Have you ever heard of Billund? This little town nestled in the heart of Denmark holds something extraordinary—it’s the birthplace of LEGO, one of the most beloved toy brands worldwide. Pretty cool, right?
More than just a town; it’s a haven for LEGO enthusiasts and families looking for a dose of fun and creativity, very much like us. The LEGO company was founded right here in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, and the name “LEGO” comes from the Danish word “leg godt”, which means “play well”.
Today, LEGO has become a global phenomenon, known for its vibrant plastic building blocks that let people of all ages construct and create incredible models.
Where Lego Dreams Begin!
Billund is home to the original LEGOLAND theme park, which opened its doors back in 1968. And it’s no surprise that LEGOLAND Billund is one of Denmark’s top tourist attractions, drawing visitors from every corner of the globe.
Prepare to be amazed as you explore the park’s themed areas, hop on thrilling rides, catch captivating shows, and marvel at the jaw-dropping LEGO-built models. It’s an experience that immerses you in a world of wonder and excitement, perfect for families and LEGO enthusiasts alike.
While LEGOLAND takes you on an exciting ride through the world of LEGO-themed adventures, The LEGO House is a true temple of creativity. It is situated right in the heart of Billund. It’s not just a museum; it’s an interactive experience centre designed to ignite your imagination and inspire budding builders of all ages.
Getting to Billund
Before we dive into the family-friendly attractions, let’s talk logistics. Billund is well-connected to major European cities, making it easily accessible for visitors from all corners of the globe. If you’re flying in, Billund Airport is the second busiest in Denmark, with regular flights from major hubs like London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. The airport is only 7 mins drive from the resort and offers a free shuttle to Billund.
We personally came by car as it was part of a road trip. We took the ferry from Dover to the north of France, and we had a few overnight stays over at Amsterdam and Bremen on our way to Billund. And in Legoland, we met a family who made the car journey from the opposite end, from Oslo to Billund.
When should you go to Billund?
Spring can be a great time to visit as the weather starts getting warmer, and the gardens and outdoor attractions at Legoland and LEGO House begin to bloom. The crowds are generally lighter compared to the peak summer months.
You would think that weekdays would be quieter, but Legoland points out that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are their busiest days. Saturday is the day that Danes are busy moving to their summer houses. We went on a Monday in May, not realising that it was Blue Monday, a Danish celebration. So many teenagers from school were present. Nevertheless, the queues for the rides were short.
Additionally, remember that both parks may have special events and promotions throughout the year, so you might want to check their event calendars to see if any particular time aligns with your interests.
Where can you find Halal restaurants in Billund?
Billund is a small city so you won’t be spoilt for choice for halal options. As of 2023, there seems to be only one restaurant serving halal food, “Billund Pizza & Steak House“. Otherwise, you will have to settle for vegetarian options in one of the many Italian and maybe Asian restaurants in town.
We had a car, so we drove to Vejle which is a lovely little town 30 mins away from Billund. We found a Muslim-owned restaurant, “Masaya Resturant”, with Turkish/Middle East cuisine. The food was good and the staff was very friendly. But keep in mind that the restaurant closes early (around 9 pm), like most restaurants in the region!
Staying at the Legoland Castle Hotel
When it comes to accommodation, Billund has got you covered! There are various options to suit different budgets and preferences. For families seeking convenience and proximity to LEGOLAND, you’ll find numerous hotels and resorts within walking distance of the theme park.
To truly immerse yourself in the world of LEGO, consider staying at The LEGO Hotel Wizard. This enchanting hotel, across the road from LEGOLAND, brings the magic of LEGO to life in every detail. From the moment you step into the lobby, you’ll be greeted by life-sized LEGO characters, brick-built sculptures, and vibrant LEGO-themed decor. It is pricey but a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
Themed Rooms Fit for Royalty
Prepare to be amazed as you step into your themed room, where LEGO magic comes to life in every detail. The hotel offers different room themes, each offering an immersive experience:
- Knights & Dragons: Young adventurers will delight in staying amidst knights, brave dragons, and treasure-filled chests (or safe).
- Royal Princess: Little princesses will feel like royalty surrounded by elegant decorations, beautiful flowers, and enchanted forest creatures.
- Wizards: Embrace the mystical with a room adorned in magical potions, and spellbinding LEGO creatures.
- Wizard Accessible Room: For families with special accessibility needs, this room provides a whimsical and accommodating experience.
The rooms contain a safe that the children have to break the code to open it to find their surprise!
Dragon’s Den Restaurant
This is a hard one to review as we only had breakfast here and we weren’t very thrilled by it. It is a buffet with vegetarian options but since we live in Turkey where breakfast is a big affair, we didn’t find it the most appetising.
Kingdom-Themed Play Areas
The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel is not just a place to rest your head; it’s a realm of play and imagination. The hotel features play areas where kids can engage in creative LEGO-building activities, and solve puzzles. The kids have the opportunity to take part in a daily treasure hunt and building competition which rewards the top 3 winners with a small Lego set.
There are two outdoor playgrounds by the entrance and by the restaurant.
LEGOLAND: The Ultimate Adventure
Alright, let’s get to one of the main events! LEGOLAND Billund is every LEGO enthusiast’s dream come true. Picture this: over 50 classic rides, enchanting LEGO sculptures, captivating shows, and immersive themed areas spread across 128 acres. The park is divided into different zones, each offering unique experiences for all ages.
