travel guide denmark

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Denmark Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Denmark is one of my favorite countries in the world. With its beautiful landscape, charming medieval-like towns, clean air, bike-friendly cities, and locals who love to have a good time (Danes frequently stay out until dawn), I can never visit Denmark enough.

The Danes have a very ordered but happy lifestyle. To them, life is meant to be lived — not spent in an office. Most tourists only spend a few days in Copenhagen before the high costs of the country make them move on.

However, those people miss out on what the country has to offer. Besides, there are plenty of ways to save money here too!

So, don’t just go to Copenhagen! Be sure to explore the coastlines, tiny cities, and beautiful parks that fill this small but wonderful place. There is a lot to see and do and very few tourists take the time to travel beyond the capital. That means you’ll have much of the country to yourself as you explore.

This travel guide to Denmark can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this charming country!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Denmark

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in denmark.

1. Visit Copenhagen

One of my favorite cities in the world is Copenhagen , the capital of Denmark. It’s beautiful, the architecture is amazing, the nightlife is pretty wild, there’s a robust foodie scene, and the locals are friendly. Visit the stunning Rosenborg Castle, which dates back to 1606. Christiansborg Palace and Amalienborg Palace offer a deeper look into the lives and history of Demark’s royalty. Check out unique museums like Cisternerne, a venue and exhibition space located in an underground cistern, or the Experimentarium, an interactive science museum perfect for families. Be sure to cruise the colorful 17th-century Nyhavn harbor, and take a walk to the iconic Little Mermaid sculpture. Be sure to also visit Tivoli Gardens, a fun little amusement park in the heart of the city.

2. Explore Aarhus

Denmark’s second largest city is known for its art and culture. Enjoy plenty of fascinating museums like Den Gamle By, which features 75 historic buildings and offers a glimpse into daily life from the 18th to 20th century. AroS is one of the biggest art museums in Europe and has an incredible rooftop platform that offers the best panoramic views in the city. Beyond the many museums and galleries are unique amusement parks, such as Legoland and the Tivoli Friheden. This is a major college town so you can find a lot of cheap bars and good budget restaurants. Plus, less than an hour outside the city is Mols Bjerg National Park, where you can go hiking and also see burial mounds from the Bronze Age.

3. See Roskilde

Roskilde was Denmark’s capital from 960 to 1536. is an amazing city to view the country’s history, whether it be at the various churches, brick building-lined streets, or the Viking-influenced museums. At the Viking Ship Museum, you can see five 1,000-year-old original ships from the Viking age. The Roskilde Museum displays more of the city’s past and is set in two historic buildings that are part of the city’s Culture District. This area includes the 17th century Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other important historical buildings. RAGNAROCK museum is a great place to get a look into modern Danish culture through rock and pop music. In January, the city hosts Lysfest, a festival of lights, and in June, one of Europe’s largest music festivals, the Roskilde Festival, happens. If you want outdoor activities, Skjoldungernes National Park is also nearby with hiking trails, forests, and water activities.

4. Go hiking

Like their Scandinavian counterparts, Danes love the outdoors. Whether you want a short-day hike from the city or something more challenging, Denmark has it all. Some beautiful trails to hike are the Camønoen Trial (174km/108mi) and the Gendarmstien Trial (84km/52mi). The area around Mons Klint is a UNESCO biosphere reserve with opportunities for hiking along white chalk cliffs. Thy National Park, on the west coast, and has 49 marked hiking trails to enjoy. Hærvejen, The Ancient Road, is a hiking route along the edge of Jutland with more than a hundred miles worth of trails to explore. You can find more trails at alltrails.com .

5. Hit the beach

With 7,400 kilometers (4,600 miles) of coastline, Denmark has its fair share of beaches. While the weather can be tricky, a sunny day on the beach in Denmark is a wonderful way to unwind. Many of the beaches on the west coast are beautiful stretches of white sand with surrounding dunes. Check out Blokhus beach and Saltum beach (near Blokus in the north), and Hornbæk beach (in the north near Hornbæk), Bøgebjerg beach (near Odense in the center of the country) is a draw for windsurfers and Rømø is an island a short drive away with wide sandy beaches and activities like horseback riding. The coastline of West Jutland has a number of sandy beaches and resort towns to explore and, for swimming in Copenhagen, check out Amager Beach Park and Svanemølle beach.

Other Things to See and Do in Denmark

1. visit kronborg castle.

Located along the coast in Helsingør and built between 1220-1230, the castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. It is also the castle where Shakespeare set his play, Hamlet, in 1609. It’s a great place to wander and explore, and it’s only an hour from Copenhagen. You can tour the castle and see the royal apartments (which date to 1576) as well as the dining hall (home to 40 tapestries depicting 100 different Danish kings) and the chapel (which was inaugurated in 1582). Tickets are 125 DKK.

2. Explore Dyrehaven

Known commonly as The Deer Park, this park was built in 1669 as hunting grounds for Danish royalty and is only a 20-minute train ride from Copenhagen. Spanning over 11 kilometers (7 miles), you can cycle, picnic, hike, and horseback ride in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are over 2,000 deer that live in the park. Be sure to visit The Hermitage at the center of the park, which was the royal hunting lodge built in the 1730s where King Christian VI could rest and entertain guests after a hunt. You can take a guided tour of the interior for 125 DKK. Bakken Amusement Park, also within the park, has all kinds of rides, carnival games, and slot machines. It’s the world’s oldest amusement park founded in 1583. Admission to both the park and amusement park is free.

3. Explore the Skagens Museum

This museum is located at the very tip of Jutland and features an extensive collection of works by the Skagen Painters, a group of artists who lived in Skagen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the town became a place for young artists from around Denmark to gather. The museum was founded in 1908 and merged with two other historic house museums in 2014. Now, the museum has nearly 11,000 works of art. Most paintings show scenes from the beaches, homes, and daily lives of those who lived in Skagen at the time. You can also see the studios in which a few of the artists worked. Admission is 125 DKK for the main museum. Two of the Skagen artist’s homes have been turned into exhibitions. You can visit all three for 200 DKK.

4. Visit Randers

A small town located on the Jutland peninsula, this is a nice place to base yourself if you want to hike, bird watch, or cycle. The city sits at the edge of the Gudena River, and its history goes back to the 11th century. You can walk along Denmark’s first pedestrian street and enjoy the historic architecture along the medieval alleyways. The city’s Clausholm Castle is one of the country’s last remaining castles. It was built in the 1690s and is one of the oldest Baroque estates in Denmark. Many of the rooms remain in their original condition. The surrounding grounds are home to 1,000 linden trees and it’s the perfect place for a picnic on a warm sunny day after exploring the castle. Admission to just the grounds is 50 DKK, while access to the park and the castle is 150 DKK. You can also see Randers Rainforest Zoo (the largest artificial rainforest in Northern Europe). Admission to the zoo is 215 DKK. For something out of the ordinary, check out the Memphis Mansion, a tribute to Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. The museum was started by an enthusiastic collector of Elvis memorabilia. There’s even a diner with food inspired by the American South. Admission is 145 DKK.

5. Visit Svendborg

Located on the island of Funen in southern Denmark, Svendborg is a town entrenched in history Don’t miss Naturama, a wildlife museum with tons of interactive exhibits (admission is 175 DKK), as well as the Forsorgs museum, a ‘welfare’ museum in the city’s former poorhouse. It highlights the horrific working conditions of the city’s poor prior to Denmark becoming the equitable welfare state it is today. Be sure to also spend some time wandering around Svendborg and taking in the historical architecture. There are all kinds of charming narrow lanes and historic houses and shops in town. If you want to get outside, you can catch a ferry from Svendborg and go island hopping around the South Fyn Archipelago. There are also lots of places for hiking, cycling, kayaking, and other outdoor activities.

6. Meander through Tivoli

Just adjacent to Copenhagen Central Station, Tivoli is the city’s famous amusement park. Complete with a Ferris wheel, games, roller coasters, and a concert hall, this is an awesome place to spend an afternoon. It’s not cheap but it’s certainly fun There are rides for kids of all ages and plenty of places to grab a souvenir or a bite to eat. You may catch a live performance at one of the venues inside the park or enjoy the gardens of The Orangery. There’s even an aquarium and a bamboo forest inside the park. Depending on the time of year, you may see the park decked out for various holidays like Easter and Halloween. Avoid the weekend and school holidays when the place is overflowing with families. Weekday admission is 140 DKK during the off-season, 160 DKK during summer weekdays and summer weekends cost 180 DKK.

7. Head over to North Zealand

Just a train ride away from Copenhagen, North Zealand features an idyllic coastline, beautiful landscapes, and the Shakespearean setting of Kronborg Castle. The region is often called “The Danish Riviera” due to its plentiful sandy beaches and numerous cultural icons. Don’t miss Tisvildeleje, Dronningmølle, and Gudmindrup beach if you’re looking to lounge and enjoy the sunshine. If you are looking to get away from the city for a day or maybe more, this is an awesome place and one not often visited by tourists. Visit the 17th-century Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, which is considered Denmark’s Versailles (admission is 90 DKK). The Maritime Museum of Denmark (135 DKK) and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (145 DKK) can be found in North Zealand as well. Helsingør and Hillerød make for good bases in the region if you plan on exploring.

8. Visit the Jelling stones

The Jelling stones are massive runestones (raised stones with runic inscriptions), dating all the way back to the 10th century, that show the accomplishments of Kind Harald Bluetooth. The large stone is the first known place the name Denmark appears on record. The stones were declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1994 and are worth checking out if you are in the area (they are located in Jelling, which is just 25 minutes by car from Legoland). The oldest runestone was raised by King Gorm the Old in memory of his wife and the largest stone was left by Harald Bluetooth to celebrate his conquest of Denmark and Norway (wireless Bluetooth is named after Harald). You can reach Jelling by train from Aarhus. The ride takes just over an hour. Admission is free.

9. Watch the Hans Christian Andersen Parade

Famous for his fairy tales, this parade is a performance featuring over 30 characters from Hans C. Andersen’s literary works. Held every day during the summer behind the H. C. Andersen Museum in Odense (Andersen’s hometown) on the southwestern island of Funen, this is a neat event to check out, especially for children. The parade begins at the H.C. Andersen childhood home that’s now a museum and ends in the city center. Live performances act out the stories and there’s even a Fairy Tale Garden with a castle behind the museum.

10. Attend a music festival

Roskilde is the Danish music festival with the biggest international reputation (80,000 people take part), but it only offers a taste of the music scene in Denmark. The summer months are packed with festivals around the country. Distortion happens at the end of May and is a street party and electronic music festival in the heart of Copenhagen. NorthSide festival in June is three days of many stars in the indie and rock world. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July fills the city with music with stages in clubs, parks, museums, and other temporary stages. Smukfest in August happens in the forests of Dyrehave and is called “Denmark’s Most Beautiful Festival”. Tønder Festival at the end of August is focused on bringing people together around original music and connection. The list goes on. Danes love a good festival!

11. See Den Japanske Have (Japanese Gardens)

Located in the town of Aarhus, this beautiful and sophisticated Japanese garden includes a tea house, shop, café, several sub-gardens, and a Japanese house. The garden took two years to construct and is designed in the “kaiyu” style, with circular walking paths to take in the scenery of waterfalls, native Japanese trees and flowers, koi ponds, and miniature mountains. The garden is free and there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a picnic lunch!

12. Visit Camp Adventure

This nature-focused park is surrounded by a beech forest with activities for all ages. It’s located on South Zealand, about an hour southwest of Copenhagen by car. You can also get there by train. Camp Adventure is the largest climbing park in Denmark with eleven courses covering all skill levels. The Forest Tower is an hourglass-shaped observation tower with a 3.2-kilometer walking path that takes you 45 meters high, giving you a view of the forest from above the trees. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Copenhagen. It’s the highest observation tower in Scandinavia and has won multiple architecture awards. Northern Europe’s largest flower farm is also part of the park. You can walk through the fields for free or pick your own bouquet for 50 DKK. Entrance to the climbing park is 375 DKK and the tower is 175 DKK. If you want to visit the both, the price is 475 DKK.

13. Go Hunting for Giants and Trolls

If you want to get off the beaten path, go looking for the Six Forgotten Giants and other large-scale artworks by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo. Back in 2011, Thomas set out to reduce waste and began turning discarded items into unique figures of giants and trolls. The Forgotten Giants are located in the suburbs around Copenhagen. One is even in the Freetown of Christiania and a few others are scattered around the city. There are more than thirty of these trolls and giants on display throughout Denmark. A few of them are near major cities like Odese, but most are in natural settings and scenic places. Finding them is an opportunity to go on a treasure hunt and get away from the tourist areas. Plus they’re all free to visit!

  For more information on specific cities in Denmark, check out these guides:

• Aarhus Travel Guide
• Copenhagen Travel Guide

Denmark Travel Costs

Accommodation – Rates vary a lot depending on what city you’re staying in (prices are higher in Copenhagen). On average, you’ll wind up paying about 330 DKK for a dorm room at a hostel with 6-8 beds. For a private room, prices start around 755 DKK per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Free breakfast isn’t that common here though.

For a budget hotel room, expect to pay around 750 DKK per night for a two-star hotel. Free Wi-Fi, TV, and a coffee/tea maker are usually included.

Airbnb is pretty expensive when not booked early, especially in Copenhagen. Expect to pay an average of 500 DKK per night for a private room (though if you book early you can find them for 300 DKK), while entire homes/apartments cost around 700 DKK. Airbnb options are prolific throughout the country.

If camping is your thing, you’ll have plenty of options all across the country. Wild camping is illegal, but you can look for “free-tenting” zones in public forests and pitch a tent there! The only catch is that you can only stay one night per camp spot. For paid campsites, expect to pay between 60-100 DKK for a basic plot without electricity. Many of the major campgrounds sell out early so be sure to book in advance during the peak season (June-August).

Food – Danish cuisine leans heavily on meat and seafood. Cod, herring, and pork are never far from any meal. Dark bread and open-faced sandwiches known as smørrebrød are a staple for both breakfast and lunch. Liverpaste is a local favorite, as is shrimp on bread. Most traditional dinner meals revolve around meat and potatoes.

Eating out — like everything in Denmark — is pricey. A meal out at a restaurant serving traditional cuisine costs around 500 DKK. Cheap takeaway sandwich shops cost 150 DKK while a fast-food combo (think McDonald’s) costs around 90 DKK.

For a three-course meal and a drink, expect to pay at least 500 DKK. Chinese food and Thai food can be found for as little as 85-80 DKK. Expect to pay around 60-80 DKK for a pizza.

Food trucks and food halls are popular in the country’s larger cities. Don’t miss Torvehallerne and Tivoli Food Hall in Copenhagen, which offers everything from tapas and drinks to fresh produce and local cheeses. Expect to spend at least 150 DKK for a meal. In Aarhus, head to Aarhus Street Food, where a collection of food trucks offer everything from Turkish and Korean food to fish and chips to sweet treats.

Beer is 50 DKK while a cappuccino/latte is around 40 DKK. Bottled water is around 20 DKK.

If you are going to cook your own food, expect to pay around 400 DKK per week for basic staples like vegetables, pasta, rice, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Denmark Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 585 DKK per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, use public transportation, limit your drinking, and do free activities like free walking tours and hiking. If you want to eat out or drink more often, you’ll need to add at least another 100-200 DKK per day.

On a mid-range budget of about 1,275 DKK, you’ll be able to stay in a hotel, eat out, enjoy a couple of drinks here and there, do more paid activities like museums and castles as well as walking tours.

On a “luxury” budget of 2,300 DKK or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, take the train between cities, drink more, do as many activities as you’d like, and take taxis (or rent a car) to get around when you need to. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit after that!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in DKK.

