Billund holidays

How to reach Billund

• Flight time: Flights to Billund from London take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

• Transfer time: Billund Airport is small and efficient, situated just 5km from the town centre. A short 10-minute taxi ride will get you there, or you can hop on the 43 bus, which runs every 30 minutes and takes around 15 minutes.

• Price: A taxi ride from the airport to the town costs about 130–160 DKK, while a bus ticket costs around 25 DKK.

Best time to visit Billund

As Billund holidays usually focus on Legoland, the warmer, drier months are the obvious choice for your trip. However, don’t discount the hygge vibes of the winter season.

• March to May: Spring brings longer days and therefore more time to enjoy the town’s attractions. Average temperatures climb from 4°C to 10°C, rainfall is moderate and there are about 6–8 hours of sunshine daily.

• June to August: The best time to visit Billund, when its full complement of attractions are in full flow. Temperatures hover around the mid-20s, leading the natives to make the most of the balmy weather as they take up residence outside bars and cafés. Rainfall is light and you can expect around 8–10 hours of sunshine daily.

• September to November: As summer draws to a close, the Danes gradually abandon their outdoor pursuits and head indoors. Temperatures drop from around 15°C to 8°C and rainfall increases slightly.

• December to February: The perfect time for embracing the Danish concept of hygge. The town’s Christmas market lights up the winter gloom, with temperatures averaging 0°C to 4°C. Snowfall is possible, but not guaranteed, and there are around 4–6 hours of sunshine per day.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Danish is the official language, but most Danes are fluent in English.

• Local habits and customs: Denmark is a liberal, tolerant country. The Danish language doesn’t have a specific word for “please”, so don’t be upset if Danes leave it out when talking to you in English. Tipping is not expected, as service charges are included in hotel, restaurant and bar bills.

• Currency: Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK). Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller vendors.

• Getting around: Billund is compact, so walking is a breeze. For longer distances, buses are reliable and cost about 25–30 DKK for a single ticket within the area. Buses accept cash or contactless payment. Car hire is ideal for exploring the surrounding countryside.

• Electricity and plug types: Denmark uses the standard European two-pin plugs with 230V. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Billund is in Central European Time, which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Daylight Saving Time is observed from late March to late October.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers only need a valid passport to visit Denmark for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in Billund

Billund is more than just a town. It’s the birthplace of Lego and therefore home to a host of Lego-themed attractions, so don’t come expecting much by way of culture in this pint-sized town. Still, for families, it’s almost the perfect destination.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Lego House terraces: The Lego House isn’t just a dream destination for brick fans – it also offers splendid views from its rooftop terraces. Each level offers a new perspective of the surrounding area, and it’s a fun photo spot for families.

The best districts

• Billund Town Centre: Whilst the compact town centre is no beauty, it is a hive of activity; not only does it contain many attractions, but it’s replete with shops, cafés and restaurants.

Museums

• Teddy Bear Art Museum: This one-of-a-kind museum showcases, yes, you guessed it, teddy bears. From the oldest - a fine Steiff teddy bear from 1906 - to artist teddy bears and modern teddy bears, they’re all here.

• Lego House: All-encompassing attraction, incorporating a history museum, interactive playground - swim around a digital aquarium or drive cars and trains on wild lanes - contemporary art gallery, and, naturally, a toy shop. It’s an absolute blast.

Parks and gardens

• Legoland Resort Gardens: Even if you’re focused on the rides, don’t miss the beautifully landscaped gardens inside Legoland which are meticulously crafted with Lego-inspired features, naturally.

Historical monuments

• Grene Church: A short drive from Billund, this picturesque little church was built in 1891, having replaced an earlier version; indeed, the granite blocks, bell, font, pulpit and chalice are all inherited from the original church.

Day trips in the area

• Jutland: The west coast of Jutland is known for its long sandy beaches framing the North Sea, which is popular for swimming, sunbathing and beach sports.

• Odense: East of Billund, Odense is an attractive little place, with a lush location on the River Odense; it’s also home to the delightful H.C. Andersens Hus, dedicated to Denmark's most famous writer.

