Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
Stand where Denmark was first named in stone, between Viking burial mounds, iconic rune stones and a simple whitewashed church that bridges pagan and Christian worlds.
Set in the small town of Jelling in central Jutland, this UNESCO World Heritage site is often called the birthplace of Denmark. Two enormous Viking burial mounds, a pair of exquisitely carved runestones and a simple whitewashed church capture the dramatic shift from Norse paganism to Christianity in the 10th century. Layered archaeology, a thoughtfully designed monument landscape and the nearby Kongernes Jelling experience center make this one of Scandinavia’s most important historic sites.
A brief summary to Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
- Thyrasvej 1, Jelling, 7300, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Start at the Kongernes Jelling experience center to understand the mounds, stones and palisade before you explore the monument area itself.
- Climb both mounds for different perspectives on the site; the gentle grassy slopes can be slippery in rain, so wear shoes with good grip.
- Allow time to examine the runic stones slowly; the encasing glass reduces glare, but walking around them reveals details you might miss at first glance.
- Step into the church if services are not in progress to see how the Christian interior overlays a much older royal burial and wooden churches.
- Visit in the shoulder seasons or early in the day for a quieter atmosphere and softer light on the mounds and stone ship outline.
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 short walk from Vejle
From Vejle, take a regional train toward Jelling; services typically run two to three times per hour and the journey takes about 10–15 minutes. A standard adult single ticket costs roughly 30–50 DKK, depending on time and ticket type. From Jelling station, expect an easy 10–15 minute walk on paved, mostly level streets to reach the monument area, suitable for most visitors and pushchairs. Trains run year‑round, but late evening departures are less frequent.
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Car from Vejle or Billund area
Driving from Vejle or the Billund area to Jelling typically takes 20–30 minutes along main regional roads. There is free public parking signed around the town centre, from where you can walk to the mounds and church in about 10 minutes. At busy times in summer and during events such as the Viking market, spaces closest to the site fill quickly and you may need to use slightly more distant lots.
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Bus connection within the Vejle region
: Regional buses link Vejle and nearby towns with Jelling, with typical travel times of 25–40 minutes depending on route and stops. A single adult ticket usually costs in the range of 30–60 DKK and can be bought from the driver or via local transport apps. Services are generally reliable but less frequent in the evenings and on weekends, so check current timetables in advance and allow a short walk from the nearest bus stop to the monument area.
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church 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
Discover more about Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
Where a Kingdom Was Carved in Stone
Jelling’s grassy mounds and weathered rune stones form the stage on which Denmark first stepped into recorded history. In the 10th century, this was the royal seat of King Gorm the Old and his son Harald Bluetooth, early rulers who shaped the emerging Danish state. Here Harald proclaimed that he had united Denmark and Norway and brought Christianity to the Danes – not in a manuscript, but chiseled into granite for all to see. The larger of the two famous runic stones, now protected in a glass and bronze case, is often described as Denmark’s “birth certificate.” Its inscription names the country and celebrates Harald’s achievements, while one face shows a striking figure of Christ, the earliest such depiction known in Scandinavia. Nearby stands the smaller stone raised by Gorm in memory of his queen, Thyra, calling her “Denmark’s adornment” and anchoring the place in both politics and personal devotion.Viking Mounds and Hidden Burials
Flanking the church are two monumental burial mounds, each around 70 metres across and up to 10 metres high, their smooth profiles covered in close-cropped grass. They are impressive in their sheer scale, built from carefully layered turf that would have taken enormous effort and organisation in the Viking Age. One mound likely held the grave of Gorm himself, placed in a timber chamber at its core. Later investigation revealed that Gorm’s remains were moved from the mound and reburied inside a Christian church on the same site, a powerful symbol of the transition in faith and royal ideology. Walking to the top of the mounds today, you look down over the church, stones and village, much as people must have done a thousand years ago when these earthworks proclaimed royal authority across the Jutland landscape.The Whitewashed Church on Ancient Foundations