Denmark Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Denmark can be an expensive country to visit. The cost of living here is just really high. If you aren’t careful, you’ll blow through your entire budget in no time. There’s no way to make this country a “cheap” place to visit but here are some ways to save money when you’re here:

• Go orange – The Danish rail system offers cheap tickets via their website called “Orange tickets.” They are only available online, and you have to print out the ticket before you board the train. These tickets are up to 60% cheaper than what you can buy at the railway station. If you travel outside of the rush hour times, you can save even more!
• Get a city tourism card – If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and visit a lot of attractions then I highly recommend you get one of the city passes that offer discounts and free admission to museums and attractions. They also come with free transportation. If you plan on seeing a lot, these can save you money. Most of the major cities in the country offer a tourism card so be sure to look into them.
• Refill your water bottle – The water in Denmark is safe to drink and is held to very high standards. Skip buying bottled water here and refill your bottle instead. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can always be sure your water is clean and safe. The city of Copenhagen has also installed a number of drinking fountains around the city so you can easily fill up while you’re out for the day.
• Eat on the street – Street stalls selling hot dogs and sausages are cheap and plentiful. Fill up on them if you’re on a budget as they only cost a few dollars each. There are also a number of food halls around in Copenhagen where you can get good food for less than you’d pay in a restaurant. If it’s a nice day, you can get groceries at the local market and picnic in the park with the locals.
• Get a Hostelling International card – Danhostel.dk is the national accredited Hostelling International network. They operate 60+ hotels throughout the country so you’ll want to get an HI card if you plan on staying at their hostels during your stay as you get 10% off your stay. If purchased in Denmark, HI cards are 160 DKK.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation in Denmark is pricey. If you plan ahead, you can usually find Couchsurfing hosts throughout the country. This way, you not only have a place to stay but you’ll have a local host that can share their insider tips and advice. You may be able to find work exchanges where you can stay at a local hostel or B&B in exchange for helping out.
• Cook your food – Eating out in Denmark is not cheap. If you’re on a budget, cook your own meals. It won’t be glamorous but it will save you money! It’s pretty easy to find a food markets around the country. Look for open-air markets in the warmer months for local, seasonal food that’s much cheaper than eating out.
• Eat out for breakfast or lunch – If you must eat out, do so during lunch when specials and buffet deals make restaurants reasonably priced. The lunch menus are often similar to dinner but the prices are lower. You can also pick up a pastry or sandwich in a café for much less than going out for dinner.
• Book in advance – Booking train and bus tickets a month in advance can save you up to 50%. Also, booking your accommodations in advance can help you save money over last-minute prices. Some sites, like Booking.com, even have rewards programs that help you save extra the more you book through them.

Where to Stay in Denmark

Denmark has lots of fun, affordable, and social hostels. Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Denmark:

• Danhostel Aarhus City (Aarhus)
• Generator Copenhagen (Copenhagen)
• Woodah-Boutique-Hostel (Copenhagen)
• Copenhagen Downtown Hostel (Copenhagen)
• Danhostel Ishoj Strand (Ishoj)

How to Get Around Denmark

Public transportation – Public transportation in Denmark is clean, reliable, and safe. Tickets for public transportation cost around 24 DKK for a single fare. Unlimited tickets are also available and usually costing around 90 DKK for 24 hours. There are options for up to 72 hours.

The train from the airport to downtown Copenhagen is 36 DKK each way.

Bus – Flixbus is the most common way to travel around Denmark on a budget. A bus ride from Copenhagen to Aarhus starts at 70 DKK and takes 4 hours. A ride from Copenhagen to Odense starts around 70 DKK and takes just a little under two hours. A bus ride from Copenhagen to Hamburg, Germany starts at 150 DKK and takes between 5 and 7 hours, depending on the number of stops. Book early to secure a seat — especially in the summer.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Train – The train is a bit more expensive than the bus but will take less time. A train ride from Copenhagen to Aarhus starts at 169 DKK and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the ride from Aarhus to Aalborg starts at 94 DKK and takes about 1 and a half hours. From Copenhagen to Berlin, the 7-hour ride starts at around 675 DKK.

To find routes and prices for trains around Denmark (and Europe), use Trainline .

Flying – Denmark is a small country so domestic flights are unnecessary. You can travel by train from Copenhagen to Aarhus in 3 hours. A flight will be just 35 minutes, however, once you add on getting to and from the airport it doesn’t save any time (and a flight will cost you over 1,200 DKK — four times more expensive than the train!).

Car rental – If you’re staying a while in Denmark and doing a lot of city-hopping, a car is likely a cheaper alternative to buses and trains. You can find rentals for as little as 250 DKK per day. To rent a car in Denmark, you need to be 19 and have had your license for at least one year. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Bicycle – Cycling is huge in Denmark. Bikes can be rented for around 125 DKK per day. Helmets are not included and cost 40 DKK extra. In Copenhagen, Donkey Republic (the city’s bike-share program) lets you rent bikes for as little as 15 minutes or for multiple days. One hour costs 36 DKK. Use the app to find bike locations near you. Every city has bike lanes and is cyclist-friendly.

When to Go to Denmark

Since Denmark is a peninsula and also has a few islands, the temperature is heavily influenced by the sea. Summers are mild and winters are cold. As with the rest of Scandinavia, expect long days in the summer and extra darkness in winter.

The best time to visit is in the shoulder season. The late spring and early autumn both offer decent weather with fewer crowds. It might rain a little, but you’ll find prices to be cheaper. While summer is when most tourists visit, there’s plenty to do all year. The weather can still be chilly with average highs between 6°C (43°F) in March and 16°C (61°F) in May so packing layers is a good idea.

Denmark has a lot of forests and fall is a great time to see the leaves changing colors on one of the many hiking trails around the country. Temperatures do start to drop and the average highs are between 17°C (63°F) in September and 7°C (46°F) in November so pack layers.

July and August are the most popular times to visit. High temperatures sit around 22°C (72°F) so the weather is perfect for outdoor activities and urban exploring. Book in advance if you visit during this time (especially in Copenhagen) as things can sell out. Expect prices to be a little higher during the summer as well.

Winters hover around 0°C (32°F), so dress warmly. Sunset is around 3pm so pack in as many outdoor activities as you can during the day if you plan on going then. While not the best time to visit for weather, there is still plenty to do and prices will be cheap. If you want to go for the holidays, booking in advance will help you save money.

How to Stay Safe in Denmark

Denmark is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo. Denmark is the second safest country in the world so violent incidents are rare. Your only real concern is petty theft – and that is also really uncommon. Keep your valuables secure and out of reach just to be safe though (it’s good to do that anywhere).

Solo female travelers should feel safe here for all those reasons. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply here too (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are numerous solo female travel blogs that can provide more specific tips.

While cannabis used to be openly sold in Freetown Christiania, an intentional community in Copenhagen, since a shooting in 2016, the trade has been more or less forced out of sight. Avoid buying drugs here and make sure you do not take photos of anyone using or selling drugs either. You’ll get your camera broken by angry locals if you do.

Scams here are rare, however, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Remember to always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Don’t leave your personal items unattended. You can always loop a strap of your bag around the leg of your chair for an extra level of security so no one can walk away it.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Denmark Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Denmark Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 6 Best Hotels in Vienna

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

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From being a little-known, little-understood country wedged between mainland Europe and the rest of Scandinavia, Denmark has morphed into an international cultural powerhouse with multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and raved-about hit TV shows. But this international renown doesn’t make the country any less thrilling to navigate on the ground and on a budget.

Where to go in Denmark

Denmark fact file.

Food-wise, you’d be hard pressed to find better butter, bacon and beer anywhere around, with some mean cheeses and pastries to boot. But don’t expect this health-conscious people to sit around feasting all day: a bunch will have jogged past your table before you can say smørrebrød, and cycling is ubiquitous. With agriculture its primary industry, technological innovation and a focus on green energy is a big part of the economy of daily life. Culturally, too, it hits the high notes. Expect impeccable design and great musical offerings (especially jazz) at every turn. What’s more, an ultra-efficient transport infrastructure makes Denmark one of Europe’s most enjoyable countries to explore.

The nation has preserved its own distinct identity, exemplified by the universally cherished royal family and the reluctance to fully integrate with the EU (the Danish rejection of the euro was more about sovereignty than economics). There’s also a sense of a small country that has long punched above its weight: it once controlled much of northern Europe and still maintains close ties with Greenland, its former colony.

Geographically, three main landmasses make up the country – the islands of Zealand and Funen and the peninsula of Jutland, which extends northwards from Germany. Most visitors make for Zealand (Sjælland), and, more specifically, Copenhagen , an exciting city with a beautiful old centre, an amazing array of museums and a boisterous nightlife. Funen (Fyn) has only one real urban draw, Odense , once home to Hans Christian Andersen; otherwise, it’s renowned for cute villages and sandy beaches. Jutland (Jylland) has two of the sprightliest Danish cities in Århus and Aalborg , as well as scenery alternating between lonely beaches, gentle hills and heathland.

Discover more places in Denmark

• The Faroe Islands Travel Guide

Population 5.6 million

Language Danish

Currency Danish krone (kr)

Capital Copenhagen

International phone code : t 45

Top image: Mykines lighthouse, Faroe Islands © Smelov

Travel advice for Denmark

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Denmark

• How to get to Denmark
• Culture and Etiquette in Denmark
• Eating and drinking in Denmark
• Getting around Denmark: Transportation Tips
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Denmark
• Travel Tips Denmark for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Denmark

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

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To eat, drink & be merry

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Welcome to denmark, the land of everyday wonder.

Get ready for simple pleasures and unexpected delights. We're here to make your visit to Denmark the most wonder-full experience. 'Where is Denmark?' is one of the most searched phrases about our little country. So, we can see we have a bit of work to do – but that's fine! Here's a handy map to get you going.

What will you visit first?

Denmark is always a great destination to visit; regardless of the time of year, each season has its beauty. We assure you, there'll be plenty of things to do, rain or shine.

Denmark has a new King!

Proper Danish pastries

Plan a romantic getaway

Discover our world-famous food scene

Who needs mountains we don't.

And it's not because we don't have any (although, in Denmark, we really don't have any). It's because we have plenty of other natural wonders right here, ready to leap into and explore.

12 beautiful places to discover

The danish big four.

Small is beautiful, especially when it comes to our Danish cities. And because our four biggest ones are cosy and easy to explore, they're great places to get up close to Danes in their natural habitats!

So clean you can swim in the harbour and go everywhere by bike. Our capital is pretty special.

Aarhus is nestled by beaches, forests and national parks. Oh, and it's a cultural hotspot too.

This quaint little city on the island of Fyn is where Hans Christian Andersen was born!

Viking legacy, modern architecture and some of the best street art in Denmark can be found in Aalborg.

It's all about having a good time

We're pioneers in hedonistic sustainability over here in Denmark. And if you don't know what that means, you'll just have to click on to find out!

Go green in Denmark

When would you like to come to denmark.

If we had to pick a favourite season it would be...no we can't. They're all great times to be here! You'll just have to come at least four times and decide for yourself.

The travel basics

No, you can't use euros here. Yes, we do get nice warm summers. And yes, we do have pictures to prove it. All your Denmark questions answered!

How to get to and around Denmark

17 fun facts about Denmark

Our complete Denmark A-Z

Now that you know where denmark is...read more about it here.

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Legoland is a very famous attraction for kids in Denmark

See our guide for Denmark ↓

Welcome to Denmark

Denmark has clean air, a beautiful landscape, and charming historical towns, and Denmark is bike-friendly and is lovely to visit if you like to see beautiful castles, amazing beaches and great restaurants.

Denmark has clean air, a beautiful landscape, charming historical towns, and is bike-friendly.

The Danes have a very ordered but happy lifestyle and are always in the top 3 in the world with one of the happiest populations.

So, don’t just go to Copenhagen but explore the coastlines, the small cities, and the beautiful national parks. There is much to see and do, and we recommend travelling beyond the capital. 

This travel guide to Denmark can help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Denmark.

Heritage sites in Denmark

Top destinations in Denmark

About the happy Danes

Weather in Denmark

Hotels in Denmark

What is Denmark famous for

Denmark is most well-known for its Danish design, Nordic cuisine and Viking Unesco heritage sites .

Denmark's territory incorporates the Jutland Peninsula,  and around 406 islands and 80 are inhabited.

Geographically, the country consists of the peninsula of Jutland, Funen and the islands of Zealand.  The capital is Copenhagen in Zealand, which offers a fantastic array of museums, beautiful architecture and gourmet restaurants.

Denmark has a wide variety of attractions and destinations. Because the sea surrounds the country, there are plenty of wide-open  sandy beaches . With a 7400 km coastline, almost the same as Brazil, you are never far from a beach in Denmark.'

Denmark consists of more than 400 picturesque islands and the peninsula of  Jutland . On the island 'Of Zealand', you find the capital,  Copenhagen , known for many  historical attractions  and the amusement park  Tivoli . From Copenhagen, you can take the bridge to Malmø in Sweden.

Denmark has a beautiful, soft, harmonic landscape, enchanting islands and wide sandy beaches.

The country also has a great  Viking history . It is renowned for its old castles and palaces, art museums, beautiful endless beaches and adventure parks for kids, as  Legoland  in Billund, the same town where the production of Lego bricks started in 1949.

Danish design and architecture

Danish design and  architecture  have been world-renowned for decades, and if you are interested in architecture, Denmark and Copenhagen are worth visiting. Danish design is clean lines, graceful shapes, and functionality. The Danish competencies in design have also allowed for big businesses such as iconic brands such as  Bang & Olufsen ,  George Jensen  and  Royal Copenhagen.  

Destinations in Denmark

Funen (Fyn) and the principal city here,   Odense , is home to Hans Christian Andersen, who is renowned for his many fairytales. Still, Funen also offers sandy beaches and very cosy villages.

In Jutland (Jylland), the most significant cities are Aarhus

and Aalborg , which we recommend you visit when you are in Denmark.

Why visit Denmark

Denmark offers many  Viking attractions  and  Royal castles  and is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world. Some Vikings' sites are heritage centres such as  "Kongernes Jelling".

Denmark is a green country with rolling farmlands – ideally suited for cycling and active holidays. For families with children, Denmark has world-class theme parks and family attractions with fun and learning for all the family, such as Djurs Sommerland and Fårup Sommerland. 

See 12 reasons to visit Denmark

See popular cities in Denmark

About Denmark

Denmark shares a border with Germany to the south with an 86-kilometre land border. Regarding language and culture, Denmark is more related to the Nordic countries as  Sweden  and  Norway .

Denmark is the bridge between northern Europe and  the Nordic countries  like Norway and Sweden. The Danes are relatively liberal and progressive and are, in general, good at speaking English.

It is easy to get around in Denmark because Denmark has a well-developed transportation system. The road network connects all parts of the country; railways and air links provide fast transport, while ferries and many bridges connect the islands.

The politics of Denmark take place within the framework of representative parliamentary democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralized unitary state in which the monarch of Denmark, Queen Margrethe ll, is head of state. 

Denmark is a prosperous and thriving nation of 5.7 million people – and as an independent country since the late 10 th  century, it is also one of the oldest countries in Europe. Denmark's political system is a constitutional monarchy, allowing it to combine its nearly 1.000 years of history and tradition with all the features of a modern democratic state.

What is the meaning of "hygge"

The warm glow of candlelight is 'hygge'. For Danes, ' hygge' is sitting around a table, discussing life's big and small things with good friends or family. The word comes from another Nordic country, Norway - and here, it means 'well-being'. In essence, 'hygge' means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.

See more about Danish hygge

Famous companies from Denmark

Denmark is a developed and industrialized country with a market economy, and many of the largest companies are household names worldwide. 

Perhaps you already know some of the other companies coming from Denmark:

• Carlsberg Beer
• Lego® 

Denmark is renowned for its design, high quality, and innovative products. See more:   Danish brands and shopping

Nordic New Cuisine

Denmark is known for its beautiful design and architecture, but today, Denmark is equally famous for its food called  Nordic New Cuisine  and the world's best restaurant, Noma in Copenhagen.

Like the Danish design and architecture, the world-famous new Nordic cuisine is known for simplicity, elegance, and style. Denmark has some of the world's best restaurants with NOMA in front, but you can also find many other restaurants from the Michelin Guide in Denmark. But visiting some of the high-quality casual and traditional Danish restaurants is also worth visiting.

In general, Denmark is a culinary treat. Fresh Danish Baked goods and open-face sandwiches, locally called 'smørrebrød'. Denmark has some of the best gourmet restaurants in the world, with an impressive collection of more than twenty  Michelin Stars restaurants.

  Denmark is also famous for "Nordic Noir"

Nordic Noir refers to the crime fiction genre known as Scandinoir or Scandicrime. Best known in the rest of the world are the Killing, Borgen and the Bridge,

Denmark has a rich history of films and TV series that audiences love and have received many international awards.

In Denmark, you find many great architects, actors, musicians,  ballet dancers, opera singers, and others who enrich Danish culture.

See more about Nordic Noir  

  Denmark - a green nation

Denmark has a long tradition of ambitious energy and climate policies based on consensus in the Danish Parliament. The environment often played a role when they built a new building in Denmark. Denmark has introduced a clear vision of becoming independent of fossil fuels by 2050 as one of the first countries in the world. 

Denmark is also one of the world's largest exporters of wind turbines, and the most famous company is Vestas.

Denmark is a biking country with more than 10,000 km of biking routes . More than 40 per cent of Copenhagens residents bike to work every day, and it is one of the best capitals in the world to discover by bike.

