Skovgaard Museum in Viborg
An intimate art museum in Viborg’s former baroque town hall, celebrating the Skovgaard family’s Golden Age landscapes, church art and living artistic legacy.
Housed in Viborg’s former baroque town hall beside the cathedral, the Skovgaard Museum is Denmark’s only art museum dedicated to a single family of artists. Inside, four generations of the Skovgaard dynasty unfold in landscapes of the Danish Golden Age, symbolist visions, church art and ceramics, interwoven with contemporary exhibitions. A small garden, summer café and intimate galleries make this a compact yet richly layered cultural stop in Viborg’s historic Cathedral Quarter.
A brief summary to Skovgaard Museum in Viborg
- Domkirkestræde 2, 4, Viborg, 8800, DK
- +4586623975
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Budget
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 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
- Combine your visit with Viborg Cathedral next door to see Joakim Skovgaard’s full-scale decorations after viewing his sketches and studies in the museum.
- Plan at least 1–1.5 hours to explore both the permanent collection and any temporary exhibitions without rushing through the smaller upstairs rooms.
- In summer, leave time to sit in the museum garden behind the building, where you can enjoy a drink or ice cream from the seasonal café under the trees.
- If visiting between September and May, note that the museum keeps shorter hours, generally late morning to mid-afternoon, and is closed on Mondays.
- Check the museum’s programme for special exhibitions and workshops, which often create interesting dialogues between the Skovgaard works and contemporary art.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Train and short walk from Aarhus
From Aarhus, take a regional train to Viborg Station; the journey usually takes about 1–1.5 hours with frequent departures throughout the day. A standard adult ticket typically costs around 80–120 DKK one way, depending on time and fare type. From Viborg Station it is roughly a 15–20 minute walk through the town centre on mostly flat, paved streets. The route is suitable for most visitors, though those with limited mobility may prefer a taxi for the final leg.
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Car from central Jutland by regional roads
Reaching the museum by car from many central Jutland towns generally takes 30–60 minutes, depending on your starting point, via well-maintained regional roads. Public parking areas are available within walking distance of the Cathedral Quarter, but spaces can be tighter on busy weekdays and around major church events. Expect to pay in the region of 10–20 DKK per hour in central Viborg car parks, with some time-limited free options further out. The immediate streets around the museum are compact and better suited to walking than to searching for on-street parking.
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Local bus and walk within Viborg
If you are staying in Viborg, local city buses connect residential districts and shopping areas with stops in or near the historic centre in roughly 10–20 minutes. Single tickets normally cost about 20–30 DKK when purchased from the driver or via local ticket apps. From central bus stops, allow 5–10 minutes on foot to reach the cathedral and museum area along cobbled or paved streets. Services run more frequently on weekdays than late evenings or Sundays, so checking the timetable in advance is advisable.
Skovgaard Museum in Viborg location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Discover more about Skovgaard Museum in Viborg
Artistic dynasty at the heart of Viborg
The Skovgaard Museum is Viborg’s dedicated art museum, focused on the remarkable Skovgaard family, who helped shape Danish art from the Golden Age into modern times. Here you step into a world where paintings, drawings, ceramics and church decorations weave together family stories and national art history. The collection traces four generations, showing how their ideas and style evolved while remaining closely linked to Denmark’s landscapes, mythology and faith. From the outset, the museum feels personal rather than grand. Instead of vast halls, you move through human-scale rooms that read almost like an artist’s home, filled with portraits, studies and finished works that speak to one another across decades. Contextual texts and thoughtful hanging give a clear sense of how the family worked, collaborated and occasionally disagreed, turning this into a narrative as much as an art collection.Golden Age landscapes and symbolic visions
On the upper floor, you encounter P.C. Skovgaard, one of the foremost landscape painters of Denmark’s Golden Age. His scenes of beech forests, coastlines and inland fields are painted with loving precision, embodying a romantic, national vision of the countryside. These images helped define how Danes imagined their own land in the 19th century, and seeing several major works together underlines their quiet power. The story continues with his sons Joakim and Niels, who carry the family tradition forward but push into new territory. Their work reflects the shift towards symbolism and more experimental approaches to biblical scenes, Nordic myths and allegory. Brushwork loosens, compositions become more daring, and colour takes on emotional weight. This progression, visible room by room, turns the museum into a compact survey of changing European art currents seen through one family’s eyes.Church art and the cathedral connection