Between the mounds stands a modest whitewashed stone church whose simplicity hides a complex past. The present Romanesque building dates from around the 11th century and rests on the footprints of at least three earlier wooden churches, the first likely ordered by Harald Bluetooth when Christianity was newly established here. Inside, the church feels bright and spare, with pale walls, a few frescoes and traditional Danish details. Beneath the floor, archaeologists have traced the earlier structures and located the burial place believed to be Gorm’s Christian grave. Outside, the surrounding cemetery, with its neat rows of gravestones and clipped hedges, links the Viking past to the living community that still uses this sacred ground.A Monument Landscape Revealed
Modern excavations have shown that the visible monuments are only part of a far larger royal complex. Around the mounds, stones and church, a vast wooden palisade once enclosed an area roughly 360 by 360 metres, set out with geometric precision. Today its outline is suggested by hundreds of slim white posts that ring the site, allowing you to sense the enclosure without reconstructing it. Traces of longhouses and an enormous stone ship setting, once marked by boulders in the shape of a great vessel, speak of ceremonies, feasting and displays of power. Subtle modelling of the terrain, paths and plantings helps you imagine the Viking-age layout while still functioning as an open park where people stroll, sit and play.Experiencing Jelling Today
Jelling may be small, but the story it tells is grand. The site sits at the heart of the town, woven into everyday life yet clearly defined as a monument area. The approach across lawns and low embankments is gentle, giving you time to absorb the setting before you focus on inscriptions or archaeological details. Just beyond the mounds, the Kongernes Jelling experience centre adds depth with interactive exhibits on Viking life, royal power and the excavations that transformed understanding of the site. From its roof terrace, you gain a bird’s-eye view of the palisade outline and ship setting, making sense of patterns that are harder to read from ground level.A Quiet Place with Far-Reaching Influence
Despite its global significance, Jelling retains an understated atmosphere. There are no towering fortifications, only sculpted earth, carved stone and a village church. Yet together they mark a turning point when Norse beliefs gave way to Christianity and a loose collection of territories became a named kingdom. As you walk the paths between mounds, stones and church, you move through that moment of change: from cremation to church burial, from heroic rune memorials to written history, from local chieftains to a centralised monarchy. It is this layering of meanings in a compact, readable landscape that makes Jelling one of Europe’s most evocative Viking Age sites.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
The Midgård Well
8.8 km
A coiled Norse serpent, a quiet city fountain and a whole mythic world wrapped into one small corner of central Vejle.
VisitVejle
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Explore Andelstrappen and Fortællegyngestolen in Odense: A fusion of nature's beauty and rich literary heritage.
Vejle Vindmølle
9.4 km
Historic windmill turned art gallery with panoramic city views and rotating contemporary exhibitions.
Troldborg Ring
9.9 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.
Årtusindeskifte Eg
23.7 km
An ancient oak rooted in Horsens' heart, where nature and urban life converge in timeless harmony.
Jættestuen grønhøj
26.3 km
5.000 år gammel jættestue midt i det østjyske kulturlandskab – et stille møde mellem bondestenalderens stenkonstruktioner, skov, marker og Bygholm Sø.
Horsens Tourist Information Centre
29.1 km
Experience the heart of Danish comedy at Odense Comediehuus, where culture and laughter unite in the vibrant city center.
Bilka Horsens
29.2 km
Experience the rich theatrical heritage of Odense at the historic Comediehuus, a cultural landmark since its inception.
Legeparken
29.3 km
Discover Legeparken in Kolding: A free, year-round playground featuring a lake, boats, moon-cars, and picnic areas for family fun.
The Uncovered Bridge
29.4 km
A hidden railway bridge buried for 85 years, spectacularly restored and now one of Denmark's most beloved landmarks.
Fredericia Vold
29.6 km
Northern Europe's best-preserved fortress ramparts, where 370 years of Danish military history meets urban parkland.
Koldinghus
29.7 km
Explore over 750 years of Danish history at Koldinghus, a majestic castle transformed into a dynamic museum showcasing art, architecture, and royal collections in the heart of Kolding.
