The pedestrian walkway in the downtown hosts a number of great shops where you can buy Danish papirklip (paper mobiles), locally hand-blown glass, and any number of other things. There are also a couple of grocery stores in this area.

Across the water from Sønderborg Slot and the neighbouring beach, you can see Germany.

For tourist information, visit the Sønderborg Tourist Office located at Rådhustorvet 7. You can arrange a town walk through Sønderborg in English, German, or Danish.

Quick Tips:

The harbour itself is interesting to check out especially when foreign navy vessels stop in town. They often offer tours for the locals. Beware the harbour area at night though. In the past few years, violence has been on the rise.

The spritbaaden (alcohol boat) is an interesting experience. For the equivalent of 2-3 Canadian dollars you sail to Germany (which you can see from the castle) and can eat and drink on board as well as buy perfume, cosmetics, alcohol, and candy duty free. Tickets can be obtained at the offices at the edge of the harbour. Meals and other purchases are not included in the ticket price.

The Rådhus (town hall) with its large fountain out front is an interesting and picturesque building to stop by. In December it houses an exhibition of Christmas trees. In the summer, concerts are held there. Check with the tourist office or its website for dates of the concerts.

Best Way To Get Around:

Getting around town is easy. There is a good amount of parking in the downtown area near the pedestrian walking area. It is best to park your car and walk around downtown as it is a busy place and there are many pedestrians.

If you want to explore areas outside of the downtown, the bus system is good with friendly drivers (who all speak some English). You can always take your car, bike, or take a taxi.

The rustic but comfortable chairs and wooden tables and floors add to the casual atmosphere. No noisy and annoying music to distract from conversation. If you prefer to sit outside in the warm weather, Maybe Not Bob offers some outside seating on the square. Imagine yourself seated at an outdoor table in the city square watching the goings on while listening to the sound of the water in the square's fountain!

They offer the usual Danish beer as well as English and Irish varieties. Kilkenny is offered on tap. They even have some imports like Canada's Molson Export. They also offer the usual variety of wines, spirits, and liquors that you will find at other bars and pubs. Sandwiches are reasonably priced for the budget conscious. You can get sandwiches from 25-30 kr.

Two of my host brothers and I took my real sister there when she came to Europe to visit and we had a great evening. It was relaxed and full of young people. If you are in your 20's, this is a good place to go.

If you want more information on Maybe Not Bob, give them a call at 74 42 52 28. Enjoy a little bit of Britain in the south of Denmark!

Imagine yourself in the stands of a jousting tournament and you'll develop the perfect picture of what this sport is all about. The object is for one competitor at a time to capture, on a long pole, a doughnut shaped metal disk suspended in the air. It is not as easy as it sounds. Why? Because you have to be riding a horse and holding your pole at the same time as you attempt your capture! I didn't dare believe that the riders would be able to capture the ring. The riders, however, are extremely adept and experienced at this sport and make it look so easy.

The Sønderborg Ringridning Festival has been Denmark's largest and most tradition-filled ringridning festival since the 18th century. More than 450 riders compete in the event drawing 40,000 spectators. The riders and horses are not the only show in town! Music, displays, and other festivities combine to make the ringridning festival a city wide event for people of all ages.

While the biggest of all the ringridning festivals takes place in Sønderborg, other communities in the area and on the island of Als play host to smaller ringridning events over the summer. For example, the town of Augustenborg holds more than one ringridning event every summer. To find out more information on when these events are held, visit the Danish Ringridning Website and the Als Tourism Website.

Be sure to check out a ringridning festival to catch a glimpse of Denmark's celebration of its glorious history during the Middle Ages.