CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark
Denmark’s leading ceramics museum, uniting historic villa, underground galleries and waterfront sculpture park in a single celebration of clay, design and craftsmanship.
Perched above the shores of the Little Belt in Middelfart, CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark is the country’s leading showcase for ceramics, design and craft. Housed in the historic villa Grimmerhus with a striking modern underground extension, the museum holds one of Europe’s most important collections of Danish porcelain, stoneware and faience, including an extensive treasury from Royal Copenhagen, Bing & Grøndahl and Aluminia. Thoughtful temporary exhibitions, a sculpture park and a waterside setting make it an inspiring cultural stop between Jutland and Funen.
A brief summary to CLAY Keramikmuseum Danmark
- Kongebrovej 42, Middelfart, 5500, DK
- +4564414798
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least two hours to explore both the underground Treasury and the temporary exhibitions, then leave extra time for the sculpture park and café overlooking the Little Belt.
- Check current exhibition information in advance if you have a special interest in contemporary ceramics or design, as the rotation of shows can significantly change the museum’s focus.
- Bring a light layer even in summer; the underground galleries are climate‑controlled and can feel noticeably cooler than the outdoor sculpture park.
- Combine your visit with a stroll along the ceramic route between the museum and Middelfart’s centre to discover additional outdoor works in the town and along the waterfront.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train and walking from Middelfart Station
From Middelfart Station, CLAY is roughly 1.2–1.5 km away, which typically takes 15–20 minutes on foot along pavements and gently sloping streets. The walk is mostly straightforward but includes some mild gradients near the waterfront, so travellers using wheelchairs or with reduced mobility may prefer a taxi. Trains connect Middelfart with Odense and Fredericia several times an hour, and standard second‑class tickets on these regional routes usually cost about 40–110 DKK depending on distance and time of purchase.
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Taxi within Middelfart
Taxis are readily available at Middelfart Station and in the town centre, and the ride to CLAY generally takes 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. For such a short urban journey within Middelfart you can expect to pay in the region of 70–140 DKK, including the initial meter start fee and a few kilometres of driving. Taxis are a convenient option in bad weather or for visitors who find the uphill sections toward the museum challenging on foot.
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Car from Odense or Fredericia via E20
Drivers coming from Odense or Fredericia typically use the E20 motorway and cross the Old Little Belt Bridge before following local roads toward the waterfront district where CLAY is located. The journey usually takes around 35–50 minutes from Odense and 15–25 minutes from Fredericia, depending on traffic conditions. Fuel and toll‑free motorway use mean your main costs are petrol and any parking charges in Middelfart; a realistic budget is 40–120 DKK in fuel for a return trip from nearby cities in a standard car, plus local parking fees where applicable.
CLAY Keramikmuseum Danmark location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about CLAY Keramikmuseum Danmark
A historic villa overlooking the Little Belt
CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark sits in Grimmerhus, a 19th‑century dower house that surveys the Little Belt from a low bluff on the edge of Middelfart. The old brick villa, with its pitched roof and elegant proportions, gives the museum an intimate, almost domestic scale at the entrance. From here, views stretch across the strait to Funen, while the surrounding lawn flows into a landscaped sculpture park. The seaside setting means the experience begins outdoors, with sea breezes, shifting light on the water and the sound of rigging from nearby boats setting a calm tone for your visit. The building’s history is woven into the museum’s identity. Once a private residence, it now serves as reception, café and shop, while also framing smaller exhibition rooms. Inside, creaking floors, deep window niches and thick walls remind you that this is not a purpose‑built white cube but a heritage house repurposed for contemporary culture. The contrast between the old villa and the high‑craft ceramics on display underlines how strongly clay has always been part of Danish domestic life.From artisan dream to national ceramic treasure
CLAY’s story began in 1990, when a group of Danish ceramic artists imagined a museum dedicated solely to their material. Four years later, their vision opened as Keramikmuseet Grimmerhus. Over time the museum broadened its scope and ambitions, eventually becoming CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark, a national focal point for the country’s ceramic heritage and contemporary practice. A decisive moment came when the museum received an extraordinary transfer of around 55,000 works from the archives of Royal Copenhagen, Bing & Grøndahl and Aluminia. Suddenly CLAY held one of Europe’s foremost ceramic collections, spanning more than 235 years of Danish design. The deposit included everything from finished tableware and figurines to prototypes, test pieces and unique commissions. This wealth of material allowed the museum to tell an almost continuous story of how Danish porcelain and stoneware evolved alongside changing tastes, technologies and ways of living.The underground galleries and the porcelain treasury
