4 Must Visit Quaint Towns in Denmark

You must have seen hundreds of photos on social media that are storybook images and have often wondered where to find them: made many plans that maybe when you travel next, you would visit them and take similar or even better pictures to call them your own. We have a list of places you should visit to have those instagrammable experiences.

Denmark has what all Scandinavia covet - the oldest town “Ribe” from the Viking age dating back to the 8th century. Located near the shores of picturesque southwest Jutland, it is a town for inspiration. It was an important trade centre that brought together the Scandinavian and the Hanseatic League. 

It is a pretty town to explore on foot; many buildings are hundreds of years old and110 houses are protected under the heritage law. The fact that you are walking the cobbled streets where the Vikings once walked is pretty awe-inspiring. There are many restaurants and shops where you can spend ample time just sitting and taking in the aura. For a more soulful interaction with the place, follow the stream flowing through and around the town.

Ribe Cathedral from 860 AD is the dominant structure in this town emphasizing the power it yielded back then. A 360-degree view from the church tower gives a good impression of the medieval town below and the surrounding flatland. 

Wadden Sea National Park, to the southwest, is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its unique geological and ecological properties. One of the world’s 10 most important flattest and wettest lands shaped by wind and tides. 

Viking heritage at showcased at Ribe VikingeCenter & Museum Ribes Vikinger.

Ribe Art Museum, take a tour of the Danish golden age art collection and paintings by Skagen Painters.

Conclude your exploration by indulging in ice cream from the country's best parlour, Ice Waffle. It is a super delicious ice cream parlour, homemade Belgian waffles, great taste, and many varieties to choose from.

Now, this pearl is not a place where you should come and hope to find the hustle-bustle of a tourist town.

Sønderho’s history goes back to the 16th century, and presently there are around 300 houses, and the residents are around 300, so you can imagine the tranquillity it provides. Each house has a beautiful garden on both east and west side and a thatched roof which makes it even more idyllic. It’s a quintessential traditional village with simple pleasures where you can take peaceful long walks or sit back with a book and spend hours reading or just gazing at the horizon.

Situated at the southern tip of the island Fanø on the Jutland west coast, the village has a 17 km-long sandy beach. The landscape is essentially made up of sand dunes, heath-land, pastures and small areas of forest. There is a seaside golf course if looking for some leisure sport. Local museums, preserved structures such as the Sønderho Windmill, library and local quaint restaurants are the places of interest.

Approx. 4 hrs from Copenhagen and 1.30 hrs from Svendborg lies a little town of Ærøskøbing on island Ærø, that’s worth visiting for its quaint houses that line the old narrow cobblestoned streets. Sauntering around the colourful Danish houses is easy and relaxing. You can do nothing but marvel at the carpenters' expertise, blacksmiths or masons who made beautiful but resilient structures. Spend your lazy evening at the Marina or stroll on the Vesterstrand beach close by. Swimming is easy here as the water is shallow at the shore that’s suitable for children. Another place to unwind is at the fishing harbour. Indulge in local dishes with a selection of fresh and smoked fish.  A free ride on a local bus is an option for a trip around the island, goes up till Söby or down to Marstal.

In 2002 Ærøskøbing was awarded the Europa Nostra prize by the EU as an appreciation for beholding the cultural heritage.

On the sailing circuit, Ærøskøbing is well known as a landing spot for the yachts and boats sailing around the European islands in the Baltic.

Dating back to the medieval ages is this town in the southwest corner of Funen island was one of the important harbours for centuries. Today, the harbour is a summer retreat for many vacationers, sailors and yachts from all over Europe halt at this marina. 

The first mention of Faaborg was in 1229 in the archives, where King Valdemar gifted the town to his daughter-in-law, Princess Eleonora. This merchant town packed with cosy narrow streets and old, colourful houses is liveliest along the harbour which runs along the main high street. Throughout the year, this street hosts many events, including music and entertainment. The street is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops selling fashionable merchandise and clubs for outdoor sports together, creating a leisurely atmosphere. The bell tower, a relic of Skt. Nikolaj church from 1250 constitutes the central figure of the town. Presently it is a Church of the Holy Spirit. The top of the bell tower offers a spectacular view of Faaborg town, the hills of Svanninge Bakker and the South Funen Archipelago. 

The museums are a major attraction amongst art lovers. It holds one of the important Danish collection of artworks by Funen Painters, sculptor and exhibits of the town's cultural history. 

Funen Painters - Fritz Syberg, Johannes Larsen, Peter Hansen, Jens Birkholm, Anna Syberg, Alhed Larsen.