Danish lifestyle and traditions 

Danes are the most satisfied and happy people in the world. The Danish people appreciate an addition to the daily work to have a high quality of life where there is time for family, friends and leisure activities.  Visit Denmark and take your time at a cosy café or restaurant, meet the Danes, get notice of the country's history by visiting the many attractions or visit the beautiful, clean, soft Danish nature. Denmark is great for  biking , and where ever you go, you meet people riding their bikes; for transport, fun or the sports of it. Denmark is one of the countries where bikes are the most widely used.  It also means that facilities for biking are good in Denmark, making it more convenient and safe than many other places in the world.

Most Danes have excellent language skills and speak more languages. They are taught English in elementary school, and it is easy for the Danes to deal with other countries, travel or work, and may explore the world as tourists.

  The weather in Denmark

Despite the country's northern position, Denmark's weather is not extreme. Denmark is in the temperate climate zone, and the country has mild weather due to west winds and the seas that surround Denmark.

January is the coldest month and August's warmest month, although the warmest summer nights are in July. Average daytime temperatures range from 2°C (35.6°F) in January to 20°C (68°F) in August. Rainy days are likely all year round, while snowfall only happens occasionally during winter.

Rainy days are likely all year round, while snowfall only happens occasionally during winter.

Because of Denmark's northern location in Europe, daylight hours vary significantly. During winter, sunrise is about 8 am and sunset is at 3:30 pm, whereas a summer day starts at 3:30 am, and sunset is as late as 10 pm.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands

Greenland and the Faroe Islands belong to the Kingdom of Denmark

The Faroe Islands and  Greenland  in the North Atlantic have autonomous self-rule but belong to the Kingdom of Denmark.

The Faroe Islands' Home Rule is from 1948, and Greenland's home rule was made in 1979. In 2005, a new self-government arrangement came into force in the Faroe Islands, and in 2009 a self-government arrangement for Greenland replaced the Greenland Home Rule Arrangement.

Summer music events and festivals

The biggest festival in the Nordic countries and perhaps the most famous worldwide is the Roskilde rock festival in the city of Roskilde, 30 km from Copenhagen. The most beautiful festival in Denmark is the Smukfest in Skanderborg, nearby Aarhus.

The Jazz Festival is one of the most significant music events in Copenhagen. In Aarhus, it is the Northside Festival, and outside the big cities, we can recommend the Tønder folk music festival or the Riverboat Jazz Festival in Silkeborg.

See here for information about more  festivals and events  in Denmark.   

More facts about Denmark

Denmark's political system is a constitutional monarchy, allowing it to combine its nearly 1.000 years of history and tradition with all the features of a modern democratic state.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are parts of the kingdom of Denmark, but both Greenland and the Faroe Islands enjoy extended self-rule.

Denmark's coastline is 7,314 km. It corresponds to almost one and a half metres of coast per inhabitant. The official language is Danish, and the currency is the Danish Kroner.

Denmark includes several islands, such as Zealand (Sjælland), Funen (Fyn), Bornholm and Jutland. The terrain is low and flat to gently rolling plains.

Today, Denmark is a modern, prosperous nation. The country has a market economy, and the Danes enjoy a high standard of living. They have a good welfare system and are members of the European Union (EU) and the  Schengen agreement .

The country has a high-tech agricultural sector and world-leading companies in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy.

Administratively, the country is divided into five regions, and 98 local authorities, called 'kommuner. Denmark is an urbanized country, with around 85 per cent of the population living in cities. Copenhagen is the capital, and the region has approximately 625.000 inhabitants. Aarhus is the second-largest, with 338.000 inhabitants. 

In Denmark, 64 per cent is under cultivation, and deciduous or coniferous forests cover 12 per cent.

 Facts about Denmark

Health care is free

Education is also free

Denmark is the longest-uninterrupted monarchy in Europe

Denmark is the world's leading producer of windmills

Some of the best restaurants in the world are in Denmark as 

Significant Languages Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic, German; note: English is the predominant second language Religions Evangelical Lutheran 74.7%, Muslim 5.5%, other/none/unspecified 19.8%

Time Difference UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time (summertime) +1hr begins last Sunday in March and ends last Sunday in October

Potable Water Yes

International Driving Permit Suggested Road Driving Side Right

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s) 230 V / 50 Hz /

Plug type(s): C, E, F, K

Telephone Code: 0045 

See more facts about Denmark 

What to See and Do in Denmark

Most Popular Attractions

The Brave Vikings

Top 9 Architecture

Top 9 Family Attractions

Top 9 Museums

In The Footsteps of Hans Chr. Andersen

Heritage in Denmark

Best Season

Getting to Denmark

Must see cities in denmark.

Popular Regions in Denmark

North Zealand

South Jutland

East Jutland

North Jutland

South Zealand

Discover the cosy denmark.

The King's Garden in Copenhagen

The Deer Park

The Funen Village Museum

Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen

The Old Town Museum

The Latin Quarter in Aarhus

Tivoli Friheden

Top viking attractions.

The Viking Ship Museum

Vikingmuseum Ladby

Trelleborg Viking Fortress

The Jelling Monuments

The Museum Ribes Vikinger

Ribe VikingeCenter

Lindholm Høje - The Vikings in Aalborg

Viking Museum in Aarhus

The National Museum

Bork Vikingehavn

Visit the royal castles.

Amalienborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace

Rosenborg Castle

The Danish Riviera

Kronborg Castle in Denmark

Frederiksborg Castle

Fredensborg Palace

Nyborg Castle

Egeskov Castle

Amazing danish architecture.

National Aquarium Denmark

The Royal Playhouse

The Royal Danish Opera House

The Tietgen Students' Residence

Bølgen (The Wave)

The Black Diamond

Aros Art Museum

LEGO® House

Amazing nature in denmark.

Marielyst Beach

Rubjerg Knude

Blåvand Beach

Stevns Klint Experience

Hornbæk Beach

Bellevue Beach

Amager Beach

Løkken Beach

Shopping in Denmark

Shopping in Copenhagen

Shopping in Odense

Shopping in Aarhus

Shopping in Aalborg

Shopping in Vejle

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7 Day DENMARK Itinerary

By Author Katie

Posted on Last updated: February 13, 2024

This Denmark itinerary covers the best places to visit in Denmark in just a week, Perfect for those planning a trip to Denmark.

Denmark is known for its rich history and picturesque landscapes, making it a popular place for visitors to explore. From the iconic little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen to the fairy-tale-like castles found all over the country, there is plenty to sweep you away whilst in the country.

Marjut from The Smooth Escape  shares a Denmark Itinerary – perfect for a week in Copenhagen and beyond.

Why Denmark?

Denmark, the smallest of the Scandinavian countries and one of the happiest nations in the world will charm you with its medieval towns, beautiful castles, and scenic countryside.

Based on my experience with living in Denmark for almost a decade, I’ve put together a 7-day Denmark itinerary that includes both must-see attractions as well as lesser-known treasures in this amazing country. 

One week is just enough to explore the main sights of Denmark’s vibrant capital city Copenhagen and take a few day trips to smaller towns such as Helsingør and Dragør which are packed with culture and history; this is how we recommend you spend time in Copenhagen .

To ensure that you’ll have enough time to thoroughly enjoy your trip without having to rush from one place to another, this Denmark itinerary is limited to the eastern part of Denmark (Zealand) only, which in my opinion is the most enchanting region in the whole country.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at some of the most beautiful places to explore during a weeklong stay in Denmark!

7 days Denmark Itinerary

Denmark itinerary – Day 1: Copenhagen 

Start your Denmark itinerary by visiting some of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights and landmarks; we recommend spending at least 3 days in Copenhagen. This is one of the most romantic destinations in Europe , making it the perfect place for couples.

Begin your Denmark itinerary by heading to the gloriously photogenic Nyhavn which is a port lined with colorful quaint houses and old sailing boats.

Whether you choose to just snap photos of the buildings, grab a bite in one of the many quayside restaurants, or stroll along the port, Nyhavn is an absolute must when you’re in Copenhagen.

Next, visit Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Danish royal family. The palace consists of four identical buildings with a large courtyard in the middle. To experience the changing of The Royal Guard, make sure to be at the central courtyard at noon.

If you’d like to see the rococo-style interior of the palace, visit the Amalienborg Museum. If you are visiting on a budget, make sure to get the Copenhagen City Pass to save money or get an attraction and transport card .

After that, head to Frederik’s Church, also known as the Marble Church sitting right next to Amalienborg Palace.

With its massive green dome, this beautiful church stands out from the Copenhagen skyline and can be spotted in many parts of the city. As it’s free to enter the church, I recommend taking a quick look to admire its interior.

From there, walk to the Gefion Fountain, a large and impressive monument built in 1908. Topped by a statue of the Norse goddess Gefion, the fountain depicts a mythical story about the creation of the island of Zealand on which Copenhagen lies.

Just a short stroll from the fountain sits The Little Mermaid – a bronze statue created based on the world-famous fairy tale by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

Once you see the iconic statue, you might find it a tad underwhelming since it’s smaller than what most tourists expect. Nevertheless, you should pay a visit to The Little Mermaid as it’s one of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions and is often seen as the symbol of the country.

Plus, the waterfront promenade leading to the statue is a lovely place to walk and offers some great views over the canal.

Head to the Copenhagen Christmas markets during the Winter and check out Copenhagen’s hidden gems and unusual things to do once you have seen all the sights.

Day 2: Copenhagen

Kick off the second day with a walk in Copenhagen’s oldest park, the King’s Garden . The park contains vast lawns, flower beds, and a rose garden, making it an attractive place to visit during the spring or summer months. This makes for a peaceful, calmer beginning to your Denmark itinerary.

King’s Garden is also home to Rosenborg Castle where you can see the crown jewels of Danish royalty.

Next, head to Torvehallerne, which is a buzzing food market consisting of two modern glass halls with countless stands serving high-quality fresh produce, pastries, chocolates, liquor, fish, nuts, cheeses, and lots of other delicacies.

Besides the market stands, there are also many restaurants and cafeterias serving everything from tapas to porridge, from sushi to pizza, and the typical Danish open sandwiches called smørrebrød . If you’re a foodie, this place is your paradise.

Once you’ve eaten your way through Torvehallerne, take a walk on the bustling pedestrian streets in the heart of Copenhagen.

The longest and most well-known of them is Strøget but you should also check out Købmagergade and Fiolstræde. These streets are lined with an abundance of cafeterias, bars, and shops selling both international and local brands.

Make sure to stop at Amagertorv Square which is an excellent place to people-watch and enjoy the performances of street musicians.

Copenhagen is easy to get around and you can see all the sights on a walking tour .

Finish your day with a trip to the world’s second-oldest amusement park and one of the most fascinating attractions in Copenhagen – the Tivoli Gardens . Even if riding roller coasters is not your cup of tea, you should still experience this magical place as it has so much more to offer.

Full of stunning architecture, Tivoli Gardens becomes especially impressive at night when the buildings and rides are illuminated with thousands of colorful lights. This is a must-do during your Denmark itinerary.

Its idyllic lake, romantic pathways, and enchanting decorations create a surreal fairytale ambiance, which you just shouldn’t miss!

The park is also home to quaint souvenir shops, concert venues, and a variety of restaurants with options ranging from fine dining to budget-friendly street food.

Day 3: Copenhagen

On Day 3 of your Denmark itinerary, go to Ved Stranden (a waterfront street in the heart of the city) to join a guided canal tour and experience Copenhagen from a completely different angle.

Sit back and relax as you cruise past some of the most famous buildings in the city while your tour guide tells you all about the history of these spots. As the boats are partially covered by a glass roof, you can still enjoy the tour even if it rains.

Next, head to the Christianshavn neighborhood to visit the Church of Our Saviour. The beautifully twisted spire of this church can be spotted from far away and the best part is that you can go all the way up to the tip of the spire!

There are 400 steps to climb but once you make your way to the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible 360-degree views of Copenhagen. As the spire might be closed in case of bad weather, call the church ahead of your visit.

After that, wander the streets of the adjacent Freetown Christiania. Located on the site of an abandoned military base, Christiania is a self-governing hippie neighborhood with its laws, car-free streets, and quirky cafeterias. This is one of the more unique, offbeat places in Europe to visit.

Full of vibrant street art, eccentric architecture, and interesting characters, it’s a unique place that will make you want to reach for your camera. However, please note that photography is not allowed on the main street of Christiania known as Pusher Street.

Round off your day with a visit to Reffen, the largest street food market in the Nordics. With 41 food stalls serving cuisine from every corner of the world, you can be sure to find a meal to your liking.

Since sustainability is of high importance at Reffen, the stalls sort their waste, use compostable plates and cutlery, make efforts to reduce food waste, and use organic ingredients as much as possible.

While Reffen’s main focus is on serving food, there’s also a handful of shops selling artisan products and vintage clothing. Bear in mind that Reffen is closed during the winter months.

Day 4: Louisiana Museum & Helsingør 

As you’ve now seen a fair bit of Copenhagen during your Denmark itinerary, I recommend taking a trip outside of the city and heading north.

Spend the first half of the day exploring the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art which is located in Humlebæk, 35 kilometers from Copenhagen, and can easily be reached by train.

As its name suggests, the museum houses a collection of contemporary art, including works by Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

Sitting right on the coast, Louisiana and its intriguing sculpture garden offer beautiful vistas of the Øresund strait and a must-visit place durign your Denmark itinerary.

On top of that, the museum has a really interesting layout as it’s built around an old villa with glass corridors connecting the different wings of the building.

Next on your Denmark itinerary, take the train further north to the coastal town of Helsingør , also known as Elsinore. The center of the town has a notable medieval character, and its small cobblestone streets and colorful houses make it a truly picturesque place to walk around.

Explore the bustling shopping streets, sit down with a beer in one of the cozy restaurants, or roam around the modern harbor area.

If you liked the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, try to locate the glistening steel sculpture called Han in the harbor of Helsingør. Han translates into ‘He’ and is the male version of the Little Mermaid.

The main attraction in Helsingør though is the Kronborg Castle , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Wandering around outside of the castle is free of charge. However, if you choose to pay for the entrance, you’ll get to admire the palace’s Renaissance interior and exquisite tapestries, walk through the maze of underground dungeon passages, and enjoy the views from the castle tower.

After exploring Kronborg, I’d recommend spending the night in Helsingør during your Denmark itinerary. If your budget allows it, stay at the Marienlyst Beach Hotel which features an amazing spa with outdoor jacuzzis.

If you’d rather return to Copenhagen for the night, you can easily do that as it’s just a 40-minute train ride.

Day 5: Frederiksborg Castle

After checking out of the hotel, head to the train station and get ready to say goodbye to Helsingør. From there, catch a train to Hillerød, a small town 30 minutes away.

Note: If you choose to return to Copenhagen the night before, you can still get to Hillerød by taking an S-train (train network serving the metropolitan area of Copenhagen) from one of the stations in the center of the city.

Hillerød is home to Frederiksborg Castle , one of the most spectacular cultural treasures of Denmark and a must during your 7-day Denmark itinerary.

Located on three islands in Castle Lake, Frederiksborg is the largest Renaissance complex in Scandinavia and is often referred to as the “Versailles of Denmark”.

Built in the 17th century, the castle used to be a royal residence but was later converted into a Museum of Danish National History. Nowadays, the museum displays a large collection of portraits, furniture, and art encompassing 500 years of Denmark’s history.

You can enjoy Frederiksborg’s terraced garden with perfectly trimmed hedges, fountains, and water canals free of charge. Seeing the interior of the castle, however, requires purchasing a ticket, which I highly recommend that you do.

The extravagant Renaissance decorations and the grandeur of the halls will blow your mind! To properly explore the castle and its gardens, expect to spend a minimum of two hours.

When you’re done wandering around Frederiksborg, take the train back to Copenhagen and spend the night there.

Day 6: The island of Hven

Next on your Denmark itinerary, it’s time for another trip outside of Copenhagen! Head to Havnegade Street near the harbor of Nyhavn to catch a ferry to the tiny island of Hven. It would be a good idea to book tickets online to be sure that you get a spot on the ferry.

This idyllic island lies in the Øresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden, just one and a half hours from Copenhagen.

Being only 7 square kilometers in size, the island is the perfect destination for a day trip.

As soon as you reach the island, you’ll be charmed by the scenic countryside and the laid-back vibes of this place.

The best way to explore Hven is to rent a bike and cycle along its picturesque coastal trails. This is the most common method for visitors to get around the island and there’s a massive bike rental point near the harbor which is impossible to miss.

As you cycle through the island, you’ll come across adorable cottages, secluded beaches, rustic cafeterias, and artisanal shops. If you’re lucky, you might even see some alpacas pasturing on the fields on the eastern coast.

