Ultimate Itinerary For 2 Days In Silkeborg, Denmark 2026

Tucked in the middle of Jutland, Silkeborg is one of those places that feels quietly special. It’s surrounded by lakes and forest trails, with a pace that makes you want slow down and never look at your phone again.

I spent two days here walking through pine woods, taking dips in crystal clear lakes, and discovering why Danes love this part of the country so much. In this blog, I share my itinerary to help you experience the magic of the Danish Lake District for yourself – outdoors, unhurried, and completely relaxed.

Read on from the top for all the details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in. Let’s get into it!

1. Is Silkeborg worth visiting & is two days enough?
2. Where is Silkeborg?
3. How to get to & around Silkeborg
4. Best time to visit Silkeborg
5. Day 1: Float on a historic paddle steamer to Himmelbjerget tower & learn about local history
6. Day 2: Hike through Silkeborg’s stunning woodlands or canoe down scenic canals
7. Best places to eat & drink
8. Best places to stay
9. What to pack & know before you go
10. How much a trip to Silkeborg costs

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Silkeborg at a glance:

• Cosiest Silkeborg apartment (from £84 per night)
• Historic paddle steamer lake trips
• Easiest Denmark eSIM (from £3.50)
• My favourite candlelit coffee shop

Is Silkeborg worth visiting & is two days enough?

Before we get into the detail, you might be wondering if Silkeborg is actually worth visiting… Especially as it’s not that close to Denmark’s other major sights and certainly not close to Copenhagen (but more on that next).

So why invest the time in getting here? For me, Silkeborg is a complete hidden gem. You get to experience some of the best nature in the country without the crowds. From beautiful forests and rolling scenic hills (a rarity in flat Denmark!) to crystal clear lakes and emerald islands, it’s your opportunity to experience a taste of lakeside life.

There’s also a whole lot of history here with local industrial heritage, ancient artefacts pulled from the bog and traditional paddle steamers. So if like me, you love hiking, swimming and learning about local history, Silkeborg is a brilliant choice. But if it’s shopping, beaches or a buzzing atmosphere you’re craving, Silkeborg might not be the one – instead consider Aarhus, Aalborg or Odense.

With all that in mind, how long do you need to explore Silkeborg? While you could easily walk new trails for weeks, I think two to three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in this pretty lakeside town.

If you’re venturing over from Aarhus on a day trip, you could see part of this itinerary in one day but I think you’d miss some of the magic of Silkeborg. It’s the quiet nights listening to sounds of the forest, misty mornings on the lake and sunset swims in deep blue pools that make this place so special.

So if you can, give Silkeborg the time to help you fully unwind.

Where is Silkeborg?

As I’ve alluded to (and you can see from the map below), Silkeborg is actually a while away from the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The town is in the heart of the far western part of Denmark called Jutland, perfectly positioned for easy access from Denmark’s second city, Aarhus.

This position in the centre of the land gives Silkeborg quite a different feel to many other parts of Denmark that are more coastal. Instead of beaches and small fishing towns, here you’ll find true wilderness, deep forests and crystal clear lakes. Which is why this region is often called the Danish Lake District.

How to get to & around Silkeborg

While Silkeborg may be a little more remote, the good news is it’s still pretty well connected and easy to get to. I’ll break down the best options depending on whether you’re travelling from Copenhagen or Aarhus.

From Copenhagen to Silkeborg

By train: For me, this is the easiest and most cost effective option. The train from central Copenhagen into Silkeborg station takes four hours. While that is a relatively long journey, the route is scenic, the trains are comfy and you can use that time to sit back with a good book and some snacks.

This is what we chose to do on a Friday night after work and the journey was easy. You’ll just have to change trains at Aarhus for the last 45 minutes of the journey.

Tickets typically cost between £30 and £50 each way depending on what time of day you’re travelling. I would always recommend buying your tickets in advance on the main DSB (the Danish train operator) website train for the best prices.

Find and book your train tickets through the official DSB site here.

GOOD TO KNOW: This train route also passes through Odense so you could break up the journey exploring the home of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen.

By car: Of course if you want more freedom to stop along the way, you could also rent a car and drive to Silkeborg from the capital. The journey takes around 3.5 hours and you can choose to follow the roads across Fyn (the central Danish island) or cut across the sea north of the island on a ferry to Aarhus (but you’ll need to pay for a ferry ticket).

