Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

A living paper mill museum in Silkeborg’s old factory district, where handmade sheets, industrial history and Denmark’s banknote heritage meet by the riverside.

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Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

Housed in the former Silkeborg Paper Factory, Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet is a working paper museum where Denmark’s industrial past comes to life. In this compact riverside space you can watch traditional papermaking in action, learn how banknote paper was produced here until the late 20th century, and even pull your own sheet of handmade paper. Exhibitions trace Danish papermaking from craft to industry, while the surrounding Papirfabrikken district adds a distinctive post-industrial atmosphere with cafés and creative spaces.

A brief summary to Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

Papirfabrikken 78, Silkeborg, 8600, DK
+4586854564
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Budget
Indoor
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Monday 11 am-4 pm
Tuesday 11 am-4 pm
Wednesday 11 am-4 pm
Thursday 11 am-4 pm
Friday 11 am-4 pm
Saturday 11 am-4 pm
Sunday 11 am-4 pm

Local tips

Check seasonal opening hours in advance; Papirmuseet has reduced hours outside summer and school holidays, and certain activities run only on specific days.
Allow extra time if you want to make your own sheet of paper, as hands-on workshops can be scheduled at fixed times and may fill quickly in holiday periods.
Combine your visit with a stroll through the Papirfabrikken district to appreciate the wider factory complex, riverside setting and nearby cafés or eateries.
Bring a small bag or folder if you plan to buy or make handmade paper, so you can carry delicate sheets home flat and protected from the elements.

Getting There

Local bus from Silkeborg station

From Silkeborg railway station, take a city bus serving the central area around Papirfabrikken; most lines crossing the town centre reach stops within a short walk of the museum in about 5–10 minutes. Buses typically run several times an hour on weekdays and less frequently in the evening and on weekends. A single-zone adult ticket usually costs around DKK 24–28, and tickets can be bought from machines, apps or on board depending on the operator.
Walk from central Silkeborg

If you are staying in central Silkeborg, you can walk to Papirmuseet in roughly 10–20 minutes depending on your starting point. The route is generally flat and follows ordinary pavements through the town and the redeveloped Papirfabrikken area, making it suitable for most visitors. Surfaces are mostly smooth, but occasional cobblestones and curbs may require a little extra attention for wheelchair users and prams.
Car or taxi within Silkeborg region

Arriving by car from elsewhere in the Silkeborg region typically takes 5–20 minutes from nearby suburbs and 30–45 minutes from surrounding towns such as Aarhus or Viborg. Expect to pay around DKK 10–15 per litre for fuel. The Papirfabrikken district offers public parking areas; some spaces may charge by the hour or impose time limits, so always check local signage. Taxis within Silkeborg town usually cost in the range of DKK 80–150 for short rides of 5–15 minutes, depending on distance and time of day.

Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet location weather suitability

Any Weather
Rain / Wet Weather
Cold Weather
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

Where Silk Meets Cellulose in Silkeborg

Set in the red-brick buildings of the old Silkeborg Paper Factory, Papirmuseet blends industrial heritage with hands-on craft. This was once a humming production site for high-security paper, including the sheets used for Danish banknotes and securities, right up until the 1990s. Today, the heavy beams, worn floors and glimpses of old machinery form a characterful backdrop to a museum that still smells faintly of pulp, damp fibre and warm workshop air. The scale is intimate rather than grand, inviting you to slow down and notice the details: vats of cloudy water, wooden moulds, felt blankets and drying racks. It feels less like a gallery and more like stepping into a small factory mid-shift, just without the noise and haste.

The Story of Danish Papermaking

One section guides you through papermaking in Denmark from its early days as a labour-intensive craft to its transformation into a modern industry. Displays explain how rags gave way to wood pulp, how advances in machinery multiplied output, and why Silkeborg’s lakes and forests made it an ideal place to build a mill. Panels and objects trace the rise of this specific factory, showing tools, samples and documents that once underpinned everything from everyday notebooks to official certificates. You also encounter the social side of the mill: work routines, skills passed down through generations and the close ties between the factory and the town that grew around it. Even without long texts, the visuals and artefacts tell a clear story of a community shaped by one industry.

A Living Workshop of Handmade Paper

The heart of Papirmuseet is its working workshop, where handmade paper is still produced using traditional techniques. Here you can watch as a frame is dipped into a vat of milky pulp, lifted with a shake and slowly drained until a thin sheet clings to the mesh. Pressing, couching and drying follow, revealing how something as ubiquitous as paper emerges from water and fibre. At certain times, visitors are invited to don an apron and try the process themselves, from forming a sheet to adding simple decorations or watermarks. The rhythm of the work, the dripping water and the soft, cool surface of the fresh sheet turn an abstract process into a tactile memory. Finished sheets, cards and small artworks show how handmade paper remains a creative medium even in the digital age.

