Relaxing Things to Do in Kolding, Demark

An Overview of Kolding

Best defined by a scenic central lake and access to the waters of the Kolding Fjord, this Danish seaport city is a small, thriving urban space is known for it’s history as a tradesmen-and-crafting city, a transportation hub and shipbuilding industrial site. The small city has unique designs and architecture, harkening back to the town’s strategic importance for old royal lines. The city itself is enjoyable to explore with many attractions and other relaxing things to do in Kolding. Most of Kolding and the surrounding area can be experienced in one or two days, through the forests merit a bit more time for hikers and campers.

Relaxing Things to Do in Kolding

Slotsø Lake

This is a serene lake just north of the town center. The lake offers excellent views across the waters to see the historic Koldinghus, Kolding’s own castle. A narrow walking trail and green space encircles the lake which can be taken to reach Koldinghus.

Koldinghus

This is Kolding’s lakeside Danish royal castle with interior historical museum. The castle is a 13th century structure but has expanded over the ages to include additions to the fortifications, the royal residency wing, a functional museum and other aspects. The museum within discusses the history of Kolding and the numerous wartime negotiations which took place in its halls.

Helligkorsgade 18

This picturesque bright-and-black building is the oldest house in Kolding. The structure is unique and a little wonky, surviving since it’s creation in 1589. The house is located in Kolding’s unassuming shopping strip, Helligkorsgade.

Helligkorsgade Shopping Strip

Located in the historical old-town portion of Kolding, Helligkorsgade is a popular shopping avenue for visitors. There are various storefronts, treats, historical markers and goods in the area.

Trapholt Museum (formerly Trapholt Museum of Art)

A unique contemporary museum of art and design located in Kolding. The museum primarily focuses on artwork along with Danish furniture design, showcasing over 500 unique, creative and preserved chairs. There are also collections of crafts, ceramics and textiles. The architecture of the museum is in a spiral shape, inspired by the Guggenheim Museum

Geografisk Have Botanical Gardens

This large botanical garden space also includes a stunning park and garden with a petting zoo and naturalist plants. There are relaxing trails winding through the area and the location is especially beautiful in the spring and summer when the rose gardens are blooming.

Stenderup Skovene National Forest

This national forest is on the Stenderup Peninsula, located to the South of Kolding. The Peninsula is also home to the Nørreskov and Midtskov nation forests. Hiking and camping trails wandering through the forested area are best defined by low rises, numerous narrow streams, beautiful, small meadows and thin shorelines overlooking the Kolding Fjord.

Sankt Nicolai Kirke (Saint Nicholas Church)

This Lutheran Church built in the Romanesque style was dedicated to the saint of merchants and seafarers. It’s the oldest building in Kolding. The most unique feature is a glass-covered sarcophagus of the famed Haraldskær Woman, one of the best conserved of the Iron Age bog bodies. The exterior northern transept also contains 23 spherical nooks housing 23 skulls, all belonging to robbers who were captured after hiding in the nearby Nørreskov Forest and subsequently beheaded.

Skamlingsbanken Visitor Center

Located somewhat south of Kolding, this beautiful and unique visitor center is melded into the very land of Skamlingsbaken. The building is embedded into the ground, incorperated into the landscape as another rolling hill. The visitor center showcases the history of Skamlingsbaken’s formation, the native flora and fauna and Danish conservation methods.

Relaxing Things to Do in Kolding, Demark

An Overview of Kolding