One of the museum’s most compelling threads is its link to Viborg Cathedral, visible just outside. Joakim Skovgaard’s monumental decoration of the cathedral in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is introduced here through sketches, cartoons and related works. These pieces reveal how vast fresco cycles and mosaics begin on the drawing board, from small figure studies to full compositional plans. The museum presents Joakim’s religious and mythological works alongside studies by his contemporaries, placing his ecclesiastical projects in a wider artistic context. For many visitors, time spent here becomes a kind of prologue: after examining the preparatory works and learning the stories behind them, a later step into the cathedral itself gains new layers of meaning. The museum and cathedral together form a tightly knit cultural pairing within Viborg’s Cathedral Quarter.Ceramics, contemporary dialogues and changing exhibitions
The Skovgaard story is not limited to painting. Susette Skovgaard, the youngest sibling, is represented through ceramics and decorative art that bring texture and three-dimensional form into the narrative. Her pieces, often delicate yet bold in colour and pattern, show how the family’s creativity extended beyond canvas and into everyday objects. Throughout the year, temporary exhibitions draw lines between the historical collection and newer art. These shows might highlight 19th-century trends one season and contemporary work responding to spirituality, nature or materials the next. Installations, workshops and family-focused activities are regularly woven into this programme, ensuring that the museum feels active and evolving rather than frozen in time.Baroque town hall and hidden garden
The museum occupies Viborg’s former town hall, a baroque building from 1728 designed by Claus Stallknecht. Its thick walls, high windows and dignified façade set a formal tone, but inside the rooms reveal a more varied history: they have served as ballroom, courtroom, bank and even military hospital. Traces of this past remain, from robust doors and locks to details that hint at former civic functions. Behind the building lies a small, enclosed garden with a fountain, trees and seasonal flowers. In fine weather, visitors can sit at tables under the foliage, sometimes with ice cream, coffee or cake from the small summer café. In winter, the garden occasionally transforms into a poetic setting for projects such as the Angel Garden, where paper angels bearing names and messages hang from trees as a luminous installation.Planning a focused cultural visit
The museum’s compact size makes it well suited to an unhurried visit of one to two hours, either as a stand-alone stop or combined with the cathedral and the rest of the Cathedral Quarter. Clear signage and an accessible layout help you navigate between floors, and the scale is manageable even for those who find large museums tiring. A modest shop rounds off the visit, offering art books, posters and design objects connected to the Skovgaard universe and current exhibitions. With its blend of intimate storytelling, strong visual art and atmospheric architecture, the Skovgaard Museum provides a distilled introduction to Danish art history anchored in a single, unusually creative family.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Vi er Viborg
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Experience Danish innovation at Dokk1, Aarhus’ renowned waterfront library and cultural hub, blending architecture, technology, and vibrant community life.
Oberst J.C. Lunds Plads
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Historic public square anchoring Viborg's Cathedral Quarter and medieval city center.
Viborg View
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Experience Dokk1, Aarhus’ state-of-the-art library and cultural center, where pioneering architecture meets urban vitality on the scenic waterfront.
Befrielsessten i Ravnstrup
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A modest countryside liberation stone near Viborg, quietly commemorating Denmark’s freedom in 1945 amid open fields and a peaceful village setting.
Museum Salling
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Dive into Denmark's past at Museum Salling, where Limfjord's heritage comes alive through interactive exhibits, ancient artifacts, and engaging storytelling in scenic Skive.
Bølling Lake
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A restored glacial lake offering scenic walks, excellent fishing, and peaceful nature immersion in central Jutland.
Store Troldhøj
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A cone-shaped summit offering panoramic valley views and a climbing tree in Denmark's scenic lake district.
Slotsholmen
32.0 km
Denmark's island of power: nine centuries of royal rule, government, and cultural heritage in Copenhagen's heart.
Springvand
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Northern Europe's grandest fountain transforms Silkeborg's lakeside with water jets soaring 33 meters high and mesmerizing evening light shows.
Jutland's Automobile Museum
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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.
silkeborg
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Historic 1871 railway landmark connecting Central Jutland with frequent regional services and heritage charm.
Museum Silkeborg, Papirmuseet
32.4 km
Historic main square in the center of Roskilde, surrounded by vibrant markets, cafés, and the iconic cathedral—where Danish tradition meets everyday city life.
Statue of Michael Drewsen
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Bronze tribute to Silkeborg’s founding industrialist, anchoring the historic town square and local traditions at the heart of Denmark’s lake district.
