Visiting the Viking Fortress Trelleborg
Trelleborg was the first ring fortress we checked out in Denmark.
Here are all the insights we gathered about Viking Fortress Trelleborg, as well as some handy tips for a smooth trip.
Since Trelleborg is one of Denmark's most famous Viking ring fortresses, we were pretty sure we'd stop there at some point during our road trip around the country. While we kept our itinerary relatively open, Trelleborg felt like a must-see. After all, Denmark was once a land of Vikings.
From the very start, the ring fortress, or at least what remained of it, looked truly epic in the photos we had seen during our quick research. With the on-site museum, we were confident that we would learn even more about the Vikings and the era in which they ruled Scandinavia and beyond. It just took us a few days to make our way from Jutland, where our adventure began, to Zealand, home to this incredible UNESCO site, but we got there just as planned.
Built around 980 AD under Harald Bluetooth’s rule, Trelleborg was part of a network of Viking ring fortresses meant to strengthen their power and defend against threats. With more than just one of these fortresses out there, figuring out whether Trelleborg was worth the visit wasn’t so simple.
As it turned out, Trelleborg was one of the five Viking-Age Ring Fortresses, which were officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. In addition to Trelleborg, these fortresses include Aggersborg, Fyrkat, Nonnebakken, and Borgring, and they are scattered across Jutland, Funen, and Zealand.
Honestly, they all looked pretty much the same to us at first, so choosing wasn't easy! What sealed the deal for Trelleborg was that it's the best-preserved Viking fortress, complete with a restored longhouse and museum. For us, that seemed like the perfect way to dive into Viking history. So, did we make the right call? Let's see!
In its heyday, Trelleborg Fortress was a significant stronghold with military and strategic importance.
Opening Hours of Trelleborg Viking Fortress
We'll start with Trelleborg's opening times, as they affected how we planned the whole trip. The fortress has two separate sites, each with different opening times. The museum is only open from April to October, running from 10 AM to 4 PM or until 5 PM in the summer months of June through August. From November to March, it's completely closed.
When we visited in September, the museum was open as usual.
Apparently, the fortress grounds and longhouse are always open, even when the museum isn't! We didn't realize this beforehand, so we spent some time in Nyborg first. In hindsight, we could've arrived earlier and visited the grounds first, then the museum later, just like we did in Jelling. But Nyborg was a beautiful spot, so we didn't mind at all.
Parking
A few minutes after the museum opened, we pulled into the parking lot at Trelleborg and immediately got the feeling that it was going to be a quiet one. Just like our experiences in Lindholm Hoje and Thy National Park, it seemed like we had the place mostly to ourselves.
Anyway, parking at Viking Fortress Trelleborg was free. The lot was practically empty and looked pretty spacious, though who knows how packed it gets in the summer.
The museum entrance at Trelleborg was situated right next to where we parked.
Tickets
Before anything else, we headed into the museum to get our tickets. At 95 DKK per person, the cost felt familiar compared to other Viking sites we'd checked out. We just hoped that the museum would be worth it.
Trelleborg Museum
Honestly, the grounds were pretty cool but also a bit empty since there's not much left to see. Luckily, the museum did a great job of explaining what the site looked like back then and what life was like here during that time.
Obviously, we didn't realize that at the time since we visited the museum first and explored the grounds afterward. But once we were back in the car on our way to Møn Island, we talked about it (it was a two-hour drive, after all) and agreed that the museum was definitely worth seeing.
Obviously, if you visit Trelleborg in the off-season or outside its opening hours, there's not much you can do about it.
After visiting Jelling, we noticed that the Trelleborg Museum didn't quite have the same wow factor. The ticket office and souvenir shop even looked a little worn. It had that small-scale, regional look, with fewer interactive elements and not the most modern feel. Was it fair to compare? Maybe not. But honestly, it didn't matter to us.
This model of the ramparts gives a glimpse into how Trelleborg’s defensive system once looked.