I really appreciated that they added lego building activities in the queues for everyone!
- Miniland: Where famous landmarks from around the world are recreated using over 20 million LEGO bricks. From the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, it’s a miniature marvel! It was exciting to see mini replicas of places we had just visited n our road trip!
- Adventure Land: Embark on a quest to explore ancient ruins, laser quest, and enjoy a splash on water rides and the X-treme Racers for thrill seekers.
- Duplo Land: Perfect for younger kids, this area offers gentle rides, a DUPLO playground, and even a LEGOLAND Express train ride.
- NINJAGO World: Become a ninja in this interactive area where you can test your skills, reflexes, and teamwork to defeat the Great Devourer with rock climbing and laser maze.
- LEGO NINJAGO The Ride: This cutting-edge 4D ride puts you in the middle of the action, using hand gestures to control your ninja moves. It was harder than it looked!
- Pirate Land: Ahoy, mateys! Join the swashbuckling crew on a pirate-themed adventure, complete with ships, treasures, and a pirate show.
- The LEGO MOVIE World: A nice addition to the park, for the Lego movie fans. Be sure to sit on Emmet’s double-decker couch to fight the Duplo invasion!
- The Great Lego Reef: This is pretty much an aquarium with legos and we probably spent more time there than we should have. Yet, I discovered fishes I had never seen before.
Our favourite attractions were Miniland, the Polar X-plorer, X-treme Racers and Emmet’s Flying Adventure.
The rides close an hour before the park and everyone seems to rush to the ice cream stall by miniland at that specific time. So, if you time it well, you can get beat the queue and spend your last hour enjoying your ice cream while strolling through Miniland (which closes at the same time as the park).
The LEGO House: Unleash Your Creativity
While LEGOLAND takes you on an exciting ride through the world of LEGO-themed adventures, The LEGO House is a true temple of creativity, situated right in the heart of Billund. It’s not just a museum; it’s an interactive experience centre designed to ignite your imagination and inspire budding builders of all ages.
Make sure you book it in advance during peak time. As for the special tours, you have to grab them as soon as the dates are released!
- The Tree of Creativity: As you enter The LEGO House, you’ll be greeted by an awe-inspiring sight: the Tree of Creativity. This colossal tree stands 15 meters tall in the centre of the building, adorned with countless LEGO creations from fans worldwide which get uncovered as you walk up the stairs. It’s a testament to the power of imagination and the boundless possibilities of LEGO bricks.
- Experience Zones: The LEGO House boasts four experience zones, each offering a unique and immersive hands-on adventure. The Red Zone is for creativity, you can build and race your LEGO cars, spaceship or build anything with just one type of brick! The Green Zone is for social skills which invites you to create your own Lego animation. The Yellow Zone is for emotions where you can build flowers and fishes, while the Blue Zone is for cognitive skills where you are encouraged to let your architectural creativity soar. The open-air rooftop playground and the Masterpiece Gallery, where fan-made LEGO creations are proudly displayed, are not to be missed.
- The Brick Lab: Have you ever wondered how LEGO bricks are made? In The Brick Lab, you can see the process of creating these iconic building blocks. Grab your bag of red bricks and get your very own bricks combination among the 915 103 765 combinations possible.
- Cafés and Restaurants: When your creative energy needs a recharge, head to one of LEGO House’s cosy cafés and restaurants. Enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by brick-built wonders or indulge in some scrumptious treats, including LEGO-shaped chocolates! At the Mini Chef restaurant, you have to build your menu with four bricks and your meal is then served to you by a robot. Now, my children weren’t interested in it but if you are, you to book your table online in advance!
Don’t forget to scan your wristband and take pictures of all your creations, which you can download within a month. Lego nicely put a motion video of your creations together.
Beyond LEGO: More Family-Friendly Fun
While LEGOLAND and LEGO House are undoubtedly the highlights, Billund has more to offer beyond the colourful bricks.
- Lalandia: Just a stone’s throw from LEGOLAND, Lalandia is a fantastic indoor water park that guarantees hours of aquatic fun for all ages. You can also find a spa, Monky Tonky, an outdoor obstacle course and more!
- Givskud Zoo: A short drive from Billund, this impressive safari park lets you experience wildlife up close. Drive through the savannah area and see lions, giraffes, and zebras roaming freely.
- Billund Sculpture Park: If you appreciate art and nature, don’t miss Billund Sculpture Park. It’s a lovely place to take a leisurely stroll and admire various sculptures scattered throughout the park.
- Teddy Bear Art Museum: Who doesn’t like Teddy Bears? This museum has over 1200 teddy bears exhibited.
Is it worth it?
Billund is more than just a pilgrimage for LEGO lovers; it’s a dream destination for families seeking a perfect blend of adventure, imagination, and quality time together. Whether you’re building towering LEGO structures or creating unforgettable memories at LEGOLAND, this charming town is sure to leave an indelible mark on your hearts.
I have another post with quick tips I couldn’t include in this one, right here!
Truth is, forget about my children, I want to go back there. I have never been to a place where I have felt or been so creative. We definitely want to come again and explore more of Jutland.
So pack your bags, grab your passports, and get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey to Billund, where endless joy and excitement await your entire family! It was a costly experience and we thought it was a one-off, a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
Note: As travel situations may change over time, it’s essential to double-check local guidelines and attraction details before planning your trip to Billund.
