One of the nicest villages in Denmark is Ebeltoft. Ebeltoft is located on the east coast of Djursland, in the Midtjylland region. It is an old harbor town that has existed for more than 700 years and is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Denmark. I visited Ebeltoft at the end of November, during my train journey through Denmark. In this article you will find my best tips for a visit.
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The colorful village of Ebeltoft
The town of Ebeltoft is located on the coast of the Kattegat, in the municipality of Syddjurs. It is located approximately 50 km east of Aarhus and is considered a good base for visiting Mols Bjerge National Park.
Ebeltoft already received its town charter in 1301, which means that it has officially existed as a town for over 700 years. In the Middle Ages, it was an important trading place thanks to the harbor. Over the centuries, its character changed: from a trading city to a place that is mainly known for its historical charm and tourism. And I understand that well, the colorful houses, the old town hall and the narrow streets are truly beautiful.
Ebeltoft has over 7,000 inhabitants. In addition, many tourists come during the (summer) holidays. The number of visitors has certainly increased explosively in recent years. I had the town almost entirely to myself at the end of November. I was even the only visitor in all the museums I visited. This is different in the summer months. Do you want to discover Ebeltoft without mass tourism? Then go outside the high season.
Why is Ebeltoft worth a visit?
Ebeltoft is known as one of the most colorful towns in Denmark. In addition, you will find a lot of history, nice sights, cute shops, fine restaurants, conviviality and you are on the edge of Mols Bjerge National Park. For me, Ebeltoft was also the ideal base for walks in Mols Bjerge. On 3 of the 4 days I was there I went hiking (more on that later).
In addition to picturesque streets, Ebeltoft also has a beautiful harbor. Wonderful to walk through, and in the summer months it will be a great place.
And not to forget the culture in Ebeltoft. In recent years, the town has developed into the cultural place of this part of Denmark. You will find many art galleries, glass studios and special museums. Art is everywhere. Anyway, the Danes are extremely creative, they make everything themselves. Only handmade items were also sold at the Christmas market in Ebeltoft. You can feel that creativity in Ebeltoft. A paradise for someone like me who also makes as much as possible myself.
Sights in Ebeltoft
There is surprisingly much to do and see in Ebeltoft. There is also plenty to do in the area, but some things are easier to visit by car. Everything you read below can be visited on foot or by bus. I visited all the museums in Ebeltoft in 1 day, when the rain was pouring down. The ideal moment…
1. Frigate Jylland
One of the biggest attractions of Ebeltoft is the Fregatten Jylland, a historic wooden warship from the 19th century that is now accessible as a museum. Jylland is a Danish frigate and is both a steam frigate with screw propulsion and a sailing ship. The ship participated in the Battle of Heligoland on May 9, 1864 and was brought to Ebeltoft in 1960. After decades of fundraising and restoration, it opened as a museum in 1994. With the title ‘the longest preserved wooden warship in the world‘.
I visited the frigate on a day when the rain was pouring down. It was very interesting, but also a strange visit. I was the only visitor, which is a bit strange in such a huge ship. I looked at the whole ship and in the pouring rain and with a lot of wind I went to the deck. For rain photos of the frigate and the beautiful view of the surroundings. Frigate Jylland is a museum not to be missed, even in the rain.
- Here you will find Frigate Jylland on the map.
- Here you will find the prices and opening hours.
- Please note: keep your ticket for the frigate, this will give you a 15% discount on your entrance ticket to the Glasmuseum, the Kattegatcenter and the Ree Park Safari.
2. Glasmuseet Ebeltoft
The Glasmuseum Ebeltoft is an international museum for modern glass art with changing exhibitions and glassblowing demonstrations. I thought it was a beautiful art museum that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss. First I sat at the glassblowing demonstration for a while. Wonderfully warm in cold weather. And very interesting. You’re basically just watching what the glassblower is making that day.
Then I visited the museum. The Glasmuseum not only has glass in the exhibition, but all kinds of different art. From sculptures to paintings to paper to glass. The collection includes more than 1500 works by approximately 600 artists from home and abroad. You will see an enormous diversity of styles and techniques: from abstract sculptures and colorful installations to sculptures that almost seem to dance with the light. Very interesting.
The Cosmic Space
Don’t forget to walk all the way to the top of the museum, there is a room where you can make something out of glass yourself. But much nicer, a little hidden in a corner, is the Cosmic Space. In the Cosmic Space you are literally standing on a glass floor and looking at a reflective and endlessly appearing work of art that gives you the feeling as if you are floating above the ground.
Due to light, color and reflection, the space seems infinitely deep, a kind of optical illusion that is quite exciting for people with a fear of heights (like me). You have to take off your shoes and stand on it with your socks on. So I have a terrible fear of heights and thought it was terrifying, but it was also so much fun. I think it took me 20 minutes to stand a little in the middle for a nice photo. Also perfect to challenge yourself.
The work is made by the Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson, who is inspired by his sea expeditions and the cosmos. The idea was not only to look at art, but to stand in it yourself. A kind of cosmic experience.
Don’t forget to visit the Cosmic Space, it is really an amazing experience…
3. Det Gamle Rådhus (Old Town Hall)
When you think of Ebeltoft, you think of the Old Town Hall. This is the photo that adorns every piece of information about Ebeltoft. Just like at the top of this article. And I understand that: it is a pretty beautiful image. The town hall in the middle of the cute streets and colored houses.