While Jelling's modern exhibits were cool, we didn't mind the classic setup with text, photos, and displayed items. Plus, Trelleborg had a few digital screens, too, so it wasn't completely outdated.
The biggest highlight for us was the original wooden shield, the only one of its kind ever discovered in Denmark! It was amazingly well-preserved for something made of pine planks over 1,100 years ago. There were plenty of other cool artifacts, too (pottery, swords, etc.), but this shield absolutely stood out.
This Viking shield dates back to the 900s CE and was crafted in western Norway.
A particularly intriguing museum display featured the skeletons of a Viking woman and man found at Trelleborg, plus artifacts from one of the sacrificial wells.
One last fun detail of the museum was that right by the exit; there was a rack of Viking costumes visitors could borrow for free, offering a great way to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
We skipped the costumes, but if you're into that, you can explore Trelleborg dressed like King Harald Bluetooth or some nameless peasant.
Trelleborg Viking Longhouse
The restored Viking Longhouse is easily one of the best attractions at Trelleborg, and since it was right along the way to the fortress, it made sense to check it out next.
A quick walk from the museum along an easy pathway led us straight to the longhouse. It couldn't have been more than 150 meters, so we reached it in just a few minutes.
Built with traditional materials like wood, thatch, and clay, the longhouse is 'only' a restored version of the original structure, but wow, they did an incredible job. It looked absolutely stunning.
The restored Trelleborg longhouse was nothing short of impressive.
Since the longhouse was open to the public, we didn't think twice before stepping inside. As expected, the interior was pure 10th century. It was simple, rugged, and exactly how we imagined a Viking longhouse would look.
Looking at our photos, you wouldn't guess how unpredictable the weather was, but trust us, it changed fast. We had a few sudden, intense showers throughout the day, and one hit us just after leaving the longhouse on our way to the ring fortress.
As the rain picked up, we knew there was only one move - get back to the longhouse. There wasn't any cover in the fortress, and with the shower intensifying, we didn't want to end up completely drenched. Our rain jackets and waterproof dry bag helped, but our pants and shoes weren't waterproof, and that was the real issue.
Being inside the longhouse was like living in the Viking Age for a moment.
We picked up the pace and made it to the longhouse just in time, staying relatively dry. The shower was brief, so we filled the time chatting about how (un)comfortable these places must have been. Of course, most of our opinions were pure speculation, but one thing was certain. The thatched roof held up, and we stayed warm and dry (though it appeared they reinforced it with an extra layer just to avoid constant repairs).
Trelleborg Viking Fortress
On our second attempt, we finally made it. After passing through the metal gate again, we soon found ourselves right in front of the main entrance to the ring fortress.
Before heading in, we took a moment to check out the first set of longhouse foundations near the entrance, marking the size and shape of the original structures. After seeing the restored longhouse just a minute earlier, we had a much clearer picture of what it would have looked like during the Viking Age.
You can easily make out the foundation layout of a Trelleborg longhouse in this photo.
Restoring a couple more longhouses around the fortress would certainly add to the experience, but we get it: this isn't Lego House, but an archaeological site. Keeping it as close to its original state as possible is important, and the one restored longhouse already does the job well.
Next, we made our way over the small bridge and passed through the eastern gate, the fortress's (today's) main entrance. What remains now is a simple passage between two stone walls lining the massive 5-meter-high ramparts.
With a 136-meter diameter, the fortress is already massive, but without reference points like houses or trees, it felt even bigger. Since the ramparts were climbable and offered a great overlook, our first move was obvious; we turned right and ascended the wooden staircase to take it all in.
The 5-meter-high ramparts had four sections, and we got to climb two of them.
Trelleborg Viking Fortress was built with striking symmetry, split into four quadrants, each featuring four longhouses arranged in a courtyard layout.
Besides the main gate, there are three other entrances, but they don't really lead anywhere. So, we crossed the courtyard and climbed another set of wooden stairs, giving us a fresh perspective on the ring fortress.