Landal Søhøjlandet
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Escape to Landal Søhøjlandet in Denmark's Lake District: Family fun, water park thrills, outdoor adventures, and tranquil nature await in this scenic holiday paradise near Silkeborg.
Museum Silkeborg, Hovedgården
32.5 km
Discover Byparkens Legeplads, a lively playground in Roskilde’s city park, blending creative play, family-friendly amenities, and community spirit in an urban green oasis.
Unmissable attractions to see
Latinerhaven
0.0 km
A fragrant historical oasis where fire-scarred earth bloomed into Viborg's most peaceful garden.
Viborg Cathedral
0.1 km
Twin‑towered granite cathedral with a 900‑year‑old crypt, royal history and Joakim Skovgaard’s vivid biblical frescoes at the heart of Viborg’s old quarter.
Sortebrødre Plads
0.1 km
A quiet little square in Viborg’s historic centre, where echoes of the Black Friars meet everyday city life between cathedral, church and cobbled streets.
Viborg Museum - Administration
0.1 km
Viborg Museum reveals the city’s fascinating evolution through hands-on exhibits, local artifacts, and engaging displays, nestled in the historic core of Viborg’s old town.
Domkirkekvarteret i Viborg
0.1 km
Walk through Viborg’s Cathedral Quarter, where cobbled lanes, old townhouses and the granite cathedral weave a thousand years of Danish power, faith and law into one intimate streetscape.
Museum Wibergis
0.1 km
Autumn 2026: Step into 1000 years of Danish power struggles through vivid animation and immersive storytelling.
Viborg Kunsthal
0.2 km
Contemporary art in an 18th‑century lakeside distillery, Viborg Kunsthal blends bold exhibitions, residencies and events with a relaxed café and green surroundings.
Bible Garden
0.3 km
A living biblical library where over 100 scriptural plants bloom in thematic beds within historic Borgvold park.
Vægtertorvet
0.3 km
A small, newly renewed square beside Viborg’s old guardhouse, where the city’s former night watchmen and its thousand-year story of law and order still echo softly.
Borgvold Park
0.3 km
Historic fortress earthworks turned lakeside park, blending English-style landscaping, a unique Bible Garden and family-friendly play areas in central Viborg.
Agern Skulptur
0.4 km
A small but striking outdoor artwork on Viborg’s edge, where clean contemporary lines meet soft Danish light and greenery in an open-air pause for reflection.
Willow Garden
0.5 km
A small willow-framed oasis in central Viborg, perfect for a short, tranquil pause amid trees, lawns and soft light between the city’s historic sights.
Peak 12 Hotel
0.6 km
Sleek Scandinavian design hotel on the edge of historic Viborg, blending functional comfort, social lobby life and easy access to central Jutland sights.
Søparken
0.6 km
Atmospheric living museum in a historic 1820s papermill, featuring live demonstrations, hands-on crafts, and working steam machines in rural Viborg.
Viborg Søerne
0.8 km
Twin glacial lakes in Viborg's heart offering scenic walks, water sports, and rich medieval history.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Latinerly
0.1 km
Hearty steaks, live music and late‑night dancing in a historic Viborg cellar that blends cosy restaurant, buzzing bar and intimate nightclub under one vaulted roof.
Restaurant Kehlet
0.1 km
Cosy Italian comfort food on Viborg’s main square, serving stone-baked pizzas, hearty pasta and relaxed, family-friendly dining from lunchtime into the evening.
Smiling Sushi
0.1 km
All‑you‑can‑eat sushi and classic rolls in a simple, modern setting on one of Viborg’s central shopping streets, ideal for relaxed meals and casual meet‑ups.
Nytorv 11
0.1 km
Lively family-run gastro bar on Viborg’s central square, serving generous brunches, modern comfort food and cocktails from late morning to late night.
Resturant ROD
0.1 km
Refined Nordic cuisine rooted in ingredient integrity and meticulous craftsmanship.
Brygger Bauers Grotter
0.2 km
Fine dining and tapas in atmospheric brewery caves beneath central Viborg, where candlelit stone vaults and local history frame a lingering evening of food and wine.
Restaurant Arthur/ Brygger Bauers Grotter
0.2 km
French-inspired gourmet dining in atmospheric brick-lined cellars beneath Viborg’s historic streets, where candlelight, fine wines and thoughtful plates define the evening.
Cafe K Viborg
0.2 km
All-day brasserie-style café in central Viborg, blending cozy Scandinavian design, flexible dining and a relaxed social buzz from breakfast to late evening.
