Nyborg Prison (Nyborg Fængsel)

A century-old red-brick state prison on Funen, where imposing walls, watchtowers and hidden courtyards reveal Denmark’s evolving approach to confinement and rehabilitation.

Looking to book tours, experiences or hotels? Let me help you...

Home
Denmark
Nyborg
Nyborg Prison

Nyborg Prison is one of Denmark’s major closed-state penitentiaries, set on the outskirts of the coastal town of Nyborg on Funen. Opened in 1913, the fortress-like complex was originally built for young inmates and today houses several specialized units behind high brick walls and watchtowers. From the outside, its red-brick architecture, perimeter walls and guard towers form a stark contrast to the surrounding fields and suburban streets, offering a rare glimpse of the country’s modern correctional system in operation.

A brief summary to Nyborg Prison

Vindingevej 36, Nyborg, 5800, DK
+4572552600
Visit website
Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Remain outside the secure perimeter and respect all signs and barriers; Nyborg Prison is an active closed facility, not a public attraction.
If viewing the complex from nearby streets or paths, avoid photographing identifiable individuals, vehicles or security installations.
Use your visit as a short reflective stop, combining it with time in Nyborg’s historic centre and coastal areas for a broader sense of the town.

Getting There

Regional train and local walk

From Nyborg railway station, regional trains connect frequently with major Danish cities such as Odense and Copenhagen, with typical journey times of about 20–30 minutes from Odense and around 1½ hours from Copenhagen and standard second-class fares usually in the range of 80–220 DKK one way depending on distance and ticket type. From Nyborg station, plan around 25–35 minutes on foot along ordinary town streets to reach the prison area; the route is flat but may feel long in bad weather, and there are no facilities specifically for visitors at the prison itself.
Local bus within Nyborg

Local bus services in Nyborg link the town centre and residential districts near Vindingevej in roughly 10–20 minutes of travel time, depending on route and traffic. A single adult ticket bought from the driver or via local ticketing apps typically costs about 20–30 DKK. Buses can be less frequent in evenings and on weekends, so check current timetables in advance and be prepared for a short additional walk of several hundred metres from the nearest stop to the outer streets by the prison.
Taxi from Nyborg town centre

Taxis are available in and around Nyborg, including at the railway station, and offer the most direct option to the prison area, usually taking 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. Daytime base fares and per‑kilometre rates in Denmark mean a short town journey will commonly cost in the range of 80–150 DKK. Availability can be limited late at night or during busy periods, so booking by phone or app ahead of time is advisable if you need a specific pickup time.

Nyborg Prison location weather suitability

Any Weather
Mild Temperatures
Cold Weather

Discover more about Nyborg Prison

A forbidding red-brick landmark on Funen

Nyborg Prison stands just outside the town of Nyborg, its tall perimeter walls and corner watchtowers forming a massive brick rectangle in the flat landscape. Built in 1913 as a state prison for young offenders, it was laid out as a self-contained community with workshops, living quarters, service buildings and a chapel all enclosed within one fortified complex. From the road, you mainly see the long facades, barred windows and high walls, but glimpses of internal yards and rooftops hint at the scale of the institution hidden from public view. Although it is very much a working prison rather than a visitor attraction, the exterior has become a recognisable local landmark. The complex stretches over a large footprint, with additional staff housing and service areas arranged around the main enclosure, underscoring how deeply the institution is embedded in the town’s social and economic life.

From youth institution to modern closed facility

When Nyborg Prison opened in the early 20th century, it was specifically designed for young inmates, reflecting changing ideas about discipline, education and rehabilitation. Inside the walls, separate wings, classrooms and a hospital wing were meant to combine strict control with opportunities for schooling and vocational training. Until 1973 a dedicated youth section operated here, before the prison was reorganised as a standard closed state facility. Today Nyborg functions as a fully closed prison with capacity for several hundred inmates under high-security conditions. Different sections handle treatment programmes, vulnerable prisoners who prefer limited contact with others, and those under disciplinary sanctions. The institution provides workshops, education and health facilities, continuing the original idea that time served here should also be used to prepare inmates for life outside, even if the physical environment remains stark.

