Silkeborg Things to Do

When visiting Silkeborg, you must take a boat trip on the beautiful lakes Brassø, Borresø and Julsø. There are several departures during the day – with seven different boats - from the harbour of Silkeborg.

The S/S Hjejlen is the most famous of the boats. It was built in 1861 and is still sailing today - actually as the oldest original paddle steamer in the world.

The other boats are M/S Mågen (The Sea Gull) from 1996, M/S Hejren (The Heron) from 1909, M/S Rylen (The Sandpiper) from 1948, M/S Ternen (The Tern) from 1896, M/S Tranen (The Crane) from 1931 and the M/S Falken (The Falcon) from 1909.

If you want a day to just relax and enjoy a great day, then taking this boat trip to the highest point in Denmark is your best bet. You ride along the river into a series of lakes until you reach the base of Himmelbjerget which is in the background of the picture. At the base it is a short hike to the top where you can enjoy an ice-cream and a great view. The website listed is in Danish, but if you get to Silkeborg, finding the boat will not be a problem, as everyone knows it

It is an amazing exhibit of a very well preserved man and woman that died about 350B.C. Tollund man is so well preserved, that one can even see his facial hair. Go to the attached website to get directions and more info on Tollund Man.

The Silkeborg Art Museum is set in an old spa complex and offers an interesting mix of avante-garde art as well as some more traditional forms. The campus-style setting of turn-of-century buildings as well as the lake setting make for a pleasant stop.

You could spend a couple hours exploring around the Art Museum. Check out my travelogue on this--I'd highly recommend a stop here due to its unique history and good collection of modern and avante-garde art.

Some of the architectural curiosities are more in the details here, but a lot of late 19th century and early 20th century buildings point to Art Deco and more modern touches not often seen in the day. This viking ship is an example of the subtlety.

Himmelbjerget

Himmelbjerget is a 147 m high hill near Silkeborg, which can be reached by car, boat orr on foot. It gives you nice views on the surrounding Danish lakes. There is a big parking space. It is a bit of a touristmade point, but at least the views are great.

Opening Hours:
Palm Sunday - 30 April Weekends and holidays 10.00-17.00
May and June All days 10.00-17.00
July All days 10.00-19.00
Aug. - 15. Sept. All days 10.00-18.00
16. Sept. - 30. Sept.
and the two first weekends in October Sat. and Sun. 10.00-17.00

NB: The opening hours are only intended as a guide and may vary according to the weather conditions.

The Tower

The Himmelbjerg Tower, 25 metre high, was erected in commemoration of King Frederik VII, who on June 5, 1849 gave the Danish people its free constitution. The Tower, designed by the architect L. P. Fenger, has a frieze bearing the inscription: In commemoration of the King - Frederik VII - a friend of the Danish people - the giver of the Constitution. The erection commenced in 1874 and on June 6, 1875 the tower could be »unveiled«. However, without part of the ornamentation, namely the King's portrait and the commemorative wreaths, made by the Danish sculptor Ring. These ornaments were unveiled on Constitution Day 1891. Since then the tower has remained unchanged.

AQUA Ferskvands Akvarium

AQUA – ‘the inside out aquarium’

The circular AQUA building is placed in a number of big outdoor lakes which makes it a reversed aquarium with you inside of it! Through large landscape windows you can look into the lakes and watch fish and plants from various types of Danish fresh water environments. Enjoy at close range playful otters, funny beavers, ferocious pikes, diving ducks – and lots of other animals in their true elements.
In AQUA’s park near the Silkeborg lakes you can see various fresh water animals and plants in outdoor enclosures.

Opening hours
June-July-August: Daily: 10-18
Other months: Mon-fridays: 10-16
Sat.-Dundays: 10-17

Prices
Adults: DKK 70
Children u/12 y: DKK 40
Children u/3 y: free
Seniors DKK 60

Himmelbjerget translates to English as "The Sky Mountain" and one of Denmark's highest peaks, one affords a beautiful view of Denmark's lake district. Many Danes joke about this destination, as the peak of Himmelbjerget is only about 150m high.

One can climb up a tower to get a view of the lakes for a very small fee.