A Day in Ebeltoft, Denmark at the Fregatten Jylland

If you want to experience a part of Denmark’s nautical history, visit the Fregatten Jylland in Ebeltoft. Built in the 1850s and used in the 2^nd Schleswig War, the Fregatten Jylland or “Frigate Jylland” is not just the oldest-surviving frigate in Denmark, but also the world. Now, it is a warship museum. The term “screw frigate” or “steam frigate” means that it was a steam-powered warship that was used for purposes other than the actual fighting. In fact, the ship even served as a royal yacht in the 1870s to King Christian IX of Denmark and his family.

When on the ship, visitors can see what life was like for the captain, crew, passengers and even the animals during the 1800s. We were eager to get a unique experience when learning about Danish history, and we also hoped to have a bit of fun pretending to be members of the crew with whatever tasks came our way that day.

Sea-lovers vs Land-lovers

In all honesty, our family was pretty much divided down the middle when it came to sea-lovers and land-lovers. My oldest son and husband loved the water: swimming, boats, etc. Anything that had to do with exploring the open seas was something that got their attention right away.

My youngest son and I, however, had issues with water. We were never overly excited to go to the beach or to get in the water, and ferry rides often meant that one or both of us was going to get motion sickness. I had gotten better over the years with my stomach and travel, but the little guy was still learning to adjust. When we had heard that this ship museum was docked on dry land, I felt that it would be something we could handle for sure, so I added it to our list of things to do in the eastern part of Jylland.

This post is sponsored by the Fregatten Jylland. Thanks for allowing me and my boys to visit and take a sailboat tour. We had a fantastic time! Though they covered our entrance fees and allowed us a fun boat ride, all thought and comments are my own. This post may also contain affiliate links which means that at no additional charge to you, I may make a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. 

Reaching Ebeltoft and the Fregatten Jylland

Because we didn’t live too far from Ebeltoft, we drove in for the day. We thought it could be fun to make a day of it and explore one of the cutest small towns in Denmark. The area is one of the most popular places to visit in Denmark, and you will find some of the nicest summerhouses (sommerhus) in all of Jylland in and around the town.

Ebeltoft is also a short bus ride from Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city, which can easily be accessed by ferry, bus or train from Copenhagen, making Ebeltoft an easy place for a weekend trip from Aarhus, Copenhagen or other places throughout Denmark.

From the car, we could actual see the Fregatten Jylland ship before we arrived in the parking lot, making it a clearly visible landmark in that region of Denmark. My boys asked if it was a pirate ship because of the style and size of it. We got a good laugh at the thought of that, and though it was not a pirate ship, they were still excited to check it out!

Parking and the Entrance to the Fregatten Jylland in Ebeltoft, Denmark

When we reached the main building to the Fregatten Jylland, we noticed that there was a parking lot. We had arrived just after they had opened, so we were able to find a parking spot without any problems. This also seemed to be a popular place to park for those wanting to go into the town, so I could see that it was filling up rather fast.

When we reached the entrance of the museum, my boys noticed the cannon right away. They took this as a sign to climb! I don’t know what it is with kids who always look for reasons to climb on things! 😊 I just imaged how cannons could be a hot, new attraction at any playground, since they seemed to excite my children as we approached the museum.

Wristbands to Fregatten Jylland and a Treasure Map

The first thing that we got for our entrance was a wristband. Apparently, with these wristbands, you could leave the museum and come back without any issues. In fact, the wristbands made it possible for you to come back anytime within the next 7 days. That was such a nice thing for us, since we had hoped to leave the museum in the middle of our visit to get lunch in the town. Not having to see everything in the museum at once really took off some pressure and allowed us to relax during our visit.

When we walked into the museum section after the admission counters, we noticed right away that there was a desk with treasure maps on it. The maps were in Danish, English and German, which made it nice for the different visitors who were coming to see the large, Danish ship. The paper was also very colorful with many pictures on it to help even the smallest of visitors feel that they could participate. Each boy took one and we were ready for the hunt!

Indoor Nautical Museum at Fregatten Jylland

The first part of our visit was really in the indoor museum. This space had lots of artifacts from the ship, as well as a model of the Fregatten Jylland showing all the different levels of the ship.

My boys were fascinated with all of the larger pieces; such as the guns, model ships, the broken bell and the cannon. Yet another cannon. They couldn’t get enough of the cannons!