Architecture, walls and the unseen interior world

Architecturally, Nyborg Prison reflects early 1900s institutional design in Denmark: solid red-brick construction, rhythmic rows of small windows and a clear separation between inside and outside spaces. The chapels, infirmary and service buildings were given modest decorative touches, while the outer walls and gates were built purely for function and security. Over the decades, new security features, fences and technical installations have been added, layering modern systems onto the original structures. For outsiders, most of the prison’s life remains hidden: the daily routines, roll calls, workshop shifts and carefully controlled movements that structure every hour for inmates and staff. Only occasional media coverage, official visits or rare open-house events have offered short glimpses behind the walls. Standing nearby, you are always aware that a large, highly regulated community is operating just out of sight.

Everyday work, risk and rehabilitation

Nyborg Prison employs a substantial staff of correctional officers, social workers, teachers, health professionals and technical personnel who keep the institution running around the clock. Their work ranges from direct supervision and conflict management to running treatment programmes for substance use, supporting education and coordinating contact with families and authorities. The prison has at times faced challenges with staffing levels and safety, underlining that maintaining security in such a concentrated environment is demanding and complex. At the same time, the institution is a key node in Denmark’s wider correctional system. Inmates can be transferred here from other facilities, participate in structured programmes and, in some cases, prepare for gradual reintegration. The contrast between the heavy physical architecture and these more progressive aims is one of the most striking aspects of the site’s identity.

Nyborg Prison in the local landscape

Set near residential areas and fields, Nyborg Prison has long been intertwined with its surroundings. Generations of town residents have worked here in various roles, and the institution’s needs for services, maintenance and supplies connect it to local businesses and public authorities. Yet in daily life, the prison also remains separated: movement across the walls is tightly controlled, and the internal rhythm follows legal and administrative rules rather than the town’s pace. For a passer-by, viewing the complex from outside offers a moment to reflect on how societies balance punishment, prevention and rehabilitation. The building’s age and scale speak to over a century of changing penal philosophies, while the closed gates and secure walls make clear that this is first and foremost an active place of confinement, not a site designed for tourism.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Den Hvide Jomfru

0.5 km

A modest white monument on Nyborg’s old fortress embankment, Den Hvide Jomfru blends legend, landscape and history into a quiet, atmospheric pause.

Nyborg Fortress

0.6 km

Medieval parliament seat where Danish kings shaped a nation's destiny and founded a Nordic empire.

Mindesmærke for kaptajn Peter Bredal

0.9 km

A solemn memorial to a 17th-century Danish captain whose frozen fleet became legend.

Erik Ballings Plads

0.9 km

Where Danish cinema's greatest visionary is celebrated through iconic characters and cultural memory.

Nyborg Vold

1.2 km

Stroll the grassy ramparts and mirror-still moats that once guarded Denmark’s medieval power center, now a peaceful green belt wrapping historic Nyborg.

Nyborg St.

1.6 km

A historic rail gateway on Funen’s east coast, Nyborg Station links castle town charm with fast, modern connections across Denmark via the Great Belt.

Befrielsessten i Vindinge

2.9 km

A modest village liberation stone in front of Vindinge Church, quietly commemorating Denmark’s 1945 freedom amid the calm of rural eastern Funen.

Befrielsessten i Skalkendrup

7.1 km

A quiet memorial to Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945

Rolfshøj

14.2 km

A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.

Damestenen

14.4 km

Denmark's colossal 1,200-tonne ice-age boulder, transported from Sweden 18,000 years ago.

Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen

26.2 km

A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”

Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church

26.3 km

A luminous Brick Gothic cathedral in central Odense, where Denmark’s last Viking king, royal tombs and a masterpiece altarpiece share a serene, living sacred space.