Since the layout was so perfectly symmetrical, the view didn't bring anything new, but we still enjoyed the extra time strolling along the ramparts.
Nowadays, the courtyard of Trelleborg''s ring fortress is just a large grassy field.
Though once made of oak, dirt, and stone, the ramparts now appear as rolling, grass-covered mounds. At certain viewpoints, they even brought back memories of the burial mound at Bru na Bóinne from our trip to Ireland.
Funnily enough, our next stop was Kong Asgers Høj, which is just a scaled-down version of the Neolithic passage graves that can also be seen across Denmark.
Slagløse - The Viking Village
Our last stop at Trelleborg was Slagløse, a reconstructed Viking village located a short walk from the museum. Trelleborg didn't have a village back in the day, but this display showcases Viking-style buildings, including a house from Hedeby. We didn't stick around long, though, since we had a drive ahead to the famous Møns Klint.
The recreated Viking village consisted of only a few structures.
How Much Time We Spent in Trelleborg Viking Fortress
We spent just under an hour and a half exploring the museum, followed by around 45-60 minutes wandering the complex. Altogether, just over two hours at Trelleborg Viking Fortress seems like a pretty reasonable visit time for most people.
Without the museum, your visit will likely fall somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes since there isn't a ton to see beyond the ring fortress and the longhouse. Of course, those coming for the Trelleborg Viking Festival (more on that in a second) could easily spend a day or two, but that's a once-a-year event.
The museum, longhouse, and fortress at Trelleborg are close together - it took only a few minutes to walk between them.
Getting to Trelleborg Viking Fortress
As part of our Denmark road trip, we drove to Trelleborg, which is positioned on Zealand's western side. Before leaving Funen, we spent the morning strolling through Nyborg, squeezing in some exploration before the museum finally opened.
The drive over the Great Belt Bridge, connecting Funen Island to Zealand, was an experience in itself. On the other side, we made a brief stop at Halsskov Odde to admire the impressive bridge views and check out a small boat museum, wrapping up the visit in about 15 minutes.
The drive to Trelleborg took us over the incredible Great Belt Bridge.
Our first proper stop in Zealand was the Viking Fortress Trelleborg; it was an easy choice since it was only a short 15-minute drive away. The fortress is less than an hour's drive from Odense and about 80 minutes from Copenhagen, making it an ideal day trip from either city. You can compare rental car prices in Denmark here.
The drive was smooth overall, but the last three kilometers took us onto a narrower road, so we had to slow down a bit. Realistically, driving is the best way to get to Trelleborg unless you're on a tour; public transport isn't the most convenient for casual visitors.
The official site says there's a bus from nearby Slagelse, which you can reach by train from either Copenhagen or Odense. The catch is that it only runs on school days and stops about a kilometer from the museum at Trelleborg Friskole.
Hotels Near Trelleborg Viking Fortress
The closest town to Trelleborg Viking Fortress is Slagelse, but since it's not really a tourist hotspot, accommodations are pretty limited. One of the more popular options is Vilcon Hotel, located just outside town, an ideal option if you're after a quiet stay with free parking.
Just before crossing the Great Belt Bridge, visitors leaving Trelleborg might consider staying in Korsør, where they can find hotels such as Comwell Klarskovgaard.
When to Visit + Trelleborg Viking Festival
You can visit Trelleborg Viking Fortress at any time of the year, but if you want to check out the museum, you'll need to keep an eye on its seasonal opening hours. Otherwise, it doesn't make much of a difference when you go, except for one key exception.
We made sure to go during museum hours, though the fortress is open all the time.
The exception is the Trelleborg Viking Festival, typically held in July for about two weeks. During this event, the fortress comes alive as a full-fledged Viking settlement, featuring 1,000 reenactors, an enormous market, battle reenactments, and demonstrations of traditional crafts like blacksmithing and wood carving.
If Viking history fascinates you, this festival is one of the biggest in Denmark, so don't miss the chance to check it out.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
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Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