The combination of treasure map and large ship awaiting us was almost too much for my boys to stand! They were ready to explore every last inch of that ship and come out with treasure in hand, so we were out the door with lightning speed heading towards the ship.

Treasure Hunt on the Fregatten Jylland Warship

We noticed that there was one main way onto the ship from the port (left) side of the ship, so we took the stairs down to the bottom to see the anchor and to board the ship at the “hold”, lower level of the ship.

The Hold on Fregatten Jylland

As we entered the hold section of the ship, the boys noticed the smell of old wood right away. Little brother even mentioned that his nose was about to fall off because of the smell. There is nothing like a bit of drama to get a treasure hunt started on the right foot. Luckily for their noses, there was only a quick stop on the treasure map that we needed to take before we climbed a short staircase to the next level of the ship, the orlop deck.

The Orlop Deck on Fregatten Jylland

To be quite honest, the orlop deck is actually the lowest level of the ship. No one really ever does anything on the hold, so that is why we only went looking for the rats of the ship. Luckily, we didn’t find any real rats. It was just another stop on our treasure map.

Where the sailors live!

The Orlop Deck, however, was the section of the ship where the sailors lived. We found bed chambers for the officers, tables for their meals, sections of where they kept animals, and the sleeping areas for the sailors.

I really liked that they had mannequins in hammocks and at the dining tables to show us what they might have dressed like and what their normal day-to-day life in the orlop deck would have looked like.

We had a couple of spots on this deck for our treasure hunt. Since we were trying to figure out who stole the pocketknife from the ship’s boy, Karl, we had to follow the clues and read the signs. It was fun! The signs provided us with not only information about specific members of the crew, but it also gave us some details of their jobs and what life was like on the ship.

One of the spots was however quite disturbing. It was for the doctor on the ship who was apparently cutting someone’s leg off. It wasn’t gory by any means, and my kids weren’t scared of it. We were just taken by surprise is all. That isn’t something you see every day, even if it was just pretend. 😉

The Gun Deck on Fregatten Jylland

Up we went to another level where we got to see the commander and crew at work.

There were sailors manning the cannons, the ship’s cook and the ship’s pig, who seemed to have just as much of a story to tell as the men on the ship.

The far end of the ship was also where we found the commander’s cabin. He was hard at work studying the navigational charts for the trip, which seemed like a pretty big job to a land-lover such as myself! Reading those types of maps seemed like learning to read another language. I just don’t know how they do it!

I really enjoyed the sights of the Gun Deck on the Fregatten Jylland. They had some very pretty designs on the different parts of the ship, and it was neat to see all of the cannons in a row. Here is where we also found a very large steering wheel or “helm” of the ship. It was larger than my youngest son!

The Weather Deck on Fregatten Jylland

We finally worked our way to the top deck of the ship called the Weather Deck. Here is where we continued our treasure hunt.

This was spectacular!! I kept hearing Mikey from the Goonies movie in my head, saying “this whole ship is a treasure”, and it really was. The masts were so large, and a person could get a true sense of just how big the ship was from being on this top level.

The front end of the Weather Deck was also where we found the toilets. We were a bit curious as to where the sailors would “do their business”, so those questions where solved when we found this part.

Captain’s Quarters on the Ship

At the back of the ship on this level, we found the royal passenger and her apartment. For this voyage, it was Princess Thyra, the youngest daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark (late 1800s). This was by far the most decorated area of the entire ship. Here, you could find a sitting area, bedroom, bathroom, dining area and kitchen. To put it quite plainly, it was bigger than many of the present-day apartments you would find in Copenhagen. It was really quite something to see how royalty traveled during those days.

Just outside the royal apartment area, there is another large helm, which looked like the one we found on the Gun Deck. I guess it is always nice to have a spare!

There were also platforms you would walk up to get a better view of the Weather Deck, which we had to try as well.

The Poop Deck on Fregatten Jylland Warship

The last section of the boat that we had yet to discover was the Poop Deck. You might think that the Poop Deck is what they call the area of the ship with the toilets, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, the Poop Deck was the highest platform of the ship that was directly above the royal apartment. I can imagine that on a very windy day at sea, this might be quite the dangerous spot, but we loved the great view it gave us on that day! Being docked made us feel a bit brave to walk out there to get a look around Ebeltoft and the Ebeltoft Vig (bay area).

