Discover Kolding: Culture, History and Nature

Kolding offers several distinct themes for a stay: castle architecture and city history, art and design, as well as gardens and trails through the landscape. When planning your trip, you can consider whether to focus on exhibitions, experiences for children or time outdoors.

The Castle, Staldgården and the City’s History

At Koldinghus, you can see the Flora Danica service and experience the castle’s architecture and dramatic stories. Another way to explore Kolding’s history is through Staldgården. For several hundred years, the site served as a stable for royal horses and the Holstein Lancers Regiment; young army horses were also trained there.

At Staldgården, Cell II is the only preserved cell of its kind in Denmark. Three film-based stories use light, sound and modern technology to convey the history of Staldgården and Kolding during the occupation. This brings different historical themes into focus: the castle architecture and Flora Danica service on the one hand, and Staldgården’s military use and the occupation on the other.

Art, Design and Exhibitions

Trapholt is a museum of modern art, crafts and design on Kolding Fjord. Its grounds include a large sculpture park featuring works by contemporary Danish artists. The museum also displays Arne Jacobsen’s Kubeflex summer house, furnished with his own designs. Here, you can encounter art, outdoor sculptures and design in different forms.

The exhibition Kyster & Sølvet tells the story of Danish silver made in Kolding through works by silversmith Holger Kyster, created in collaboration with Thorvald Bindesbøll and Svend Hammershøi. A broader look at local production history is offered by Made In Kolding: the exhibition tells the stories of some of the companies and products created in Kolding from the late 19th century to the present day. In one room, visitors can use Bilofix to build cranes, cars, houses and flowers.

Activities for Children and Families

Nicolai is a cultural centre in the heart of Kolding. It comprises five independent buildings and also functions as a cultural hub. It includes Nicolai for børn, a 1,300 m² children’s cultural centre offering active and creative experiences for the whole family, kindergarten groups and school classes. Every year, Nicolai for børn holds a Constitution Day celebration for children in Legeparken.

Legeparken is close to the city centre and offers a large playground, a green space, mooncars and pedal boats. The activities mentioned are quite different: Nicolai for børn focuses on active and creative experiences at the children’s cultural centre, while Legeparken focuses on play facilities and outdoor activities.

Gardens, Trails and Nature

At Geografisk Have, trees, shrubs and herbs are arranged according to their geographical origins. Visitors can explore plant worlds from Japan, North America, China and Europe. Aksel Olsen founded the garden in 1918; today, it preserves around 2,000 species out of more than 6,000 species tested. The 1.8-kilometre Hjertesti trail runs through the garden, where birdsong and abundant wildlife accompany visitors.

Hylkedalen borders the open countryside to the southwest of Kolding and includes protected nature, mainly dry grassland and woodland. The area offers a continuous cycling route, several recreational walking trails near the edge of the city and a climbing park. Another trail runs from the city centre through the wooded Marielunddal, which is to be protected. There are therefore different landscape experiences to choose from, without assuming that all trails offer the same activity or route.

Getting There by Train

Kolding station is served by InterCity, InterCityLyn and regional trains, with connections to Jutland, Funen and Zealand. The station is accessible via stairs and a lift, and has parking for cars and bicycles. If you are planning to travel by train, check the timetable for the connection that suits your trip before departure.

Discover more destinations: Viuf, Egtved, Agtrup, Frørup, Lejrskov, Binderup, Almind, Christiansfeld

For the regional travel overview: Kolding Municipality.