Ebeltoft is a town on the central east coast of Denmark, located in Syddjurs municipality in Region Midtjylland on the Danish peninsula of Jutland.
Ebeltoft is one of the tourist centres of Denmark, due to the natural beauty of the area, its old town center with cobble-stoned streets and centuries-old half-timbered houses, and - not least - many beaches. Also, Ebeltoft is home to one of the world's first glass museums and to the Fregatten Jylland, the longest wooden warship in the world.
In spite of its relatively small size, Ebeltoft is quite lively, especially in the summer season. The population soars in June, July, and August - but all year round, there are many more people staying here than the official number of inhabitants suggests. This is due to the Danish phenomenon of 'summer houses' (holiday homes): most are wooden but quite luxurious, and there are several thousand in this area.
Ebeltoft is also the home of the internationally acclaimed European Film College, which offers short and long courses in film making, especially for young people.
The tourism, the old traditions of trade in this harbour town, and the international schools in the area probably explain why most people in this small town are open-minded and friendly towards foreigners. The town is, generally speaking, also well-to-do. Quite a few people work in the city of Århus, which is only 50 km away and so within commuting distance.
Ebeltoft itself offers fewer and fewer opportunities for employment. Several large companies that used to employ unskilled labour are now closed; traditional trades, such as fishing and farming are diminishing rapidly; and the ferry line, Mols-linien, has moved quite a few of its employees to the ferry port of Århus.
However, the town is popular with artisans, such as: glass workers, potters, painters, and jewelry designers. The many general stores and supermarkets - as well as hotels, restaurants, and bars - offer opportunites to make a living here.
