Silkeborg sits at the heart of Denmark's lake district, surrounded by the country's largest connected network of lakes and the Gudenå river, which winds its way east to Randers Fjord. It is a pleasant, prosperous town of around 45,000 people and one of the best bases for exploring the gentle landscape of central Jutland.
The main attraction is the AQUA freshwater aquarium, one of the largest in Northern Europe, with otters, pike, and other river and lake species in naturalistic settings. The Hjejlen paddle steamer, which has been sailing the Silkeborg lakes since June 18, 1861, is the world's oldest operational paddle steamer — still running its original steam engine. In summer it makes regular sightseeing trips up the Gudenå and across the lakes. The illuminated colour fountain on the lake is worth seeing after dark when the lights change.
The Silkeborg Museum houses the Tollund Man, a remarkably preserved 2,400-year-old bog body whose leathery face and serene expression have fascinated visitors since his discovery in 1950. Museum Jorn on the Gudenå bank holds one of Denmark's best collections of postwar art, centred on works by the CoBrA movement's Danish co-founder. The surrounding Silkeborg Forests — Denmark's largest — offer hundreds of kilometres of cycling and walking trails.