You won’t need a car for this itinerary once you’re in Silkeborg but if you’d rather walk shorter distances or visit other neighbouring areas then it could be a good option.

Find the best rental car deals from £30 per day here.

From Aarhus to Silkeborg

By train: There are really regular direct trains between Aarhus and Silkeborg and the journey only takes 50 minutes. Again, buying tickets in advance through the DSB website is the best way to secure your seat and get the best price.

Find and book your train tickets from Aarhus through the DSB website here.

By car: Again, if you’d prefer to have full control over your travel timings, you could rent a car in Aarhus and drive across. The journey takes around 40 minutes following Route 15.

Like I said before, you won’t need a car for this itinerary but if you want the option to explore further then it might be a smart move.

Find the best rental car deals from £32 per day here.

Best time to visit Silkeborg

While Silkeborg can be beautiful in all seasons, to make the most of opportunities to explore outdoors I’d really recommend planning your trip between April and October.

As you can see from the table below, by April the temperatures start to rise again after a cold winter making lake swimming not quite so icy. It’s also when the trees start to bud and spring flowers bloom, offering beautiful woodland scenes.

For the warmest weather and the greatest chance of sunny days, plan your trip between July and August. Or for the cosiest autumn scenes, visit Silkeborg in September or October when the lake water is still mild and the foliage glows golden.

Just note that the summer months are slightly busier, so if you want to dodge the crowds, visit in April or May like I did. And be sure to pack a good waterproof as whatever time of year you visit, you might get caught in a shower!

Month	Average High Temperature	Average Low Temperature	Average Number of Rainy Days
January	4	-1	12 days
February	5	0	9 days
March	8	0	9 days
April	12	2	7 days
May	17	6	8 days
June	20	9	9 days
July	21	10	8 days
August	21	10	10 days
September	18	9	10 days
October	13	6	12 days
November	8	2	12 days
December	6	1	12 days

Day 1: Float on a historic paddle steamer to Himmelbjerget tower & learn about local history

On your first day in the Danish lake district, get your bearings by taking a boat trip through the heart of the region and climbing to the highest viewpoint. Here’s what I’d recommend…

Take a traditional boat trip on Silkeborg’s lakes to Himmelbjerget

Start your first morning in Silkeborg the best way – on the water. Joining a scenic paddle steamer tour is the best way to see Silkeborg. You’ll float down the pretty canal and onto the lakes that made this town famous, getting a feel for lakeside life, spotting wildlife and admiring the forests that surround the town.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you can join tours of different lengths and on different boats. The tour provider, Hjejle offers trips on nine different boats that date back as far as 1861. During summer the best option is to book return tickets from Silkeborg to Himmelbjerget. This is the easiest way to get to the next sight and will save the most time and money.

However, during winter this tour isn’t offered. Instead it’s a non-stop lake tour which is still great and worth doing, you’ll just need to get to Himmelbjerget yourself afterwards (but more on that next!).

Both types of tour run multiple times a day, just be sure to book your place in advance as they do fill up. Tickets start at £21 per person for non-stop tours and £24 for return tours to Himmelbjerget. Check availability and book your tickets here.

GOOD TO KNOW: If you get hungry or thirsty, you can buy coffee, beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks on board. They take card so there’s no need to carry cash!

Walk up to iconic Himmelbjerget tower

Now whether you take a boat, train or car here, Himmelbjerget is the must-see sight in the area. This is arguably one of the most beautiful spots in the country where the elevation is high enough to enjoy sweeping views of the nearby lakes. At only 147m above sea level, this might not sound like a high climb… But when you consider that most of Denmark lies at or only a couple of metres above sea level, this is essentially the country’s Mount Everest 😂

To crown such a prominent peak, a tower was built here 150 years ago in memory of King Frederik VII and the Danish Constitution of 1849 that helped pave the way for democracy in Denmark.

On your visit, I’d recommend walking up to the top of the hill to see the tower and view for yourself. If you’ve taken a boat trip that stops at Himmelbjerget then the walk from the harbour to the tower is only about 20 minutes uphill. But there’s plenty more marked trails and sculptures to explore surrounding the main tower.

Alternatively, if like us the boat is not running the return service stopping at Himmelbjerget, the best way to get there is by train. Just hop on the service running from Silkeborg to Ry (15 minute journey – buy your tickets on DSB) and from there it’s about 1.5 hours walk along pretty woodland trails to the tower. While that might sound like a relatively long walk, I really would recommend it as the scenery is beautiful and it was probably my favourite walk of the trip. The trail is also well marked and you can’t really go wrong.

