On a private day trip from Aarhus, visit the charming city of Horsens, renowned for its famous former prison and impressive art scene. After a guided city tour, visit the historic Jelling Stones, seeing messages carved by kings over 1000 years ago.

The private tour itinerary below is a template to show you how your Aarhus day trip could look. Our tour designers will speak to you to optimize the itinerary to ensure it is perfect for you.

Horsens & The Jelling Stones Private Tour Itinerary

After breakfast, your English-speaking private guide will meet you at your Aarhus accommodation, ready to take you on an unforgettable day trip! Get to know your driver-guide as they take you south through Jutland’s countryside. Your guide will talk you through your itinerary and set the scene by telling you the history of the attractions that await you.

City Tour of Horsens

Cobblestone street lined with traditional colorful houses in Horsens, Denmark, showcasing Scandinavian architecture and cultural heritage.
Horsens, Denmark

Start your day with a guided tour of Horsens, where you can see some of the best attractions in East Jutland. Highlights of your city tour include:

Horsens State Prison Museum (Fængslet): Take a guided tour of Fængslet, the most famous former prison in Denmark, which has now been transformed into an award-winning museum. Get a glimpse into prison life by walking through the eerie cell block, solitary confinement units, and the warden’s office. You’ll hear personal stories of inmates and prison attempts and see interactive exhibits and artifacts showing how the Danish justice system has evolved.

Horsens Town Centre: Your private guide will take you through the town center, passing historic buildings, cozy cafes, and creative street art. Feel free to enter any boutique shops or cafes that catch your eye. You’ll travel down cobbled hidden lanes and pass local landmarks such as Horsens Abbey Church.

Art & Culture Scene: Visit local art galleries with contemporary designs and works showcasing Danish artists. Explore KUBEN, a glass and steel pavilion that serves as an arts and culture hub.

Lunch in Jelling

Take the scenic drive to Jelling and start your time in the town with a relaxing lunch. You can head to a local restaurant or Danish inn, and our tour planners will pick a suitable place for lunch based on your preferences.

The Jelling Stones

Historic Jelling church with ancient rune stones under protection in Denmark, showcasing early medieval Scandinavian heritage.
Jelling, Denmark.

After lunch, you’ll take a guided tour of the Jelling Stones, one of Denmark’s most historic sites. The stones were erected over 1,000 years ago and, alongside the surrounding monuments, are seen as the symbol of the foundation of Denmark. See the stone inscriptions, including one by former kings Harald Bluetooth and Gorm the Old.

Walk between two large Viking burial mounds and visit the nearby 12th-century whitewashed church. Finish your time at the Kongernes Jelling Experience Centre. Here, you can see interactive exhibitions, holograms, and multimedia storytelling that bring the Viking Age to life.

Return to Aarhus

After a day of exploring historical sites, you’ll start the return journey through the Jutland landscape on your way back to Aarhus. Your guide can drop you back at the hotel so you can unwind for the evening, or if you’d rather, they can drop you off in the center of Aarhus so you can keep the fun going!