Trapholt Museum for Modern Art and Design
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.
Trapholt is Denmark’s leading museum of modern art, craft, and design outside Copenhagen, set on a green slope above Kolding Fjord. Opened in 1988, the museum combines striking architecture with a sculpture park, landmark exhibitions, and one of the country’s largest collections of Danish furniture design, including more than 500 iconic chairs. Highlights include Arne Jacobsen’s unique Kubeflex modular summer house, a dedicated Richard Mortensen gallery, and a fjord-facing café that makes Trapholt as much a place to linger as to look.
A brief summary to Trapholt Museum for Modern Art and Design
- Æblehaven 23, Kolding, 6000, DK
- +4576300530
- Visit website
- Duration: 2.5 to 5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-9 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 half a day so you can explore both the indoor galleries and the sculpture park, plus allow extra time to visit Arne Jacobsen’s Kubeflex house when it is open.
- Check current exhibition information in advance, as major temporary shows and access to specific galleries or the Kubeflex house can vary during renovation phases.
- Combine the museum visit with a short walk along the fjord for changing light and views that complement the sculpture park and architecture.
- The chair collection and design galleries reward slow looking—bring a notebook or sketchbook if you are especially interested in furniture or interior design.
- Families should ask about activity sheets or creative workshops at the information desk to make the visit more engaging for children.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Regional train and local bus from Kolding Station
From Kolding Station, take a regional or intercity train to the city if you are arriving from elsewhere in Jutland or from Copenhagen, then transfer to a local city bus heading towards the eastern suburbs near the fjord. The total journey from the station to the museum area typically takes 20–30 minutes including waiting time. A standard adult ticket for the combined bus segments within the local zones usually costs around 24–36 DKK, depending on how you pay. Services run regularly during the day, but frequencies are lower in the evening and on weekends, so check the timetable in advance.
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Taxi from central Kolding
A taxi ride from central Kolding or Kolding Station to the museum area on the hillside above the fjord generally takes 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. Fares for this distance are commonly in the range of 130–200 DKK, with higher prices in the evening and on public holidays. Taxis are a convenient option if you are travelling in a small group, carrying luggage, or wish to minimise walking up and down the slope around the museum.
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Bicycle from Kolding city centre
Cycling from Kolding’s central districts to the museum area normally takes about 20–30 minutes at a relaxed pace. The route uses regular city streets and local roads with some hills as you approach the museum’s elevated position above the fjord. You can bring your own bicycle or rent one in town; rental prices for city bikes typically start around 100–150 DKK per day. This option suits visitors comfortable with moderate gradients and sharing the road with local traffic.
Trapholt Museum for Modern Art and Design location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Trapholt Museum for Modern Art and Design
A hillside museum above Kolding Fjord
Trapholt unfolds along a hillside of lawns and trees with long views over Kolding Fjord, its low white volumes and sculptural walls deliberately stepping down the slope. Inside, a central "museum street" links a sequence of galleries that bend and open unexpectedly, encouraging you to wander rather than follow a fixed route. Daylight filters in carefully, framing glimpses of water, parkland, and sculpture outside, so the boundary between museum and landscape always feels porous. The building dates from 1988 and quickly became an architectural reference in Denmark for the way it integrates art, design, and nature. Later extensions added further exhibition space without disturbing the basic rhythm of courtyards, terraces, and long interior vistas. Even if you came only to experience the architecture and its placement in the fjord landscape, the visit would be rewarding.Modern art, craft and an ocean of Danish design
Trapholt presents a rolling programme of exhibitions focused on modern and contemporary art, ceramics, textiles, and experimental craft. Works range from bold abstract canvases and installations to intimate ceramic pieces and conceptual projects that invite participation and debate. A permanent gallery is dedicated to painter Richard Mortensen, whose intense colours and geometric forms trace key developments in 20th‑century Danish art. Design is a core strength here. A striking spiral gallery, inspired by the Guggenheim, houses one of Denmark’s largest collections of 20th‑century chairs. More than 500 examples chart the evolution of Danish furniture design, from functionalist bentwood to sculptural lounge chairs and playful plastic experiments. Exhibitions often explore themes such as sustainability, everyday objects, or how technology shapes interiors, making the museum as much about ideas as about beautiful forms.Arne Jacobsen’s Kubeflex house in the park