But besides being a very photogenic building, you can also visit it. The former town hall from 1789 houses a small museum about the history of Ebeltoft and is one of the oldest preserved town halls in Denmark. The museum is very small, but also very interesting. Highly recommended to go inside. Don’t forget to descend the steep stairs to the old cellar of the town hall. Quite exciting…
- Here you will find the Old Town Hall of Ebeltoft on the map.
- Opening hours: the town hall is not open every day and not all day. Check the door for when it is open.
- Entrance: free.
4. The Treasure Chamber of Siam
In the center of Ebeltoft, around the corner from the Old Town Hall, you will find a small hidden museum. An unexpectedly fascinating museum, which turned out to be particularly interesting. Namely the museum Treasure Chamber of Siam. Here you will find the original collection of the Danish adventurer Rasmus Havmøller, who worked between 1914 and 1933 in what is now called Thailand (then Siam) and there compiled an enormous collection of ethnographic objects and stuffed animals.
He exhibited it himself in the museum at the time, in his own way. And nothing has changed since then. What you see is what he put down in this way himself. Amazing, isn’t it?
You walk through a wonderful collection of objects from South Asia. You will also learn about the connection between Denmark and Siam in the early 20th century. And you will meet Rasmus and his family. I always get a bit of the creeps with stuffed animals, but the museum was still very interesting. I especially liked the second part with information, photos and videos about Siam and the life of Rasmus.
A surprising museum in Ebeltoft not to be missed.
- Here you will find the Treasure Chamber of Siam on the map.
- Also click on that link for the opening hours. The museum is not open every day, so check it in advance.
- Entrance: free.
5. Maltfabrikken
The Maltfabrikken in Ebeltoft was founded in 1861 as a malt factory, a place where the grain kernels for beer were prepared. This remained in production until 1998. Thanks to a large local rescue operation, the iconic red complex has not been demolished, but transformed into a vibrant cultural center.
In the Maltfabrikken you will find a small museum about how malt and beer used to be made, a library, a very nice shop, small exhibitions and a beautiful view over the harbor of Ebeltoft from the top floor.
You can also have a drink and just sit comfortably.
- Here you will find the Maltfabrikken on the map.
- Entrance: free
6. Strolling through the picturesque streets
Just strolling through the picturesque streets of Ebeltoft is a pleasure. Everywhere is beautiful. The squares, the colored houses, the shops. Also walk through the car-free streets Adelgade and Overgade, full of boutiques, galleries, cafes and small restaurants. Real enjoyment.
7. Hiking in Mols Bjerge National Park
The surroundings of Ebeltoft offer nice walks in the beautiful hilly landscape of the Mols Bjerge National Park. From the center of Ebeltoft you can take a beautiful walk along the water, highly recommended. And other walks are a 15 to 30 minute drive away.
Click here for the hiking route directly from Ebeltoft (hiking route 3), and 2 more nice hiking routes more to the northwest.
Hotels and Airbnb’s in Ebeltoft
There are many hotels, Airbnb’s and campsites in Ebeltoft and the surrounding area. I myself stayed in this very nice Airbnb in an authentic house from the year 1800. A cute studio with a kitchenette, a bathroom and a nice bed, above a shop. Really enjoyed this special stay. Please note: you have to climb a steep staircase to get to the studio, so this accommodation is not suitable for people who do not want to or cannot climb a steep staircase.
However, there are many more hotels and accommodations in the town. Search for your hotel in Ebeltoft here or campsites in and around Ebeltoft.
How many days do you need for Ebeltoft?
Ebeltoft is a small town, but there is surprisingly much to do. Also in the area. I therefore stayed there for 4 nights. If you only want to walk through the town and don’t need to do much else, 1 or 2 nights will suffice.
I always like to get to know a place better, so I chose to stay longer and immediately discover the area. In 4 nights I saw all the museums and made 3 hikes in Mols Bjerge. I also went to the Christmas market several times, and walked up and down the cute streets.
Keep in mind that the days in autumn and winter are a lot shorter than in summer. I arrived at the end of November and it was already dark around 4:15 PM. You can also do less then, because you don’t want to be walking in the middle of a nature reserve alone when it is dark. In the summer months you can do much more during the day, and then you may need fewer days.
What is the best time to travel to Ebeltoft?
The best travel time depends on your own preferences. Don’t you like the cold? Then go in the summer months. Does the climate matter less to you, but you don’t want mass tourism? Then go in the low season. Do you, like me, want to taste the Christmas atmosphere? Then go between the end of November and Christmas.
In terms of climate, it is of course cold in winter and warmer in summer. Rain can fall throughout the year, you are in Denmark after all. I myself had 1 day with rain at the end of November, the rest of the days were beautiful.
How do you get to Ebeltoft by public transport?
The bus connection between Ebeltoft and the surrounding area is good. Bus 123 runs between the Aarhus Rutebilstation and the center of Ebeltoft. Simply search for the bus stop on Google Maps where you want to get off, and buy a ticket to the stop in the app. I got on and off the bus at the bus stop Nørrealle/Nørreport (Syddjurs Kom) in Ebeltoft. From there you immediately walk into the car-free old center of Ebeltoft.
From Ebeltoft you can also take bus 123 to Mols Bjerge. In this article you can read 3 walks in the Mols Bjerge National Park and at which bus stops you get off.
You can easily buy your bus ticket online with the Rejsebillet app, which you download on your phone.
Ebeltoft is small in size but big in charm, a perfect mix of history, culture, nature and Danish cosiness. Whether you like museums, nature or just strolling around, this town is a gem on the Danish coast.
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