Guide to Jelling

Experiences in and around Jelling

Travel back to the Viking Age and dive into history close to nature in the Jelling area, which also offers cosy accommodation and taste experiences for everyone. Read on and find inspiration for a trip to Jelling and the surrounding area.

Experience the World Heritage

The area is known for the Jelling monuments, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can also dive into the fascinating history of the Vikings at the interactive experience centre Kongernes Jelling.

The Jelling monuments, people look at the stones

Photo: Frame & Work© Kongernes Jelling

The Jelling Monuments (UNESCO)

In the tenth century, King Harald Bluetooth had Denmark's name engraved on a runestone in Jelling and erected two large mounds. The Jelling monuments have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1994.

Home of the viking kings in Jelling - the road to Valhalla

Photo: Lasse Hyldager© Kongernes Jelling

Kongernes Jelling – home of the Viking kings

The runes tell us that it was in the Viking Age in Jelling that Denmark got its name. King Gorm wrote it on his runestone, and we have used it ever since.

Photo: Pia Enghild© Kongernes Jelling

Jelling Church

Jelling Church dates back to around 1100 and is the fourth church on the site. The first was a wooden church erected in the eighth century by Harald Bluetooth as a mausoleum to his father, Gorm the Old. Jelling Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Photo: VisitVejle© By Filip Møller

New runestone in Jelling

On the occasion of the Tour de France, a new rune stone was placed in Jelling. Explore the beautiful stone, which stands centrally in Jelling.

More experiences in Jelling and the surrounding area

Jelling also offers scenic surroundings by Fårup Sø, cultural history at Haughus Gods and activities such as fishing and outdoor swimming.

Haughus Gods near Jelling for the Christmas market

Photo: Knapek Photography© VisitVejle

Haughus Manor, Antique and Flea Market

Haughus Manor, located in the beautiful countryside between Vejle and Jelling, was constructed in 1750. Today, the manor houses a cafe, farm shop selling furniture and handicrafts, an antique and flea market, arts and crafts store and a private residency.

Photo: Stephanie Sommer© Vejle Kommune Idrætssekretariatet

Jelling Open-Air Pool

Jelling Open-Air Pool (Jelling Friluftsbad) comprises a 25-metre pool with 1, 3 and 5-metre diving boards, a children’s pool and a paddling pool with a small waterslide.

Taste experiences for vikings

Taste your way through the cafés and breweries in and around Jelling while visiting the old Danish Viking town. Try a local beer or enjoy the calm at one of the local eateries.

Photo: VisitVejle© Byens Café

Byens Café Jelling

Byens Café in Jelling offers a cosy environment with a relaxed atmosphere and flavoursome dishes at affordable prices. They use healthy and fresh seasonal ingredients, organic when possible and preferably sourced from local quality producers.

Photo: Louise Johansen© VisitVejle

SEJD Café & Boutique

SEJD Café & Boutique is a Viking-inspired café and boutique in the heart of Jelling that enjoys unique views of the monument area.

Photo: VisitVejle© Haughus Gods

The café at Haughus Manor

Haughus Manor was constructed in 1750 and is located in the scenic countryside between Vejle and Jelling. The café is located in the manor house itself with views to the park and front court.

Mood picture - green sign on old masonry

Photo: VisitVejle© Hopballe Mølle

Hopballe Mill - farm boutique

Hopballe Mølle (Hopballe Watermill) is an idyllic and historic location in an area of great natural beauty between Grejsdal Valley and Jelling.

Photo: Jelling Bryghus

Jelling Bryghus

Jelling Bryghus exclusively brews hand-crafted beer of the highest quality, both in regards to taste and appearance. Jelling's rich history and nature provide inspiration for the label names as well as the ingredients that give the beer its strong taste and visual character.

Photo: Jelling Bryggeri

Jelling Bryggeri A/S

Jelling Bryggeri is one of the country's smallest breweries with a capacity of approx. 25,000 liters per year. The beer is brewed in Byens Cafe, which you will find in Byens Hus.

Photo: Skovdal Kro

Skovdal Kro

Skovdal Kro is located in the scenic area of Fårup Lake and offers boat rental and prime fishing and hiking opportunities. The inn has 10 double rooms (with optional extra beds for 2 children).

Accommodation

Stay surrounded by nature and close to the major cultural-historical experiences in Jelling. See our recommendations for private accommodation and campsites here.