Also, make sure to stop at Kyrkbacken Harbor to buy some unbelievably delicious freshly smoked fish from the small smokehouses.

If you happen to visit Hven in May, you’re likely to see the island covered with a gorgeous yellow carpet of flowers since that’s when the canola fields are in bloom.

Besides the beautiful nature, one of the main attractions of Hven is the Tycho Brahe Museum named after a Danish astronomer who lived on the island and made many groundbreaking discoveries in science.

Another point of interest at Hven is the island’s very own whiskey distillery Spirit of Hven. Here you can get a tour to learn about the different stages of the production process and of course, sample their gins and whiskies.

After touring the island, return your bike and head back to the harbor. As there’s only one ferry sailing back to Copenhagen each day, make sure you don’t miss it!

Note: Hven is a destination that I only recommend visiting from May to the end of September due to the weather. If you’re traveling to Denmark outside of this period, you might want to consider heading to Roskilde or Odense instead. Both of these are charming medieval towns that can be visited in a day.

Day 7: Dragør

Start the last day of your holiday in Denmark with a trip to Dragør. Located 12 kilometers south of Copenhagen, Dragør can be reached either by bus from Copenhagen Central Station or if you’re feeling active, by bicycle.

This sleepy fishing village is the perfect place to escape the stress of the city and spend a few relaxed hours by the sea. Dragør’s tiny quaint cottages, charming gardens, and maze of cobblestone alleys will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different century.

Take a stroll along the picturesque marina and sit down in one of the waterfront restaurants. Or buy some Danish pastries, find a bench with a sea view, and simply enjoy the peace.

Dragør is also home to the Pilot Museum of Denmark and the Amager Museum, where you can learn about the special history of the village.

Next, if you still have any energy left and if the weather allows it, stop at Amager Beach on your way back from Dragør.

This beach is located on a narrow artificial island right next to the coast, where on one side you’ll find a lagoon great for kite surfing, and on the other side a long sandy beach with dunes.

On sunny summer days, this place is bustling with both locals and tourists sunbathing, having picnics, or doing sports. Despite the chilly waters, Amager Beach is a popular place for swimming, and you can even see winter bathers here during the colder months.

In case you’re visiting Denmark outside of the summer season, Amager Beach is still a nice place to stroll and enjoy the views of the sea, the Øresund Bridge, and the Middelgrunden wind farm.

Things to know before you go to Denmark

Best time to visit Denmark

June, July, and August offer the weakest weather in Denmark, with longer daylight hours meaning plenty of time to explore. However, August is a very busy month for tourism so visiting in May and the start of September will allow you to explore, stay warm and avoid the crowds. 

December brings the holiday magic to Copenhagen; with streets full of lights and cute Christmas markets in Copenhagen to explore. Just make sure to wrap up warm during this time as it can get chilly!

Typical prices in Denmark

Accommodation

Budget: Hostels can be found in Copenhagen for around $45 with private rooms starting at $65.

Midrange: Budget hotel prices range from $100 – $220 with rental apartments costing $200 a night. 

Luxury:  High-end, luxury hotels can be found from $180 a night. 

Transport: Prices vary depending on how many zones you are crossing on public transport but travel across zones is under $4 and 10 trip tickets are available for around $23. 

The average cost of food:

You can pick up affordable breakfast items from a cafe for $5 whilst hostels often have breakfast included for free. A street food or takeaway lunch will cost around $7 to $10 whilst sit-down dinners start at $15.

Read 100 ways to travel Europe and save money to explore Denmark and beyond!

Save money in Denmark

• Stay in a hostel – As with most places in the world, staying in a hostel is the cheapest accommodation option for you. Hotels in Copenhagen are pricey, so stay in hostels or budget hotel rooms and book in advance.
• Avoid Airbnb – Airbnb is available in Copenhagen but places are often overpriced compared to mid-range hotels.
• Off-Season – Visiting in October, November, January, and February can get you the best hotel and flight prices, as this is a quieter time in the city before the slide during Christmas. 
• Free things to do in Denmark – Head to Nyhavn, a canal district lined with colorful buildings and one of the most picturesque places in Copenhagen. The King’s Garden and Stroget Street are both free attractions to visit as is the Torvehallerne Market.
• Visit Christiania – This neighborhood is known as the green light district because you can legally buy cannabis here. However, there are also plenty of affordable cafes, cheap souvenir shops, and plenty of street art to explore. 
• Avoid drinking – Alcohol prices are high so avoid drinking too much when visiting Denmark on a budget.
• Cheap meals – If you are looking for a cheap meal out, try a local cafe or an Asian restaurant such as a Chinese and Thai restaurant. 

Denmark Itinerary F.A.Q

How many days do you need to see Denmark?

If you plan on sticking to just Copenhagen, then 3-4 days is enough. However, if you want to visit the nearby cities and destinations, you will need at least 7 days in Denmark. 

What is the best month to visit Denmark?

June, July, and August offer the longest days and the warmest temperatures, making them the best months to visit Denmark. 

How to spend 5 days in Denmark?

Day 1-2: Explore Copenhagen

Day 3: Helsingor

Day 4: Hven

Day 5: Dragor

What is the prettiest place in Denmark?

The white cliffs of Mon are the most famous and prettiest place to visit in Denmark. 

Is Denmark cheap for tourists?

Denmark is a cheaper destination than you might expect. You can save money by sticking to hostels, booking in advance, and planning which restaurants you can take advantage of; there are quite a few budget-friendly options in the country. Enjoy the free attractions and use the Copenhagen City Pass to save money on paid attractions. 

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James russey

Thursday 18th of April 2024

I am looking too plan a 7 day trip to Denmark beside plane travel sometime next year in late spring for two senior citizens

Exploring Denmark's Wonders A Captivating 7 Day Itinerary

Wednesday 24th of January 2024

[…] monarchy, Denmark’s story is one of resilience, cultural richness, and adaptation. The Viking Age, with its raids and exploration, has left an indelible mark on Denmark’s identity. The establishment visit of the Kingdom of Denmark set the stage […]

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[…] that seamlessly blends history, culture, innovation, and natural beauty into a harmonious symphony. Our coastal farewell becomes a moment of reflection, standing on the shores where the land and sea converge. The waves whisper tales of our adventures, […]

Unveiling Denmark Your 7-Day Odyssey from Castles to Coastlines

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Friday 29th of December 2023

[…] travelers and tourists heading to Europe have Denmark on their travel bucket list, however, many of them are unsure if they should go because of how […]

From the effortlessly cool capital of Copenhagen—known for its forward-thinking design and yes, ample supply of cardamom buns—to more relaxed and bucolic getaways outside this Nordic country’s city centers, Denmark is a destination sure to delight travelers of all walks of life.

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Practical Information

Denmark is a Nordic country bordering Germany and Sweden. Although Danish is the national language, English is spoken widely. Copenhagen is the capital and one of the most popular places to visit in Denmark, though it’s worth getting outside of the city and visiting other areas of the country—such as West Denmark—as well.

Get to know Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Copenhagen

Everything you need to know to plan a trip to Copenhagen.

Best Hotels

Best things to do, best shopping, best restaurants, how to get there, best times to visit, neighborhoods to know, how to get around.

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Named one of the best places to travel in 2023 by Travel + Leisure , Copenhagen continues to draw in tourists with its exceptional food, history, and architecture. The city was officially named the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023. On top of its newly recognized architectural prowess, the city continues to wow tourists with its tried-and-true offerings — whether that's dining at Noma, the Michelin three-starred restaurant that announced its closure in winter 2024, or strolling the always-popular Tivoli Gardens.

Here, is your essential Copenhagen guide for the city's best hotels , things to do, restaurants, and so much more.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Tivoli Gardens is the second-oldest operating theme park in the world.
• Jægersborggade Street is lined with some of the best shops in Copenhagen, including a famous ceramics boutique.
• The Alchemist keeps guests entertained with performance art and multi-sensory decor while they dine on nearly 50 courses.
• CopenHill is Copenhagen's first ski area and features the world's tallest climbing wall.
• Spend the night at TheKrane — its only room is inside an old coal crane and hangs 49 feet above the ground.

Coco Hotel is the hottest new spot in Denmark's capital city. Not only was it voted as the best hotel in Copenhagen by T+L readers in 2022, it also was named one of the best new hotels in the world in 2022 by T+L editors. The 88-room boutique hotel features bold colors, a European-style cafe, and complimentary bikes for guests. It also makes an effort to be green-conscious, planting a fruit tree somewhere around the world every time a guest checks in and running its facility on a private solar-powered grid.

Hotel d'Angleterre

Hotel d'Angleterre is an iconic, 265-year-old hotel — and it was voted one of the best in Copenhagen by T+L readers in 2022. The charming hotel features modern Nordic design and expansive views of Kongens Nytorv from the suite balconies. With a heated indoor pool — the only one in the city center — and Michelin-starred dining, you might never want to leave. The concierge also offers plenty of V.I.P. experiences for their guests, including cooking classes and history tours.

Sanders Hotel

A tranquil retreat in the center of town, the Sanders Hotel is one of the best stays in Copenhagen, with "midcentury modern touches [that] imbue its 54 rooms with a sense of casual cool," Peter Terzian, T+L features editor, previously reported in the 2022 World's Best Awards. It offers an extensive array of amenities, including loaner bikes for guests (don't forget to ask for a prepared picnic basket) and a glass-encased rooftop terrace that serves up delicious breakfast and gorgeous city views. Be sure to book one of the hotel's exclusive excursions, which includes a backstage pass to the Royal Theater — a short two-minute walk away — or a private guided trip down the nearby canals in a vintage mahogany boat.

There is exactly one guest room at TheKrane , which is why T+L called it one of the coolest hotels in Copenhagen . The room is inside an old coal crane that dates back to 1944 and hangs 49 feet above the ground on Nordhavn's industrial waterfront. A night's stay comes with a hefty price tag, but it includes more than just a place to rest your head — guests will love the complimentary on-site spa, prearranged airport pickup, and daily breakfast.

The Happiness Museum

Denmark, named the second happiest country in the world in 2023, is home to the world's very first happiness museum . Opened in 2020, the museum features several different exhibits on how other countries perceive happiness.

CopenHill is Copenhagen's first ski area — carefully constructed atop a waste management center for the city. In the summer months, visitors can also hike, run, or tackle the world's tallest climbing wall at this urban recreation destination.

Frederiksborg Castle

Located on three islands, surrounded by lush gardens and a large lake, Frederiksborg Castle is a perfect day trip from Copenhagen. The castle is also home to the Museum of National History, which traces 500 years of Danish history through art, furniture, sculptures, and more.

Tivoli Gardens

Don't let the word "gardens" fool you, this expansive park is home to one of the best theme parks in Europe , open from mid-April to mid-September. In the winter, there's still plenty to see and do, with a whimsical Christmas market, over-the-top decorations, and stunning lights. There are plenty of shops and restaurants on the grounds as well.

Read More: 20 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen, From a Palace Visit to Waterfront Strolls

Illums Bolighus

A design aficionado's dream, Illums Bolighus is your one-stop shop for Danish design. With top interiors brands, this is a great under-the-radar spot to snag some memorable souvenirs.

Jægersborggade Street

This buzzy street is home to some of the best shops in Copenhagen. You can find vintage clothing, organic produce, and 40 art galleries. Make sure to check out the ceramics boutiques, including Keramiker Inge Vincents, known for its hand-shaped porcelain.

Prefer to do some tax-free shopping before returning to the airport? Visit megastore Magasin , a department store with a fashionable, vintage feel and plenty of variety. The store started in 1869, and it's still a popular choice among locals because it stays open later than most department stores.

Noma is one of the most famous restaurants in the world, and after a 20-year run, head chef René Redzepi recently announced it will close at the end of 2024. So, eat there while you still can. The Michelin three-starred restaurant's menu changes with the seasons, focusing on vegetarian fare in the summer, game and forest-inspired food in the fall, and seafood in the late winter/early spring.

At the Alchemist , one of the hardest reservations in Copenhagen, "guests enter through an ominous, hand-sculpted door made from two tons of bronze," reported Christina Liao recently in T+L. Food reporter Liao called it one of the best dining experiences in the world and said diners can expect nearly 50 courses surrounded by performance art and immersive, multi-sensory decor.

Alouette is a hidden gem on the Danish dining scene — behind an unobtrusive garage door and past a graffiti-covered hallway lies a surprisingly bright Michelin-starred restaurant that serves a set five-course menu. The menu changes weekly with a focus on small producers and seasonal ingredients.

Copenhagen is best reached by flying into its international airport, which T+L readers voted as one of the  best international airports  in the world in 2022. Copenhagen Airport serves over 100 destinations and is the biggest airport in Denmark.

You can also travel to and from other major European cities, including London, Paris, and Stockholm, aboard  Rail Europe  trains or buses. A train ride from London to Copenhagen will take almost 15 hours, while a bus ride could take up to 35 hours, with multiple stops and long transfers.

The best time to visit Copenhagen is April, May, and September if you're after warmer weather and longer days. You'll encounter fewer crowds than in the peak summer months, but can still enjoy similar temperatures. However, some of the best festivals happen from June to August — like the  Copenhagen Jazz Festival , which takes place every July.

Copenhagen in December is the prime hygge (cozy) and Christmas market season. Travelers can head to the Tivoli Gardens for a gorgeous holiday light display. If you can't make it in December, you can still enjoy a light show in February when the city hosts its now-annual Copenhagen Light Festival .

Read More: The Best Times to Visit Copenhagen for Great Weather, Lower Prices, and Fewer Crowds

City Center: Copenhagen's City Center is where you'll find hotels like Hotel d'Angleterre and Nyhavn, the waterfront district "tailor-made for Instagram, with colorful townhouses and boats bobbing in the canals," Lindsay Cohn, a T+L contributor, previously reported . This area is home to CPH's top attractions, including Kongens Nytorv, the largest public square in the city.

Frederiksberg: Frederiksberg is another tourist hot spot within Copenhagen and is home to terrific shopping and attractions like the Frederiksberg Palace and the Copenhagen Zoo.

Nørrebro: Northeast of the city center, Nørrebro is "the most ethnically mixed neighborhood in Copenhagen," architect Camilla van Deurs told T+L recently . You'll find some of Copenhagen's best pan-Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants here.

Vesterbro/Kødbyen: Vesterbro was once considered Copenhagen's red light district. It's known for its nightlife, but there are also charming, residential, family-friendly areas in the neighborhood, as well. Within Vesterbro, you'll find Kødbyen, otherwise known as Copenhagen's meatpacking district.

Christianshavn: Technically a cluster of small islands, Christianshavn is teeming with waterways and charming, colorful row homes. Here, you can rent boats or kayaks to explore the canals or take a dip in one of Copenhagen's harbor baths.

Train, bus, and metro: Copenhagen's public transportation network unites trains, buses, and metros in one easy-to-understand system. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks at the airport and throughout the city, on the DOT Mobilbilletter app , or online , with prices varying by zone. You can also purchase a City Pass , which will give you unlimited access to specific zones depending on which one you purchase. Download the Rejseplanen app to see public transportation schedules with minute-by-minute updates.

Taxis: Taxis are plentiful in Copenhagen. If you need a cab, there are several companies, like Dantaxi , you can contact directly for pickup.

Car service: If you don't want a taxi, you can book town car or black car services with companies like Sixt to help you get around, or use the zero-emission ride-sharing service Viggo . Copenhagen is not serviced by Uber or Lyft.

Bikes: Copenhagen is a city best explored by bike. In fact, according to the Copenhagen Tourism website , 49 percent of locals commute to work on bikes. Plan your ride around the city's many biking routes and bridges, or try to tackle the bike route used in the 2022 Tour de France Grand Départ, which took place in Copenhagen.

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Denmark travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

Whether you’re looking for cities packed with culture or a countryside of fjords and beaches, a holiday in denmark offers it all – along with some seriously cool scandi vibes, article bookmarked.

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Somewhere in the Danish countryside – amid the swan-filled lakes, royal gardens, and oak woods – lie the settings where Hans Christian Andersen was inspired to pen the world’s best-selling fairy tales. In the 19th century, the writer was taken by his homeland’s lily ponds and castle estates, riverbanks and chalk cliffs, and yet still today, it’s not hard to fall for such superlative landscapes. For Denmark is a kingdom with scenery and stories to set anyone dreaming.

To begin, Copenhagen has been one of the world’s most appealing capitals for some years, with culture, design, architecture, canals, castles, and Carlsberg on tap – admittedly, it’s tough to squeeze it all in, no matter how much time you have. And if your wallet can take it, the city is a hub for Michelin-star dining .