OX-M
0.2 km
Refined European cuisine and premium beef in central Viborg
Guldkalven
0.2 km
Cosy cellar restaurant in central Viborg, serving creative mini smørrebrød in a relaxed, modern Danish setting just steps from the historic Hjultorvet square.
Jensens Bøfhus
0.2 km
Casual Danish steakhouse on Viborg’s central square, serving family-friendly comfort dishes, generous portions and soft-ice treats in a relaxed, modern setting.
Me Vietnamese Kitchen & Isbar
0.2 km
Casual Vietnamese comfort food and an ice-cream bar in the heart of Viborg’s old town, ideal for relaxed lunches, simple dinners and sweet breaks on Hjultorvet.
Den Gyldne Okse
0.3 km
Hearty Danish–American steakhouse in Viborg’s old town, serving generous grilled plates in cosy wood‑lined rooms and a sheltered courtyard off a cobbled side street.
Tortillaflats Viborg
0.3 km
Cosy Mexican family restaurant in Viborg’s old town, serving hearty northern‑style dishes, colourful drinks and relaxed, sociable evening meals at moderate prices.
Pemas Food Corner
0.3 km
Casual comfort food in central Viborg, serving burgers, pizza and easygoing plates from late morning to evening in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Dahl Vinhandel A / S
0.1 km
Viborg's premier destination for wines with personality, craft spirits, and gourmet discoveries.
Saint
0.2 km
Contemporary Nordic fashion and lifestyle boutique in the heart of historic Viborg's shopping district.
Sinnerup Viborg
0.2 km
Stylish Danish lifestyle store in central Viborg, blending modern interiors, furniture, décor and women’s fashion in one inspiring, design-led space.
Tine Lund Viborg
0.3 km
Curated Scandinavian fashion, footwear, and jewelry in the heart of Viborg.
Creme Fraiche Viborg
0.3 km
A compact women’s fashion boutique on Viborg’s Vestergade, blending approachable Scandinavian style, practical basics, and seasonal outfits in a relaxed high-street setting.
Teenfashion.dk - House of Teens Viborg
0.3 km
Compact, trend-focused fashion boutique in Viborg’s centre, dedicated entirely to stylish clothing and outfits for tweens and teenagers.
Garnshoppen
0.3 km
A cosy central Viborg knit shop where colourful yarns, expert advice and inspiring patterns come together for creative makers of all levels.
Femilet
0.3 km
Premier intimate apparel specialist in Viborg with expert fitting and curated brand selection.
Viborg Vest Marked
0.3 km
Viborg's authentic market hall celebrating seasonal produce, organic goods, and local artisanal specialties.
Kop & Kande
0.3 km
Specialist homeware and kitchenware in Viborg's town centre, staffed by passionate experts.
Common Company ApS
0.3 km
A compact women’s fashion boutique in central Viborg, blending Scandinavian simplicity with wearable, city-ready style for everyday wardrobes and weekend outings.
H&M
0.3 km
Contemporary fashion for every style and season in Viborg's shopping heart.
Only
0.4 km
Central Viborg women’s fashion store offering trend-led Danish style, strong denim selections and everyday wardrobe staples in a bright, modern boutique.
Antik Og Gammel
0.4 km
A cosy antique trove in Viborg’s old town, where Danish vintage finds, homely charm and slow browsing turn a quick stop into a small journey back in time.
Louise Viborg Aps
0.4 km
Compact, city‑center women’s fashion boutique in Viborg, offering curated brands, flattering fits and friendly styling help in a relaxed, street‑level setting.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Holms Vinotek
0.2 km
Curated wines and artisanal tapas in a historic pharmacy turned sophisticated gathering place.
Bodega Hegnet
0.2 km
Viborg's cozy neighborhood bar where affordable drinks, free pool, and live music create genuine local warmth.
Rockabilly Bar
0.2 km
Craft beer meets 1950s rock and roll in Viborg's most distinctive beer bar.
Mathias Kælderen
0.3 km
Cosy cellar bar in central Viborg offering hygge-filled evenings, rustic charm and relaxed drinks just steps below the historic streets of Sankt Mathias Gade.
Café Børsen
0.3 km
A long‑standing Viborg café‑bar where Danish hygge, history and late‑night drinks meet in one cozy, central hangout on Gravene.
Ølluminati Brewbar
0.3 km
Microbrewery bar in Viborg’s old town, serving ever-changing small-batch craft beers and ciders in a cozy, quirky setting with a relaxed, music-filled atmosphere.