To house the expanded collection, the museum underwent a major architectural extension in the 2000s. From the garden side, a low glass pavilion and a facade clad with ceramic panels hint at the new addition, but most of the space is concealed beneath the lawn. A staircase draws you down into cool, quiet underground galleries where clay quite literally surrounds the art. This subterranean wing provides over a thousand square metres of flexible exhibition space while preserving the historic profile of Grimmerhus above. At the heart of the new wing lies the Treasury, a sequence of atmospheric rooms that present the Royal Copenhagen‑related deposit. Here, carefully lit vitrines reveal rows of hand‑painted dinner plates, cobalt‑blue fluted services, delicate figurines and bold modernist forms. Moving through the Treasury is like paging through a three‑dimensional design archive: motifs repeat and mutate, shapes are refined, and glazes become more confident as you progress from 18th‑century rococo to sleek 20th‑century pieces. Trial models and one‑offs, occasionally bearing pencilled notes or experimental colours, offer a glimpse into the workshop process behind familiar classics.Contemporary clay and shifting exhibitions
Beyond the permanent holdings, CLAY stages changing exhibitions that explore clay as an artistic medium today. Shows might pair established Danish ceramists with emerging voices, or set contemporary works in dialogue with historical porcelain from the collection. Themes often cut across art, design and craft, examining issues such as material sustainability, the role of the handmade in a digital age, or the sculptural possibilities of large‑scale stoneware. The exhibition architecture takes advantage of the museum’s dual character. Smaller rooms in the old villa suit intimate displays of studio ceramics or focused monographic shows. In the underground halls, taller ceilings and controlled lighting allow for bold installations, monumental vessels and immersive environments. For visitors, this means each visit can feel different, with new routes, atmospheres and juxtapositions of works keeping the experience fresh while the core collections provide continuity.Sculpture park, ceramic route and café culture
Outside, the museum’s sculpture park extends the experience into the open air. Nestled between the Little Belt and Kongebro Forest, the park features around a dozen and a half ceramic sculptures by artists from Denmark and abroad. Placed among lawns, trees and paths, the works range from abstract forms that echo rocks or shells to figurative pieces that play with myth and folklore. Walking here, you are often directly above the underground galleries, with only discreet skylights revealing the world beneath your feet. The park also forms part of a signed ceramic route that links CLAY with Middelfart’s town centre along the waterfront and pedestrian streets. Along this trail, additional ceramic works appear in urban settings, underlining how the museum connects to the wider townscape. Back at CLAY, a bright café with large windows offers views of the strait, making it an inviting place to pause over coffee or lunch surrounded by subtle ceramic details. A well‑curated shop completes the visit, presenting contemporary Danish ceramics, design objects and books that let you take a small fragment of the museum’s focus on clay home with you.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Fredericia Vold
7.2 km
Northern Europe's best-preserved fortress ramparts, where 370 years of Danish military history meets urban parkland.
Villa Gertrud - Bed & Breakfast
15.1 km
St Alban’s Church is Copenhagen’s only Anglican church—an elegant Neo-Gothic landmark in Churchill Park, celebrated for its English architectural charm and tranquil location.
Kolding St.
15.2 km
The compact rail and bus hub that delivers you straight into Kolding’s mix of castle-topped history, cobbled streets and fjord-side modern design.
Milling Hotel Saxildhus
15.2 km
Neo-Gothic English church set by Copenhagen’s Churchill Park and Kastellet, famed for its stained-glass windows, flint architecture, and tranquil atmosphere.
Borchs Gård
15.7 km
A vividly painted Renaissance townhouse from 1595, Borchs Gård brings Kolding’s mercantile past to life on the edge of lively Akseltorv square.
Saint Nicolas Church
15.7 km
Kolding’s oldest church, where medieval roots, Renaissance artistry, and daily parish life meet under a red-brick neo‑Gothic tower.
Saint Michaels Church
16.2 km
A modest 19th-century Catholic red-brick church in central Kolding, offering quiet reflection, intimate architecture and a glimpse of Denmark’s Catholic life.
Vejle Vindmølle
24.4 km
Historic windmill turned art gallery with panoramic city views and rotating contemporary exhibitions.
VisitVejle
24.9 km
Explore Andelstrappen and Fortællegyngestolen in Odense: A fusion of nature's beauty and rich literary heritage.
The Midgård Well
25.3 km
A coiled Norse serpent, a quiet city fountain and a whole mythic world wrapped into one small corner of central Vejle.
Ravning Bridge
29.9 km
Walk the footsteps of Vikings across Denmark's longest ancient bridge, a 760-meter engineering marvel from 980 AD.
