Car & Van Hire - Sonderborg

Sonderborg is an important port town in Southern Denmark that was historically part of the Duchy of Schleswig. This buffer region between Scandinavia and the Holy Roman Empire grew in power and size from the 12th century around Sonderborg Castle. The castle remains open as a museum today with a rich range of antiques and paintings. These include some important works from the Golden Age, as well as interesting historical details from the castle's long history (as both a prison and royal residence).

Leaving the castle grounds, the Ringridermuseet, a museum or "ringriders", is open in summer on certain days (check for opening times and days if you plan to visit). Inside, you'll find artefacts of the town's beloved equestrian procession that takes place every July. The nearby Deutsches Museum Nordschleswig provides more insight into local culture, offering a nuanced history of the shifting border between Denmark and Germany.

Car hire in Sonderborg offers excellent opportunities to discover the region's palaces and castles. To the west, the 16th-century royal summer residence, Gråsten Palace, has gardens and a chapel open to the public. To the east, the stunning Rococco-style Augustenborg Palace provides bucolic walks. The nearby Augustiana Kunstpark & Kunsthal exhibits art shows.

One of Denmark's most beloved landmarks, Dybbøl Mølle, is located 2 km west of the town centre. This iconic windmill has been bombed twice in Danish history and remains an important national symbol. Nearby, you'll also find the Historiecenter, which outlines the history of German occupation in the region from 1864.

Sonderborg has a vibrant shopping and dining scene, where you'll find a cosy café culture. The town's main shopping mall, BORGEN, is home to a wide range of shops and restaurants, including a 5-screen cinema. You'll also find shops and boutiques along Jernbanegade, a pedestrianised central street. As for food, look for local specialities like solæg (eggs in brine), rye bread and sausages - much-loved dishes in the Jutland region. The town also boasts several gin and whiskey distilleries, including the highly-lauded Destilleriet Sønderborg.

A car or van hire in Sonderborg is a great way to explore the surrounding nature and coastlines. This region is rich in forests, from Nørreskoven and Sønderskoven to Gråsten and Blomeskobbel. The latter contains ancient barrows that have been restored for exploration. This region contains the largest number of barrows in Scandinavia, making excellent day trips for those looking to explore Denmark's pre-history. Another local treasure to look for is the tree frog. These are protected in Denmark, with 5 species in the Sonderborg area.

Sonderborg is a convenient town to navigate, with excellent road networks and maintenance. The Danish national road 8 (Primærrute 8) is the main route through the town, providing fast motorway links from Nyborg (via ferry links at Fynshav) to Tønder near the German border. The Primærrute 8 largely consists of two-lane dual-carriageways which connect with the E45 motorway at Kliplev for Pan-European travel. Other notable road links include Primærrute 41, a single-carriageway connecting to Bovrup and Stubbaek.

Sonderborg has a small town centre, which consists of both one-way and pedestrianised streets, some of which can be narrow. Driving within this centre is not recommended. Instead, park and walk several minutes to the high street. However, many business and commercial addresses are easy to navigate and park at, like the shopping centre BORGEN.

Parking in Sonderborg is straightforward, with plenty of parking spaces both in the centre and surroundings. In more developed areas, you can expect much lower speed limits. Parking fees are common in the centre, so ensure you have parked within the listed terms. Car parks are largely operated on a pay-and-display basis with both machines and mobile payment options.

Speed limits in Sonderborg are much the same as in the rest of Denmark. Limits within the centre are largely 50 km/h, but speeds can be sign-posted at 20 to 30 km/h in residential areas. Limits in non-built-up areas are 80 km/h and reach 130 km/h on motorways but are mostly 100 km/h on Sonderborg motorways.

Sonderborg is much quieter than other larger towns in Denmark. There is, however, still a rush hour, particularly in and around the town centre. Try to avoid main roads from 07:00 to 08:30 and between 15:00 and 17:30 for the swiftest travel. For those travelling by ferry, the Fynshav to Bøjden route takes place several times a day. Ensure you arrive at the port in time for this 45 to 50-minute crossing.

Vehicles are driven on the right-hand side of the road throughout Denmark and its neighbouring countries. What's more, there are no road tolls throughout Denmark. Instead, some of Denmark's bridges are tolled. However, these are found nearest Copenhagen, some 320 km from Sonderborg, by road.