Away from the tourist crowds, many prefer the cities of Aarhus , Aalborg, and Odense – each is bewitchingly attractive – while the spaces in between are filled with jigsaw-piece fjords, more than 400 islands, beach towns, theme parks and epic Viking sites that live up to their billing. Life is good in Denmark, so it’s hardly surprising the Danish are regularly voted amongst the world’s happiest. Lucky them.

Travel restrictions

Since 2021, travellers arriving in Denmark have not been subject to any Covid-19 restrictions. No proof of vaccination, recovery, or testing is required for entry and the country has done away with all mask and social distancing.

Best time to go

Whether there’s a more rewarding time to visit Denmark than any other is a topic of speculation, but – for most travellers – the country is at its most playful in summer. Cities roll out festivals galore ( Roskilde in late June is Glastonbury-gone-Scandi) and, with every second Dane heading to a wood-clad cabin or holiday cottage, sand-swept beach destinations from Klitmøller (aka Cold Hawaii) to Bornholm do their best to recast the North and Baltic Seas as something akin to the Mediterranean.

Read more on Denmark travel :

• Best cheap hotels in Copenhagen 2023
• Billund city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Denmark’s family friendly city
• Best hotels in Copenhagen for stylish city centre stays

It could also be claimed that the Danes know how to do December travel-bragging better than anywhere: Copenhagen and its seasonal Tivoli Gardens , in particular, are devoted to spice-laden cookies, festive merry-go-rounds and an explosion of fairy-lit decorations in the cold still air. For the ultimate festive hit, splurge at Nimb Hotel , the park’s embarkation point into pinch-yourself fantasy.

Top regions and cities

Possibly the world’s best city? To the Danes, it’s sacred – and perhaps you’ll think so too. For the uninitiated, it’s a green powerhouse with cycle superhighways, vitreously clear harbour swimming pools, upcycled warehouse districts and fair trade food courts, plus Hamlet-style castles next to bohemian districts. In truth, there’s no real guidebook itinerary to follow, as Copenhagen is a city that rewards a freewheeling approach (and that also means it’s best explored by bike). Discovering the latest food or drink fad is also a local obsession.

Read our Copenhagen travel guide

For 2023, Copenhagen has been announced as Unesco’s latest World Capital of Architecture . Additionally, Designmuseum Denmark , which tells the proud and unequalled story of Danish design, is to reopen after two years of renovation.

The country’s most atmospheric medieval city is chock-a-block with fairy tale tropes: witch’s hat churches, hunched streets, royal gardens and even a Cinderella-worthy palace. That it was the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen helps fuel such interpretation, but so does the imagination-inspiring HC Andersen’s Hus , a museum tribute to the author that’s now rooted above and below the heart of the historic core. Beyond the city limits, expect scenery fit for royalty, from unmissable Egeskov Castle and its rose gardens to Broholm , a living estate and museum now run as a swanky hotel.

The stunning Limfjord, the inland sea that slices through North Jutland, is a region of old secrets and old stories. Viking ships once sailed there and precious seafood cargo was shipped from it to the palaces of Catherine the Great in Saint Petersburg across the Baltic Sea – this kind of history ripples along the fjord. In Nykøbing Mors , you can join tours from the Danish Shellfish Center on a hunt for some of Europe’s last remaining wild oysters – what you find you can slurp straight from the shell. The fjord is home to a rich vein of belt-loosening restaurants. Two places to get stuck in are Sallingsund Faergerko , a historic inn that opened in 1694, and Limfjordens Østersbar , a raw bar in Glyngøre with a stellar fjord panorama.

Factor in less hyperbole and more cultural refinement than at Disneyland and you have this sleepy town turned Lego headquarters, with a Legoland theme park, Lego-themed hotels and a carousel of absolutely terrific family-friendly attractions. For the backstory, the Danish toy company invented its interlocking bricks there 90 years ago – opening its first theme park beside the factory in 1968 – and it’s obvious that, over time, play has percolated into the town’s DNA. It packs out with nearly four million visitors every year, so avoid the summer influx and stick to the quieter months of late spring or early autumn. And if the plastic blocks brought comfort to you while growing up, don’t miss the terrific Lego House , a hybrid of museum and playground, with jaw-dropping models and ingenious interactive displays.

Best under-the-radar destinations

The bridge across the Wadden Sea causeway to the island of Rømø is the gateway to Unesco-listed Wadden Sea National Park , a swathe of beaches and estuaries and the largest protected area in the country. If the pace of modern life is too frenetic for you, then harmony can be found on beach walks in company with spoonbills, starlings and the odd seal – this is the Denmark that most Danes aren’t familiar with. There’s even an argument that says this is west coast Denmark’s ultimate foodie hangout: oysters are an undervalued currency in Denmark, yet an astonishing 72,000 tonnes of the bivalves lie on Rømø ’s seabed. At low-tide you can fill a bucket with free pearl-shaped shells right from the shore; understandably, the local catchphrase is “if you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em”. To finish your west coast experience, visit gloriously pretty Tønder , the oldest market town in Denmark.

Fyn vineyards

Denmark was only accepted as a commercial wine growing area within the European Union in 2000, but what’s remarkable is how the country has one of the fastest growing viticulture industries on the planet. Utter delight can be found along the coasts of Zealand, Jutland and, most recently, Fyn. In truth, some of the sparkling wines and rielsings are still a little experimental (and pricier than those from more established vineyards), but with climate change pushing grape harvests further north every year, the intentions of Danish winemakers are clear: things are only going to get better. Seek out Kimesbjerggaard Vingaard , overlooking the island of Lyø; Svendborg Vingård on the south coast of Fyn’ or Stokkebye — one of the country’s most successful producers of pinot noir.

Hiking clifftop paths, cycling fertile farmlands, swimming on child-friendly beaches, watching sunrise while fishing the coast – the island of Samsø offers all the usual holiday draws, but with one major exception: it’s the world’s first renewable energy island and is completely self-sufficient (indeed, 90% of the island’s wind turbines are owned by locals). Which is to say, holidaying here without guilt and without compromise is the real deal. Thankfully, the beaches, bays, and country walks are as beautiful as anywhere in the country and, as the island is nicknamed Denmark’s ‘vegetable garden’, rest assured that eating out is just as sustainable and green.

Best things to do

Cycle copenhagen.

From much-photographed Nyhavn to up-and-coming Opera Park on the waterfront, Copenhagen is a city designed for cyclists and its matrix-like layout of bike pathways and car-free lanes speaks to the sort of smart urbanism that every city could benefit from. The pinnacle is the Harbour Ring, a 10-mile loop past many of the capital’s must-sees – gear shifting past the Royal Danish Opera House and Black Diamond Library is rather the point of coming to this forward-thinking capital in the first place.

Stay in a ‘badehoteller’

Flitting between sun-drenched shoreline and wind-whipped wild coast, the Danish seaside offers up a hit-or-miss proposition, but nonetheless the country has a strong tradition of beach hotels. Known as badehoteller, these luxurious boltholes and architectural spa properties are as much destinations as the postcard towns and villages they inhabit, with a clear-sighted focus on the slow pace of living and a rich celebration of local food. Rødvig Kro & Badehotel near the chalk and limestone cliffs of Stevns Klint is a favourite, while Skagen at the tip of North Jutland is home to Ruth’s Hotel , a slice of The Hamptons transported to the North Sea coast. Coming in 2024 is Gilleleje Sø- og Havbad (literally, sea and ocean bath), a historical town hall transformed into a boutique hotel in popular Zealand resort town Gilleleje .

Drive the Marguerite Route

Which Denmark do you want? How about all of it. The country-wide Margeurite Route was inaugurated in 1991 as a tribute to Queen Margrethe II and takes in a whopping collection of 1,000-odd castles and attractions to best showcase Danish landscape and history away from the main roads. In one direction that could take you from Holsteinborg Castle on the south coast of Zealand to Herreborgen Borreby , one of Scandinavia’s best-preserved renaissance bastions. Alternatively, it could begin in Jutland, with the road motoring between 12th-century Børglum Abbey north of Aalborg to Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse . Your roadside guide? A succession of signposts decorated with the queen’s favourite flower: the Marguerite daisy.

Getting around

Denmark is a delight to road trip or “bikepack” around, with easy-on-the-eye roadside attractions and infrastructure as good as anywhere in Europe. For train travel, rail operator DSB offers bargain online ‘Orange’ train tickets , offering reduced prices outside rush hour and bigger discounts the sooner you buy. For further travel ideas, see Visit Denmark .

How to get there

The cheapest and quickest way to get to Denmark is on a budget flight into Copenhagen or Billund with the likes of easyJet and Ryanair . Train travel around the country is efficient, with services from Copenhagen running frequently to Odense, Aarhus and beyond.

Money-saving tip

Like all Scandinavian countries, Denmark is more expensive than the UK, but its forward-thinking culture means there are many ways to save money. Eating out isn’t cheap, but a raft of world-class streetside eats means takeaway food is king — in fact, the humble pølser (hot dog) is the national snack of Denmark.

What’s the weather like?

The Vikings worshipped many gods in Denmark, from Odin and Thor to Frey and Freyja, but today it’s fair to say that it’s Sól – the sun god – who lodges in the mind. The Danes love the sun, but the temperate Nordic climate means it rains consistently throughout the year, with temperature highs of around 22°C in summer and winter lows hovering between −2 and 4°C.

What time zone is it in?

What currency do i need.

Danish Krone (DKK)

What language is spoken?

Danish. Helpfully, English is widely spoken everywhere.

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• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Climate
• 4.3 Terrain
• 4.4 Culture
• 4.5.1 Environment
• 4.6 Danish holidays and events
• 6.2 By plane
• 6.3 By train
• 6.4.1 Ridesharing
• 6.6 By boat
• 7.2 By train
• 7.3 By ferry
• 7.4 By taxi
• 7.5.1 Driving
• 7.5.2 Low Emission Zones
• 7.5.3 Parking
• 7.5.4 Renting a car
• 7.5.5 Auto assistance
• 7.6 By recreational vehicle and campervans
• 7.7 By bicycle
• 7.8 By thumb
• 7.9 By plane
• 8.2 The Danish Islands
• 8.3 Viking heritage
• 8.4 World Heritage Sites
• 8.5 Danish design and architecture
• 9.1 General
• 9.2 Beaches
• 9.3 Music festivals
• 9.4 Amusement parks
• 9.5 Fishing
• 9.6 Hunting
• 9.9 Water sports
• 10.2 Banking and payment
• 10.3 Prices
• 10.4 Tipping
• 11.1.1 Smørrebrød
• 11.1.2 Pølsevogn
• 11.2 Local delicacies
• 11.4 Sweets
• 12.2 Specialities
• 15 Stay safe
• 16.1 Smoking
• 18.1 Internet
• 19.1 Consular assistance
• 19.2 Customer service
• 20.1 North Atlantic
• 20.2 Sweden
• 20.3 Norway
• 20.4 Germany

Denmark ( Danish : Danmark ) is the smallest of the Nordic countries in terms of landmass. Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European naval power , the Kingdom of Denmark is the oldest kingdom in the world still in existence, but has evolved into a democratic, modern, and prosperous nation.

These days, the Danish Vikings have parked their ships in the garage and put the helmets on the shelves, and along with the other Scandinavian nations, have forged a society that is often seen as a benchmark of civilisation; with progressive social policies, a commitment to free speech so strong it put the country at odds with much of the world during the 2006 cartoon crisis, a liberal social-welfare system and, according to The Economist , one of the most commercially competitive. Top it off with a rich, well-preserved cultural heritage, and the Danes' legendary sense of design and architecture, and you have one intriguing holiday destination.

Dubbed in various surveys and polls throughout the years as the "happiest country in the world", it is often pictured as a romantic and safe place, likely linked to Hans Christian Andersen as a "fairy tale" on its own. Of course much more lies beneath the surface, but for the traveller, Denmark is likely to prove convenient, safe, clean, but also quite expensive to visit.

Regions [ edit ]

Though not immediately obvious on a map, Denmark includes more than 400 islands, of which 72 are populated. The peninsula of Jutland and the main islands make up most of the population and land area; smaller islands are here categorised as part of those.

Local administration in Denmark is made up by five regions and 98 municipalities ( kommuner ). These subdivisions are of little concern to visitors.

Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland are collectively and formally known as The Danish Realm ( Det Danske Rige ). While all three have their own constituent parliaments, they are also part of The Kingdom of Denmark with King Frederik X as symbolic monarch. Since Greenland and the Faroe Islands are self-governing territories at a great distance from Denmark proper, they are not covered in this article.

Cities [ edit ]

Denmark has quite a few pleasant cities. These are just a few, that are very popular among visitors:

• 55.676111 12.568333 1 Copenhagen ( København ) — Denmark's capital and largest city with a population of 1.2 million in its metropolitan area and a vast number of offers for cultural experiences and interesting shopping inspired with Danish design traditions.
• 57.05 9.916667 2 Aalborg — an old port town and industrial centre with a historic and picturesque city centre, including the rowdy street of Jomfru Ane Gade ; featuring some of the most vibrant night life in the country.
• 56.1572 10.2107 3 Aarhus — the largest city on the Jutland peninsula and Denmark's second largest city, with a population of 320,000 in its metropolitan area. As an educational centre, Aarhus offers many cultural experiences and has a vibrant and diverse night life. Also being a centre of food production and conferences, Aarhus is among the best places in Denmark to eat. The brilliant Old Town [dead link] open air museum with reconstructed old historic timber-framed buildings from all over Denmark, is one of the most popular attractions in the country.
• 55.483333 8.45 4 Esbjerg — Denmark's hub for the fishing and offshore oil and gas industry, and a 15-minute ferry ride away from the cosy island of Fanø . The large Wadden Sea National Park is close to Esbjerg.
• 54.76542 11.87549 5 Nykøbing Falster — nestled by a picturesque fjord, you can explore the old abbey, the castle, or set out to the spectacular chalk cliffs of Møn or the island's good beaches
• 55.395833 10.388611 6 Odense — the main city of the island of Funen, and Denmark's third largest city, known as the birthplace of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. The old historic town centre features cosy winding cobbled streets with interesting streetscapes of both medieval listed buildings and modern architecture. The countryside is also of interest, including the open air museum The Funen Village .
• 55.65 12.083333 7 Roskilde — half an hour from Copenhagen is a picturesquely placed city, hosting a world heritage listed cathedral as well as a great Viking ship museum.
• 57.716667 10.583333 8 Skagen — the most northern point of the mainland, this sleepy fishing town bursts into life during summer. It is the place to watch as two oceans meet at the "tip of Denmark", bike around the scenic surroundings and dine on excellent seafood. It is among the most popular summer destinations in the country, including that of the Copenhagen rich and famous.
• 54.91382 9.79225 9 Sønderborg — discover Danish mentality in a city where Denmark finally conceded its superpower ambitions, and wander through the old castle or the royal palace of Gråsten .

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 56.7 11.566667 1 Anholt — more than 45 km from nearest mainland and pretty much right between Sweden and Denmark, this secluded island offers the largest desert in Northern Europe and one of Scandinavia's largest seal populations.
• 55.320556 15.184444 2 Ertholmene — this small group of islands, governed by the Ministry of Defence, makes up for Denmark's most eastern land and home to a large a bird reserve, as well as old defence installations.
• 54.966667 11.55 3 Femø — most famous for being one of the first bastions for the women's rights movement, it now attracts lesbians and feminists, while priding itself in welcoming all women.
• 55.414167 8.410278 4 Fanø — a 16 km long and 5 km wide island, with an unusual large mount of different natural environments on a small area: Sand, heath, meadow and pine wood.
• 57.485556 10.624444 5 Hirsholmene — a group of 10 small islands 7 km to the northeast of Frederikshavn , noted for its high population of birds, but also home to some excellent beaches and a relatively large number of World War II-era bunkers.
• 56.0371 12.3157 6 Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park — a national park covering the old hunting grounds of ancient kings.
• 57.266667 11.1 7 Læsø — get away from it all in this remote island in Denmark's "desert belt", ride through the sand dunes on horseback and see unique farmhouses with seaweed roofs.
• 55.866667 10.616667 8 Samsø — Denmark's "greenest" island has garnered international attention since the heat and energy consumption on the island is exclusively produced locally by renewable sources. Samsø is home to the annual music festival Samsø Festival , calling itself Denmark's "hyggeligste" (i.e. most cosy).
• 55.2797 12.4462 9 Stevns Cliff — a 65-million-year-old cliff made up of lime and chalk, which stretches more than 12 km on the shoreline and up to 41m above sea-level.

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ].

The Danes are first mentioned in writings from the 6th century, and became widely known in the Viking age , when they together with their Norwegian and Swedish kin travelled far for trade, raids and settling.