Sailboat Tour at Fregatten Jylland

After we finished the treasure hunt, we thought we would hold on to our maps and get the treasure on the way out, since we needed to visit the admission desk for that. It was time for us to head to the smaller boat called the Robarkasse No. 1 to meet the crew for our sailboat tour.

Can a Couple of Land Lovers Enjoy Sailing?

I have to say, this is when the land-lover in me started to get worried. I knew that big brother would be in 7^th heaven on this trip, but I also knew that little brother might get sick. It was so difficult for me to decide what to do. Had my husband been there, he would have gladly been the one to take our older son while I stayed back with little brother, but I felt, deep down, that everything was going to be okay. I really did have this faint feeling of hope, so I helped my guys into their life preservers before we boarded the ship.

You could tell that little bro was not excited. He sat holding on to the rear mast of the ship, which was right next to me. It is hard being a mom sometimes. You want to give your kids all of the greatest experiences, but that often means disappointing another. Such a hard call.

To make a long story short, the little one didn’t get sick nor did anything horrible happen. Now, you can continue reading without feeling that I am a horrible mom! 🤣

Finding Our Sea Legs

The two crewmen on our ship were extremely friendly and knowledgeable about sailing. That was great for me, since I knew nothing. Big brother was the “little buddy” on this trip from start to finish. He loved every second of it, and I loved how happy it made him. I can honestly say that I had never seen such a genuine smile on his face during ANY activity. He might have found his favorite thing to do in Denmark on that trip, and I was so glad that I got to witness it and be a part of it.

Overcoming Fears on the Water

I also was surprised to find that I really liked it. Feeling safe the entire time, I felt that it was much smoother of a ride than any small boat I had been on in the past. I was slowly becoming a fan of sailing! The friendly crewmen on our trip really had a lot to do with our pleasant experience, because they seemed to make it a main focus of their job to make the visitors feel at ease. I was glad for that.

Little brother needed my calm words of assurance that we were not going to tip and die in the water every time the boat swayed. Who knew that he would end up being my dramatic one?! To be fair, I could completely relate to his fear. I hate heights, so I know how people can get somewhat annoyed when I scream and freak out in high places. My attempts at trying to make him feel as calm as possible seemed to work for the most part! However, he still wasn’t letting go of that mast. Poor little dude!

Beautiful Views from our Sailboat Tour

The views from the ship were amazing. We had perfect weather and the seas were calm. Looking at the Fregatten Jylland from this view was also something that I felt very fortunate to get to experience. I was so glad that we had done that sailing trip when at Fregatten Jylland. Getting to learn about the ship and then going out on the water really made it a true sea adventure. I loved it!Overall, I think it was a good experience for all of us, and I’m sure it will soon be something we can look back on with a smile!

Lunch Break in Ebeltoft

It was at this time that we decided to take a break from the Fregatten Jylland Museum and walk into the town of Ebeltoft to find a great meal for lunch. We left our car in the parking lot, since it was already in a great spot and walked towards a large, red building called the Maltfabrikken.

Here, we found a small black building just next to the Maltfabrikken called the Fish Market and Grill. This is where we got our delicious lunch of a burger (boys) and fish/chips (me). The portions were a good size, and we were all very happy with our meals.

The best part was the drinks. They offered fruit drinks from the Ebeltoft Gårdbryggeri, which were so delicious. I had never had them before, and I am so glad that we decided to get two different flavors to try. I had the lemon and ginger lemonade and my youngest son had the cherry lemonade. It felt like we were drinking freshly squeezed fruit in a bottle. So yummy!!!

Afternoon Tour of Ebeltoft, Denmark

After our meal, we decided to check out the Maltfabrikken, which had a library inside and some boutiques. It was quite the hip place.

Then, we walked around the town a bit to have a look at the old buildings and cool shops. We stopped in at PUST, a glass-blowing shop. I loved all of the beautiful class objects that they had in there, and the tractor outside was a fun prop for the boys!

Beautiful Town of Ebeltoft, Denmark

Walking down the main street in town, we found the Farvergaarden, which was a museum showing how a color master lived with his family in the early 1900s. A color master was one who would dye fabric, and here you will find a house, garden, barn and workshop. It was very interesting and the building was quite cute. If you visit Ebeltoft, you should really consider stopping by this free museum for a look into Denmark’s past.

We were very lucky to have found a market outside the townhall that day. We were very interested in getting some strawberries for a snack, and we were happy to find some fresh ones at a good price. The strawberries in Denmark are some of the sweetest and juiciest ones you’ll find!

