French
DeutschSilkeborg is a lakeside railway town in Jutland founded in 1844 around a big paper mill (Silkeborg Papirfabrik) at the Gudenå River, the longest and biggest river of Denmark. The name and history of the settlement goes back to at least the 15th century, though, when a castle by the name of Silkeborg (meaning 'silk-castle') was mentioned in written documents. The castle of Silkeborg was located on an islet in the lake of Silkeborg Langsø, but only a few ruins remains.
The city has been proclaimed as the "Outdoor capital" of Denmark, due to its many nature and outdoor options, including events.
As a small town surrounded by forests and lakes, nowhere in Silkeborg is far from nature. The Gudenå River runs right through the town center, so water sports and activities are very popular.
Get in
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By train from Copenhagen, change at Skanderborg. Trains from Aarhus via Skanderborg run every 30 min to Silkeborg. The ride takes 30 minutes, and continue on to Herning further west (another 30 min).
1 Silkeborg railway station is just south of the town centre, with the main bus stops outside on Drewsensvej.
Midttrafik Bus 124 runs every 30 min from Aarhus to Silkeborg, taking 40 min. Bus 113 also runs frequently, but takes 75 min.
By road, follow E45 - Jutland's north-south motorway artery -, and branch off at Skanderborg through Ry.
Get around
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Walking and cycling are both great ways to get around in Silkeborg. The town is not that big and there are pavements everywhere, as well as road space for bicycles.
Cycling
[edit | edit source]Bring your own bikes along, or rent some in Silkeborg.
- 2 Active Rental (Andens Cykel Fix), Frederiksberggade 54, ☏ +45 23 20 43 03, support@activerental.dk. Mo-On 9:00-17:00; Thu 9:00-16:00; Fr 9:00-17:00. All kinds of bikes in different sizes; ordinary bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, and e-bikes. Please book your bikes one day ahead. kr 199 and up for one day.
- 3 Silkeborg Cykeludlejning, Nyhøjvej 11, ☏ +45 30 25 15 42, martin@ebikesilkeborg.dk. All kind of bicycles for rent here. kr 400 and up for one day.
Some campsites and hotels have bicycles for rent for their guests.
Bus
[edit | edit source]Town busses are yellow and regional busses are blue. The 1 bus-terminal is located at the central station.
- Silkeborg Bybusser (Bybussen). The municipality operates 12 city bus lines throughout town. The city busses are bright yellow and runs on gas.
Boats
[edit | edit source]- 4 Hjejlen, ☏ +45 86 82 07 66. Hjejlen ([YAI-len]) is both the name of an old historic steamboat and a company that operates several boats around Silkeborg. The Hjejle-boats have a total of four docking stations in Silkeborg, but many more further up the river. A sail is a beautiful experience in itself, and the sail between Silkeborg and Himmelbjerget is popular (1 hr 15 min). With a return ticket, you can hop on and off as you like, and this also gives you the opportunity to ride at least once with the original steam paddleboat.
See
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- 1 Museum Silkeborg (Hovedgården), Hovedgårdsvej 7, ☏ +45 86 82 14 99, info@silkeborgmuseum.dk. Open every day from February through August. Check the web site for details.. Main history and archaelogy museum for Silkeborg, situated in the buildings of the historic Silkeborg Manor from 1767, the oldest building in town. The museum focuses primarily on the Iron Age, and pre-history of the region, but includes historic times until the present as well. The most famous items on display are the mummies of Tollund Man and Elling Woman; bog bodies found during peat digging in the nearby swampy area. Although dated to c. 300 BC, the head of the Tollund Man is remarkably well preserved, including his peaceful facial expression and wrinkles. Check the website for special events, activities, and guided tours; it is not all about the Iron Age. The museum shop is furnished as an old grocery shop and here you can find old-fashioned toys, jewellery, pottery, postcards, and relevant books in various languages. The museum has an on-site café with a nice patio and garden. kr 100, free for kids.
- 2 AQUA (AQUA Akvarium & Dyrepark). Freshwater aquarium and park with animals tied specifically to the lake-highland region, which includes various species of fish, birds, snakes, frogs, otters, beavers, racoons, badgers, boars, deers, and many other. The big tanks can be viewed both from above (outside the building) and from the side (inside the building). At the touch tanks you can pet the fish. Stay overnight to experience the nocturnal wildlife. Special one-week summer camps for children in various age groups. kr 179 (kr 116 for children 3-11 years old).
- 3 Museum Jorn, Gudenåvej 7-9, ☏ +45 86 82 53 88. Apr-Oct: 10:00-17:00 every day; Nov-Mar: Tue-Fri 12:00-16:00, Sat Sun 10:00-17:00. Houses the Asger Jorn collections. Also changing collections of other artists, check the web site. On-site café serving coffee, drinks, cake and lunch. kr 125. Free for children and students (ID).
