A journey through time and taste in the Vejle area

By: Emil Thesbjerg

9:00 AM: Breakfast in Vejle - Buns and Sustainability

This journey through time and taste in the Vejle area naturally begins with breakfast. At Vanilla, located in Vejle Midtpunkt, you can enjoy a delicious sourdough bun with cheese, baked with organic flour from Danish producers, or take the bun with you on your time-traveling adventure. If you're feeling a bit hungrier, it's recommended to have brunch at Conrads, a café set in historical surroundings with a focus on sustainable seasonal ingredients and a strong desire to minimize food waste—Conrads is even ReFood certified. Here, you'll be served a brunch platter with everything your heart desires, both traditional and vegetarian options. Once you're fueled up, the time travel adventure continues.

10:00 AM: Trip to Grejs Cliffs - Ice Age and Rock Formations

The journey now heads from Vejle city towards Grejs Valley, one of the deepest and most beautiful in the country, with forested slopes towering 50-70 meters high and the Grejs River winding through the landscape. The valley was created by erosion during the last Ice Age, and here you can experience a unique Ice Age landscape. Near the town of Grejs, at Grejs Bakke, you'll find a special natural phenomenon – an authentic rock outcrop. The Grejs Cliffs are said to be the only ones of their kind in Denmark, aside from the cliffs on Bornholm. These characteristic cliffs are made of tufa stone, also known as calcareous tufa, and during the Middle Ages, they were used as building materials for some of Denmark's first stone churches, including the nearby churches in Jelling, Hover, and Hornstrup. This suggests that the rock formations were likely much larger in the past.

For the full experience of Grejs Valley’s majestic nature, you can lace up your hiking boots and take the 16 km hike through the stunning Ice Age landscape along the Grejsdalstien trail from Vejle to Jelling, or vice versa. Plan for about 3-5 hours depending on your pace, and it’s recommended to bring water and lunch. Please note, however, that this may mean you’ll miss some of the other stops on this tour.

11:00 AM: Kongernes Jelling – The Spirit of the Viking Age

From Grejs Valley, the journey continues to Jelling – a place with a pivotal role in Danish history. Here, you can experience the unique monument site where the first Danish kings consolidated their power and Christianity was introduced. The entire area, with the two Jelling stones at its center, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walk up to the two burial mounds and follow in the footsteps of the famous Viking kings Gorm the Old, Harald Bluetooth, and their queen Thyra. End your visit at Kongernes Jelling, an interactive museum for the whole family with free admission, telling the captivating story of the Vikings and the Jelling monuments.

1:30 PM: Lunch at Jelling Kro – Danish Lunch Favorites

The Viking journey around historic Jelling continues with lunch at the cozy Jelling Kro. From the charming courtyard, you can feel the echoes of history with views of the burial mounds, church, and palisade in the background while enjoying a well-prepared Danish lunch. Here, you can savor classics like egg cake with pork, stjerneskud (a traditional Danish seafood dish), or the flavorful kro platter featuring a symphony of shrimp, herring, plaice fillet, cheese, cake, and rye bread. Cheers and enjoy your meal!

3:30 PM: Bindeballe Købmandsgård – Nostalgia and Trade History

After lunch, head south to Bindeballe. Here lies the historic Bindeballe Købmandsgård, where you can experience a general store exactly as it was in the old days, selling a variety of exciting goods and specialties. The store was founded in 1897, and today the entire shop has been restored to its original style in appearance, layout, and operation, complete with original counters, enamel signs, goods, and price lists. Bindeballe Købmandsgård also houses Denmark's largest general store museum, with an exhibition featuring more than 5,000 different items – some over 100 years old. The visit ends with coffee and cake at the cozy café.

5:30 PM: Stroll Through Historic Vejle – Royal Myths and Skulls

Well-fueled with coffee, the journey returns to Vejle. Now it’s time for a historical stroll through the old market town, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The stroll begins at the old Sønderbro bridge over the Vejle River. Since the Middle Ages, various bridges have crossed the river, and the current one was built in 1804. The walk continues north along Søndergade, Vejle's main shopping street. On the left, you will come across Den Smidtske Gård, a beautiful yellow half-timbered building from 1799. The estate is one of the oldest buildings in town and the last remaining of Vejle’s old merchant estates. Today, a cozy café and wine bar are located in the atmospheric courtyard.

The stroll continues along Søndergade to Rådhustorvet. Looking to your right at the corner of Kirkegade, you will see Residensgaarden. This was once the home of Vejle’s mayor, Niels Jonsen, and it comes with a significant history. The infamous Danish King Christian II, who orchestrated the Stockholm Bloodbath, is said to have stayed here in January 1523. According to legend, it was here that he received the resignation of the Jutland nobility’s oath of allegiance in the form of a glove. Although Christian II was eventually deposed in favor of his uncle, later King Frederick I, the "glove myth" has been debunked, as Christian II only received the resignation on his way to Copenhagen. On the left, you'll see Vejle’s Town Hall, built in 1878-79 in neo-Gothic style. The distinctive building is Vejle's fourth town hall, located on the site of a Dominican monastery from the Middle Ages. The monastery was dissolved in 1529, but the town hall bell is the same one that rang for mass in the old monastery.

From Rådhustorvet, the tour continues down Kirkegade to Saint Nicolai Church, Vejle's oldest building, dating back to the Middle Ages. The church was built in the mid-13th century, and if you look at the northern wall, you'll notice 23 holes, which hold a chilling history. Each hole contains a skull, and it remains unclear who they belonged to. One legend suggests that the skulls came from robbers or Polish soldiers from the Thirty Years' War, who were executed, and their skulls were entombed in the wall as a warning.

This marks the end of the historical stroll. If you’d like to delve deeper into the area’s history, you can visit the Culture Museum in Spinderihallerne for free, where there are several exciting and varied exhibitions.

6:30 PM: Dinner in Vejle – From Street Food to Michelin

In Vejle, there are plenty of options for a great dinner, whether you're looking for something light and casual or a full Michelin-starred experience. At Paladspassagen, you’ll find Social Dining, where you can enjoy various cuisines under one roof in true street food fashion. Whether you prefer Italian, Indian, Thai, American, or Mexican food, there’s something for every taste in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. For an honest and flavorful meal that won’t break the bank, Madindustrien is a great choice, offering two, three, or four-course menus based on seasonal ingredients, accompanied by delicious wines, beers, or cocktails. You can also visit Restaurant Nögen, which creates sustainable and delicious dishes using surplus ingredients. For the ultimate Michelin experience, you can enjoy world-class gastronomy at Restaurant Lyst, beautifully located in Olafur Eliasson’s iconic Fjordenhus building by Vejle’s waterfront.

10:30 PM: Goodnight and Sleep Well

After a day filled with delicious food and memorable experiences, it’s time for a good night’s sleep. At BB Vejle Park Hotel, you can enjoy a budget-friendly stay in the heart of Vejle. In the city, you’ll also find great accommodation options at well-known hotel chains like Best Western, Cabinn, and Zleep. If you’re looking for a truly special hotel experience, Vejle is also a fantastic spa destination. You can enjoy an exceptional spa experience in beautiful surroundings at Comwell Kellers Park, Hotel Vejle Fjord, or Munkebjerg Hotel. With your head on the pillow, this journey through time and taste in the Vejle area comes to a close, offering everything from Ice Age landscapes to majestic monuments and unique culinary delights.