Sønderborg

Go on a self-drive holiday to Sønderborg, a cosy market town and the largest city in Southern Jutland, with an exciting history.

Sønderborg was founded in the 12th century on the island of Als, but today it also stretches across the Alssund. The city has a lot of history and many activities for all ages, you can take a walk through Sønderborg city centre which offers the old Sønderborg Castle, good shopping opportunities and many gastronomic experiences.

Sønderborg is particularly known for ring riding and the largest ring riding festival in the Nordic countries, with around 500 riders, takes place in Sønderborg. Every year during the summer, the Ringriderfest is held, where riders compete against each other during the day and party together in the beer tent in the evening. Ringridning has roots back to the Middle Ages but today, unlike then, it is a peaceful contest and folk festival where the opponent is replaced by a ring to be hit.

If you want to feel the wings of history, just outside Sønderborg you'll find the Dybbøl Banke History Centre, where you can become part of one of the most exciting chapters in Danish history. Join in the war of 1864 and see the cannons fired with a deafening bang, try your hand at moving a ton-heavy fortress cannon, cast wrought iron balls at the blacksmith, write letters with pen and ink and, not least, enjoy making pancakes over the fire.

North of Sønderborg, the Universe adventure park offers a wide range of fun games for the whole family. Universe is Sønderjylland's largest and most fun adventure park with a focus on science. The focus here is on getting children and young people excited about science, technology and entrepreneurship. The park is packed with great experiences and attractions. You can try to lift a car, build a water rocket, try different VR experiences, ride a Segway and get close to lightning and thunder at the lightning generator, among other things. Children and adults alike will enjoy an exciting day of experiments and fun natural phenomena.

When you're on holiday in your own car, you can combine your visit to Sønderborg with a visit to some of the other interesting towns in the area. Sønderborg municipality offers many idyllic towns, including the town of the national apple - Gråsten. Gråsten is beautifully situated, close to the water and surrounded by beautiful woodlands. The town's main attraction is Gråsten Castle and Castle Gardens, which is used each year by the royal family as a summer residence. When the royal family visits in the summer, you can experience the parade and changing of the guard, where they march through the town with whistles and drums.

You are never far from the coast, which offers impressive steep cliffs, great beaches and you can take a self-paced hike in one of the many shady forests. If you want to see the landscape from a completely new angle, Als Segway and Seway tour on Dybbøl Banke offer a refreshing new way to get around the area.

Sønderborg and Sønderborg municipality offer a wide range of fantastic activities and a lot of beautiful nature. So pack your car and head off to Sønderjylland's largest city.