H. C. Andersens House

26.3 km

Explore the spellbinding H.C. Andersen’s House in Odense, where world-class storytelling, innovative design, and interactive exhibitions bring fairy tales to life.

Munke Mose Park

26.3 km

Award-winning maritime museum ingeniously sunk into a former dry dock at Helsingør, offering interactive exhibitions on Denmark’s seafaring history next to Kronborg Castle.

VILLE VAU

26.3 km

A world-class architectural landmark offering immersive exhibitions on Denmark’s maritime past and present, set in a dramatic underground dry dock by Kronborg Castle.

Medieval red-brick landmark founded by Queen Margrete I, Nyborg’s Church of Our Lady blends royal history, Gothic architecture and living Lutheran tradition.

Casual Italian pizzas, pasta and focaccia in Nyborg’s historic centre, offering a warm, family‑friendly evening stop for relaxed dine‑in meals or easy takeaway.

Nyborg's trusted sports retailer with expert service and complete outdoor gear selection.

Imerco

0.9 km

Central Danish homeware and kitchen store on Nyborg’s historic square, ideal for practical gear, Scandinavian design pieces and thoughtful gifts in one stop.

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

Corner Bar

0.6 km

Unpretentious neighborhood bar on Nyborg’s Strandvejen corner, serving cold drinks, easy conversation and a playful weekend wheel of fortune from late morning.

Øksendrup Cider

0.8 km

Cosy Nyborg cider bar showcasing organic East Funen apples, slow‑fermented bottles and intimate tastings in the historic heart of Denmark’s former royal city.

Chr. II's Pub

0.8 km

Casual Danish pub in Nyborg's historic centre, where locals gather for authentic neighbourhood hospitality.

Phønix I/S

0.9 km

Cozy, no-frills bar and burger spot in central Nyborg, serving cold beers, simple comfort food, and relaxed local nightlife just off the town’s historic streets.

Laboratoriet Nyborg

0.9 km

Atmospheric wine bar and bottle shop in a historic 1824 apothecary laboratory, tucked in a Nyborg courtyard and serving carefully chosen wines, snacks and coffee.

Ophav

0.9 km

Nyborg's refined casual dining hub blending bar, restaurant, and café culture with seasonal local cuisine.

Terningen Henrik Skovlykke Vedel Hansen

18.9 km

Cozy neighborhood bar in Årslev with billiards, hearty Danish comfort food and a relaxed local atmosphere from late morning coffee to late-night beers.

Den Gyldne Hund

21.0 km

Smoky, harbourfront pub in Lohals where locals, sailors and visitors share simple drinks, sea air and classic Danish værtshus atmosphere.

Marina's Sportslounge

21.1 km

Laid-back village sports bar in Tranekær, mixing live matches, simple small plates and a friendly Langeland local-pub feel.

Hjallese Puben

25.1 km

Vibrant neighborhood bar where Odense locals gather for music, drinks, and authentic Danish pub atmosphere.

Den Lille Kro Odense

25.6 km

A classic Odense brown bar with history in its walls, cold beer on tap and a warmly worn, neighborhood atmosphere that feels instantly familiar.

Vandpibe Cafe Odense - Casablanca lounge cafe

25.8 km

Cozy Odense shisha lounge blending Middle Eastern café culture with Danish hygge, soft music, and long, sociable evenings over fragrant hookah and drinks.

Vandpibe Cafe Odense - Casablanca lounge cafe

Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense

26.1 km

A small, steadfast neighborhood beer bar in Odense C where inexpensive drinks, local regulars, and a laid-back dive-bar atmosphere tell their own quiet story.

The Flower and the Bee

26.1 km

Experience Odense's vibrant nightlife at The Flower and the Bee, a premier weekend dance bar offering quality cocktails and dynamic music in a lively atmosphere.

Rabalder Bar Odense

26.1 km

A small, homely Odense bar styled like grandma’s living room, serving easygoing drinks and sing‑along hits in the heart of the city’s weekend nightlife.