Saint Nicolas Church
29.8 km
Kolding’s oldest church, where medieval roots, Renaissance artistry, and daily parish life meet under a red-brick neo‑Gothic tower.
Milling Hotel Saxildhus
29.8 km
Neo-Gothic English church set by Copenhagen’s Churchill Park and Kastellet, famed for its stained-glass windows, flint architecture, and tranquil atmosphere.
Kolding St.
29.8 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.
Unmissable attractions to see
Kongernes Jelling
0.1 km
Where Denmark was born: ancient Viking monuments and a thousand-year-old kingdom's legacy.
Haughus Gods, Antik & Kræmmermarked
1.5 km
Rural Jutland manor turned weekend treasure market, where antiques, retro finds and a cosy café come together in atmospheric farm buildings and seasonal events.
RAF Mindesten, RAF Memorial
4.7 km
A modest roadside stone in rural Jutland that quietly commemorates a fallen RAF crew and links the peaceful fields near Vejle to the vast air war over Europe.
Stenager Mølle
5.1 km
A lovingly preserved 19th‑century brook mill on the edge of Vejle Ådal, where turning waterwheels, old machinery and quiet countryside tell Denmark’s rural story.
Udsigtstårn
5.3 km
A modest wooden lookout above Østengård with wide, peaceful views over the Vejle River Valley’s forests, meadows and grazed hillsides, just outside Vejle.
Genforeningssten i Skibet
5.9 km
A modest village memorial stone by Skibet Church, quietly marking Denmark’s 1920 Reunification amid the gentle landscape of Vejle Ådal.
Himmelpind
6.7 km
Steep, wooded hill turned nature reserve, Himmelpind rewards a short climb with wide views over Vejle’s rooftops, river valley and fjord from a tranquil forest clearing.
Givskud Zoo Zootopia
7.5 km
Drive-through safari, classic zoo and Denmark’s largest dinosaur park in one spacious, family‑friendly destination in the Jutland countryside.
Kongens Kær
7.6 km
A rewilded wetland on Vejle’s edge, where lakes, meadows and birdlife create a tranquil nature escape just a short stroll from the city streets.
Befrielsessten i Vejle
8.0 km
Et stille hjørne af Vejle, hvor en enkel mindesten og et lille grønt anlæg fortæller den store historie om Danmarks befrielse i 1945.
Fugletårn Kongens kær
8.4 km
Hævet over Kongens Kærs søer og våde enge giver fugletårnet ved Vejle en nær, rolig og overraskende vild udsigt til et fuglerigt bynært vådområde.
Biblioteksparken
8.4 km
Experience the serene beauty and cultural vibrancy of Biblioteksparken, Vejle's cherished urban oasis.
Spinderihallerne
8.4 km
Historic mill reimagined as Vejle's beating heart for art, design, innovation, and creative community.
Kulturmuseet
8.4 km
Industrielle spinderihaller forvandlet til et levende museum om Vejles historie – fra moselig og jernalder til natteliv, arbejde og hverdagsliv i dag.
Byparken
8.7 km
Vejle's cherished urban park: fountains, streams, and tranquil green space in the city heart.
Essential places to dine
Vindelev Kro & Galleri
6.5 km
Cosy village inn and intimate gallery where Knud Nielsen’s colourful paintings meet homely Danish fare amid gardens and rural calm near historic Jelling.
Restaurant Shangrila
8.6 km
Vejle's expansive Chinese buffet with Mongolian barbecue, sushi, and modern Asian hospitality.
Restaurant Hviid's Vinstue
8.6 km
Family‑run Vejle steakhouse and wine tavern pairing classic Danish and European dishes with cosy, old‑world charm and table‑side flambered steaks.
Madkunst v/Jonna Olsen
8.7 km
Artisan sandwiches and fresh smørrebrød in a welcoming Vejle café with genuine local charm.
Il Teatro
8.7 km
Family‑run Italian favourite opposite Vejle Music Theatre, serving classic pizzas, homemade pasta and set theatre menus in warm, theatre‑inspired surroundings.