The Danish kingdom was established during the Viking age. Harald Bluetooth was christened and succeeded in christening his realm in the 960s. The kingdom was enlarged and in the 11th century his grandson Cnut the Great was king not only of modern Denmark proper, but also the Scanian lands of southern Sweden, Norway and larger parts of England (which were lost after his death).

Denmark continued its expansion, of which both the church and the Hanseatic League played important roles. In a combined effort to counter the rising power and influence of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic area, the Kalmar Union was ratified in 1397, unifying the Kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden under one rule. Due to a complicated succession of unfortunate deaths and possibly some intrigues, fifteen year old Eric of Pomerania became first official monarch of the Kalmar Union. At the time of unification, the Norwegian Empire also included the North Atlantic Isles of Orkney, Shetlands, Faroes, Iceland and Greenland, while the Kingdom of Sweden included a large part of present-day Finland and the Kingdom of Denmark also included Holstein. There were several internal conflicts and uprisings in the following century, and in 1523, Gustav Vasa was declared king of Sweden and the union fell apart and ceased to exist. This was not a devastating loss for Denmark, which kept Norway (including the North Atlantic Islands), the Scanian lands and the economically important Danish straits under one rule. In the 1530s, Denmark had a Lutheran reformation and the king secured his monarchical power in relation to both the priesthood and the nobility. Trade and manufacture flourished.

During the succeeding centuries there were many wars, especially with the rising Swedish Empire , which established itself as a great power. Denmark was also involved in the Thirty Years' War , with little success. The Second Northern War dealt a very serious blow to the Kingdom of Denmark with Sweden emerging as the greatest military power in Scandinavia. Denmark ceded the Scanian lands, the Estonian possessions and a third of Norway in the humiliating Second Treaty of Roskilde in 1658 and now with Swedish forces occupying most of Denmark proper too. The occupied areas in both Denmark and Norway soon rebelled against the Swedish troops and succeeded in overcoming them, restoring Denmark-Norway in 1660. The Treaty of Copenhagen in 1660 settled the borders between Denmark and Sweden that we know today. The newfound military might and prowess of what now became the Swedish Empire, eventually provoked external forces and Russia initiated The Great Northern War in 1700, leading a coalition including Denmark-Norway against the Swedish territories. This led to a Swedish defeat and Russia was now the dominant military power of the Baltic area from 1721. This restored the power-balance between Denmark-Norway and Sweden and general peace lasted about a century, until the onset of the Napoleonic Wars in 1803. A series of very destructive fires, some caused by naval attacks, ravaged Copenhagen throughout the 18th century. The last of the great fires destroyed most of the city in 1807, when the British navy bombarded Copenhagen and destroyed the Danish fleet in a preemptive attack. Up on till then, Denmark had been firmly neutral in the Napoleonic Wars, but now sided with Napoleon and got involved in warring with Sweden once again. Even though the fighting with Sweden only resulted in status quo , the military expenses took a heavy toll on the economy and Denmark went bankrupt in 1813. In 1814, Norway, with the exception of the North Atlantic Islands, was ceded to Sweden as part of a larger European peace treaty.

Still a great naval power, Denmark engaged in the general European colonialism from the 1660s onwards, establishing settlements, plantations and forts in new colonies in the Caribbean, West Africa and India. Denmark continued to profit from the global slave, sugar and spice trade for about 200 years, but the African and Indian colonies were eventually ceded to the British Empire in the mid-1800s and the Danish West Indies were sold to the US in 1917.

On balance, the hard times after the Napoleonic Wars were a cultural golden age for Denmark, with intellectual and cultural giants such as Bertel Thorvaldsen, Hans Christian Ørsted, Nicolai Grundtvig, Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard. Compulsory education was introduced and the country took several steps towards democracy and rule of law, in great part as the result of political activity by liberal bourgeois groups. A democratic constitution was established in 1849 and the right to vote was given to men with their own property, aged over 30 or 40. In 1915, Denmark adopted a new constitution with universal suffrage.

The new democratic movements in Europe were paired with the emerging ideas of national states and in Southern Jutland, this led to internal conflicts over the local feudal forms of rulership. Two wars were fought there, involving military forces from Denmark, Prussia, Sweden and Austria, eventually leading to another Danish defeat and now cession of Holstein, Schleswig and Saxe-Lauenburg in October 1864. Marked psychologically by the many military defeats and extreme loss of territory over the centuries, in combination with the growing influences of the national-democratic movement, Denmark practically gave up on military force as a political tool. But wars continued to rage in Europe and in 1914, World War I broke out. Denmark succeeded in being neutral, but as Germany got heavily involved, Danes from the ceded Southern Jutland were conscripted along with other German citizens and several thousand southern Danes fell at the Western Front fighting for Germany against their will. In 1920, after the First World War, a referendum vote was eventually held in Schleswig-Holstein to settle the still unsolved internal conflicts and the northern part of Schleswig returned to Denmark once again while southern Schleswig and Holstein went to Germany, settling the Danish-German borders we know today. To this day a Danish minority lives in Southern Schleswig and a German minority lives in Northern Schleswig, now in peaceful acceptance.

Denmark tried to be neutral in World War II as well, but Germany invaded Denmark in April 1940. The defense was weak and there had been no proper mobilization, to avoid the horrors of a futile resistance. Iceland, still Danish, was taken by the UK a month later, without bloodshed, and was later handed to the USA. The Danish government agreed to the German conditions and by promising "loyal cooperation", the national authorities were permitted to continue their function, including sentencing anti-Semitic activists.

The national government was replaced by German authorities in August 1943, as it had not acted to German satisfaction. When the Germans decided to deport the Jews to Germany, most succeeded in escaping to Sweden, in a big rescue operation organised by the Danish Resistance. A large number of those who were captured were closely monitored by the Danish Red Cross and partly thanks to Danish political pressure not deported to the German extermination camps. The majority of the captured Jews survived this way, but a few hundred, in addition to imprisoned Danish communists, were deported by the Gestapo to German concentration camps for detention, forced labour and execution unfortunately. With the growing intensity of sabotage by the Danish underground resistance movement, Gestapo (led by Waffen SS Dr. Werner Best) increasingly ordered the Danish police to take counter measures, or face punishment. The organization of the Danish police was not cooperative with the Nazi agenda and the German reaction came promptly in May 1944 when around 2,000 police officers were arrested countrywide and deported to concentration camps in Germany. The Danish government later succeeded in improving their treatment in German captivity, but around 100 died, the majority in Buchenwald. Denmark was liberated by British forces led by Field Marshall Montgomery on 5 May 1945, two days before the capitulation of Nazi Germany.

After the war, Denmark sought closer cooperation with the other Nordic countries, but was also among the founding members of NATO and the UN. Iceland declared and gained its independence whereas Greenland and the Faroe Islands were granted greater degrees of home rule. The Schleswig issue was further resolved to the satisfaction of most involved via a treaty with Germany guaranteeing cultural, political and economic rights to the minorities on both sides of the border. After being on the sidelines of European integration, Denmark finally joined the EU in 1973; however, the country does not participate in the Eurozone, but the krone is pegged to the euro.

Denmark is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. However, the country has opted out of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, the European monetary union (EMU - the Eurozone), and issues concerning certain internal affairs.

Climate [ edit ]

The weather in Denmark is relatively mild compared to other Scandinavian countries, but it is clearly divided into four seasons, each with their own characteristics. For a traveller it is important to know what to expect at the time of visit, how to dress and how to plan your stay.

Snow cover is not always guaranteed during the winter months, but because of the northern position, daylight hours are with certainty much more scarce than the long pitch black nights. Even when the sun is supposed to be up, the skies are often depressingly grey with heavy clouds and almost no sunlight. These conditions persists for three months, December to February, and sometimes November and March as well. Once in a while a lucky day of four to five hours sunlight can be experienced, but the temperatures are usually around freezing point. For travellers, the Christmas month of December can however be interesting, as the centres of most larger towns are decorated and small shops pops up in the streets selling mulled wine, pancakes, sugarglazed almonds and other local delicacies. Winter is certainly a time best spent socialising indoors.

Spring starts in late March or April and the daylight hours increase quickly as well as the temperatures. Warm clothing is still a must and rainwear is also recommended. This is a time when many people catch a cold, because they let their minds be tricked into thinking summer has arrived as soon as the sun has shone for a couple of days straight. Not yet. May is when the trees burst into leaves and a beech forest in leaf-burst is an experience never to forget.

With June, summer has arrived and now the daylight hours have outpaced nighttime by far. Late June holds the longest day of the year, with as much as 18 hours of daylight. The sun sits lower on the horizon on these latitudes however and not all hours are as bright as mid-day, but the Danish summer is indeed characterised by "bright nights" (Danish: lyse nætter ) and outdoor activities and parties can easily continue into the wee hours without anyone noticing what time it is. If you need to readjust your inner clock after a longer flight or if you have early morning meetings and appointments, it will be a very good idea to bring a sleeping mask to block out the light. The summer temperatures in Denmark are mild; it is seldom too cold (so you would need a warm coat) and it is very rarely excessively hot (above 30-32 °C) so you cannot engage in any outdoor activities. You might think these conditions makes for the perfect summer, but then you need to know that the weather changes almost unpredictably. Rainy and cloudy days can come and go throughout the summer, so if you visit during this season, it would be wise to plan accordingly; be sure you can change your outdoor plans for indoor activities whenever bad weather strikes, and you will get the most out of your time. Even though grey, cloudy and rainy days or a sudden burst of thunderclouds can ruin your beach or picnic plans, you can largely rely on the weekly local forecasts. Changes usually happens on a day-to-day basis only, so looking at the skies in the morning will give you a good and reliable idea of what the coming day will be like.

In September autumn slowly starts to arrive, but bright, sunlit days can often be experienced through October and these months are also a good time to visit. Just make sure to bring proper clothes, as colder and windier weather becomes increasingly common. November marks the definite end of any summer, the trees are all in red, yellow and orange now and soon chilly autumn winds will blow the leaves off.

Terrain [ edit ]

Denmark has a flat terrain. More than 60% of the landmasses are flat, arable land, making it ideal for farming. And an additional 15% or so are similarly flat forests. Thus Denmark is home to the 'lowest-highest' point in Europe; at a "stunning" 170.86 m above sea level, Møllehøj , near Skanderborg , was in 2005 confirmed as the highest natural point in Denmark. More famously Ejer Baunehøj and Yding Skovhøj with 170.35 m and 170.77 m respectively had been competing for years, until in 2005 with a new technique the winning hill could be found. Either way, the 216 m high Søsterhøj Transmission Tower near Aarhus reaches the giddy height of 315 metres above sea level and is, therefore, the highest point in Denmark.

The almost 7,500 km coastline makes room for a large number of beaches, which along with the wind erosion, and plenty of rain, have formed the landscape, and today it is a country of small hills and valleys, minor lakes and small forests with beach and pine. The geographic position of Denmark on the tectonic plates have reduced the risk of earthquakes and volcanoes, and the worst quakes in modern times have been measured to 4.7 on the Richter scale

The mountains in Sweden and Norway shield Denmark from most of the stormy weather and freezing winter air. Combined with the mild temperature and high degree of moisture in the winds blowing in from the North Sea it makes the land well suited for agriculture as the seasons are smoothed, and seldom creates droughts or floods. Bornholm is one of the few exceptions to the overall farming friendly terrain, as the depth of the soil is reduced, and bedrock can be seen in multiple sites.

The west coast of Jutland facing the North Sea is slowly eroding, and accumulates the eroded soil due to the currents in the ocean. The result forms wide sandy beaches, whereas the east coast of Jutland in general is covered with pebble beaches.

Culture [ edit ]

Sports are popular in Denmark, with association football reigning supreme in popularity and counted as the national sport, followed by gymnastics, (Olympic) handball and golf. Along with the other Nordic countries as well as Germany and France, Denmark is among the Handball superpowers and matches among those teams or world and European cups are closely followed by Handball enthusiasts. Badminton is also a popular sport in Denmark, and Denmark is the only non-Asian country to be considered a badminton powerhouse.

Another trait of Danish culture as any tourist pamphlet will tell you, is " Hygge ", which translates as something like "cosy" or "snug". Danes themselves will be quick to point out this is somehow a unique Danish concept, which is hardly in tune with reality, but it does probably take a more prominent place in the culture than in many other countries. It usually involves low-key dinners in people's homes, with long conversations over candlelight and red wine in the company of friends and family, but the word is broadly used for social interactions.

Another important aspect of Danish culture is understatement and modesty, which is not only prominent in Danish behavioural patterns but also very much an important trait in the famous Danish design, which dictates strict minimalism and functionalism over flashiness, something that transfers well to the Danish people as well.

The Danes are a fiercely patriotic bunch, but in a sneakingly low-key kind of way. They will warmly welcome visitors to show off the country, which they are rightly proud of, but any criticism - however constructive - will not be taken lightly, although most Danes will happily spend hours to prove you wrong over a Carlsberg beer, rather than becoming hostile. It will not get you far though, and if you manage to convince anyone of any other flaws than the taxes being too high, the weather too bad, or other trivialities, you should immediately return home and run for political office. For the same reasons outsiders on long term stays are by many viewed with a certain amount of suspicion. As the homogeneous society is often thought to be the key to Denmark's successes, you will often hear resident foreigners complain about a constant pressure to become ever more Danish.

As a traveller it is therefore likely that Danes will be friendly and helpful towards you, but rarely engage in contact and conversations with you on their own initiative. Often the people can be seen as cold, sceptical and even a bit rude, but it is only on the surface. It can take time to truly befriend a Dane. If nothing else, hit any bar in town and you will be greeted warmly when the first few beers are put away.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is, however strange it can seem, a key component in the social life there. Especially when comparing with the other Scandinavian countries, Denmark has a very liberal attitude to alcohol consumption, both in terms of what is socially and legally acceptable. For many social gatherings alcohol is a must (during weekends) and is seen a positive driver for loosening the atmosphere. Engaging in drinking is most likely the best way to get to know a Dane.

People [ edit ]

Ethnic Danes make up 80-90% of the population.

As is the case with its neighbours, Denmark has attracted immigrants from all over the world. Immigration to Denmark was fairly relaxed between the 1960s and 1980s, during which the country received scores of immigrants and refugees from Iran , Afghanistan , Somalia , Iraq , Syria , Lebanon , Turkey , Bosnia and Herzegovina , and Pakistan .

Environment [ edit ]

Denmark is often praised as being one of the greenest countries in the world, but apart from the ubiquitous bikes, the individual Danes are surprisingly nonchalant about the environment despite their reputation, and are actually responsible for as much greenhouse gas emission as most other nationalities. As with so many other things, it is thought as a collective responsibility, and have safely been played into the hands of the government, which in turn, with great success under Social Democratic leadership, enacted a series of reforms, mainly green taxation , between 1993-2001, that made Danish society as a whole (especially in industrial production) one of the most energy efficient in the world. As it turned out, it was also good business, and green technology has become one of the country's largest exports, including fields like thermostats, wind turbines and home insulation. Because of this, green policies enjoys unusually broad support among the people and the entire political spectrum. 20% of overall energy productions comes from renewable energy, mainly wind power, a feat mainly made possible by the common Nordic energy market and a technologically advanced international power grid. Apart from the Danish wind energy, this grid is also hooked up on the massive hydro energy resources in Norway and Sweden, some of Sweden's nuclear energy, and it can easily be regulated up and down to outbalance the unreliable wind production.

Wind turbines in general produce more power during the night than the Danish companies can consume, while not producing enough in daytime to cover the consumption. The installation of solar power in domestic houses has been supported by targeted tax reductions to create a secondary renewable energy source that is active during the days hours. As a backup the old coal and oil based power plants are kept ready for production, and black or brown outs are unthinkable for the Danish population.

Apart from energy production and efficiency, the green areas of sustainability, re-use and organic production is also of a high priority and has largely been implemented in everyday life. The Danes have the worlds second highest consumption of organic products, relative to the size of the population, right behind Switzerland. Almost all stores and supermarkets sell organically certified alternatives.

All these lofty green implementations do actually have a few tangible implications for travellers:

• Plastic bags cost money; 1-5 kr - non-refundable, so bring a reusable bag when shopping groceries.
• Cans and bottles have 1-3 kr deposit, refundable any place that sells bottled drinks.
• Many toilets have half and full flush buttons, now - you figure out when to use which.
• There is a roughly 100% (4 kr) tax on gasoline, the total price usually hovers between 9-11 kr/L.
• In many counties you need to sort your waste in two separate 'biological' and 'burnable' containers.
• Tap water is drinkable, and of an even higher quality than any bottled water you can buy.

