Trapholt is a museum of modern art, craft, and design perched on the wooded shore of Kolding Fjord, about 5 km east of the city centre. The building itself is a thoughtful piece of 1980s Danish architecture that descends through the hillside toward the water. The permanent collection focuses on Danish applied arts and design — furniture, ceramics, textiles — supplemented by rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.
The sculpture park outside runs along the water's edge through pine woods and meadows; this alone is worth the trip in good weather. The furniture collection, centred on chairs, is the best of its kind in Denmark. Café Trapholt serves lunch with views over the fjord. Getting here without a car requires a bus or bicycle; the ride along the fjord shore is pleasant.