Ribe

Ribe was founded in the 9th century, making it the oldest town in Scandinavia, but during excavations several silver coins have been found that suggest a market town once existed on the same location around 700 AD.

During medieval times Ribe was an important trading center, but its importance declined after several wars with Sweden. Because of this, Ribe's inhabitants didn't have the funds to build new dwellings and as a result, most of its original center has been preserved. There are numerous half-timbered 16th century buildings in Ribe and the streets in the center are made of cobbled stones.

Points of interest

Ribe Domkirke (Ribe Cathedral) is also known as Vor Frue Maria Domkirke (Our Lady Maria Cathedral ) is a remainder of Ribe's wealthy past. It stands right in the center of town and it is Ribe's most prominent landmark. The church was founded in 860 making it the oldest Christian church in Denmark. In the 14th century, the 27 m high tower was added. The views from the top are excellent.
Ribe's Viking and medieval history are displayed in the enormous Ribes Vikinger museum. In one of the large spaces, an ancient marketplace from around 800 AD has been reconstructed, including a Viking ship, ready to set sail. The Vikings' old trade routes are depicted in a multimedia room.
If you want to know what Ribe used to be like during Viking times you should visit the Vikingecenter just south of town. Various Viking-era buildings have been reconstructed there, including a 34 m large Fyrkat-style longhouse.
The Ribe Kunstmuseum (Ribe Art Museum) opened in 1891. It is housed in a former villa that was built between 1860 and 1864. The museum is located at Sct. Nicolaj Gade 10.
Riberhus Slotsbanke, or Toberhus Voldsted, consists of a 4 m (26 ft) quadratic embankment surrounded by moats. It is all that remains of Riberhus, a royal castle that was built in the 1260s. After wars with Sweden in the 17th century, the castle fell into disrepair. The remains are located in the western outskirts of Ribe.
The Vadehavscentret (Wadden Sea Center) is a visitor center and museum that were established to raise awareness of the Wadden Sea and its surroundings. The center opened in 2017.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Ribe. The town is in the south of Jutland, the mainland of Denmark and 235 km west of København (Copenhagen). Ribe has train connections with Esbjerg and Visby (for destinations in Germany).

Hotels in Ribe

Images

We maintain our database as accurate as possible, but we can not guarantee the accuracy of this information. Please notify us if information on this page is outdated, incorrect or if you think something should be amended. Additional images for this destination can be emailed to photo@Gheos.com. We are not responsible for any damage, injury or inconvenience resulting from information published on this site. Before travelling to any destination you should verify critical information such as visa requirements, health and safety with the authoroties. This page was last updated on 30 May 2026

Denmark
Atlas

You found a piece of the puzzle

Please click here to complete it