LOOK OUT FOR: If you’re walking from Ry, a lot of the forest trails pass areas where wild boar live (don’t worry they’re fenced in) and you might get lucky like us and spot some and even their super cute babies! There are also a lot of deer in the area so don’t be surprised if you see some on the path ahead – they’re adept at jumping over the high fences!

If you want to, you can also climb to the top of the tower which is open most days from 10am to 5pm and costs around £1.50 each to enter.

Visit a museum or gallery

In the afternoon, take the chance to soak up local history, culture and art at one of Silkeborg’s brilliant museums or galleries. Here are the best spots…

See the infamous bog man close up at Silkeborg Museum

The main town museum houses an internationally famous exhibit – the Tollund Man. This is the remains of an ancient man who lived in around 400 BC whose body was perfectly preserved thanks to being submerged in a peat bog.

The man was found in 1950 and was actually reported to the police at the time as the body was so intact. After being radiocarbon dated and studied, the Tollund Man has been on permanent display in the Silkeborg Museum. Today, you can see his features up close as well as a whole host of other ancient artefacts in the museum building that itself dates back to 1767.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm and entrance costs £10 per person.

Explore the work of Danish artist, Asger Jorn

For something slightly less ancient, visit the modern art gallery inspired by Danish artist, Asger Jorn. Jorn’s experimental style and belief that everyone should have access to art helped create this inspiring space, filled with the creative work of local artists.

From pottery and paintings to sculpture and sketches there are a range of permanent and temporary exhibits that showcase some of the best of Danish contemporary art.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and entrance costs £15 each.

Learn how paper is made at Silkeborg Paper Museum

Lastly, if you’re looking for something a bit more interactive and hands on, head to the Paper Museum located in the town’s old handmade paper factory. Here you’ll learn about the important role paper making played in Silkeborg’s history and economy, see some of the original banknotes that were produced here and see the paper production process in action.

The museum opening hours change throughout the year so it’s best to check in advance here. Entrance costs £7 each.

Explore Silkeborg town centre

Round out your first day in Silkeborg by wandering the pretty streets of the old town as the sun starts to set. While the town itself is not huge, there are lovely views of the main square, church and lake front as well as plenty of cute shops and coffee shops to explore.

Day 2: Hike through Silkeborg’s stunning woodlands or canoe down scenic canals

On your second day in Silkeborg, it’s time to make the most of the town’s outdoor pursuits. Choose to hike or canoe your way through the scenic landscape, stopping to swim at beautiful natural pools, sip coffee or sample local ice cream. Here’s the plan…

Hike through Silkeborg’s beautiful woodlands

To experience Silkeborg’s forests, choose to spend your morning on foot walking to some of the town’s best viewpoints. There’s a circular route that starts behind the main harbour area and climbs up into the hills above the town, following pretty trails and scenic stairs. Here are the main spots to look for…

Viewpoint 1: Dronningestolen

The first viewpoint you’ll come to is only 15 minutes walk from Silkeborg Harbour so it’s minimal effort and maximum reward. Just follow the route Google Maps suggests and you’ll soon pick up the well-marked forest path with a sign pointing up the stairs to Dronningestolen. At the top of the stairs you’ll get a view back across to Silkeborg below.

Viewpoint 2: Birkehøj

From there it’s a 25 minute walk to the next viewpoint, Birkehøj. As you’re slightly higher up here, the views get even better and it’s a great place to stop for a snack or rest on the scenic bench.

Viewpoint 3: Ulvehoved

Just eight minutes walk from the previous viewpoint, you’ll find yourself in the thick of the forest at Ulvehoved. This view is all nature and it feels like you could be hours from the town!

Viewpoint 4: Lovisehøj

After another 15 minute walk you’ll reach the final viewpoint on this circuit – Lovishøj. Arguably the best and highest view of them all, here you can not only see sweeping woodland but panoramic lake views too.

Option to extend the hike: Sindbjerg and Stoubjerg

If you want to extend this walk further into the afternoon, you could also hike on to Sindbjerg and Stoubjerg – two scenic hills that after often draped in purple heather. They’re 30 minutes walk from Lovishøj and offer a more unobstructed view of the nearby lakes. We didn’t end up doing this as we wanted more time for the rest of today’s agenda but when we go back, they’ll be top of our list.