Troldborg Ring
30.4 km
Iron Age refuge fortress on a wooded hilltop, where grassy ramparts, “Devil’s Valley” slopes and wide views over Vejle Ådal bring deep Danish history to life.
Sønderjylland Archaeology Museum
31.5 km
Discover ancient artefacts and hidden history at Sønderjylland Archaeology Museum in Haderslev—a fascinating window into Denmark's past from the Stone Age to Vikings.
Æbelø
32.0 km
Discover Æbelø: An untouched Danish island paradise offering wild horses, serene landscapes, and a unique tidal crossing experience for nature lovers and tranquility seekers.
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
33.5 km
Experience contemporary art in Vejle's historic 1950s vending machine gallery.
Unmissable attractions to see
Grimmermosehuset
0.7 km
A small, timber-framed cottage anchoring Middelfart’s coastal history amid marinas, woodland paths and Little Belt bridge views at Kongebroen.
Bridgewalking Lillebælt
1.3 km
Strap into a safety rail and walk the spine of the Old Little Belt Bridge, 60 metres above the sea, where steel, stories and sweeping Danish seascapes meet.
The Historical Mini-Town
7.7 km
Step into a giant’s shoes in Fredericia’s Historical Mini-Town, an open-air 1:10 model of the 1849 fortress city crafted with meticulous, community-driven detail.
Kolding Fjord
8.1 km
A gentle Danish fjord where wooded hillsides, quiet beaches and a working waterway meet, offering soft light, calm waters and unhurried coastal exploration.
Hotel Koldingfjord
10.4 km
Historic fjordside hotel in a former sanatorium, blending Danish design, woodland trails and water views with refined dining and standout conference facilities.
Danish Museum of Nursing History
10.6 km
A poignant journey through Danish nursing history, set in a former children’s tuberculosis sanatorium with tranquil views over Kolding Fjord.
Trapholt Museum for Modern Art and Design
11.9 km
Architect‑designed hillside museum above Kolding Fjord, where modern art, experimental craft and iconic Danish design meet sculpture park strolls and a unique Arne Jacobsen house.
Apotekerengen
12.6 km
A modest strip of meadow and woodland on Kolding’s eastern edge, Apotekerengen offers everyday nature, fresh fjord air and a calm pause from urban life.
Rieskunstgalleri v/Rie Brødsgaard
13.9 km
Step into a Kolding artist’s home-studio, where large tree-filled canvases and textured collages turn a quiet Danish house into an intimate private gallery.
Skamlingsbanken | Museum Kolding
13.9 km
A hillside museum woven into South Jutland’s highest point, where glacial landscapes, powerful speeches and panoramic views over the Little Belt meet.
Marielundskoven
14.5 km
A 1850s forest sanctuary in Kolding's heart, where lakeside walks and woodland trails reveal nature's seasonal beauty.
Cultural Forum Würth Kolding
14.7 km
A light-filled corporate foyer transformed into a free, international art space showcasing highlights from Sammlung Würth on the industrial edge of Kolding.
Geografisk Have
14.8 km
Botanical world map, miniature historic Kolding and gentle animal encounters combine in this spacious garden-park, Kolding’s signature green escape for all ages.
Klimapavillonen
14.9 km
Open-sided picnic pavilion on Kolding’s green edge, where campfires, forest trails and climate-friendly parkland meet just beyond the city streets.
Skovterrassen
15.0 km
A simple wooden terrace tucked into Kolding’s Marielundskoven, offering a calm forest pause along Troldhedestien for walkers, cyclists, and families.
Essential places to dine
Ti Trin Ned
6.2 km
Waterfront Michelin-starred dining in Fredericia, where Nordic minimalism, local ingredients and Little Belt views come together in a refined tasting menu experience.
Restaurant Koldingfjord
10.4 km
Refined, seasonal Nordic dining in a serene hotel restaurant, where wide windows and a fjordside terrace frame every course with sweeping views of Kolding Fjord.
Gustav Lind Trapholt
11.9 km
Seasonal, green Danish comfort food in a light-filled museum café with sweeping views over Kolding Fjord and the sculpture-dotted grounds of Trapholt.
Marinaen
14.0 km
Relaxed Danish waterfront restaurant at Kolding’s yacht harbour, pairing fjord views with well‑cooked fish, steaks and cosy maritime interiors for long, lingering meals.
Den Gyldne Hane
14.7 km
Half-timbered country charm and hearty Danish–French cooking beside Kolding’s leafy Geographical Gardens, ideal for cosy lunches, gatherings and relaxed celebrations.
Baker's art
15.0 km
Artful cakes and pastries in a cosy Kolding bakery where Scandinavian design sensibility meets small-batch, weekend-treat indulgence on Fynsvej.
