Castle history, church art and hiking trails offer different reasons to visit Sønderborg. Sønderborg Castle has stood at the entrance to Als Sund for about 800 years. There is also a historical tour of Sønderborg’s old town, insights into the history of ring riding and routes in the area. If you are looking for a hotel in Sønderborg, the interests you have in mind for your trip can help shape your plans, whether that means cultural history in town or several days of hiking in the surrounding area.
Castle, church and ring riding
Sønderborg Castle contains princely rooms dating from the 16th century, including the grand Knight’s Hall. Queen Dorothea’s Chapel is considered the oldest surviving Renaissance room in the Nordic region. These different rooms reveal two aspects of the castle: its princely furnishings and a chapel that stands out for its place in art history.
Sct. Marie Church also offers concrete points of interest for exploring the history of the town. Duke Hans the Younger had the church enlarged to its present size between 1595 and 1600. Its furnishings include a pulpit from 1599 and an altarpiece from 1618, both made by Sønderborg woodcarver Niels Tagesen. There is also a large metal baptismal font from 1600 and a crucifix from the 16th century. The dates show that the furnishings were created at different times.
The Ringridermuseet is Denmark’s only ring-riding museum. It presents panels on the history of ring riding, as well as lances, riding saddles, headwear, trophies and honorary lances. This gives it a different focus from the castle and church: here, a particular tradition takes centre stage, illustrated through historical information and objects. Those planning their trip around cultural themes will find several different ways to explore Sønderborg’s history.
Views and activities in town
Point of View is on the 16th floor of Alsik Hotel and Spa in Sønderborg and offers views across the Sønderborg area. A ticket allows access to the floor for 30 minutes using an elevator QR code; tickets must be booked through the website. Check the latest booking information before planning your visit, as procedures may change.
A historical tour of Sønderborg’s old town visits some of its old buildings and shares anecdotes spanning the 13th century to the last century. The tour dates are seasonal, so checking the schedule can help with planning. EscapeTour.dk offers a different way to explore the town and its surroundings: it combines sightseeing with solving technology-based escape challenges in nature or among the town’s sights. The options therefore differ not only by subject, but also in whether you are more interested in historical stories or puzzles while sightseeing.
Sønderborg Havnebad invites visitors to swim in Als Sund. It has three pools, a sun terrace, changing facilities and a sauna. As access conditions vary by season, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting. Havnebad thus combines swimming by the sound with several specifically listed facilities.
Hiking routes for different time frames
There are many short and medium-length, consistently waymarked hiking routes in the Sønderborg area. For longer outings, Alsstien is among the trails intended for multi-day hikes. This distinction helps you gauge how much time you will need: short or medium-length routes are available alongside an explicitly multi-day option. Gendarmstien, meanwhile, is described as Denmark’s first European Quality Trail. This is another point to consider when choosing a route; no specific duration is given for this trail.
When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you want to focus more on culture in town or hiking in the area. The castle, church, Ringridermuseet and historical tour offer different historical themes; the routes range from short and medium-length trails to the multi-day Alsstien option. This lets you tailor your search for a hotel in Sønderborg to the kind of trip you want, without having to turn the activities listed into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Kruså, Holm, Ertebjerg, Bredsten, Broager, Hardeshøj, Høruphav, Rendbjerg.
Back to the broader travel overview: Sønderborg Municipality.
