the castle or book a guided tour, including the large beautiful garden park.  

• 11 Sønderborg Castle (in Sønderborg). Old historic castle and fortress dating back to the 1100s; includes an interesting museum with royal jewellery on display among other things.  

• 12 Sønderskov Castle (in the countryside between Kolding and Ribe). Beautifully renovated manor house from the 1600s that includes a museum and a restaurant in the castle's medieval cellar.  

Do

The region presents several interesting nature hikes, some of which are among the very best in Denmark. Embark on the truly epic long-distance hikes of Nordsøstien, along two-thirds of the Jutlandic coast, or Hærvejen, leading up through the entire Jutland peninsula for 500 kilometres, or take in the natural scenery and historic sites of the Flensborg Fjord along the shorter five day hike of Gendarmstien.

Eat

Apart from restaurants and regular eateries, South Jutland presents many local specialities.

• Kålpølser — A special type of smoked sausage made with both beef and pork meat. Grilled, fried, or boiled and served with a number of traditional dishes. This type of sausages is a local delicacy originating from South Jutland, but is widely available across all of Denmark.
• Grønlangkål — Stewed, creamy kale with several variations. Traditionally served with sausages (kålpølser), slices of pork saddle, caramelized potatoes, pickled beets, and strong mustard.
• Snysk med Flæsk — Crumbed and crispy fried pork belly served with stewed summer vegetables
• Birnen, Bohnen und Speck — Smoked pork belly cooked with green beans and pears.
• Surrib — Jellied slices of pork rib roast, flavoured with vinegar, black pepper, and laurel leaf. Served cold with Danish rye bread, fat, pickled beets, and strong mustard.
• Solæg — Hard boiled eggs in brine. Eaten cold with a variety of condiments along with a good glass of beer.
• Torsk i Fad — Cod stewed with clams.
• Sønderjysk Kaffebord — At private afternoon gatherings, oftentimes, an impressive selection of cakes are served with coffee. A well-known trademark of this region.
• Christianfelder Honningkager — Honey cakes from the town of Christiansfeld. The cakes are made with a honey-fermented heavily spiced dough, and typically covered in a dark chocolate coating, but with other variations as well.
• Brødtort — Laycake made with rye bread, nuts, black currant jam, and whipped cream. One of many local cake specialities.

Drink

• Bryggeriet Fuglsang - Historic brewery from Haderslev. Their beers are available all over Denmark.

Go next

Southern Jutland