For the environmentally conscious or just gastronomically interested traveller, it might be worth noting that the rise of organic farming in Denmark has nurtured a thriving and lively grassroots food culture throughout the country with many regional specialities of a high quality. This comprise all kinds of agricultural organic products and you can buy them, especially farmers produce and dairy, in all larger retail stores and at many farms. Organic is called Økologisk in Danish and organic state-certified products are labelled with a red Ø. When shopping for imported products, look for the EU-certification, showing small yellow stars outlining the shape of a leaf.

Danish holidays and events [ edit ]

There are several celebrations throughout the year. Traditional holidays and festivities you are most likely to encounter includes:

• Carnival ( Fastelavn ) is held in late winter, seven weeks before Easter sets in. Almost exclusively festivities for children. Special cakes known as fastelavnsboller is sold in bakeries.
• Easter. Almost everything closes down across Denmark with empty streets throughout Easter, as people gather for private get-togethers which for some includes church going. Special Easter-brews ( Påske Bryg ) are issued each year.
• International Workers Day is celebrated 1 May. Danes get the afternoon off, while many arrange for an entire day off. Outside gatherings across the country in city parks and event venues with concerts, speeches and get-togethers.
• June 5 is Grundlovsdag , the Danish constitution day. Danes get the afternoon off, some get all day off. Politicians and organizations talk at outdoor meetings all over Denmark. It is all very relaxed, no fireworks or animated debates. Except for convenience stores and small supermarkets, no stores are open.
• Fall. The forty-second week of the year is the fall holidays for school children. Historically it was the potato holiday. Most parents will arrange to have week 42 off as well. This means that you can not expect low-seasons prices this week. On the other hand, many museums and attractions will extend their opening hours or open up again even if they had closed for the season. Make sure to make reservation for ferries, trains, etc.
• J-day, first Friday in November. This is the day when the Christmas beer is released. Go to any bar and party with the Danes. When the beer truck arrives you might get a free Christmas beer and a Christmas beer hat.
• Christmas. Throughout the month of December, Christmas-related events and street decorations pop ups. Christmas dinner parties ( julefrokost ) are arranged with colleagues, friends and relatives.
• New Years Eve ( Nytårsaften ). Lively partying all over including some special traditions. Firework displays, in particular at midnight. Many people gathers in the town centres around midnight to participate in the festivities and celebrate the beginning of the new year.

Talk [ edit ]

Denmark's national language is Danish ( Dansk ), a Scandinavian language rooted in Old Norse. For this reason, modern Danish is similar to Norwegian Bokmål and somewhat to Swedish , and is to some extent intelligible to speakers of those languages, especially in written form. However, its sound is more influenced by the guttural German language, rather than the lilting languages found to the north and understanding spoken Danish may be a trace more difficult to those who only speak Swedish or Norwegian.

English is widely spoken in Denmark and many Danes (80-90% of the population) are fluent in the language; it is mandatory for Danes to learn English at school from a young age.

Danes generally appreciate and admire efforts to learn Danish, but it's common for them to respond in English when someone attempts to speak Danish. Do not feel demotivated or let down by this because the Danes rarely intend to invalidate your efforts.

A significant number of Danes have a good knowledge of German and it is widely studied in Danish schools. It is widely spoken in Southern Jutland, where it has been designated as a minority language.

Faroese is the official language of the Faroe Islands .

Greenlandic is the official language of Greenland .

Foreign television programmes and films are almost always shown in their original language with Danish subtitles. Only children's programmes are dubbed into Danish.

Get in [ edit ]

Denmark is not only the gateway to Scandinavia in cultural terms, but certainly also geographically, and as such the country is well connected with the rest of the European continent and to Scandinavia. A plethora of ferries connects Denmark with Europe and Scandinavia, and Copenhagen airport even more so serves as the main Scandinavian hub, since its southern latitude makes it a natural stopping point for flights between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe.

Visas [ edit ]

Denmark is a member of the Schengen Agreement . See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, which countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

• There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats entering the Schengen Area. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• A visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.

Citizens from Schengen countries are permitted to work in Denmark without the need to obtain a visa or any further authorization for the period of their 90-day visa-free stay. However, this ability to work visa-free does not necessarily extend to other Schengen countries.

Additionally, citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States are permitted to remain in Denmark for up to 90 days without a visa, regardless of the amount of time spent in other Schengen countries (time spent in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, though, does count against this 90-day exemption).

You can apply for a visa at your local Danish embassy ( list ), but in many countries where Denmark has no consular representation, other Nordic (Scandinavian) embassies (Sweden, Norway or Finland) are usually authorised to handle visa applications (see list ). Further details are available at the Danish immigration services .

The other nations of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland and the Faroe Islands , are not Schengen or EU members. If you can visit the Schengen area without a visa, or are a citizen of a Schengen country, you can visit Greenland and the Faroe Islands for up to 90 days. Citizens of all Nordic countries enter and stay indefinitely with only a valid ID card, with no restrictions including on employment. If you need a visa for the Schengen Zone, you will need separate visas for Greenland or the Faroe Islands — be sure to inform the Danish embassy when you apply for your Schengen visa that you are also visiting these areas.

By plane [ edit ]

Denmark is served by two major and several minor airports which nearly all offer international connections. Most European airlines offer routes to Copenhagen, and many also to Billund, but flag carrier SAS Scandinavian Airlines remains the dominant carrier. Key players in the low-cost market include Norwegian , Easyjet , Transavia and finally Ryanair .

• Copenhagen Airport ( CPH  IATA ) is the largest airport in Scandinavia . The airport is located at the town Kastrup on the island Amager , 8 km from central Copenhagen . The airport is connected by train to Copenhagen Central Station and beyond, Malmö and other towns in Sweden . One way fare to Copenhagen Central station is 34 kr and the train leaves every 10 minutes. Buses and taxis are also available.
• Billund Airport [dead link] ( BLL  IATA ) in South-Central Jutland is Denmark's 2nd largest airport, and the main airport for the entire peninsula. It fields flights to major European hubs: Frankfurt, London and Amsterdam, many European capitals, the Faeroe Islands as well as south European holiday destinations. Located in the town Billund, 29 km from Vejle , 65 km from Esbjerg , 104 km from Odense , 100 km from Aarhus , 210 km from Aalborg , and 262 km from Copenhagen. The airport is connected by buses to major cities and towns in the region. Taxis are also available.
• Aalborg Airport ( AAL  IATA ) about 7 km east of the city centre, is Denmark's 3rd largest airport with flights to around 20 European destinations, including Oslo, Reykjavik and the Faroe Islands as well as major hubs like London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Istanbul. Major carriers includes Norwegian, SAS, Turkish Airlines, and Atlantic Airways. Many routes are limited within seasons.
• Aarhus Airport ( AAR  IATA ) is on the Djursland peninsula 44 km north east of Aarhus , 50 km from Randers , 90 km from Silkeborg , 99 km fra Horsens , 98 km from Viborg and 138 km from Aalborg. An airport shuttlebus connects the airport to Aarhus Central Station from where you can reach the rest of Jutland by Train. Non-national carriers serving Aarhus airport are Ryanair, British Airways and Finnair.
• Malmö Airport ( MMX  IATA ) is located 61 km from Copenhagen in southern Sweden and offers low-fares flights with Wizzair to Eastern Europe and Ryanair to London (Stansted), Poland and Spain. An Airport shuttle bus connects the airport with Copenhagen central station. FlyBus charges UK₤10 or 100 kr for the ride.

By train [ edit ]

• Rejseplanen - "The Journey Planner"

From Sweden

Direct trains connect Stockholm and Copenhagen several times a day. The travel time is around 5 hours.

Also, there are commuter/regional trains branded "Øresundståg" connecting various towns and cities in southern Sweden to Copenhagen. The trains operate on regular intervals, typically once an hour. The service between Malmö and Copenhagen operates 24 hours a day, with up to 6 trains per hour in each direction during rush hour. The travel time between Malmö and Copenhagen is around 35-40 minutes.

From Germany

There are four direct trains daily between Hamburg and Copenhagen, with travel times between 4:40 and 5 hours. Passengers on the these trains can change in Kolding for services to Aarhus. Night trains from Hamburg to Malmö or Stockholm in Sweden also stop in Copenhagen.

Besides, there are InterCity trains from Flensburg to Fredericia, which is a reasonably big station where passengers can change to trains to many towns and cities throughout Denmark. There are also trains from Niebüll to Tønder, from where there are trains to Ribe and Esbjerg.

By car [ edit ]

Denmark is directly connected to the German Autobahn on route E45 (German route 7), which passes close to Hamburg and runs along the east coast of the Jutland peninsula, all the way to Frederikshavn in the North, passing through Denmark's second city Aarhus along the way. Many drivers going from Germany to the Danish capital opt for one of the regular car ferries, which shortens the trip by 137 km from Hamburg and 309 km from Berlin respectively, and avoids the kr 235 bridge toll, so the price of the ferry crossing is nearly offset by extra gas needed to take the long way around.

From Sweden catch route E20 from Gothenburg (312 km) or E4 from Stockholm (655 km) to Malmö and connect with the Øresund bridge (325 kr). Many Norwegians also opt for this route when going to Copenhagen, but there are several car ferries crossing the strait between the two countries, especially to Hirtshals on the north tip of Jutland , which is connected to the Danish highway network.

Ridesharing [ edit ]

• GoMore . Popular for ridesharing within Denmark. Also to Germany and a few nearby countries. kr 100-200. . ( updated Jul 2016 )
• Mitfahrgelegenheit . Website run in conjunction with the German Automotive organization, which fairly frequently have rides to Denmark available. It is in German only but pretty self-explanatory, if you know Denmark is called Dänemark and International is Ausland in German ( updated Jul 2016 )

By bus [ edit ]

If you are in one of the neighbouring countries, long distance buses offer a good economical alternative to trains. From Germany several bus companies operate routes from Hamburg and Berlin to Copenhagen and Aarhus. A trip from Berlin to Copenhagen can cost as little as 200 kr, but normally will set you back around 300 kr (€40) and take around 8 hours. Another popular route, Hamburg to Aarhus, takes around 5½ hours. Check out Flixbus , Eurolines , and Abildskou [dead link] . Many of the companies running intercity buses in Germany also serve stops in Denmark.

For Scandinavia there are three daily connections and a night-bus from Gothenburg (4½ hours) and Oslo (8 hours), and one each day and one each night from Stockholm (9 hours), check out GoByBus [dead link] and Swebus for prices and schedules (when searching, it might be useful to know Copenhagen is Köpenhamn in Swedish).

Due to the Bosnian war in the 1990s there are several bus companies serving the Bosnian diaspora, which provide a cheap and clean way of getting to the other side of the European continent. Toptourist and Autoprevoz run from various destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia to Denmark, off-season approximately 1,000 kr for a return ticket.

By boat [ edit ]

The fastest way between Norway and the continent are through the Danish highways, this has ensured frequent ferry connections to Norway, with the busiest port being Hirtshals , from where a trip to Norway takes as little as 3½ hours. Other busy routes are the Rødby-Puttgarden ferry - the fastest route between Sweden and Copenhagen to continental Europe - which remains one of the busiest ferry crossings in the world (though a bridge is on the drawing board). An alternative route from Poland to Zealand is from Świnoujście via the ports in Ystad or Trelleborg in Sweden and the Øresund Bridge. Ferries are generally of a very high standard and safety regulations are strictly adhered to.

• Seyðisfjörður ( Iceland ) via Tórshavn ( Faroe Islands ) - Hirtshals

Get around [ edit ]

Long distance train travel is done with DSB , the Danish State Rail system. A number of long distance bus companies also operate. Each region in Denmark has its own local public transportation company. For public transportation (trains, buses and ferries) use the online travel planner Rejseplanen .

There are two ways to buy tickets. For local trips you can buy a ticket from the regional transportation company based on a zone system. This ticket is valid on all public transportation including DSB trains for one to two hours (depending on the number of zones you travel). Most public transportation companies offer a number of passes which can save you a substantial amount on transportation.

Rejsekort is an electronic ticketing system. For travellers it could makes sense to get the Anonymous prepaid card. The personal version will be expensive and take several weeks to obtain. The card costs 80 kr which is not refundable, and the balance on the card must be at least 70 kr when you start a trip (600 kr for inter-regional trips) which make it hard to end up with an empty card; but maybe you can pass the card on to a Dane when you leave. But the discounts are substantial so if you plan more than a few trips it is probably worth it. Several travellers can share the same card (on busses you have to tell the driver that you are more than one using the same card before you).

Long distance bus-service between Jutland and Copenhagen used to be a matter of preference rather than cost, but a number of low cost bus lines have begun crossing the country at much lower prices, albeit also at a much more limited schedule.

• Abildskou is the established long distance operator with up to 9 departures each day to various city's in Jutland. Most departures uses a fast ferry connection across the Kattegat sea. Prices range from 150 kr for a limited number of discounted tickets, to 300 kr for a regular ticket.
• Rød Billet [dead link] Tickets range between 99-180 kr, but departures are limited to 1-4 per day. Crosses the Great Belt bridge.

The primary Danish train company is DSB . Many feeder lines for the principal train line in eastern Jutland are now operated by British company Arriva, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. Some small rail lines are operated by other regional companies. DSB also operates the S-Tog commuter rail system around the Greater Copenhagen area. Eurail passes are valid on all DSB and Arriva trains. Danish trains are very comfortable, very modern, and can be very expensive. To ensure on-time departure, the doors of the trains are closed up to 1 minute prior to departure. Tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices, DSB 7-Elevens, from vending machines in the stations and via DSB's app or website. Most regional and long distance trains have 230 V power outlets. Free Wi-Fi is available on all IC/ICL trains, and on some Regional trains.

All passengers must have tickets purchased prior to boarding the train; fare inspectors check tickets, and tickets are not sold on board. Not having a ticket subjects a passenger to a penalty fare ( kontrolafgift ) or to being asked to leave the train. DSB accepts penalty fare payments on-line via bank transfers; violators must also pay for any bank fees.

If you are not travelling on a rail pass, try looking for an Orange or Orange Fri ticket. These are a limited number of heavily discounted tickets that are available on most departures. They can only be purchased on DSB's website or in the DSB app, and popular departures tend to sell out in advance. Senior citizen tickets (65-billet) and youth tickets (Ungdomsbillet) offer 25% discount (not always available for short journeys) on all departures.

The express trains marked as ICL (InterCity-Lyntog, or simply Lyntog – meaning 'lightning train') are the fastest, but also the most popular, so seat reservations are highly advisable. Ordinary InterCity trains are generally less crowded, and the time difference is often negligible on trips of an hour or less.

While the rail network had been neglected for decades with both the overall network density and electrification below the standards of Denmark's northern and – especially – southern neighbors, there has been a lot of investment since about the 1990s. Among other things the connection to Germany is planned to be upgraded and expanded with a new tunnel across the Fehmarn Belt to open around 2030.

There's generally no sale of food onboard Danish trains. It's advisable to buy something to eat and drink before longer journeys.

By ferry [ edit ]

The only way get to most of the smaller islands is by ferry. There are 55 domestic ferry routes in the country. The most important ferry company is Molslinjen .

Ferries are the best way to get to Bornholm , a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, although it also can be reached by plane. Combined train and ferry tickets can be purchased on DSB's website. Through tickets are available between Copenhagen and Rønne (booking is mandatory). There is also a bus that serves this route - Gråhund Bus 886 from Copenhagen to Ystad, where it links with the ferry to Bornholm.

By taxi [ edit ]

• Taxi 4x27 , ☏ +45 27 27 27 27 . Works in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense. Svendborg, Frederikshavn, Kolding and Sønderborg.  
• Dantaxi +45 48 48 48 48

As of 2023, ride-share services like Uber are not legal in Denmark. Most larger taxi companies have apps that can be used to request cabs Uber-style, and some also offer up-front fixed fares.

Driving in Denmark between cities is very easy, with well-maintained roads everywhere. Danes generally drive by the rules, but may not be very helpful to other drivers in ceding right of way, etc. and stick very rigid to keep to their rights. There are no toll-roads except the two big bridges: Storebæltsbroen between Zealand and Funen (215 kr one way), and Øresundsbron between Copenhagen and Malmö (235 kr one way).

Touring Denmark by car can be a wonderful experience and highly recommended. Margueritruten , the Marguerite Route , is a 4200 km long connected route of small scenic roads passing around a thousand major and minor Danish attractions. It is marked by brown signs with the white Marguerite Daisy flower and is also marked on most road maps.