From Banknote Production to Papirfabrikken District

Historically, this factory produced the specialised paper needed for Danish currency and other secure documents. Exhibits explain how watermarking, fibre blends and quality controls made the paper difficult to forge, and how secrecy and precision shaped everyday life at the mill. Samples and illustrations reveal security features that most people never notice in their wallet. Outside the museum doors, the wider Papirfabrikken area has been reimagined as a mixed-use neighbourhood of cultural venues, restaurants and riverside walks. The contrast between repurposed industrial architecture and the serene flow of the Gudenå River gives context to the museum: it is both a relic of the past and a cornerstone of Silkeborg’s new identity.

Visiting in a Compact, Creative Setting

Papirmuseet is a relatively small museum, which makes it easy to explore in depth within a couple of unrushed hours. Clear displays, working equipment and simple explanations make it accessible for both adults and children without overwhelming anyone. Seasonal opening hours and occasional special activities mean the experience can differ between a quiet weekday visit and a livelier holiday programme. Benches and nearby cafés in the Papirfabrikken complex offer spots to sit with a coffee and reflect on what you have seen. Whether you are interested in industrial archaeology, design materials or just enjoy watching skilled hands at work, this is a place where an everyday object is revealed as the result of water, wood and human ingenuity.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

silkeborg

0.1 km

Historic 1871 railway landmark connecting Central Jutland with frequent regional services and heritage charm.

Silkeborg Water Tower

0.7 km

A heritage-listed industrial landmark symbolising Silkeborg's textile manufacturing legacy.

Lovisehøj

2.9 km

A 73-meter forest hill with royal heritage and sweeping views across Danish lakes and woodlands.

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

4.0 km

A modest memorial stone in Silkeborg Vesterskov, where forest tranquillity and wartime history meet in a quiet, contemplative woodland clearing.

Store Troldhøj

10.0 km

A cone-shaped summit offering panoramic valley views and a climbing tree in Denmark's scenic lake district.

Randershøj

10.5 km

A scenic hilltop viewpoint offering panoramic vistas across Denmark's lake-filled landscape and forest-covered terrain.

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

10.6 km

Denmark's highest point crowned by a historic tower, accessible by scenic lake cruise or forest trail.

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

11.0 km

Denmark's first democratic gathering, 1839—where ordinary citizens claimed their political voice.

Bølling Lake

11.1 km

A restored glacial lake offering scenic walks, excellent fishing, and peaceful nature immersion in central Jutland.

Jutland's Automobile Museum

13.2 km

Discover Denmark's automotive history at Jutland's Automobile Museum in Gjern, showcasing vintage cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s to iconic post-war models, offering a unique glimpse into the nation's motoring heritage.

Abbey Mill

16.9 km

Explore Abbey Mill in Skanderborg: A picturesque blend of history and nature, perfect for leisurely strolls and unforgettable experiences.

Øm Klostermuseum

17.9 km

Discover Denmark's medieval monastic life at Øm Klostermuseum near Ry: Explore ruins, gardens, and artifacts revealing centuries of history and brewing traditions.

Mossø

20.4 km

Discover the serene beauty of Mossø, Denmark's third-largest lake, offering hiking, watersports, and historical sites in the heart of the Danish Lake District.

Jutland

20.8 km

Discover Jutland, Denmark: Explore Viking history, stunning nature, and family fun on the mainland peninsula, offering an authentic Danish experience.

The Uncovered Bridge

23.5 km

A hidden railway bridge buried for 85 years, spectacularly restored and now one of Denmark's most beloved landmarks.

Unmissable attractions to see

The Hjejle Agency

0.1 km

Denmark's oldest steamship still operating with its original 1861 engine, offering historic cruises through the scenic Silkeborg Lake District.

Riverboat Jazz Festival

0.1 km

Swinging jazz, riverboats and long Nordic evenings fuse in Silkeborg’s lake district for a five-day celebration where the entire town becomes a waterside stage.

Kedelhuset

0.1 km

Intimate live music and performance venue in Silkeborg’s former paper mill boiler house, blending industrial charm with a modern black box concert hall.

Museum Silkeborg, Hovedgården

0.2 km

Step into Silkeborg’s oldest manor house to meet Tollund Man, explore bog mysteries and trace the town’s journey from Iron Age wetlands to modern Jutland hub.

Tollundmanden

0.3 km

Meet the Tollund Man, a 2,400‑year‑old bog body whose hauntingly preserved face and story of ritual, death and discovery define Museum Silkeborg’s Iron Age heart.

Slotsholmen

0.4 km

Experience breathtaking panoramic views over Silkeborg's heather-clad hills and serene lakes at Kongestolen, a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Statue of Michael Drewsen

0.4 km

Panoramic forested hilltop viewpoint steeped in royal legend, offering sweeping vistas over Silkeborg’s lakes and the lush Søhøjlandet landscape.

Springvand

0.4 km

Silkeborg Langsø’s towering fountain turns the town’s central lake into a stage of water and light, blending engineering spectacle with everyday lakeside life.