Sportspub Målet
0.3 km
Classic Danish sports bodega in central Viborg, where cold beer, big matches, karaoke and late-night hygge keep the lights on long after the final whistle.
Tema Bar
0.4 km
A loud, late‑night party bar in central Viborg with colorful lights, mainstream beats and no‑frills drinks, perfect for weekend dancing and a casual night out.
Rabalder Bar Viborg
0.4 km
Casual, colorful bar energy in the heart of Viborg’s old town, blending easygoing Danish hygge with lively late-night drinks and sociable weekend parties.
CRAVE Bar
0.4 km
Cosy Viborg bodega and karaoke bar where cold beers, pool games and sing-along nights blend into an easygoing, late-night local hangout.
Terminalen I/S v/Carl Erik Agnskov M.Fl.
0.4 km
Unpretentious central Viborg bar with friendly staff, late weekend hours, affordable drinks and occasional karaoke nights in a laid-back pub setting.
Zwei Grosse Bier Bar
0.6 km
High-energy après-ski style beer bar in central Viborg, pouring big drafts, loud music and late-night party vibes with free entry and group-friendly seating.
Roxy Malt Viborg
0.6 km
Cosy Irish-style pub in central Viborg with specialty beers, cocktails, live music and a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere for unhurried nights out.
Mødestedet Viborg ApS
1.6 km
Cosy local bar and meeting place in Viborg, blending classic Danish pub vibes with flexible space for social events, dance evenings and everyday gatherings.
Bistro Byens Hjørne v/Evald Scherer Laursen
12.4 km
Cozy corner bistro in central Rødkærsbro, serving straightforward food, cold beers and small‑town Danish atmosphere in a friendly neighborhood bar setting.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
ANDERS LAUSTSEN A/S
3.2 km
Compact, casual late-night bar and dance spot in Viborg, offering simple drinks, music, and a local Danish nightlife vibe just beyond the historic center.
Der Kuhstall Mønsted
13.8 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.
Buddy Holly
31.4 km
Late-night disco hub in central Hobro, where locals and visitors pack the dance floor to chart hits, lights and drinks until the early hours.
Kedelhuset
32.3 km
Kedelhuset: Silkeborg’s buzzing live music and culture venue, blending industrial heritage with creative energy in the lively riverside Papirfabrikken district.
Riverboat Jazz Festival
32.3 km
Scandinavia’s celebrated Riverboat Jazz Festival: riverside concerts, boat gigs, and open-air revelry set against Silkeborg’s scenic lakes and vibrant summer spirit.
B'sharp - Silkeborg Rhythm Og Blues Association
32.7 km
Volunteer-run blues stronghold in central Silkeborg, where intimate weekend concerts, affordable drinks and close-up performances keep rhythm & roots music alive.
Rustik & Flamingo
38.5 km
Rustik & Flamingo offers upscale cocktails and a vibrant late-night dance floor, making it one of Randers’ premier nightlife and party destinations.
Jagtbar Randers
38.5 km
A lively late-night bar in Randers’ city center known for its dynamic events, energetic crowds, and welcoming atmosphere—a favorite for unforgettable nights out.
Tante Olga - Bar
38.5 km
Beloved for its dynamic live music, unique ambiance, and lively events, Tante Olga is a cornerstone of Randers nightlife and a top local destination for music lovers.
Randers Rave
39.2 km
Compact, bass-heavy nightclub in Randers NØ, where an unassuming façade hides a late-night dance floor fueled by rave-inspired lights, DJs and high energy.
Mariager Sejlklub
41.7 km
Experience the laid-back maritime charm of Mariager Sejlklub, where local sailing culture meets tranquil fjord views on Denmark’s scenic Mariager Fjord.
Piano Herning
44.0 km
Experience Herning’s vibrant nightlife in a cozy piano bar with live music, great cocktails, and classic Danish hospitality in the center of town.
Bart
44.0 km
Stylish cocktail bar in central Herning, renowned for inventive drinks, cheerful ambiance, and generous opening hours—an essential stop for experiencing the city’s modern nightlife.
Murphy's Pub
44.0 km
Traditional Irish pub in the center of Herning, Denmark, featuring welcoming atmosphere, live music, a variety of beers and whiskies, and lively sports viewing.
Mindegade5
44.2 km
Experience the heartbeat of Herning's nightlife at Mindegade5, where music, dance, and celebration converge.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
- Tranquil
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Sacred Sites
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
- 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
- Day Trip
- Mindfulness
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Roadtrip Stop
- Festival / Event Nearby
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
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