Rent a kayak to explore Silkeborg’s lakes

If you’d rather give your legs a rest and see more of Silkeborg from the water, you can rent kayaks and paddle on the town’s famed lakes.

Unlike a trip on the paddle steamer, if you’re in a kayak or renting a paddle board, you can explore the smaller channels and hidden lakes that bigger boats can’t access. Offering secret swimming spots, the chance to get closer to wildlife and get even further off the beaten track.

If that sounds just as irresistible to you, the easiest way to rent kayaks and paddle boards is through self-service Kayakomat. This is an automated service where you book and pay for rental online and then get sent a code to unlock your canoe, kayak or paddle board at the rental site. So there’s no need to check in with staff and you don’t need to worry about opening hours – it’s self-service 24/7.

Prices start at £17 for one hour of paddle board rental. Book your rental here.

Relax and swim at Østre Søbad or Vestre Søbad

After a morning of hiking or kayaking, it’s time to relax on the water. For that, head to one of the two most picturesque swimming spots in Silkeborg. These are the east and west swimming points on Almind Lake.

Both of these spots have stunning circular decks with easy access to the water as well as sandy banks for lounging. This is definitely the best place to be on a summer evening at dusk when water is glowing and warm from a day of sun.

For the ultimate experience, pack a picnic dinner and bottle of wine to enjoy at sunset!

Best places to eat & drink

To fuel your weekend of adventure, you need the best food and drink (mostly coffee!) in town. Here are my favourite spots…

Momo Coffee $$

For the best breakfasts, brunches and coffee in Silkeborg, head to Momo. This is such a cosy classically Danish coffee shop where you can enjoy a traditional morning plate of eggs, bread, cheese and fruit by glowing candlelight.

We headed here on our first morning in Silkeborg and it was the perfect way to start our day. The team running the shop are super friendly too and the coffee was excellent.

Pladeshoppen Kaffe & Spisebar $$

For another breakfast and coffee spot with a more cool retro feel, choose Pladeshoppen. Here you can again find classic Danish dishes like the morning plate and rye bread sandwiches as well as a range of panini, granola and salads.

Woodys Østre Søbad and Woodys Slusen $

For other coffee stops and snacks, you’ll spot Woodys around town. This is a small local chain of coffee shops serving excellent barista quality coffee. I’ve listed their two main sites above as these were the ones we visited.

The Slusen location is right next to the starting point of the paddle steamer tours and so was the perfect place to grab a quick take away Danish hot dog lunch after our trip.

The Østre Søbad location is as the name suggests right by the swimming point on the eastern part of the lake. Here you can get great coffee and baked treats – I’d recommend the cookies!

La Vinya $$

If you do end up travelling through Ry to get to Himmelbjerget tower like we did, there’s a great place to stop for lunch, coffee or a glass of post-hike wine called La Vinya. This is such a lovely spot with cosy seating to relax and refuel.

Simpel Osteria $$

When it comes to dinner, the reviews of Simpel Osteria speak for themselves. This Italian restaurant serves pizzas and sharing platters crafted with the finest ingredients to be enjoyed in their beautiful space or to takeaway.

Tin’s $

If you’re craving a break from Danish flavours, choose Vietnamese restaurant, Tin’s. Serving classic Asian dishes at really reasonable prices, this spot has all the atmosphere and flavour without hurting your wallet.

Best places to stay

When it comes to getting a good night’s rest, there are accommodation options to suit every budget – from spotless dorm rooms to cosy apartments and luxurious hotels. Here are my top spots…

Budget: Silkeborg Sø Camping Apartments (dorm beds from £47 per night)

If you’re on a tight budget, look no further than Silkeborg Sø Camping Apartments. This cosy spot is perched right on the edge of one of the lakes giving you the chance to swim and canoe from your doorstep.

Their dorm rooms have eight comfy and spacious beds with spotlessly clean shared toilets and kitchen facilities just a short walk away. So you can save a little extra cash on breakfasts, lunches and dinners by cooking your own with cheaper groceries from the local supermarket too!

Mid-range town centre: Cosy Silkeborg Apartment (£84 per night)

For a little more privacy in a spot that’s still close to the centre of Silkeborg, choose Cosy Silkeborg Apartment. This bright space is beautifully decorated with homely touches and everything you need for a great night’s sleep, the option to cook your own meals and areas to sit back and relax.