L TORO
8.8 km
Cosy Spanish‑inspired grill restaurant in central Vejle, serving generous, hearty dishes in a warm, rustic dining room ideal for relaxed evenings out.
African Kitchen
8.8 km
Cosy African flavours and generous plates in a relaxed Vejle hideaway blending North African spice, Danish comfort and genuinely welcoming hospitality.
Cocina Latina - Mexicansk spisested
8.8 km
Farverig mexicansk og latinamerikansk comfort food fra bunden midt i Paladspassagen Social Dining i Vejle – uformelt, fleksibelt og fuld af smag.
Afro Restaurant
8.8 km
Authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in Vejle's vibrant dining scene
Paladspassagen Social Dining
8.8 km
Multi-cuisine social dining with open kitchens, board games, and retro entertainment under one roof.
Enzo & C Vejle C
8.8 km
Modern Italian kitchen in the heart of Vejle, serving wood-fired pizzas, hearty pastas and classic comfort dishes in a warm, contemporary setting.
A/S Pse Nr. 2135
8.8 km
Authentic Danish hospitality and traditional cuisine in Vejle's most welcoming neighborhood restaurant.
ONKEL A
8.8 km
Vejle's beloved lunch café serving generous handmade sandwiches, vegan brunches, and seasonal Nordic fare.
Restaurant PlanB - Tapas Vin & Cocktails
8.8 km
Nordic tapas, curated wines, and craft cocktails in Vejle's most welcoming dining space.
Mad Rick
8.8 km
Modern French–Nordic plates, made from scratch with Danish ingredients, in an intimate Vejle dining room that feels special yet relaxed from lunch through late evening.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Royal Copenhagen Outlet - Vejle
8.5 km
Authentic hand-painted Danish porcelain at 30% discount—heritage craftsmanship meets accessible luxury.
Ide Stuen V/betzy Eykens
8.7 km
A long-running, owner-led clothing shop in central Vejle, Ide Stuen offers classic, comfortable womenswear in an intimate, unhurried setting off Vestergade.
Lavita
8.8 km
A cozy, design-led gift shop in central Vejle, blending Scandinavian hygge, home décor, and easy-to-pack presents in an intimate, welcoming neighborhood setting.
Lavenderland Studio
8.8 km
A calm, design-led children’s clothing studio in central Vejle, offering soft Scandinavian style, curated outfits and thoughtful gifts in an intimate, family-friendly setting.
Oscar Butik
8.8 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion in the heart of Vejle's vibrant city center.
Fabrikanterne
8.8 km
Where Danish designers and makers craft unique, handmade homeware and lifestyle products in a working creative studio.
Dark Wolf Gothic & Viking
8.8 km
A compact gothic and Viking haven in central Vejle, blending alternative fashion, Norse-inspired accessories and in-house body art in an intimate, welcoming space.
Ny Mundering
8.8 km
A welcoming Scandinavian fashion boutique in Vejle’s Latinerkvarter, combining Danish design, curated labels and personal service in a cozy old-town setting.
Underground
8.8 km
Compact streetwear and sneaker specialist in Vejle’s central shopping streets, blending skate-inspired labels and everyday urban style in an easygoing setting.
Dansk Tekstil Genbrug - Vejle Butik
8.8 km
Compact, no‑nonsense textile reuse shop in central Vejle, where everyday clothing and fabrics get a practical second life at budget‑friendly prices.
The Body Shop
8.8 km
Compact, cruelty‑free beauty hub on Nørregade in Vejle, packed with nature‑inspired skincare, body treats and ready-to-wrap gifts for quick yet mindful shopping.
Street One
8.8 km
Casual Northern European womenswear in a compact, easy-to-browse boutique on Vestergade, right in the walkable heart of Vejle’s shopping streets.
Rosa's Butik
8.8 km
A cosy yarn sanctuary in Paladspassagen, where shelves of colourful Scandinavian fibres and personal advice inspire knitters and crocheters in central Vejle.
Noa Noa
8.8 km
A calm, Scandinavian fashion boutique in Vejle’s centre, showcasing Noa Noa’s feminine, bohemian-inspired designs in a warm, homely setting on Torvegade.
