Bike tour in southern Jutland

Your bike tour in Southern Jutland begins in Flensburg, Germany's northernmost port city. The city, which developed from a trading and fishing settlement, looks back on an exciting past. Medieval buildings, picturesque courtyards and the Nordertor – North Gate – tell of the city's 750-year history. At the Rum Museum you can learn, that the city once became prosperous through the trade in rum from the Caribbean. Even today there are rum houses in Flensburg that keep the tradition alive.

The first stage of your bike tour in Southern Jutland takes you from Flensburg across the German-Danish border. You cycle along the Flensburg Fjord to Gråsten. The castle there is known as the summer residence of the Danish royal family. The decisive battle of the German-Danish War took place in nearby Dybbøl in 1864. In Sønderborg, a visit to Sønderborg Slot is worthwhile. It houses a museum dedicated to the history of the region. The old town of your destination for the day, Åbenrå, is characterised by a closed ensemble of burghers' and craftsmen's houses.

The cycle route takes you first to Haderslev today. The old town, situated on a peninsula, is dominated by the Vor Frue Domkirke. The church is considered the most beautiful place of worship in Denmark. Visit the Haderslev Museum. It presents you with a remarkable collection of prehistoric finds and the exterior shows the residential architecture so typical of Southern Jutland. The Koldinghus in Kolding, your destination for the day, will immediately catch your eye. Climb the Kæmpetårn. From the tower of the castle you have a fabulous view over the town and the Kolding Fjord.

From Kolding Fjord you cycle to the North Sea today! You will leave Kolding in a westerly direction and cross Southern Jutland almost without an ascent until you reach Esbjerg. Established just over 150 years ago, Esbjerg developed into the most important harbour town on the Danish North Sea coast. One of the city's landmarks is the Vandtårnet right by the harbour. From the top of the 33-metre-high water tower you have a view over the city, the harbour and the tidal flats all the way to the island of Fanø. Take a detour to Sædding beach, overlooked by the striking sculpture group Man by the Sea. 

You start today's stage of your bike tour in Southern Jutland with the ferry ride (not included) to the island of Fanø. It takes about 12 minutes to cross over to the second northernmost of the Danish Wadden Sea islands. Cycle around the picturesque island and explore the small towns of Nordby and Sønderho. Or how about sunbathing on the fine sandy beach on the west coast? Take the ferry (not included) back to Esbjerg. Your destination for the day is Ribe. The old town of Denmark's oldest city is characterised by crooked cobbled streets, crooked half-timbered houses and the strikingly disparate towers of the cathedral.

From Ribe, you first head to the island of Mandø. The tidal island can be reached from Vester Vedsted (by tractor bus, not included) at low tide via a gravel causeway. The Koresand in the southwest of the island is impressive. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride and get to know the largest sandbank in the Wadden Sea. With a bit of luck, you will find amber washed up by storms and observe sunbathing seals. Back on the mainland, you head to the next island – Rømø. Via the Rømødæmningen road dam, you cycle to the island, which is characterised by a rich biodiversity and kilometres of sandy beaches. You will spend the night in the main town of Havneby.

In Havneby you board the ferry to Sylt. On the nine-mile crossing, let the fresh North Sea wind blow around your nose and enjoy the view over the Wadden Sea. You will reach List on Sylt, Germany's northernmost municipality. Strengthen yourself with a fish sandwich at the harbour and explore Sylt on a longer or shorter bike tour, just as you like. Along the way you will encounter wide meadows, dunes, long sandy beaches and peacefully grazing sheep – simply wonderful! From Westerland you take the train back to the mainland via the Hindenburgdamm. You will spend the night in Niebüll.

The last stage of your bike tour in Southern Jutland  first takes you back to Denmark. A longer stopover is worthwhile in Møgeltønder. The village has Denmark's most beautiful village street. The cobbled linden avenue lined with thatched houses leads to Schackenborg Castle. The Drøhses Hus in the historic centre shows that the nearby town of Tønder once became famous for its lace-making craft. You cycle briskly along the border route back to Flensburg.

After breakfast, your bike tour in Southern Jutland already ends. We are happy to extend your stay in Flensburg with an extra night.