Admiralen
15.2 km
Historic harbor restaurant in Kolding serving refined Danish seafood and classic dishes in an elegant, maritime-inspired dining room from 1903.
Bamsehuset
15.2 km
Cheerful ice cream kiosk and snack stop in Kolding’s Legeparken, serving classic cones, sweets, sandwiches and drinks in a relaxed, family-focused park setting.
Ristorante Fratelli
15.2 km
Bustling Italian trattoria by Kolding Station, serving wood‑fired pizzas, hearty pasta and Italian wines in a warm, contemporary dining room ideal for evenings out.
PREGO Kolding
15.3 km
Italian-Danish fusion takeout with heart, community focus, and quality ingredients in central Kolding.
Bella Italia
15.3 km
Long‑running Italian trattoria in central Kolding, serving generous pizzas and classic pastas in a cozy, lived‑in atmosphere close to the city’s main streets.
Taco Og tarteletter Take Away
15.4 km
Unpretentious Kolding takeaway blending Danish tarteletter with Mexican-style tacos, perfect for relaxed evenings, hotel picnics and easy comfort-food cravings.
Onkel D's Foodhouse
15.4 km
Casual burger-and-fries comfort food in central Kolding, serving generous portions and Danish-style classics in a relaxed, no-fuss setting ideal for easy evenings.
Vinbaren Kolding
15.5 km
Discover the perfect blend of fine wines and tantalizing tapas at Vinbaren Kolding - your cozy retreat in Denmark.
the mokka café
15.5 km
Modern Danish hygge in a hidden city passage, blending generous brunches, café classics and cocktails in a warm, all‑day living room in the heart of Kolding.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
And Less online shop ›› Buy And Less from the official webshop
15.0 km
Contemporary Danish fashion for modern women, thoughtfully designed and accessibly priced.
Fru Hansen
15.3 km
Private, specialist wig and extension studio in central Kolding, offering discreet consultations, natural‑looking hair solutions and professional spray tan treatments.
Sailor's Ink tattoo Kolding | Din tatovør i Kolding
15.3 km
Modern, art‑driven tattoo studio in central Kolding, blending award‑winning craftsmanship, strict hygiene and a relaxed living‑room vibe for first‑timers and collectors alike.
Lykke's Guld & Sølv
15.4 km
Longstanding Kolding jeweler on Jernbanegade, blending classic Danish craftsmanship, in-house repairs and a wide range of jewelry and watches for everyday and special occasions.
Gundtoft KOLDING CITY
15.6 km
Elegant women's fashion in Kolding's design-forward city centre, featuring curated Danish and international brands.
Kims Kiosk Skateshop - Koldings skatebutik
15.6 km
Core skate shop and community hub in central Kolding, blending boards, shoes and streetwear with the laid-back energy of a classic Danish kiosk.
Red Barnet genbrugsbutik
15.6 km
Compact, community-driven second-hand shop in central Kolding where bargain hunting, sustainability and support for Save the Children come together under one roof.
Janne K Kolding
15.6 km
Contemporary fashion boutique offering seasonal clothing and accessories in central Kolding.
HARRESØ
15.6 km
An intimate Kolding concept store where Scandinavian minimalism meets international menswear, blending gallery-like interiors with a sharply curated selection of designer brands.
Femina Tønder ApS
15.6 km
A central Kolding women’s clothing shop offering practical, Scandinavian-inspired everyday fashion in a compact, easy-to-browse high-street space.
Rituals
15.6 km
A softly lit Rituals boutique on Østergade in Kolding, where serene design, layered scents and thoughtful gift sets turn everyday routines into small indulgent rituals.
Store No 1b ApS
15.6 km
Boutique fashion in the heart of Kolding's charming pedestrian shopping district.
Bog & idé Kolding City
15.6 km
Central Kolding’s one-stop book and gift shop, combining Danish reads, games, stationery, hobby items and handy photo services in a bright, well-organised space.
Kul og Koks
15.6 km
Intimate Kolding menswear boutique pairing Scandinavian simplicity with curated, ready-to-wear outfits for everyday life and special occasions.
Michella´s Frugt og Grønt v/Mahmoud Aldherej
15.7 km
Compact, colourful greengrocer in central Kolding, perfect for fresh fruit, vegetables and picnic supplies between explorations of the city’s historic streets.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Daddys's Pub
14.7 km
Cosy neighborhood pub on Tvedvej in Kolding, serving cold beers, bar‑side conversation and a generous dose of everyday Danish hygge from late morning into the evening.