Only
8.8 km
Central Vejle’s go-to women’s fashion store for trend-focused denim, dresses and everyday styles in a bright, modern high-street setting.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Vejle Jazzklub
6.5 km
Volunteer-run village jazz club near Vejle, offering intimate live concerts in a cozy community-style venue surrounded by the fields and quiet of rural Jutland.
Honning
8.2 km
A modest countryside stand bar on Holtumvej, Honning offers unfussy drinks, rural calm and a relaxed local vibe just beyond Vejle’s town centre.
Granny's Pub
8.3 km
Intimate neighborhood pub on Vesterbrogade in central Vejle, mixing classic bar comfort, cold beers and a laid-back late-night atmosphere.
The Last Waterhole
8.3 km
Neighbourly Vejle pub with long hours, inexpensive drinks and a hygge-soaked atmosphere where locals and visitors quickly feel at home.
Marys Pub
8.7 km
Cosy, no-frills neighbourhood pub in central Vejle, pouring affordable beers and easygoing Danish hospitality from late morning until late at night.
Borgerkroen
8.8 km
A classic Danish neighborhood bar on lively Vestergade in Vejle, serving cold beer, warm conversation and unpretentious pub atmosphere from late morning to midnight.
Ølstuen
8.8 km
Authentic Danish pub where locals gather for affordable beer, genuine conversation, and timeless community spirit.
The Cat And Barrel
8.9 km
A warmly lit craft beer pub in central Vejle, blending British-style coziness, Danish microbrews, sports on screen and lively quiz and karaoke nights.
Charly's Pub
9.0 km
Cozy, live-music–driven pub in the heart of Vejle, pouring special beers and cocktails for an adult crowd in a relaxed, late-opening, party-friendly setting.
The Old Irish Pub
9.0 km
Lively Irish-themed bar and late-night discotheque bringing music, pints and party vibes to central Vejle’s Dæmningen street.
The Knee-high bar
9.0 km
Vejle's beloved underground bar where low ceilings and high spirits create unforgettable nights.
Mi Bar
9.0 km
Vejle's premier cocktail bar crafting quality drinks in a welcoming weekend atmosphere.
Tartan Pub
9.1 km
Vejle's legendary Scottish pub since 1975—dance, drink, and connect in authentic Celtic charm.
Zwei Grosse Bier Bar Vejle A/S
9.1 km
High-energy Alpine after-ski bar in the heart of Vejle, serving big beers, loud party hits and late-night antics on Dæmningen’s busy nightlife strip.
BarMix Vejle
9.1 km
Late‑night energy, chart hits and a mature party crowd in the heart of Vejle’s nightlife strip on Dæmningen.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
temabar APS 23-05
9.1 km
Tropical vibes and late-night dancing in Vejle's energetic weekend hotspot.
NOX Network Ltd.
13.2 km
Small-city Danish nightclub in Vejle with a central dance floor, upbeat chart music, and a straightforward, late-night party atmosphere.
Tucan Swinger & wellness Club
22.4 km
Adults-only swinger and wellness retreat in rural Jutland, blending erotic exploration, spa comforts and themed rooms in a discreet, rules-based environment.
Horsens New Style Dance Club
24.3 km
Horsens' premier line dancing venue where beginners and advanced dancers unite in movement and community.
PDD
28.3 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
29.1 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
29.2 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
29.7 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.
Koldingtivet Engen
29.7 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.
Discoteque Tordenskiold
29.8 km
Kolding's legendary two-floor discotheque and cultural institution since 1973.
Mørks Kælder
29.8 km
Modern basement nightclub in central Kolding, pouring drinks and classic dance tunes for a grown-up crowd late into the weekend night.
Pitstop
29.8 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.
AHA Livestage
30.1 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.
Liglad Day & Nightlife
30.6 km
Compact late-night club on Grindsted’s main street, mixing local vibes, DJs and simple drinks for weekend nights that run into the early hours.
Fishi
31.5 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.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Sacred Sites
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
- Myth & Legends
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