• Ribe: A short ride south of Billund, this is the oldest town in Denmark; with its beguiling medieval centre and several riveting museums to chew over, a day here is a day very well spent.

Activities for families in Billund

Billund is not called the Capital of Children for nothing. From amusement and water parks to interactive play zones, there are endless days of fun to be had on your holidays to Billund.

• Legoland: Billund’s star attraction, of course. Designed to look like a giant Lego brick and featuring over 25 million Lego pieces, this ace park features over 50 rides, shows and attractions, as well as a variety of Lego-themed shops and restaurants.

• Amusement parks: WOW is a treetop amusement park for Peter Pans and high-fliers, with zip lines, assault courses and a giant ball pit elevated high into the trees.

• Aquariums and zoos: Givskud Zoo is another terrific day out for families, the best part of which is the drive-through safari - you can either take your own car through or hop aboard the safari bus.

• Waterparks: One of Europe’s largest waterparks, Lalandia is also packed with dozens of further activities, including bowling alleys, trampolines, crazy golf, climbing walls, Monkey Tonk play area and even an ice rink and ski slope.

Free things to do in Billund

While most things here are aimed squarely at families - with the usual attendant pressures to buy stuff for your offspring - you really don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy Billund.

• Sculpture Park: Free to walk through, this 1.5km cycling and walking trail through parkland connects The Lego Holiday Village and Lalandia area to Lego House via a series of unusual sculptures, perfect to keep little ones engaged on the walk between locations.

• Annual events: Depending on when you visit, you’ll likely catch free outdoor concerts, cultural festivals or Lego-themed community events.

Nature and outdoor activities in Billund

You don’t have to go far to escape the jumble of noise emanating from the town’s kid-oriented attractions, particularly with the coastline close at hand.

• Cycling trails: Denmark is famous for its cycling culture, and Billund is no exception. Rent a bike and explore scenic trails connecting the town to nearby attractions, including Grene Sande.

• Hiking: A short distance from Billund, Grene Sande is crisscrossed with numerous hiking tracks; these go through a planted forest dating back to the late 19th century, heather-clad moorland and mighty sand dunes. There are even some dedicated mountain bike trails.

• Watersports: North of Billund, the artificial Engsø Lake is where the locals head for a spot of kayaking and paddleboarding.

• Birdwatching: A short drive north of town, the Skjern River Nature Park is a fabulous wetland reserve, with trails and viewing towers for spotting spoonbills, ospreys and white-tailed sea eagles.

Local dishes in Billund

While Billund might not be Denmark’s culinary capital, you’ll nevertheless find some delightful eats here.

• Smørrebrød: The traditional open sandwich of dark rye bread topped with anything from smoked salmon or shellfish to herring or salami is delectable and delicious.

• Stegt flæsk: Crispy pork belly served with parsley sauce and potatoes is considered Denmark’s national dish.

Meat dishes

• Frikadeller: Delicious Danish meatballs served with potatoes and a rich, creamy gravy.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Røget sild: The quintessential Danish seafood, this is smoked herring served with dill and mustard sauce.

• Oysters: Danish oysters are a world-class delicacy, especially those from the Limfjord and the North Sea.

Street food

• Hot dogs: Hot dog stands (pølsevogn) are a cultural institution and you’ll find them all over town serving hot dogs (pølser) as well as toasted ham-and-cheese sandwiches (parisertoast) and chips (pommes frites).

Sweets and desserts

Danish pastries, or wienerbrød, are famous worldwide for their flaky, buttery layers, and are tastier and much less sweet than the imitations sold abroad. Variations include the fantastically named cinnamon snail (kanelsnegl) and seed snapper (frøsnapper) pastries, and there’s also spandauer, a custard or jam-filled pastry.

Local drinks

• Akvavit: A traditional Scandinavian schnapps, the most popular of which is the potent Aalborg-made Aquavit.

• Craft beer: While the most common brands are Carlsberg and Tuborg, microbreweries are now thankfully much more common, with many pubs making their own beer on the premises; leading the way are breweries like Mikkeller and To Øl.