Silkeborg Søerne

0.5 km

Denmark's premier water gateway—paddle, cruise, and explore the pristine lakes of Søhøjlandet from the heart of Silkeborg.

Vægmaleri

0.6 km

Experience the tradition of Denmark’s lake steamers aboard Turbådene Himmelbjerget, a nostalgic boat journey bridging Ry, Silkeborg, and the legendary hill.

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

0.8 km

One of Scandinavia’s largest modern art galleries, blending CoBrA masterpieces, contemporary works and a welcoming, free-to-enter space in central Silkeborg.

Silkeborg Archive

0.8 km

Silkeborg’s collective memory, preserving documents, images and stories that trace the lakeside city’s journey from industrial outpost to modern municipality.

Badeanstalten

0.8 km

Denmark's most authentic bathhouse—a historic Nordic wellness sanctuary preserving centuries of bathing tradition.

Dronningestolen

0.9 km

A modest forest hill with a royal name, Dronningestolen offers a framed Silkeborg panorama, woodland quiet and a sense of history above the lakeside town.

Museum Jorn, Silkeborg

1.0 km

Riverfront modern art sanctuary in Silkeborg, uniting Asger Jorn’s bold legacy, CoBrA masterpieces and hands-on creativity in an intimate, light-filled museum.

Cozy Southeast Asian flavors in the heart of Silkeborg, pairing Vietnamese and Thai dishes with a warm, relaxed atmosphere on lively pedestrian Søndergade.

Curated menswear blending timeless elegance with contemporary style in Silkeborg's charming lake district.

Cozy living‑room bar in Silkeborg serving affordable drinks, sing‑along hits and late‑night party vibes in a compact, homey setting.

Bodega Hjørnet

1.0 km

A cosy corner bodega in central Silkeborg, where dim lights, cold beer and easy conversation capture the timeless charm of Danish bar culture.

Experience Herning’s vibrant music scene at Fermaten, the city’s top venue for live concerts, cultural events, and dynamic nights out in central Jutland.

Jazzens Venner

37.1 km

Experience live jazz performances in Randers' intimate and vibrant Jazzens Venner club.

Scandic Opus Horsens

37.2 km

A contemporary Scandinavian hotel in Horsens with spa, dining, and panoramic city-to-nature views—an elegant gateway to both urban and outdoor experiences.

Der Kuhstall Mønsted

38.1 km

Rural barn vibes meet late-night beats at this countryside nightclub near Viborg, where casual crowds, strong drinks and a compact dance floor power the weekend.

Sölibat Natklub

38.6 km

Late-night, no-frills clubbing in central Horsens, where loud music, simple drinks and a compact dance floor create an unapologetically local party vibe.

Hemingway's Horsens

38.6 km

Late-night disco bar in central Horsens with a mature crowd, classic hits from past decades and a cozy-but-lively atmosphere every Friday and Saturday.

Morzybitten

38.7 km

Experience the essence of Danish 'hygge' at Morzybitten, Horsens' premier barista and beer bar with live music.

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Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

A brief summary to Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Local bus from Silkeborg station

Walk from central Silkeborg

Car or taxi within Silkeborg region

Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

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Book tours with entry

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Discover more about Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet

Where Silk Meets Cellulose in Silkeborg

The Story of Danish Papermaking

A Living Workshop of Handmade Paper

From Banknote Production to Papirfabrikken District

Visiting in a Compact, Creative Setting

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

silkeborg

Silkeborg Water Tower

Lovisehøj

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Store Troldhøj

Randershøj

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

Bølling Lake

Jutland's Automobile Museum

Abbey Mill

Øm Klostermuseum

Mossø

Jutland

The Uncovered Bridge

Unmissable attractions to see

The Hjejle Agency

Riverboat Jazz Festival

Kedelhuset

Museum Silkeborg, Hovedgården

Tollundmanden

Slotsholmen

Statue of Michael Drewsen

Springvand

Silkeborg Søerne

Vægmaleri

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

Silkeborg Archive

Badeanstalten

Dronningestolen

Museum Jorn, Silkeborg

Essential places to dine

Restaurant „ Cafe Perle ”

Restaurant Michael D.

Radisson Blu Hotel Papirfabrikken, Silkeborg

Sunset Boulevard

Café Kik

Evald - Brasserie & cafe

Bone's Silkeborg

Torvets Kebab & Pizza

Skovbakken Silkeborg

Underhuset

Jensens Bøfhus

Panorama Mad & Vin

Drewsens Spisehus Silkeborg

Daruma Ramen

Asian Restaurant & Café

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Skovs Antik - Silkeborg

Kop & Kande Silkeborg

Søstrene Grene

Elkjær Lingerie

HAUS · FRAU

Leather by Corium

Imerco

DressLab

Helm

Christoffersen Silkeborg A/S

H&M

Normal