UNESCO recommends – Discover the wonderful experiences endorsed by UNESCO
See what UNESCO recommends
History & Culture – Art & Design – Gastronomy
Come and experience world-class cultural heritage.
This isn’t just our opinion – it’s UNESCO’s.
Visit Christiansfeld – a town built from scratch in 1771 by a pietist German Moravian congregation, so well preserved that it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Or explore the royal town of Jelling, home to the world’s largest runestone. From this Viking stronghold, Denmark was united, and the shift from Norse mythology to Christianity was literally carved in stone.
Kolding is also on a UNESCO list, officially recognised as a Creative City of Design.
And that’s just the beginning. The local gastronomic scene is top-notch – something Michelin inspectors have rewarded with stars for several restaurants. Enjoy it. Or discover your own culinary highlights at one of the many other ambitious eateries in the region.
History & Culture
CHRISTIANSFELD
In 1771, the Moravian Church in Herrnhut was invited by King Christian VII to establish a Moravian settlement in Christiansfeld. The invitation was accepted, and a town was built from scratch. Following the traditional Moravian town layout, Christiansfeld is so well-preserved today that it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The people in Herrnhut must have been a bit puzzled by the invitation. After all, the previous king, Christian VI, had expelled the Moravians from Denmark. But now – under the more liberal winds of the Enlightenment – the king welcomed them back, hoping they would bring prosperity and economic growth to the Duchy of Schleswig.
By the early 1800s, over 700 people and 21 different crafts had settled in the town. Some of them must have been bakers, because Christiansfeld is still famous for its honey cakes today.
History & Culture
THE ROYAL JELLING
ENTER THE ROYAL JELLING.
The royal power centre of Jelling was built to impress. An area the size of 20 football fields was fortified with a palisade about 4 metres high. Come and immerse yourself in the story. See Denmark’s birth certificate. Witness how royal power asserted its dominance over the Danes with overwhelming force.
Royal Jelling still captivates visitors today. Bold storytelling invites you into a dialogue with history. Artist Ingvar Cronhammar’s installation marks the scale of the mighty Viking fortress. Inside, new exhibition technology and chalk illustrations draw you into the tale.
It’s a place of superlatives. Here you’ll find the largest construction from the Viking Age, the world’s biggest runestone, and the largest ship setting. The outer palisades alone required more than 4,000 fully grown oak trees – built with tremendous effort, limbs, and lives.
Add-ons
Gastronomy
Grand Royal
After Michelin-starred restaurant MeMu closed in 2023, the owners rebranded and reopened shortly after as Grand Royal. Within a few months, the restaurant received a Michelin star.
Gastronomy
LYST
Restaurant LYST earned its first Michelin star. Here, you’ll enjoy a gourmet experience crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced from uncompromising producers.
LYST is located in the iconic Fjordenhus building in Vejle, created in close collaboration with Studio Other Spaces, Olafur Eliasson, and Sebastian Behmann. Each day, a unique menu is designed to reflect the weather, time, season, and cultivation. Your one-of-a-kind LYST experience will include 20 locally sourced servings inspired by the four elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The dining experience lasts around 4 hours (4–5 hours for larger groups). After dinner, the bar is open.
Art & Design
TRAPHOLT
Visit Trapholt Museum of Modern Art and Design. The museum’s architecture is a highlight in itself. Built around a central museum street, Trapholt offers an inspiring experience with rotating exhibitions of Danish and international artists and designers.
Discover Arne Jacobsen’s Kubeflex summerhouse – a total design experience and the only one of its kind.
Or curate your own exhibition using works from the museum’s collection in the interactive Your Exhibition.
Trapholt is beautifully located, winding through a sculpture park and garden high above Kolding Fjord. From the museum and café, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view. The design shop offers a wide range of interior items from both Danish and international brands.
History & Culture
KOLDINGHUS
Koldinghus is a powerhouse of culture, art, and design. After a fire in 1808, the castle lay in ruins. Reconstruction didn’t begin in earnest until 160 years later. The result is now a major attraction in its own right. Come and explore the castle, the Royal Collection, and other exciting exhibitions.
Architects Inger and Johannes Exner drew the plans and reimagined the restoration. The concept was to preserve the ruin as raw as possible, while adding roofs and interior walls made from distinctly modern materials. The result is worth the journey alone.
The 750-year-old royal castle is part of The Royal Danish Collection. The Danish Royal Family often supports or initiates exhibitions here, drawing large numbers of visitors.