- 4 Paper museum, Papirfabrikken 78 (Go to the theatre at the roundabout). Parts of the old paper factory is now a paper museum. There's an onsite museum shop with all kinds of paper and paper art. Stryget is a café and restaurant in the same building. kr 65, free for people under 18.
- 5 Kunstcentret Silkeborg Bad (Silkeborg Bad), Gjessøvej 40 A-D, 8600 Silkeborg, ☏ +45 86 81 63 29, reception@silkeborgbad.dk. Apr-Oct: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, check the website otherwise. Main art center and museum for Silkeborg at a location of magnificent natural beauty by the Ørnsø lake, embraced by lush forests. The galleries are situated in an old former spa facility that has undergone meticulous renovation. Apart from the various art installations and exhibitions, the park and area is worth a visit in itself in spring and summer. Two on-site cafés serving coffee, drinks, cake, and lunch. kr 90 (discount for pensioners and students). Free for young people under 25.
- 6 Bunker museum (in the park by Kunstcentret Silkeborg Bad). Sun 13:00-16:00. 10 kr.
Do
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- 1 Labyrinthia (Land of labyrinths), Gl. Ryvej 2, Rodelund (south along Rodelundvej). See website for opening hours throughout the year. A land of labyrinths. Also indoor puzzles as well, for rainy days. 70-90 kr.
- 2 Himmelbjerget (You can get there by the river boats (stop: Himmelbjerget).). Conquer this towering hill of a staggering 147 metres, and feel like a king! The name "Himmelbjerget" translates as "The Sky Mountain", and it is among the highest summits in all of Denmark, located in the lake high-lands region with several hilltops of similar scale. Himmelbjerget is not the highest natural point (which is assigned to the nearby spot of Møllehøjen at 170 m), but it is the most popular by far, and the sharp drop towards the lake immediately north of the brick tower on the top is indeed impressive (no kidding). The hill, and surrounding area is of great historical importance in Denmark, as the birthplace of early modern democracy in the 1800s, and it offers a beautiful nature hike. There are kiosks, restaurants, toilets next to the top. 7.50 kr entrance for the tower on top.
- 3 Hawk show (Silkeborg Ørnereservat, Rovfugleshow og Bisonfarm), Ansøvej 14, 8653 Them, ☏ +45 - 2065 7620. A show with hawks, owls, and lots of other birds. Has a pen with bison as well.
- 4 Golfing, Bakbjergvej 7, 8653 Them. 160-350 kr All day pass.
- Mountainbiking. There are several good routes in the forests surrounding Silkeborg. There are also very good bike lanes for regular bike rides. Ask in the rental shops for the best route nearby. 350 kr day pass.
- Horseback riding, ☏ +45 20 28 46 48. Tours starting at 10:00, 13:00 and 17:00. About 40 minutes of riding in beautiful surroundings. 1 hour for 325 kr.
- 5 Go karting, Knudlundvej 16, 8653 Them, ☏ +45 20 24 68 95. 30-minute carting for 300 kr. Indoor go kart track. All equipment is included in the rental price.
- Watch football: Silkeborg IF were promoted in 2021 so they now play soccer in Superliga, Denmark's top tier. Their stadium JYSK Park (capacity 10,000) is across the lake 2 km northeast of town centre.
Water activities
[edit | edit source]- 6 Hjejlen. Go on a boat ride on the oldest operative paddle steamer in the world. 105 kr day pass.
- 7 Silkeborg Kanocenter (Silkeborg Canoe rental), Østergade 36, 8600 Silkeborg (by the dam), ☏ +45 86 80 30 03. Rent a canoe, kayak or motorboat. From 125 kr for an hour, to 400 kr for all day rental. You can arrange to leave the kayaks at another stop, so it does not have to be a return trip 125 kr.
- 8 Go swimming. All day. Silkeborg has some of the cleanest lakes of the country, and there are several good places to go for a swim, or beach activities. The most popular lake is Almind sø, where you can find bathing piers, volleyball courts, changing rooms and toilets (Free).
Festivals
[edit | edit source]- Riverboat Jazz Festival. Five-day festival every summer in June. The 2026 festival happens from June 24th to June 28th.
- 9 Ildfest Regatta (Regattaen), Torvet (opening ceremony). Traditional Regatta festival for Silkeborg since 1899. The 2026 festival takes place for three days in August (13th-15th) and includes, in addition to a festive fleet of boats, firework shows, music events, street food, theatre, and the whole town is open for festivities through the night. Attend the official opening ceremony at the town's main square Torvet.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- The main downtown store is Netto at 9 Østergade, daily 08:00-22:00.
- 1 Torvet. The main town square in Silkeborg, packed with shops, cafés and restaurants. Sometimes markets and event.