Nightclubs & after hour spots

Muzirkus

0.6 km

Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.

KJ's bodel

0.8 km

Laid‑back local nightspot on Nyborg’s main square, mixing simple drinks, sociable bar chatter and a compact dance floor in an unpretentious setting.

Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club

21.5 km

Community-driven square dancing in a cozy Odense neighborhood hall, where callers, patterns and shared rhythm turn an ordinary evening into a friendly social event.

BUTCHERS Odense

26.1 km

High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.

Boogie Dance Café

26.4 km

Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.

Dansebar Odense

26.5 km

Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.

The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus

27.2 km

Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.

Crazy Daisy Svendborg

29.9 km

Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.

Gecco Bar & Natklub

37.9 km

Loud, colorful, and unapologetically party‑focused, Gecco Bar & Natklub is Slagelse’s straightforward late‑night spot for dancing, drinks, and familiar club hits.

Gammeltorv

37.9 km

Slagelse's vibrant weekend nightclub where locals and visitors dance until dawn.

The Upper Hill

37.9 km

A lively, well-loved pub and wine bar on Slagelse’s main square, delivering authentic Danish nightlife, craft drinks, and regular social events in a warm, modern setting.

Slagelse Jazzklub

38.1 km

Western Zealand's premier jazz venue celebrating five decades of live music, dining, and authentic club culture.

Kasket karl

41.9 km

Discover authentic Danish hospitality and local color at Kasket Karl, Rudkøbing’s beloved bodega on Langeland—a lively gathering spot offering drinks, history, and community.

Langelands Jazzklub

42.2 km

Experience the vibrant local jazz scene at Langelands Jazzklub in Rudkøbing, where live music and island hospitality meet in one of Denmark’s most charming settings.

Juviklubben

45.4 km

Intimate Kalundborg live music hub and youth club, where generations meet for close-up concerts, casual bar nights and a laid-back, community-driven vibe.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

Discover Nyborg Prison with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with ease and convenience.

Nyborg Prison (Nyborg Fængsel)

A brief summary to Nyborg Prison

Local tips

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

Getting There

Regional train and local walk

Local bus within Nyborg

Taxi from Nyborg town centre

Nyborg Prison location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Nyborg Prison

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Nyborg Prison

A forbidding red-brick landmark on Funen

From youth institution to modern closed facility

Architecture, walls and the unseen interior world

Everyday work, risk and rehabilitation

Nyborg Prison in the local landscape

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Den Hvide Jomfru

Nyborg Fortress

Mindesmærke for kaptajn Peter Bredal

Erik Ballings Plads

Nyborg Vold

Nyborg St.

Befrielsessten i Vindinge

Befrielsessten i Skalkendrup

Rolfshøj

Damestenen

Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen

Odense Cathedral - St. Canute's Church

H. C. Andersens House

Munke Mose Park

VILLE VAU

Unmissable attractions to see

Nyborg Water Tower

Dronningens Bastion

Nyborg Castle

Borgmestergården

Nyborg Marina

Mads Lerches Gård

Nyborg Voldspil

Nyborg Lokalhistoriske Arkiv

Landporten

Nyborg torv

Nyborg Volde

Schønheyders Plads

Mindesmærke for D-Dag

Mindesten for Slaget ved Nyborg 1659

Church of Our Lady

Essential places to dine

Pizza & Curry/Pizza Al Capone

Sneppen

Restaurant Apoli

Den Smalle Fish n' chips

Det Lille Vaffelbageri

Café Valde

Den Gode Smag ApS

Pizza King

Nyborg Thai Food

Chicago burger

King's Running Sushi & Wok

Central Cafeen

Nyborg Pizza

Rio Bravo

Mamma's Nyborg

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Loppetjansen.dk

Pyre Studio

Kop & Kande

Helle Svansø

Red Cross Op Shop

H&M

Uldbutikken Marcusholm

Tøjeksperten

Tinga Tango v/Anette Langholm

Pigernes Magasin

Tippy

Vinspecialisten Nyborg