Out in the sculpture park stands one of Trapholt’s most unusual treasures: Arne Jacobsen’s Kubeflex modular summer house. Designed in 1969–70 as a system of prefabricated cubic modules, it never went into wider production, leaving this as the only realised example. The house was once used privately by the Jacobsen family and was later moved to Trapholt, where it has been carefully re‑erected and furnished. Stepping inside feels like entering a three‑dimensional manifesto of Danish modernism. Light floods through generous glazing, built‑in storage keeps surfaces calm, and every detail—from door handles to lighting and, of course, the furniture—bears Jacobsen’s signature. It offers a rare chance to experience his design language as a total environment rather than isolated objects on display.Sculpture park, fjord views and café culture
Around the museum, a sculpture park spreads down towards the water, dotted with works by contemporary Danish artists. Some pieces are monumental, others understated interventions in the grass or along paths, and together they make the grounds as engaging as the indoor galleries. Benches and open lawns invite you to pause between exhibitions, with the shifting light over the fjord as a constant backdrop. The onsite café is oriented towards those same views, serving meals, cakes, and coffee framed by large windows and outdoor terraces in good weather. Nearby, a design shop showcases carefully selected Danish and international objects—textiles, ceramics, lighting, and smaller furniture—echoing themes from the exhibitions and offering a curated window into current design culture.A museum built for participation and accessibility
Trapholt has long experimented with collaborative projects that blur the line between artist and audience, such as large‑scale works created with hundreds of participants using knitting or embroidery to explore themes like public monuments or digital data. These projects underline the museum’s interest in art as a way of thinking collectively about society, not only as objects on a wall. The building and grounds are designed with accessibility in mind: level routes, lifts, and wide circulation make it straightforward for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility to navigate. The museum regularly offers guided tours, family‑friendly activities, and educational programmes that open up both art and design to different ages and backgrounds. Even during temporary building works or expansions, this spirit of inclusion and experimentation remains central to how Trapholt presents itself and its collections.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Kolding St.
3.4 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.
Villa Gertrud - Bed & Breakfast
3.4 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.
Milling Hotel Saxildhus
3.4 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
3.9 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
3.9 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
4.4 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.
Fredericia Vold
16.1 km
Northern Europe's best-preserved fortress ramparts, where 370 years of Danish military history meets urban parkland.
Vejle Vindmølle
22.2 km
Historic windmill turned art gallery with panoramic city views and rotating contemporary exhibitions.
VisitVejle
23.0 km
Explore Andelstrappen and Fortællegyngestolen in Odense: A fusion of nature's beauty and rich literary heritage.
Troldborg Ring
23.2 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.
The Midgård Well
23.3 km
A coiled Norse serpent, a quiet city fountain and a whole mythic world wrapped into one small corner of central Vejle.
Tirsbæk Gods
24.6 km
Experience Tirsbæk Gods, an enchanting Renaissance estate on Vejle Fjord offering historic architecture, idyllic gardens, and immersive events in Denmark’s scenic countryside.
Sønderjylland Archaeology Museum
27.4 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.
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
29.4 km
Experience contemporary art in Vejle's historic 1950s vending machine gallery.
Kongernes Jelling
29.4 km
UNESCO-designated Kongernes Jelling unites Viking mounds, rune stones, and a modern museum, tracing Denmark’s earliest kings and the nation’s Christian roots.
Unmissable attractions to see
Apotekerengen
1.2 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.
Danish Museum of Nursing History
1.3 km
A poignant journey through Danish nursing history, set in a former children’s tuberculosis sanatorium with tranquil views over Kolding Fjord.
Hotel Koldingfjord
1.5 km
Historic fjordside hotel in a former sanatorium, blending Danish design, woodland trails and water views with refined dining and standout conference facilities.
Marielundskoven
2.6 km
A 1850s forest sanctuary in Kolding's heart, where lakeside walks and woodland trails reveal nature's seasonal beauty.
Klimapavillonen
3.0 km
Open-sided picnic pavilion on Kolding’s green edge, where campfires, forest trails and climate-friendly parkland meet just beyond the city streets.
Dansende Blomster og Mindetavlerne
3.3 km
Walk through Kolding's industrial heritage on an open-air art route celebrating the city's forgotten craftspeople and visionaries.
Legeparken
3.3 km
Large, free play park in central Kolding with lake, boats, mooncars and grills – an easygoing green playground for children of all ages and their adults.
Mindesten for Kolding Havns 100 Års Jubilæum
3.3 km
Discover 'Uffe hin Spage,' Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen's iconic bronze statue in Kolding's Byparken, celebrating Danish folklore and artistic heritage.
Kolding City Park
3.3 km
Family-friendly green oasis in central Kolding, with free seasonal boating, playgrounds and open lawns for easygoing outdoor time between city and castle.
Skovterrassen
3.4 km
A simple wooden terrace tucked into Kolding’s Marielundskoven, offering a calm forest pause along Troldhedestien for walkers, cyclists, and families.
Søpromenaden
3.5 km
A modest lakeside ribbon where central Kolding slows down, Søpromenaden offers a quiet urban waterside walk, everyday greenery, and simple benches by the shore.
