Ringkøbing

Ringkøbing is one of Denmark's best preserved market towns and dates back to the 15th century. It is often called the little capital of West Jutland. The town has beautiful old red Plesner houses, idyllic cobbled streets and merchants' farms, all of which help to tell the story of a bygone era. Today, the city offers lively trade, a wide choice of good restaurants with outdoor seating, good accommodation, a rich cultural life and market shopping.

Ringkøbing is a great destination for a perfect self-drive holiday in Denmark. There are many great sights and activities for the whole family.

In Ringkøbing city, besides the beautiful old streets and houses, you can also find Ringkøbing church in the middle of the city, on Kirkepladsen. The church was built in several stages, the oldest part dating from the town's birth in the 1400s, while the special tower of the church, which is wider at the top than at the bottom, was not added until between 1525 and 1550.

There are also, around Ringkøbing city, various interesting sculptures. One of the most remarkable is the sculpture "Survival of the Fattest" made by Jens Galschiødts in 2002. The provocative sculpture depicts a bony and worn-out African man carrying on his back a fat white woman with scales in her hand, as a symbol of the skewed distribution of the world's resources. At the harbour in Ringkøbing, there is a sculpture of the "Hero", a fish eaten with rye bread and cold beer. One of the town's children, the famous Greenland sailor, Mylius Erichsen, is also honoured with a statue in front of Ringkøbing Museum.

The city also boasts several beautiful flower gardens. Worth mentioning are the Enemærkets Hosta Garden and the Lubjerg Rose Garden. Here you can walk at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful flowers in peaceful surroundings.

A good reason to fill the trunk and take the whole family is also all the beautiful nature around Ringkøbing. There are many child-friendly beaches nearby, including Sorte Bakker which also has a long and brand new swimming bridge into Ringkøbing Fjord. There are also several opportunities for fishing in Ringkøbing. So pack the car with your fishing poles and visit Fiske og Familiepark West, Oxriver Put and Take or Ringkøbing Put & Take, all of which offer fishing in beautiful surroundings not far from the town.

Between Søndervig and Ringkøbing, in the middle of the fantastic West Jutland countryside, you will find Adventure Park. Adventure Park offers experiences for young and old in, among other things, Denmark's most beautiful Adventure Golf course, filled with flowers, stones, large trees and running water. In the park you can also challenge each other in football golf, mini golf, bowls, shooting simulator, football pool and play in the fun playground.

You can also visit Jette's Ostrich Farm, Kloster Design Light Foundry and Decorative Arts, Ringkøbing Swimming Pool, the organic Garden of Wonder or take the mountain bike route in the dog forest. Ringkøbing offers many fantastic activities and beautiful sights.

With a hotel stay near one of Denmark's best-preserved market towns, you can have a cheap mini break for the whole family. So pack your car and go on a self-drive holiday to Ringkøbing, experience the beautiful little capital of West Jutland and the breathtaking West Jutland countryside.