The townhall was built in the late 1700s and is free to visit. It is worth a stop, if you would like to learn more about the town and see part of its history.

Danish charm in Ebeltoft

The boys and I loved looking at all the old houses that were in the area of the townhall. They were very charming with their colorful exteriors and beautiful flowers growing along side the fronts. The cobblestone street also added to the charm of the street. These homes are what Denmark is famous for and are very pleasing to the eye!

Extra Maritime Activities at the Fregatten Jylland Warship

After a nice break in Ebeltoft, we were ready to experience some fun, maritime extra activities on board or around the Fregatten Jylland warship.

Historic Introduction and Cannon Firing at Fregatten Jylland

It was time for us to return to the Fregatten Jylland to hear one of their daily historical talks on the Weather Deck of the ship. Here, a crewman would tell about the old days of the ship and another would show you how they would load a cannon. The talk lasted about 20 to 25 minutes, and when it was done, the visitors left the ship to watch them light a cannon. It was quite interesting, and of course, the boys loved the loud boom!

Making Rope at Fregatten Jylland

Just after the cannon was fired, we headed over to the Ropewalk, which is a very long building next to the ship. Here, we found a room where you could learn to make your own rope. On the program, it was called “lav dit eget sømandsreb”, which only appeared on the itinerary twice that day.

During the first time, we were out sailing, so we were sure to make this second and final program for making our own rope. The boys worked with a few other children to pull and turn on multiple pieces of cord with the old tools found in the Ropewalk. They had a fun time doing this and were even allowed to take the rope with them!

Maritime Playground at Fregatten Jylland

Our last stop before leaving the ship area was just next to where the boys made the rope. This was an area with a small boat that was used as a play area. The boys liked playing pretend, and little brother seemed excited to try this boat out. I liked to think that he was happy for his sailing trip that we had taken earlier, but it could have also been the fact that this boat was not on water that eased his mind. Either way, they both had fun playing there.

Next to this boat, there were also a couple of other things that interested my boys. One was a ring toss game on the boardwalk with the rings being made of the same type of rope that the boys had just made.

The other play area was a set of three pully seats. Here, the boys had to try to pull themselves up with ropes that were attached to pullies. They felt like little supermen on this! It is definitely nice to boost a young boy’s ego on a fun activity!

The boys even tried out the nautical sextant like real sailors! 😊

Bigger kids and adults could also climb the main mast of the Fregatten Jylland. I’m sure that if both of my boys been old enough to do this, they would have enjoyed doing it together, but since it is only for those ages 10 and older, my youngest wasn’t allowed. They would have to try that another day when they are older!

Treasure Found and Gift Shop

Of course, we had not forgotten to get our treasure from the hunt we had completed earlier. As we left the museum, we had to walk back the same way we had come in. This meant that we needed to go to the main admission counter to show our maps and say who stole the pocketknife. Since you have your own treasure to find, I won’t reveal who did it, but I will say that the gold at the end of the hunt was well-appreciated by my boys!

Before we left, the boys wanted to check out the gift shop. I loved how it was decorated, and it offered unique gift ideas from alcohol to reading materials to Danish souvenirs, etc.

Overall Impressions of the Fregatten Jylland Warship

On our drive home, we discussed our thoughts of the day and the Fregatten Jylland. My boys loved it, and I have to say that I did too. Often times, it is hard to find places that please the entire family. You may have a place that is either adult-friendly or kid-friendly, and I have to say that this was a great mixture of the two.

I loved that they offered a treasure hunt for the kids to have more of an interactive way of exploring the ship. So many times, you will go to a museum that is interesting to the adults, but boring for the kids. This museum was not like that. My boys loved exploring the ship just to be there, but the treasure hunt made it all much more enjoyable for them to learn about Danish nautical history. I also liked that I could help them with it by reading the signs with them. It was a great activity for the entire family.

The sailboat tour was also much better than I had expected, and even my younger son mentioned that it “wasn’t that bad” when the day was done! If you are heading to Ebeltoft and wondering if visiting the Fregatten Jylland will be worth the trip, I can honestly say that it was for us! We would recommend it to anyone wanting a unique experience in eastern Denmark.

Getting in Touch with Fregatten Jylland

Website: https://www.fregatten-jylland.dk/english/

Address: S.A. Jensens vej 4, 8400 Ebeltoft, Denmark

Telephone: +45 86 34 10 99

Email: info@fregatten-jylland.dk

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