Stable Yard
3.6 km
Historic whitewashed stables turned city museum, where royal horses, design heritage and Denmark’s only preserved Gestapo cell share one atmospheric courtyard.
Castle Garden
3.7 km
A tranquil belt of lawns, trees and lake reflections wrapped around Koldinghus, where everyday life and 750 years of castle history share the same green hillside.
Slotssøen
3.7 km
A small castle lake with big atmosphere, Slotssøen pairs medieval walls, swans and leafy paths to create Kolding’s most quietly evocative waterside walk.
Geografisk Have
3.7 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.
Essential places to dine
Gustav Lind Trapholt
0.1 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.
Restaurant Koldingfjord
1.5 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.
Marinaen
2.4 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.
Baker's art
3.1 km
Artful cakes and pastries in a cosy Kolding bakery where Scandinavian design sensibility meets small-batch, weekend-treat indulgence on Fynsvej.
Bamsehuset
3.3 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.
Admiralen
3.4 km
Historic harbor restaurant in Kolding serving refined Danish seafood and classic dishes in an elegant, maritime-inspired dining room from 1903.
Ristorante Fratelli
3.4 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
3.5 km
Italian-Danish fusion takeout with heart, community focus, and quality ingredients in central Kolding.
Bella Italia
3.5 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
3.6 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
3.6 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.
Den Gyldne Hane
3.7 km
Half-timbered country charm and hearty Danish–French cooking beside Kolding’s leafy Geographical Gardens, ideal for cosy lunches, gatherings and relaxed celebrations.
Vinbaren Kolding
3.7 km
Discover the perfect blend of fine wines and tantalizing tapas at Vinbaren Kolding - your cozy retreat in Denmark.
Restaurant Johansens
3.7 km
Refined Danish smørrebrød and modern Nordic plates in an intimate, candlelit dining room at the heart of Kolding’s historic center.
Cliff food bike
3.7 km
Compact soul-food kitchen born from a roaming food bike, serving bold, comforting flavours in Kolding’s historic centre just steps from Koldinghus castle.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
And Less online shop ›› Buy And Less from the official webshop
3.1 km
Contemporary Danish fashion for modern women, thoughtfully designed and accessibly priced.
Fru Hansen
3.4 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
3.5 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
3.6 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
3.7 km
Elegant women's fashion in Kolding's design-forward city centre, featuring curated Danish and international brands.
Red Barnet genbrugsbutik
3.8 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.
Kims Kiosk Skateshop - Koldings skatebutik
3.8 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.
Janne K Kolding
3.8 km
Contemporary fashion boutique offering seasonal clothing and accessories in central Kolding.
Femina Tønder ApS
3.8 km
A central Kolding women’s clothing shop offering practical, Scandinavian-inspired everyday fashion in a compact, easy-to-browse high-street space.
Store No 1b ApS
3.8 km
Boutique fashion in the heart of Kolding's charming pedestrian shopping district.
HARRESØ
3.8 km
An intimate Kolding concept store where Scandinavian minimalism meets international menswear, blending gallery-like interiors with a sharply curated selection of designer brands.
Rituals
3.8 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.
Bog & idé Kolding City
3.8 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
3.8 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
3.8 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
3.2 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
3.2 km
Intimate jazz stronghold in Kolding, presenting adventurous live concerts and collaborations that bring Danish jazz up close in a relaxed club atmosphere.
Knuds Garage
3.6 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
3.6 km
Straightforward, central Kolding bar by the station, serving inexpensive drinks in a relaxed, lived‑in setting from midday until the early hours.
8eren
3.6 km
Kolding's premier cocktail bar and pool hall—where drinks, games, and good company meet.
Rabalder Bar Kolding
3.7 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
3.7 km
Kolding's premier Irish pub with live music, 300-person capacity, and weekend dancing until dawn.
Vegas Bet & Beer
3.7 km
Straightforward beers, sports on screen and easygoing local banter in a compact bar at the heart of Kolding’s historic centre.
The Cavern
3.7 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
3.7 km
British pub tradition meets Danish warmth in Kolding's heart—craft beer, whisky, and football culture.
Papegøjen
4.0 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.
Domhuset Sportsbar
4.1 km
Straightforward Kolding sports bar with darts, big screens and cold beers in a relaxed pub setting on central Låsbygade.
Drop-inn ( 75 50 34 92 )
4.1 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.
Oasen øl & vinbar
4.1 km
Cozy craft beer and wine bar in Kolding's center with genuine hospitality and unconventional charm.
Centerpubben v/Henriette Lykke Skjøtt
4.1 km
Unpretentious neighborhood pub in Kolding offering inexpensive drinks, local faces and a slice of everyday Danish hygge from midday to late evening.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Unique
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Fun-filled
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Minimalist Designs
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Parks & Gardens
- Viewpoints
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Waterfront
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Business Friendly