This ancient Danish city centers around the 12th-century Viborg Domkirke cathedral. Nearby forests and lakes draw cyclists, while students fill local bars serving the famous viborg bøf.
Viborg sits in central Jutland, where Vikings once gathered to elect Danish kings. Walk through the twin-towered cathedral to see Joakim Skovgaard's 84 biblical frescoes, explore 60 kilometers of underground tunnels in the Mønsted limestone mines, or follow hiking trails past five medieval castle ruins at Lake Hald Sø. The city includes Denmark's leading animation school and hosts Viborg FF, a team in Danish football's top division.
Exploring Viborg Cathedral
The twin-towered cathedral has stood in Viborg's center since 1130. You can see 84 biblical frescoes painted by Joakim Skovgaard in the early 20th century throughout the interior. The cathedral opens daily from 11 AM to 3 PM, with extended hours during summer. The crypt dates back to the medieval structure, while most of the current building comes from the 1876 reconstruction.
Underground Adventures at Mønsted Mines
At Mønsted Kalkgruber, 10 miles west of Viborg, you can walk through 60 kilometers of limestone mine tunnels. Follow 2.5 miles of illuminated paths past underground lakes and watch several bat species that live in the tunnels. The museum above ground explains the mining methods and shows geological samples from the mines. Entry costs 70 DKK, and you must book tickets in advance.
Lake Hald Sø Area
South of Viborg, walking trails circle Lake Hald Sø, ranging from short walks to the full 20-kilometer lake circuit. You can swim at two designated spots along the shoreline, and rent rowboats from Niels Bugges Kro inn to explore the lake. Look for De Fem Halder - five castle ruins scattered across the deciduous forests and meadows surrounding the lake.
Art and Culture
The Skovgaard Museum occupies the 18th-century town hall, displaying the Skovgaard family's paintings alongside Danish design pieces and ceramics. The Animation Workshop trains students in animation and computer graphics. You can visit public exhibitions of student work in the converted army barracks and attend the annual Viborg Animation Festival.
Getting to Viborg
Regional trains run hourly between Viborg and Aarhus, taking about an hour. One daily InterCity train connects Copenhagen to Viborg, stopping at major cities including Odense. The train station sits a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. By car from Aarhus, follow Route 26 west for approximately 1.5 hours.