Photo: Fårup Sø Camping

Fårup Sø Camping

Fårup Sø Camping enjoys a lakeside location by Fårup Sø and offers fine angling and boat rental opportunities. The site has its own beach, free heated swimming pool, a children’s pool with activities as well as an eight-person spa.

Photo: VisitVejle© Family Camping Jelling

Jelling Familie Camping

Jelling Familie Camping enjoys a scenic setting by the old Viking town of Jelling. The campsite offers excellent facilities for the whole family and is located close to attractions of the area.

Photo: VisitVejle© Jette Pedersen

Jette Pedersen B&B

Jette Pedersens Bed and Breakfast in Jelling offers two rooms for rent with a total of seven beds. The home is located in wonderful rural surroundings close to LEGOLAND and Givskud Zoo.

Photo: VisitVejle© Nørrelide Bed and Breakfast

Nørrelide Bed and Breakfast

Nørrelide Bed & Breakfast is located in one of Jelling’s historic country farms less than 1 km from central Jelling. Here, there are plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation.

Photo: Steen Petterson© Villa Fuga

Villa Fuga

Stay centrally in historic Jelling at Villa Fuga – a bright, newly renovated holiday apartment close to the station, cafés and the Jelling Monuments.

Get out into nature

Go rowing on Fårup Sø or fishing at a put-and-take lake. You will also find great hiking routes, cycling routes and MTB trails. Find your next outdoor experience here.

Photo: VisitVejle

Fårup Lake Kiosk and Boat Rental

Fårup Lake Kiosk and Boat Rental (Fårup Sø Kiosk og Bådudlejning) offers rowing boat and pedalo hire. Experience one of the deepest lakes in the area with numerous fresh water springs.

Photo: Jakob Vingtoft© VisitVejle

Grejsdalen Valley

Experience Denmark's deepest and most beautiful valley, Grejsdalen, which stretches from Grejs to Vejle. Go hike on the popular Grejsdalstien along the valley's steep hillsides and Grejs Å.

Photo: Stjernegaard Fotografi

Grejsdalstien – touring track

Take a leisurely ride on a mountain bike 16 km through the valley of Grejsdalen, which offers magnificent glacial landscapes, steep hillsides and watershed gorges that cut deep into the rolling landscape. On the tour, you will also pass through old beech forests and beautiful open countryside.

Photo: VisitVejle

The Ancient Road - National Route 3: Nørre Snede-Bække

Several thousand years ago, Jutland's main road, The Ancient Road (Hærvejen), followed the rivers up through the country. Today, The Ancient Road, national route 3, is a popular cycling and hiking route through Jutland's most scenic landscape.

Photo: Elliott Hope Studio

Jellings King Stage - 55 km

The town of Jelling is included in many of Vejle’s super routes. "Jellings Kongeetape" (Jelling’s queen stage) takes you further west and through the scenic ice age landscape at Åst Bjerge. The route is 55 km with 550 metres of total ascent.

Jelling Put & Take

Jelling Put & Take is beautifully situated by Fårup Lake and is surrounded by woodlands and meadows. The lake is open all year from sunrise to sunset.

Photo: Brandbjerg Højskole

Mountain bike track Dragehalen by Brandbjerg Højskole

There are challenges for all – for the young and old, beginners and pros – on the 1,200-metre long mountain bike technical track by Brandbjerg Højskole. The track, which is called Dragehalen (The Dragon Tail) due to its twisted pump tracks, offers black, red and blue colour-coded levels.

Photo: VisitVejle

The Medieval Route - Regional Bicycle Route No. 35

On the cycle route The Medieval Route - Regional Route 35, you will come through Jelling and past ancient barrows, Ravningbroen in Vejle Ådal and Jutland meadows. Starting with the Ancient Road (Hærvejen) the medieval route is a journey through Danish history.

Find events in Jelling

There is always something happening in Jelling and the surrounding area. Here you’ll find upcoming events, activities and local experiences.

Jelling's history

The two mighty burial mounds and two rune stones erected by the kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth in the 900's and Jelling Church mark the transition from paganism to Christianity and can also be seen as Denmark’s ‘birth certificate’, since one of the rune stones carries the oldest inscription with mention of Denmark as a nation and the Danes as a people.

Jelling Church was erected around 1100. The Romanesque stone church was constructed on the site of Harald Bluetooth’s wooden church from the 900's. In 2000, King Gorm the Old was reburied in the chamber tomb in the church.

Today, Jelling is a station town with approx. 3,600 inhabitants, located approx. 10 kilometers northwest of Vejle. Jelling is a quaint little town visited by more than 150,000 tourists annually, and not without reason.