Jazz 6000
15.0 km
Intimate jazz stronghold in Kolding, presenting adventurous live concerts and collaborations that bring Danish jazz up close in a relaxed club atmosphere.
Oasen øl & vinbar
15.3 km
Cozy craft beer and wine bar in Kolding's center with genuine hospitality and unconventional charm.
Centerpubben v/Henriette Lykke Skjøtt
15.3 km
Unpretentious neighborhood pub in Kolding offering inexpensive drinks, local faces and a slice of everyday Danish hygge from midday to late evening.
Knuds Garage
15.4 km
Garage‑themed neighborhood bar in central Kolding with affordable drinks, board games, foosball and a cozy courtyard that turns evenings into easygoing social nights.
Jernbanecaféen
15.4 km
Straightforward, central Kolding bar by the station, serving inexpensive drinks in a relaxed, lived‑in setting from midday until the early hours.
8eren
15.4 km
Kolding's premier cocktail bar and pool hall—where drinks, games, and good company meet.
Rabalder Bar Kolding
15.5 km
Small, loud and laid-back, Rabalder Bar Kolding delivers sing-along hits, cheeky drink deals and late-night energy in a compact, central Kolding setting.
The Old Irish pub
15.5 km
Kolding's premier Irish pub with live music, 300-person capacity, and weekend dancing until dawn.
Vegas Bet & Beer
15.5 km
Straightforward beers, sports on screen and easygoing local banter in a compact bar at the heart of Kolding’s historic centre.
The Cavern
15.5 km
A cozy, low-lit lounge tucked inside Den Engelske Pub, offering intimate drinks, warm conversation and a calm escape from Kolding’s lively weekend nightlife.
Den Engelske Pub - You'll Never Walk Alone
15.5 km
British pub tradition meets Danish warmth in Kolding's heart—craft beer, whisky, and football culture.
Papegøjen
15.7 km
A no-frills corner bodega in central Kolding where cold beer, card games and easy conversation keep the classic Danish pub culture very much alive.
Drop-inn ( 75 50 34 92 )
15.8 km
Unpretentious Kolding bodega in a former girls’ school, serving cold beer, nostalgic “mormor” music and everyday hygge in a cosy red-brick corner bar.
Domhuset Sportsbar
15.9 km
Straightforward Kolding sports bar with darts, big screens and cold beers in a relaxed pub setting on central Låsbygade.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
AHA Livestage
6.8 km
Intimate live music and cocktail-driven nightlife in the heart of Fredericia, where high-quality sound and curated events turn selected evenings into standout parties.
Tucan Swinger & wellness Club
13.5 km
Adults-only swinger and wellness retreat in rural Jutland, blending erotic exploration, spa comforts and themed rooms in a discreet, rules-based environment.
Pitstop
15.3 km
Small, central and loud, Pitstop is Kolding’s alternative live music stronghold, blending intimate gigs, late-night dancing and laid-back bar vibes in a historic building.
Mørks Kælder
15.5 km
Modern basement nightclub in central Kolding, pouring drinks and classic dance tunes for a grown-up crowd late into the weekend night.
Discoteque Tordenskiold
15.7 km
Kolding's legendary two-floor discotheque and cultural institution since 1973.
Koldingtivet Engen
16.2 km
Compact Kolding disco where locals pack the dance floor, mainstream hits fill the speakers and late-night energy turns a modest venue into a full-bodied club night.
NOX Network Ltd.
20.8 km
Small-city Danish nightclub in Vejle with a central dance floor, upbeat chart music, and a straightforward, late-night party atmosphere.
temabar APS 23-05
25.1 km
Tropical vibes and late-night dancing in Vejle's energetic weekend hotspot.
Fishi
29.9 km
Compact, no-frills nightclub in Vejen with loud beats, simple drinks and a friendly small-town crowd that keeps the dance floor moving late into the night.
Horsens New Style Dance Club
35.7 km
Horsens' premier line dancing venue where beginners and advanced dancers unite in movement and community.
Crazy Daisy Vejen
36.9 km
High-energy disco club in central Vejen, bringing late-night music, dancing and big-city nightclub vibes to a compact South Jutland town.
PDD
39.5 km
Compact, no-frills nightclub on Lindvigsvej in Horsens, offering late-night dancing, simple drinks and an intimate, local-party atmosphere on weekends.
Oskar hossman
39.9 km
Compact, high-energy nightclub in central Horsens, where pulsing beats, colourful lights and a sociable crowd define the city’s after-hours heartbeat.
Sölibat Natklub
40.3 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.
Scandic Opus Horsens
41.8 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.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Vintage Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Parks & Gardens
- Viewpoints
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Waterfront
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Weekend Getaway
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