Eat
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There are several restaurants at the paper mill:
- [dead link] Michael D, ☏ +45 88822222. The restaurant and brasserie at the Radisson hotel at papirfabrikken. Menus from 250 kr.
- Cafe Eval, Papirfabrikken 10, ☏ +45 86803366. Good beers and tapas, pastas, steaks, and burgers. Tapas or pasta main course 70 kr.
There are also many restaurants around the main square and on the shopping streets radiating out from the main square. These restaurants meet all budget ranges and includes:
- Restaurant Gastronomisk Institut, Søndergade 20. Fine food and wine. Three tables in front for streetside eating at lunch. Reasonably priced two-course lunches (105 kr) and sandwiches. Dinners feature à la carte or fixed-price choices.
Three restaurants in Silkeborg are featuring in the White Guide; an authorative, but not complete, gastronomical guide to the Nordic countries.
- Restaurant Piaf, Nygade 31 (In the southern parts of Silkeborg, north of the central station and west of Christian 8.s Vej), ☏ +45 86 81 12 55. Wed-Sat evenings. French-inspired gourmet cuisine, but with many local and seasonal delicacies to let you know you are dining in Denmark. One of the best restaurants in the inner city, with about 20 years of experience. Closed in July. Splurge.
- Karoline Amalie (Restaurant Karoline Amalie), Uglesøvej 1, Virklund (go south by Horsensvej towards the village of Virklund, not far from AQUA), ☏ +45 23 36 40 11. Open on Fri and Sat evenings. An international gourmet cuisine, but with many local and New Nordic inspirations. The broad selection of various cheeses from near and far is notable. Karoline Amalie has a focus on indulging the senses of its guests and a dinner here is not something to be rushed; only book a table if you are prepared to spend the evening on a dining experience out of the ordinary. The locales are furnished with roccoco style chairs and a general romantic decor; perhaps remeniscent of Parisian restaurants. As a peculiarity, Karoline Amalie only serves Austrian wines; wines the owner and head chef imports herself. Splurge.
- Ludvigslyst (Traktørstedet Ludvigslyst), Julsøvej 248 (go to the lake of Julsø, just beyond the village of Svejbæk), ☏ +45 86 88 80 40. Wed-Sun from 12:00 (closed Mon Tue). An international gourmet cuisine; simple yet elegant and cooked with great skill. Often local and/or organic ingredients. The romantic surroundings greatly enhance and broadens the experience and Ludvigslyst is by some considered among the best places to eat in the region of Søhøjlandet. Lunch and various from 12:00-15:00. Evening dinners from 18:00. Special evening menus Wednesdays. No evening dinners Sundays. Mid-range to Splurge.
The region holds several Kroer; Danish inns held in high social regard, where you can dine and sometimes stay. Kroer (plural of Kro) near Silkeborg includes:
- Kongensbro Kro, Gl. Kongevej 70, 8643 Ans, ☏ +45 86 87 01 77. Historic Kro since 1663 near the village of Ans, where the Gudenå river meets the lake of Tange Sø, less than 20 km north of Silkeborg center. Dine here for breakfast, brunch, lunch or evening dinner. Stay here for all-inclusive minivacations if you like.
- Svostrup Kro, Svostrupvej 58, ☏ +45 86 87 70 04. Another historic Kro, since 1834, about 10 km north-east of Silkeborg center. Svostrup Kro is on the bank of Gudenå, Denmark's largest river, immediately west of the beautiful landscape of Gjern Bakker. Combine your dining here with a stay if you like.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- Bryghuset Kragelund (BK), Kragelund Møllevej 4. This microbrewery opened in 2007, offers a wide variety. All their brews are unfiltered and unpasteurised. You can buy from the brewery on Fridays 16:00-18:00 or at restaurants and eateries in the Silkeborg area and across Denmark.
Sleep
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- Radisson SAS, Papirfabrikken 12, ☏ +45 88822222. Good hotel on the Gudenå river in the former paper mill. Free internet, wireless at ground level, wired in rooms(get access code, RJ45 cable at the reception). from 895 kr.
- Scandic, Udgaardsvej 2, ☏ +45 86 80 35 33, silkeborg@scandic-hotels.com. Nice hotel not far from the Silkeborg Langsø, 2 km or so out of town. Rooms from about 990 kr.
- Hotel Dania. Central location.
- Danhostel. The youth hostel with a view of the river and in the centre of town, well kept and with good standards (very often outbooked).
Connect
[edit | edit source]As of Sep 2021, Silkeborg has 5G from TDC and 4G from 3 Tre, Telenor and Telia. Wifi is widely available in public places.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Aarhus is the lively regional capital.
- Herning is a textile town with several museums.
- Skanderborg is mainly a transport and commercial hub but has museums and other visitor amenities.