Horsens has become a tourist magnet thanks to its prison, which offers a glimpse of life "inside". The town has built up a well-deserved reputation for attracting big international names from the music industry – and having the biggest shopping street in the country means lots of shopping fun. Nestled in a natural beauty spot, there are also lots of open-air activities on the menu.
Horsens played a key role when it was home to a number of monasteries and fortifications in the Middle Ages – an era celebrated every August by the massive European Medieval Festival, which sees the streets heaving with knights, jugglers, musicians and everything else Medieval. There’s also a full range of exciting open-air activities all year round. Go pony trekking along the fjord, for example, or explore the town from the water in a rented canoe.
Horsens is a true music centre with a range of concert venues, including the purpose-built Forum Horsens where large-scale stadium concerts are held featuring top names such as Madonna. The hall is also used for conferences, lectures and sports activities, meaning that there's every chance of catching a top handball match during a weekend break. Be entertained by stand-up comedy, a concert or play at Horsens Ny Teater, where artists such as Bob Dylan and Robbie Williams have played.
The former Horsens prison, known as Fængslet, is also a world-class concert venue where acts such as Metallica have appeared. Take a guided tour, explore the exhibits and see what prison life was like for inmates and staff. You can even spend a night in a cell!
Artist Michael Kvium grew up in Horsens, and Horsens Art Museum houses the biggest collection of his work. From the museum, we recommend moving on to the high street for a stop at a café to contemplate Kvium’s symbolism over a cup of coffee. Visiting Horsens by road or rail is simple, with direct motorway links and intercity trains to the town. Getting around is easy by bus or bike to see all the sights.
Concerts, scenery and culture all go hand-in-hand in Horsens – in other words, there’s something for everyone. But what's special about the town is its ability to captivate (or even capture!) you.
