Ribe County Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Legoland Park showing a park and a water park
Legoland Park featuring a garden and outdoor art
Legoland Park which includes outdoor art and a garden
Denmark featuring outdoor art and a park
Lalandia Water Park featuring a water park, interior views and a pool

Admire grand churches, learn about Viking history and dig for fossils in a town that boasts more than 1,300 years of history.

Ribe is a picturesque place with a lot of history. The oldest town in Denmark, Ribe was founded by the Vikings in the 8th century and is dotted with many historical buildings. Tour these well-preserved reminders of the past and learn about Ribe through the ages.

Glimpses of the town’s Viking past can be in the Ribes Vikinger, which follows 1,000 years of the town's development. See Viking tools, instruments and everyday items, and view the facsimile of a Viking ship. Then visit the Ribe Vikinge Centre, an open-air museum that recreates life in Viking times. There are replica buildings, staff dressed in period costumes, falconry, archery and demonstrations of Viking-era crafts.

One of the buildings to survive from the Viking Age is Ribe Cathedral (Ribe Domkirke). Admire its mix of architectural styles from several centuries and then climb up the 14th-century tower. Take in sweeping views of Ribe from the top of this 170-foot (52-metre) structure. 

Investigate some of the town’s other historic buildings. Go to St. Catharine Abbey and Monastery. It was founded in  1228 but the current church was built at the beginning of the 15th century. Explore Gram Castle, a stately building that took three centuries to build, starting in 1470. Come back at night for the ghost tours. Stop by the Gothic-style Gamle Rådhus, the 15th-century town hall.

Get interactive with history by digging for fossils at Gram Lergrav, a geological site. This is a popular attraction with children. They will also enjoy experiencing Iron Age life at Hjemsted Oldtidspark. Wear period costumes, visit the underground museum and take part in such activities as grinding grain and cooking over a fire. Another highlight for younger visitors in particular is Ribelund Mini Zoo, where you can pet goats, red deer, donkeys and small kangaroos.

Ribe is situated in southwest Denmark and can be reached by bus and train from many other Danish towns. The main international airport serving the area is in Billund, approximately 39 miles (63 kilometres) northeast of Ribe. Come to experience more than 1,000 years’ worth of history inside this fascinating town.

Where to stay in Ribe County

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Blåvand Strand

If you're spending some time in Blåvand Strand, Blaavand Bolcher and Blavands Huk Lighthouse are top sights worth seeing.

Blåvand Strand
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Rindby Strand

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting Rindby Strand, you might make a stop by sights like Fano Beach and Fano Vesterhavsbads Golfklub.

Rindby Strand
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Houstrup

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Houstrup and surrounding area, you can visit Esehusene I Nymindegab and North Sea Barefoot Park.

Houstrup
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Grærup Strand

While Grærup Strand may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Borsmose Kirke and Strand-Galleriet.

Grærup Strand
CABINN Esbjerg Hotel

CABINN Esbjerg Hotel

3 out of 5
Skolegade 14, Esbjerg
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Esbjerg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Breakfast buffet lacks bacon and/or sausages. Instead of tater tots!"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

CABINN Esbjerg Hotel
The Lodge Billund

The Lodge Billund

3 out of 5
Nordmarksvej 3, Billund
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Billund. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Bel endroit chaleureux proche de tout. Le petit déjeuner est incroyable. À recommander."

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

The Lodge Billund
Airport Hotel, Billund

Airport Hotel, Billund

3 out of 5
Passager Terminalen 4, Billund
The price is ฿7,548 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
฿7,548
฿9,435 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Billund. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,452 reviews)
"It was a smooth stay. Good service, good food."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Airport Hotel, Billund
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ribe Byferie Resort

Ribe Byferie Resort

4 out of 5
Damvej 34, Ribe
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Ribe. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (773 reviews)
"A lovely place to stay when visiting Ribe. Easy walk in to town about 8 mins away. Family friendly, in fact kid enthusiastic- a large playground onsite. Car friendly with parking nearby, but for us the 12 minute walk to the train station was scenic and enjoyable. The breakfast consisted of slices ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Ribe Byferie Resort
Grindsted Aktiv Camping

Grindsted Aktiv Camping

3 out of 5
Søndre Boulevard 15, Grindsted
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly campsite in Grindsted. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Grindsted Kirke and Tudsemose ...
5.6/10 (129 reviews)
"Very gross, went home a day early because of it"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2022

Grindsted Aktiv Camping
Captain House BnB in Fano

Captain House BnB in Fano

3 out of 5
Fano, Syddanmark
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Fano. Enjoy free parking, an in-room coffee maker and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Nordby Kirke and Fano Vesterhavsbads ...
6.4/10 (5 reviews)
"Det var en god oplevelse hyggeligt sted og afslappende"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Captain House BnB in Fano
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Ribe County