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A great place for a city break, Denmark's fifth largest and
youngest city, Esbjerg, is billed as 'the gateway to Jutland', but
those who choose not to move beyond the gateway will have plenty to
see and do in this neat, clean port city.
Esbjerg grew up around its harbour, which was established by the
State in 1868 to serve as a strategic North Sea port. Today it is
the centre of Denmark's offshore oil industry, but with its lovely
beaches, attractive shops, thriving café society and jolly
nightlife it has also become a popular holiday town.
Not surprisingly, most of Esbjerg's tourist attractions are
nautical by nature, including a 'sealarium' at the Fisheries and
Maritime Museum. A boat trip round the harbour is a must, and for
the more active the city offers a wonderful swimming stadium,
angling, golf and windsurfing. The best thing about Esbjerg,
though, is its proximity to the scenic Jutland Peninsula coastline,
with wide windswept sand dunes, and popular attractions like
Legoland at Billund (about an hour's drive away) and the
picturesque medieval town of Ribe. Denmark's favourite offshore
vacation islands of Rømø and Fanø are within easy reach by
ferry.
As a major educational centre (two universities and numerous
other tertiary learning institutions) Esbjerg also has a full
cultural calendar, and art is everywhere, from major galleries to
small, private studios. Being a city with a large youthful
population, clubs and bars throb with live music and dancing long
after dark.
