8 Must See Attractions From Sønderborg To Flensburg juni 13, 2022 – Posted in: Denmark, Travel – Tags: Attractions, Christmas Market, Flensburg, Germany, Holiday, Mini Break, Sønderborg, Vacation

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HOLIDAYS AT THE BORDER

A holiday at the border between Denmark and Germany offers many great attractions and experiences. The old duchies, Schleswig and Holstein, were once part of Denmark, and much of the area bears a mark by this.

Start in Sønderborg and continue down through Sønderjylland to the German border. There is plenty to see here, it is affordable to stay overnight and quick to get to and from. And now that you’re there anyway, there are the border supermarkets and the large outlet village in Neumünster, which of course also belongs to a holiday at the border.

At the end of this article you will also find a list of good hotels in Sønderborg and Flensburg, all of which can be booked directly through Booking.com.

10 SIGHTS TO SEE ON A HOLIDAY AT THE BORDER

SØNDERBORG CASTLE

Sønderborg Castle is located right by the harbor in Sønderborg. The medieval castle was originally built as a fortification, but is today transformed into a museum. At the castle, the Danish Christian II was helt captive, and this is where the myth of the furrow he slid in the round table originates. At the castle you can see exhibitions about, among other things, shipping and the Schleswig wars.

HISTORY CENTER DYBBØL BANKE

The Danish children sing along to the song about Mallebrok, who died in the war in 1864 – but what is that song really about? At Historiecenter Dybbøl Banke you enter directly into the battle, complete with defenses and exciting stories about the war in 1864.

FRØSLEV CAMP MUSEUM

Right by the border in Kruså is also the Frøslev camp, a German internment camp for the Danish prisoners of war during World War II. Although the people were imprisoned, the camp was not as horrific as the other concentration camps. Still, it’s piece of Danish history that is worth visiting.

HÆRVEJEN

The area has always been a center for the extensive Baltic Sea trade. Partly at sea due to the very large deposits of herring in the fjord and partly on land where several important trade routes met. From north to south Hærvejen or Ochsenweg, and the east-west-going road between Angel and northern Friesland. If you drive along the motorway, you pass the old Hærvej. You can’t see it from the road, but turn off at exit 75 and turn left – then you enter Hærvejen. You will find a detailed overview map here: Map of Hærvejen. Choose hiking route 23 – Kliplev – Padborg.

BORDER SHOPS

A holiday at the border also includes a visit to the border shops. Visit Harrislee, where the supermarket Fleggaard is located or Scandinavian Park, which you find by following the motorway. If you are heading south, also visit the large outlet village in Neumünster. Here you can get clothes and shoes from all the well-known brands – and at great discounts!

FLENSBURG

Flensburg has many attractions, and we can recommend staying here for at least a day or two. At the harbor is the city’s maritime museum with many fine historical sailing ships and a museum shipyard. Nearby is the fjord steamer Alexandra from 1908, which sails tourists around the fjord. Also take a shopping trip on the long shopping street. If you visit at Christmas time, you’ll experince the nice Christmas market and th small stalls throughout the shopping street.

GOOD RESTAURANTS IN FLENSBURG

If you are looking for a great restaurant, book a table at the cozy brewery, Hansens Brauerei, which offers classic North German dishes, such as Grillhaxe and Sauerkraut. Between the large, polished boilers at the brewery there is a festive atmosphere, and remember to order the famous “1 meter beer”.

If you are looking for brunch or cakes, Marien-Café with the 1000 coffee pots can be recommended. Brunch is served on large stands, and if you are in the mood for coffee and cake, then visit the place in the afternoon. Remember to book a table – the place is very popular for birthdays and excursions.

DANNEVIRKE

The fortification Dannevirke is the largest archaeological monument in Northern Europe. In the Viking Age, the Danes started the construction of the fortification, which was built on the narrowest site across the Jutland peninsula. About 40 km south of the current border, you can see parts of Dannevirke from the motorway. The Dannevirke Museum has exhibitions and events, and in the museum park the Dannevirke main rampart, Valdemarsmuren, the Thyraborg rampart and ramparts 14 from 1864 can be seen.

VIKING MUSEUM HEDEBY

During the Viking Age, trade flourished in Hedeby, which at the time was the largest and most important city in Denmark. As a trading post right in the middle of several of the then much-used roads, including Hærvejen, it was a place where many people came by. Today, in the Viking Museum Haithabu, you can walk between the reconstructed Viking houses and get an insight into how the daily life of that time unfolded.

MUSEUM ISLAND GOTTORP CASTLE

A short drive away is Gottorp Castle, which is the largest castle complex in Schleswig-Holstein. In the castle you can visit one of Germany’s largest and oldest archeological museums. The more than five million finds are presented in intriguing exhibits from Stone Age hunters and gatherers to medieval citizens. The old riding building houses the famous Nydam boat, a 23-meter-long oak ship from the Iron Age.

FIND A GREAT HOTEL AT THE BORDER

In addition to the many sights and attractions, the cities of Sønderborg and Flensborg also offer many great hotels. Here you get recommendations to some of all the lovely hotels at the border, all of which can be booked directly through Booking.com. See more hotels by doing your own search here:

Booking.com

LUXURY HOTEL IN SØNDERBORG WITH A SEA VIEW

Behind Sønderborg Castle is Hotel Sønderborg Strand. Here you can stay with a view of the sea and the beach. The hotel is just 250 meters from the city center. After the shopping trip or the cultural experiences, you can relax in the swimming pool or have dinner in Restaurant Bellevue.

Read more here: Hotel Sønderborg Strand

THE BEST HOTEL IN TOWN

The four-star Hotel Hafen is located right in the maritime heart of Flensburg by the museum yard and with a five-minute walk to the shopping streets. Since 1853, there has been a hotel in the buildings here on the Schiffbrücke, the cobbled road that runs parallel to the fjord and the old harbor. Stay in one of the beautifully decorated rooms overlooking the old town or the harbor and start the day with a delicious breakfast and a stroll along the fjord. Back at Hotel Hafen, have dinner in the exclusive gourmet restaurant with the impressive wine cellar and end the day star-gazing in the romantic courtyard. The luxury hotel invites to pure relaxation around the clock, maybe only interrupted by a massage in the spa area.

DESIGNER HOTEL IN THE OLD POST OFFICE

The former post office in Flensburg has been transformed into the modern lifestyle hotel, Hotel Alte Post Flensburg. In the characteristic red building on the corner right by the bus station you will find the fancy designer hotel with gourmet restaurant and the city’s largest selection of rum in the hotel bar. At the Hotel Alte Post Flensburg all rooms are designed in Scandinavian style, in addition to themed rooms with fun and memorable concepts. The hotel is as close to the city center as you can get, right next to the pedestrian zone, restaurants and the harbor.