Plus, here you’re only 200m from the main train station, 30m from the closest restaurants and cafés and a five minute walk to the nearest lake.

Mid-range in nature: Silkeborg condo close to nature (£68 per night)

If you want your own space further into the beautiful nature of Silkeborg, I highly recommend choosing this Airbnb. This is where my husband and I stayed during our time in Silkeborg and it was brilliant.

Just beyond the town, you’ll find this super cosy ground floor apartment that’s been beautifully designed for the most relaxing stay. The property is surrounded by woodlands and just a stone’s throw from the nearest lake, giving you the chance to truly escape into nature!

The evenings were so peaceful, the sunrises were stunning and it made me want to throw my phone into the lake and never look at it again – that’s when you know you’ve had a peaceful stay! 😂

With a small kitchen and dining area, we also saved a little money by cooking some of our own dinners and loved relaxing and reading our books in the evenings. Plus, the hosts were so friendly and made sure we had everything we needed.

But just note, this is a little further out of town so if you’re not prepared to walk, don’t have a car or want easy access to coffee shops on your doorstep, this probably isn’t the right choice. It’s about a 30 minute walk from Silkeborg station or a 10 minute bus. But the walk is beautiful so if like us, you’re up for it – you won’t regret it!

Luxury: Hotel Ny Hattenæs (from £160 per night including breakfast)

For a more luxurious stay, it has to be Hotel Ny Hattenæs. This hotel gets rave reviews for a reason – it’s absolutely stunning. It’s where you can experience true refined Danish style and cosiness with only the finest bedding, furnishings and thoughtful touches.

Plus, a lot of their rooms have their own private balconies with lake and forest views – perfect for sipping coffee in the morning sun. There’s also an excellent restaurant on-site where you can enjoy the best of local Danish produce as well as direct lake access for morning swims.

So if you’re travelling to Silkeborg for a special birthday or anniversary, there’s no other place I’d want to be!

What to pack & know before you go

As with any new destination, there are always things it’s helpful to know before you go. Here are my top tips for packing and preparation…

Don’t forget waterproofs: As I said earlier in this blog, Silkeborg does get a decent amount of rainfall all year round. With a waterproof jacket on hand, this won’t impact your trip at all – if anything it can make it more atmospheric. Like swimming in a lake while it’s raining, why is that weirdly satisfying? So if you’re like me and don’t mind a bit of rain as long as you’re prepared, pack the waterproofs ready for a great trip.

Check lake water conditions before you swim: Denmark has famously good water quality, but that doesn’t mean it can’t vary throughout the year. Particularly after heavy rainfall, swimming conditions in the lakes around Silkeborg can change. So be sure to check the water quality boards present at many swimming spots or the Silkeborg water quality website here. Generally, if the water is not safe to swim, the local authority will put signs up warning bathers but it’s always good to check.

Always check for ticks after a day in nature: As you walk through the forests and trails around Silkeborg, there is a chance you could pick up a tick. While the chances of you having a tick bite and that tick being a carrier of Lyme disease or Tick Borne Encephalitis is super low, it’s not zero. So try to wear clothing that covers your legs to avoid picking up a tick and always check your body for ticks after a day in the woods.

While we were in Silkeborg, I did actually find a tick on my leg so it does happen and pays to be aware! If you do find a tick like I did, remove it with tweezers by pulling at the head not the body and keep an eye out for signs of flu-like symptoms or bullseye rashes. If you have either of those, see a doctor urgently.

TOP TIP: You can also get dedicated tick tweezers that are designed for easier removal. These are the ones I have and have actually had to use them quite a few times. What can I say, the ticks like me! 😂

How much a trip to Silkeborg costs

Lastly, let’s talk budget. While Denmark is definitely not a low-cost destination, there are ways to make travelling around the country more affordable and most of the activities in this itinerary are free. So if you are on a tight budget, expect to spend around £80 on your two day trip including one night in a hostel, an iconic boat ride and groceries to cook your own meals at the hostel.

If you do have a little more budget flexibility and want your own space and to enjoy more meals out, expect to spend over £100 on your two day stay.

There we have it! That’s my tried and tested itinerary for the best two days in Silkeborg. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did and if you have any questions or tips of your own to add, please let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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