Den Gamle By

Lonely Planet review

The Danes' limitless enthusiasm for dressing up and recreating history reaches its zenith at Den Gamle By (The Old Town). It's an engaging open-air museum of 75 half-timbered houses brought here from all over Denmark and reconstructed as a provincial town, complete with a functioning bakery and assorted craftspeople practising their trade. There's a real feeling of authenticity here, and activities for visitors throughout the year.

You can take a horse-drawn wagon ride around the site, and then visit each building and shop to see what life was all about; there's also a cafe and beer cellar. Outside of opening hours you can stroll the cobbled streets for free. It's an interesting time to visit as the crowds are gone and the light can be ideal for photography, though you won't be able to enter the buildings themselves.

Folk with disabilities should call in advance to reserve use of a cobblestone-friendly wheelchair. Kids are very well catered for.