Car & Van Hire - Esbjerg

Esbjerg is home to several renowned museums. You can start a day out in Esbjerg by visiting the regional history museum, whose multiple rooms recreate life in Esbjerg in the old days.

Four blocks away, near the harbour area, is Esbjerg Art Museum, which hosts a curated collection of modern paintings and sculptures. This venue also has several interactive exhibits where visitors can experiment with different art mediums.

In the city's main square, the most notable building is the old courthouse, built in the 19th century but featuring the typical characteristics of medieval architecture.

History buffs will enjoy visiting Esbjerg's Tarp Bunkermuseum, which replicates the bunkers used in the area during World War II. This museum is best reached by car, as it's located a 15-minute drive away from the city centre, near the airport.

The city's history is closely linked to its location on the North Sea. Fishing and shipping have always been important to the local economy, as you can discover at the Fisheries and Maritime Museum. The on-site aquarium, sealarium and harbour-themed playground make this museum a good option for visitors with young children.

Another child-friendly attraction in Esbjerg is Swim Stadium Denmark, a tropical-themed water park covering more than 10,000 square metres. The park also has a spa and wellness centre, which parents can enjoy while their kids have fun at the multiple pools and slides.

During the warmer months of the year, the North Sea beaches are the ideal location for a day out in nature. The closest beach to town is Sedding Strand, which is also the site of the famous sculpture Man Meets the Sea. Other beaches worth visiting include Sjelborg and Hjerting.

Esbjerg is a cosmopolitan city where you can find all kinds of food options, from vegetarian to Indian, Italian, Thai, Middle Eastern and, of course, Danish. There's a wide range of eateries to suit all budgets located between Borgegade and Skolegade Streets, near the main square. In this area, you'll also find a wide selection of pubs, sports bars and jazz venues.

The newest shopping centre in Esbjerg is Broen, which has a convenient location between the train station and the waterfront. This is the perfect spot to grab a bite in between sightseeing sessions or to check out Danish and international brands. If you have your own car or van hire in Esbjerg, you can drive to Esbjerg Storcenter. Due to its location, this shopping centre comes in handy after visiting Tarp Bunkermuseum. In addition, there are several charity shops along Sedding Ringvej, where you can also visit Esbjerg's flea market.

The main venue for cultural events in Esbjerg is the Performing Arts Centre, which has a full calendar featuring ballet, classical music, theatre and standup comedy. For live music events, check out the upcoming performances at Tobakken, the city's top concert venue. Sports events like football matches and rugby fixtures are held at the Blue Water Arena and Granly Stadium. Lastly, every August, Esbjerg Festuge festival offers a full week of music, art and theatre events all over the city.

If this is your first time driving in Denmark, you may be surprised by how many cyclists there are on the roads. Many people use bikes as their primary means of transport, so you'll have to be extra careful when turning right, regardless of whether bike lanes are marked or not.

Visitors flying into Esbjerg who plan to drive to the city centre will need to follow the signs for the E20 road upon leaving the airport grounds. This is a four-lane motorway with a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h. This road runs across the eastern side of town and provides direct access to the port and city centre area. Although the E20 is a motorway, there are no toll roads in the vicinity of Esbjerg. The E20 road is also handy if you plan to drive to other cities in the south of Denmark since it goes all the way to Odense.

Another major route in the Esbjerg area is national road 11, which runs west of the airport and down into Ribe, the gateway to Wadden Sea National Park.

In Esbjerg town, the main thoroughfares are Frodesgade Strandbygade, Jernbanegade and Stormgade streets, which delimit the city centre. Within the rectangle formed by these streets, paid parking is available wherever you see the blue parking signs. To be able to park in these areas, you must purchase and display a parking disk, available at supermarkets and convenience stores. Parking is free on Sundays and official holidays.