Ribe, Denmark

Ribe Denmark photo

ABOVE: After visiting the public WCs in central Ribe, you can sit on a bench and admire the Cathedral.

Ribe, in the southwestern corner of Jutland, claims to be Denmark's oldest town. It's certainly one of the most pleasant, with a picture-postcard town center that has a Cathedral, half-timbered houses, cobblestoned streets, and a river that meanders through Ribe on its way to the sea.

The best way to experience Ribe is on foot. Gudrun Rishede, a Ribe schoolteacher, has written an excellent self-guided walking tour that she describes as "a two-hour walk through Danish history."

Climb the cathedral tower for a great view of the town and the surrounding countryside, and allow time to sample Ribe's half-dozen museums.

From May through October, the tourist office hosts a nightly "Watchman's Rounds." This free walking tour begins at the Torvet (town square) and is led by a guide dressed in a traditional Ribe night watchman's uniform. See the Ribe Tourist Office's Web site (link on page 2) for the tour schedule.

Shopping is another popular activity in Ribe. My wife and I found the perfect leather tote for library books at a boutique in Ribe, and the price--even with VAT--was surprisingly reasonable. One caveat: Danish shops normally close at 1 p.m. on Saturdays, so do your shopping early if you're on a weekend excursion from England.

Finally, Ribe makes an excellent base for excursions throughout the region--including the Wadden Sea island of Mandų, Legoland in Billund, and the seaport town of Esbjerg with its Fisheries & Maritime Museum and North Sea ferry terminal.

Next Page > Tourist info, hotels > Page 1, 2, 3, 4

In this article:
Introduction	Photos, etc.
Tourist info	Transport, tours

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