Skanderborg

Travel Guide

Skanderborg
Photo by William Keller
Book a weekend break in Skanderborg, known for its stunning Søhøjland, green beech forests, cosy pedestrian streets and vibrant cultural life.

The market town of Skanderborg is known for its picturesque scenery and popular music festival, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. With its pretty lakes and green beech forests, Skanderborg’s hilly landscape is wonderful for recreational nature trips. You can also look forward to some relaxing shopping, and interesting church and museum visits.

Skanderborg developed around the fortress of Skanderborg Castle, which was an obvious defence position in the Middle Ages due to its proximity to Aarhus. The area is known as Søhøjlandet, thanks to its vast lakes and tall hills that were formed in the last ice age.

Start your journey through Skanderborg at Adelgade, home to most of the town’s shops, cafés and restaurants. This is also where you will find the Adelgade Museum, which gives an insight into Skanderborg, the city’s castle and the Middle Ages, when the area comprised several villages and abbeys. Continue to Skanderborg castle chapel, which is beautifully situated between Lillesø and Skanderborg Sø. The castle chapel is the last remaining part of Skanderborg castle, which dates right back to Valdemar I's rule, and is known for its fine renaissance detail.

When you visit Skanderborg, don’t miss taking a trip to the stunning countryside. There are plenty of activities on land and at sea, including relaxing boat trips with Dagmar M/S and fishing trips on the peaceful and scenic lakes. The area also offers many hiking and cycle paths, some of which lead to the Fårbjerg look-out point and burial mound, which has a beautiful view of the East Jutlandic scenery.

Party lovers should visit Skanderborg at the start of August, when the beech forests’ green areas form the setting for the music festival SmukFest, which attracts over 30,000 people and 150 artists annually.

Skanderborg is around 15 miles southwest of Aarhus, and has train links to Copenhagen, Odense, Aalborg and Aarhus. The city’s attractions are all within walking distance of one another.

Take a holiday in Skanderborg, where smooth lakes and green beech forests are the perfect setting for a relaxing stay with exciting cultural features!

Sophiendal Slotshotel
Sophiendal Slotshotel
4 out of 5
Låsbyvej 82, Skanderborg
Fully refundable
The price is P5,483 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P5,483
P6,854 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in Skanderborg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Veng Klosterkirke and Sophiendal ...
8/10 Very Good! (646 reviews)
Lovely place with lovely staff
"This place is gorgeous and every staff member was kind, helpful, and engaging."

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2024

Sophiendal Slotshotel
Hotel Skanderborghus
Hotel Skanderborghus
3 out of 5
Dyrehaven 3, Skanderborg
The price is P7,552 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
P7,552
P9,439 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Skanderborg. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Skanderborg Slotskirke and Naturomraade ...
7.8/10 Good! (675 reviews)
"This hotel is an absolute gem! With its breathtaking views of the serene lake and enchanting woodland trails, it's a nature lover's paradise. The restaurant offers culinary delights that tantalize the taste buds, and the breakfast spread is simply divine. The rooms are a haven of comfort, with plush ..."

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2024

Hotel Skanderborghus
Nørre Vissing Kro
Nørre Vissing Kro
3 out of 5
Låsbyvej 122, Skanderborg
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,078 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
P5,078
P6,347 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Skanderborg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Veng Klosterkirke and Sophiendal Gods ...
7.8/10 Good! (222 reviews)
"This is a really nice place to stay in the area. The restaurant is VERY GOOD. It is a bit noisy ...I was there in the summer and needed the terrace dor open for fresh air. I think with doors closed its not so bad. The staff is very nice. My only complaint would be that rooms although very clean upon ..."

Reviewed on Aug 28, 2022

Nørre Vissing Kro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Daniel & Jacob's urban studios and boutique apartments
Daniel & Jacob's urban studios and boutique apartments
3 out of 5
77 Katrinebjergvej, Aarhus
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Aarhus. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Christianskirken and Aarhus Natural ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (137 reviews)
"Small but new and very clean and safe. Room area was inviting and comfortable to sleep and hang out in. Parked on the street and had no issues with our vehicle."

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2024

Daniel & Jacob's urban studios and boutique apartments
Aura Apartment Hotel
Aura Apartment Hotel
3 out of 5
72 Nørre Allé, 14, Aarhus
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Aarhus. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Popular attractions Vor Frue Kirke and Church of Our Lady ...
9/10 Wonderful! (40 reviews)
"Restaurant next door and opposite. Bus stop right outside the apartment hotel. Safe (you require key code) to enter building. Great communication from the hotel staff via email (before check in), any other communication via sms. It is not the quietest hotel as it is close to bus stop, so during day ..."

Reviewed on Nov 6, 2024

Aura Apartment Hotel
First Camp Aarhus   Jylland
First Camp Aarhus Jylland
3 out of 5
400 Randersvej, Aarhus
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Aarhus. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Elev Kirke and Olsted Kirke are located ...
7/10 Good! (4 reviews)
Fin hytte i dejligt område
"Nem indtjekning. Fin lille hytte til overnatning for en familie på 4. Gode senge, dejligt varmt (ankomst i januar). Stadig malertape på væggen, men ellers velindrettet med spisebord, mindre køkken (meget få køkkenting), sofa og tv. Dejligt område med skov/vandretur og stort område bag campingpladsen ..."

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025

First Camp Aarhus Jylland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit