What to See in Southern Denmark, Denmark

Southern Denmark is a region of mainland terrain, the island of Funen and smaller islands that blends historic towns, modern attractions and a distinct cultural mix. Neywo provides a free audio guide for the area, covering four cities with 233 narrated places and seven walking tours. From Viking sites to fairy‑tale streets, there are plenty of things to do in Southern Denmark for every kind of traveller.

What to see and do in Southern Denmark

Region formation and administration

Southern Denmark was created in 2007 when Denmark abolished its old counties and established larger regions. The reform merged many smaller municipalities, leaving the region with 22 municipalities and shifted most authority to the local councils and the national government in Copenhagen. The regional administration still handles hospitals and regional public transport for the area.

Geography and transport links

The region stretches across the Jutland mainland, Funen and nearby islands. It borders Germany to the south and the Central Denmark Region to the north. To the east, the Great Belt Fixed Link connects Southern Denmark with Region Zealand. Public transport is divided: Sydtrafik operates on the mainland and the island of Als, Fynbus serves Funen and adjacent islands, while on the islands of Ærø and Fanø the municipalities themselves run the local bus services.

Billund Airport

Billund Airport is the region’s main airport and Denmark’s second‑busiest after Copenhagen Airport. It handles more than three million passengers in an average year and also functions as a busy air cargo centre. Together with the bridges, buses and ferries, the airport helps link Southern Denmark’s mainland communities and islands with each other and with neighbouring regions.

North Schleswig German minority

Southern Denmark is home to the North Schleswig Germans, the only officially recognised ethno‑linguistic minority in Denmark proper. The community lives in the municipalities of Aabenraa, Haderslev, Sønderborg and Tønder, where it makes up about six percent of the total population. Members enjoy linguistic rights under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and the region reflects this heritage in its multilingual names: Region Syddanmark (Danish), Region Süddänemark (German) and Regiuun Syddanmark (North Frisian).

Fredericia

In Fredericia Neywo offers 18 narrated places. Highlights include the Det Hvide Vandtårn (the White Water Tower), the monument Den tapre Landsoldat (the Brave Soldier) and the Den Historiske Miniby, a miniature historic town.
Fredericia

Kolding

Kolding features 55 narrated stops on Neywo. Notable points are the historic Koldinghus castle, the Harteværket hydroelectric plant, the Trapholt museum of modern art and design, and the Kommandocentralen, a former military command centre.
Kolding

Odense

Odense, the largest city in the region, provides 91 narrated locations. Visitors can explore St. Canute’s Cathedral, the peaceful Lindved area, the historic Lumby Mølle mill, and the Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home, which tells the story of the famous fairy‑tale author.
Odense

Vejle

As the regional capital, Vejle supplies 69 narrated places. Key sites include the Viking‑era Jelling Church, the ancient Ravning Bridge, the preserved Bindeballe Station railway building, and the Museum Give, which showcases local cultural history.
Vejle

Explore Southern Denmark with Neywo

Neywo’s free audio guide lets you discover the region at your own pace. The app offers seven walking tours that guide you through the 233 narrated places across Fredericia, Kolding, Odense and Vejle. Each story plays automatically as you reach the spot, with no group schedule and no fixed route. Narration is available in eleven languages, so you can enjoy the insights in the language you prefer. Download Neywo, start a tour, and let the stories of Southern Denmark unfold as you walk.