Driving [ edit ]

Unless otherwise posted, speed limits are 130 km/h (80 mph) on the motorways, 80 km/h (50 mph) outside build-up areas and 50 km/h (30 mph) in build-up areas. Vehicles with caravans or trailers as well as trucks are limited to 80 km/h on motorways, 70 km/h on roads outside build-up areas and 50 km/h in build-up areas, even though other speed limits may be indicated. Speeding occurs frequently, especially on motorways, though dedicated efforts by the Danish police on speeding, has made more people aware of speed limits. Trucks in Denmark generally do about 90 km/h on motorways and trucks overtaking each other on long stretches of motorway (colloquially known as elephant races ) occurs frequently.

Fines ranges between 500 kr and 10,000 kr and a driving ban in Denmark.

Wearing seat belts in cars and vans is compulsory (if fitted), and children under 135 cm and or under 3 years of age, must use approved safety seating devices adapted to their height and weight.

Headlights must be switched on when driving at all times (and dipped during sun hours), regardless of weather conditions or whether it is a night or day, so switch them on.

Drivers and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds must all wear full face helmets.

Though required under law, little use is made of indicators on roundabouts, so generally if the car is not indicating it is leaving the roundabout, give way as it is invariable going round. When changing between lanes on motorways use of turn signals prior to- and during the lane change is mandatory.

On open roads, especially those with an accompanying cycle path, expect drivers turning right to come to an almost dead stop to check that they are not cutting in front of a cyclist, even if there is no way even an Olympic cyclist could appear from nowhere on an entirely cycle free horizon.

Right turn on red is not permitted.

Denmark allow drivers to have 0.05 percent alcohol in the bloodstream while driving (for most people this is equivalent to having consumed one drink or less), and Danish police is very aware of possible drunken drivers. Fine is calculated as (percent of alcohol in blood) × 10 × (your monthly salary before tax) .

Watch out for the bicycles in the cities, especially when turning across bicycle lanes, the bicycles always have right of way. Special care should be taken at Roundabouts! Cyclists in general seem suicidal to drivers from other countries, as they will not look, or slow down if turning onto the road in front of you. After sunset, lights on bikes seem to be voluntary - especially in the bigger cities - even though it is in fact compulsory.

You must always carry your driving license, vehicle registration document, and certificate of motor insurance in the car. It is compulsory to have a warning triangle in the car, and to use it if you experience breakdowns on highways or on regular roads where you are not able to move your car out of the way.

The road signs in Europe differ substantially to those e.g. in the Americas. The warning signs are triangular but have symbols that should be understandable. These are some European signs that could need explanation for foreign visitors.

Low Emission Zones [ edit ]

As of 1 October 2023 low emission zones have been introduced in Copenhagen , Frederiksberg , Odense , Aarhus and Aalborg . Diesel-powered vehicles must have a particulate filter or be at least Euro 5 in order to be used legally in the low emission zones. Foreign registered vehicles must register with documentation for the vehicle being fitted with a diesel particulate filter or the Euro standard in order for it to be used legally in the low emission zones. Passenger cars with first registration date after 1 September 2016 meet the low emission zones requirements and do not need to be registered (later cutoff-dates apply for larger vehicles). There is a administrative fee of DKK 1,500 of not registering the vehicle when applicable. More about the low emission zones .

Parking [ edit ]

Ease of driving inside cities is a different story. Congestion in and around the major cities, especially during rush hours, can be a trial for some people. If you are in your own car, it is wise to park it in a convenient central place and walk or use public transport, bike or taxi to get around the big cities. Most parking areas requires the use of parking discs/parking clock faces (in Danish parkeringsskiver or "P-skiver" in short) which must be placed in the right side of the front window, with the clock facing out of the window and the hour hand set to the time you park (there is no minute hand). The rules state that the hour hand should be set to the next "full" quarter hour. If you for instance arrive at 13:16 at a parking space with 30 minutes parking you should set the parking disc to 13:30, and you will only be due back at your car at 14:00.

Some places require a parking ticket from a nearby parking ticket vending machine to be placed in the car, in the lower right corner of the dash-board, readable from outside the car. Some more modern parking ticket systems allow the purchase of parking tickets using text-messages from cell-phones, though this can be a very expensive affair from foreign numbers. The majority of the parking ticket vending machines accepts international credit and debit cards, however this is still a large quantity that only accepts Danish national credit cards or coins. In some areas - especially in the Copenhagen area - have multiple vending machines with different parking coverage. In this case the coverage is indicated with a map on left or right side of the machine. Be sure to check that the machine actually covers the area you have parked.

Renting a car [ edit ]

Renting a car is a convenient, efficient and though relatively expensive way to explore Denmark, especially if you intend to visit more remote areas, where train and bus services may be less frequent. Prices starts about 400 kr/day at the big car rental chains, but with limited mileage, typically 100 km per lease and an additional 25 km/day. It is not uncommon for the car rental chains to require the drivers to be at the age of 21 or higher and require that payment be done with an international credit card.

If you are not a resident of Denmark you can rent a tax-free car at major companies from approx 230 kr per day with free mileage. If you order online, make sure that you are not booking as a resident of Denmark.

Be aware that Denmark is no exception to the widespread scam of adding hidden charges to your car rental bill, and not including services like auto assistance. Also, unlike other goods and services, quoted car rental rates may not include the 25% VAT or sales tax for purchases by private people. Carefully read the rental agreement before you accept your car.

Auto assistance [ edit ]

If you need auto assistance, you should generally inquire with your insurance company, as they will usually have made arrangements with a local company. If they have not, try one of the following companies, but expect to pay €100-300 for a simple service like towing to nearest shop.

• Falck , ☏ +45 70 10 20 30 .  
• Dansk Autohjælp , ☏ +45 70 10 80 90 .  

By recreational vehicle and campervans [ edit ]

Danish campgrounds (like most others in Western Europe ) usually offer a full range of amenities. You always have your own electricity hookup, and water and sanitary dump stations are common. Every campground has restrooms and showers as well as kitchens, washing-machines and a spin dryer.

Most sites dedicated to recreational vehicles are found at harbors and marinas (an effect of complicated Danish regulations). But there are a lot of marinas in Denmark. Some are close to historical city centers, some are bustling with activity in the summer and have lots of bars, cafes, live music, markets, etc. Some are very remote and isolated and you will only meet other campers and maybe a sailor or fisher. The sites are located on boatyards used to store boats in the winter and RV's are treated as visiting boats. You pay using the same payment terminal at harbor master office as the sailors. You get access to the same services, usually toilets, showers, laundry, internet, water, electricity. Usually you can dump waste from chemical toilets and often, but not always grey water. At some marinas you get access to the premises of the local sailing club including kitchens, BBQ's, etc. In the winter there are only a few pitches, if any, available, and the drinking water is most likely turned off to avoid frost damages.

Some cities has created free RV sites, usually outside developed areas. Some have access to toilets, but usually no other services.

RV's are allowed to park, also overnight, wherever car parking is allowed as long as they fit in parking spaces and do there is no camping activity such as tenting, bbq-ing, etc.

Sanitary dump stations with public access are mostly found at motorway service areas.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Biking in Denmark is, in general, safe and easy. Drivers are used to bikes everywhere, and all major cities have dedicated, curbed bike lanes along the main streets. Denmark is quite flat, but can be windy, cold or wet on a bike. Bikes are generally allowed on trains (separate ticket sometimes needed).

Biking on the expressways (Danish: motorvej ) is prohibited, and this also includes the Great Belt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge. Trains can be used between Nyborg and Korsør and between Copenhagen and Malmö, if you need to cross the bridges.

Official marked routes across the country can be found on Waymarked Trails .

By thumb [ edit ]

It is quite easy to hitchhike in Denmark. People who pick up hitchhikers usually speak English.

Destination boards are recommended. For safety reasons, it is illegal to hitchhike on the expressways; use the on ramps and service areas. When crossing by ferry, try to get into a car that already paid for the ticket.

If you hitchhike from the southern part of Denmark (direction from Hamburg or Kiel, Germany), and continue in direction to Copenhagen, make sure the driver does not stop in Kolding. If he does, ask him to stop at the last gas station before Kolding. On the Kolding expressway crossing there is no place to hitchhike and it is one of the worst places in Europe for hitchhikers.

Check out the Tips for hitchhiking article here on Wikivoyage if you are new to hitchhiking.

Scandinavian Airlines [dead link] and Norwegian operate domestic routes, both of them either from or to Copenhagen Airport. There are no domestic routes between regional airports, but some islands are served by the Roskilde airport. Since most of the country's airports were built as military airfields during the Second World War, they are often inconveniently located far from town centres, which, as a general rule, makes train travel nearly as fast from town centre to town centre for destinations less than 3 hours by train from Copenhagen. For destinations further afield, trains will often get you where you want to go a lot cheaper. Competition is heavy and it is sometimes possible to find plane tickets cheaper than the train if you book well ahead of your planned departure or can travel at off-peak hours. This is especially true for the Copenhagen–Aalborg v.v. route which has the most competition.

Airports with domestic traffic are: Copenhagen , Billund , Aarhus , Aalborg , Karup , Sønderborg and Bornholm .

Some of the more remote islands, if there is any such thing in a country as small as Denmark, also sees regular taxi flights from Roskilde airport to their small airfields, on-board small propeller aircraft. The most trafficked route are between Roskilde and the islands of Læsø and Anholt , where there are daily flights bookable on-line or by phone. These flights tend to be fairly expensive though, with the price hovering around 1,000 kr for a one-way ticket.

See [ edit ]

The list on the right only includes commercial tourist attractions, where numbers of visitors are registered, and excludes concert halls, theaters and natural sites for instance. Many other official lists exist, differing depending on the selection criteria.

Denmark is one of the Nordic monarchies .

Nature [ edit ]

While most of Denmark's land area is used for farming, there are spots of nature, including five established national parks [dead link] , where Eurasian wildlife can be found.

The Danish Islands [ edit ]

Although not well known to casual visitors, Denmark is an island nation, with 72 inhabited islands and a further 371 uninhabited ones. Apart from the well known blockbuster Bornholm , with its rich history, mystic round churches, many of the small islands are rarely visited by tourists, even though they make up for some of the country's most intriguing destinations. If you have the time consider visiting one of the two remote islands in the Kattegat sea - Læsø and Anholt , which locals jokingly refers to as the "Danish desert belt" since it sees much less rainfall than the rest of the country, and have large swaths of sand dunes covering much of the two islands, peculiar architecture and a laid back vibe. Also worth considering is the Island sea south of Funen, one of the country's most beautiful areas, which also includes the larger islands of Langeland and Ærø with some impossibly picturesque villages, lush green and hilly farmland and wild horses, and Samsø , geographically in the centre of the country, which boasts numerous beautiful villages and a yearly music festival ( Samsø Festival ) in the summer. Finally, in South Jutland , the islands of Fanø , Mandø and Rømø are located in the Wadden sea, an inter tidal zone forming a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It is rich in biological diversity, with seals and an amazing range of birds , but also have some spectacular beaches and cute villages.

Viking heritage [ edit ]

Much has happened since the Danes were wreaking havoc to the coasts of Europe, but the more peaceful modern version of the Danes still take immense pride in their Viking heritage. The most visual heritage is the burial mounds dotting the landscape everywhere in the country (actually, most of these are from the earlier Bronze Age period), but there are a few attractions for the inclined to visit. Easiest and perhaps most interesting are the two museums near Roskilde , easily reached on a day trip from Copenhagen - the Viking ship museum is extraordinary with some well preserved ships and the Lejre Experimental Centre, a living history museum with a recreated Viking village. Still on Zealand but a further west in Slagelse , is the remains of the once mighty Trelleborg Viking ring castle and some reconstructed long houses. In Jutland there is another ring castle ruin near Hobro , Fyrkat, including 9 reconstructed farmhouses. Further south is Jelling , home of a pair of massive carved runestones from the 10th century, one of them celebrating Denmark's conversion to Christianity - the end of the Viking age. Still in the South, but along the West coast, Ribe (the oldest city of Denmark) is home to both a Viking Museum and a Viking experimental centre.

The National Museum in Copenhagen, also has a good collection of Viking artefacts. The city of Frederikssund holds an annual outdoors Viking play from the summer solstice and a few weeks forward.

World Heritage Sites [ edit ]

Mainland Denmark has 3 world heritage sites; The Jelling rune stones date back to 900's have been called "Denmark's Birth Certificate", testifying to Denmark's conversion to Christianity around that time, it was erected by what is considered the first official king of Denmark, Gorm The Old, whose son is buried in another of the sights, Roskilde Cathedral, the first Gothic church in Northern Europe build of brick, and the final resting place for most Danish kings and queens ever since. The third, and possibly most famous, is Kronborg castle in Helsingør , home of Shakespeare's Hamlet, prince of Denmark, but also an impressive castle in its own right, guarding the main route to the Baltic sea.

Danish design and architecture [ edit ]

Denmark is renowned for its design heritage made famous by well-known designers, architects and companies as such. It is often described as minimalistic and functionalistic in its approach and includes names such as Jørn Utzon, Arne Jakobsen, Hans Wegner, Poul Henningsen, Georg Jensen, Bang & Olufsen, Royal Copenhagen, and many more. Architecture, furniture, industrial design in general, and the people behind it can be seen and explored many places throughout the country. A good place to start is Danish Design Centre , Danish Design Museum and Danish Architecture Centre , all in Copenhagen . Throughout Copenhagen and its surroundings, many examples of great Nordic architecture can be experienced. Other sources to be mentioned are the Trapholt Museum in Kolding , the Struer Museum (mostly Bang & Olufsen), the Jørn Utzon dedicated museum in Aalborg , the city hall of Aarhus .

For excellent guiding and suggestions for architecture tours, see Danish Architecture Guide [dead link] .

Do [ edit ]

When public events are arranged, it is customary to find ways to engage people of all ages and economic capabilities, so whether you travel alone, as a family, young, old, handicapped, on a splurge or a budget, you will find interesting activities and events to have fun with and participate in. Many places have special discounts for kids, groups, students and pensioners, and children are generally welcomed everywhere.

In some people's minds (mainly in the countryside, less so in the cities) the inclusiveness and egalitarianism should only pertain to "the Danish tribe" or those who pay high taxes. A contradiction in terms you could say, but these ideas have nevertheless affected Danish society to some degree in the 2000s, mirroring a similar development in Europe and the Western world at large. As a traveller, however, you should not expect to deal with or experience this at all; the values of inclusiveness, equality and egalitarianism are firmly established in Denmark and at the core of Danish culture.

The weather in Denmark is a bit unreliable, so if your plans include outdoor activities, it can be a good idea to have alternative indoor activities as a backup. If you don't mind a day or two of grey weather and a few drops of rain, just make sure to bring a raincoat along.

General [ edit ]

• Billetnet . Books larger concerts, theatre plays, sporting events etc. You can book online or in any post office. If you book online you can have the tickets mailed to you or you can print out a confirmation and exchange it for a ticket at a BilletNet office or at the scene.  
• NaturNet . Lists nature oriented events such as mushroom collection, geology tours, etc. Many of the tours are free.  

Beaches [ edit ]

With a 7,400 km coastline, almost the same as Brazil's and longer than India's, you are never far from a beach in Denmark. Nearly all are publicly accessible and many beaches are world class, with unbroken white sand for miles to an end. Some popular spots have lifesavers and other facilities in the summer months and there are several beachparks and sea baths as well, like Amager Strandpark (beachpark) in Copenhagen and Den Permanente (seabath) in Aarhus as fine examples. Denmark's beaches are popular destinations not just for Danes but also tourists, some of which has beach vacations as first priority even. Each summer, particularly the west coast of Jutland, is subjected to a veritable invasion of more than 13 million German tourists, usually in the many vacation homes dotting the coast there from north to south.

The weather in Denmark can be tricky and unreliable; one day it is hot and sunny, the next it is grey and chilly, perhaps even raining, so bear that in mind and plan accordingly and you will make the most of your visit. Water temperatures are usually around 14 degrees Celsius in mid-June and gets slightly warmer from there through September. The shallow waters of Kattegat warms up a bit quicker than the North Sea coast of western Jutland however. The summer weather in Denmark varies widely from year to year and sometimes from week to week which means that the number of bathing days range from zero to more than thirty. A bathing day officially arrives when the average of seawater temperatures measured at a depth of one metre across the country reach 19 degrees Celsius or more; however, seawater temperatures of 14-19 degrees Celsius are warm enough for taking a dip in the waves. The water quality is usually fine in all of Denmark, but you can follow important data on-line at The Danish Nature Agency , including safety guidelines. Some coasts in Denmark have tricky or outright dangerous currents that are important to be aware of; a number of unlucky (or badly informed?) tourists drown each year.

Music festivals [ edit ]

Denmark has a long running and proud tradition in music festivals, dating back to the first Woodstock inspired Roskilde festival in 1972, they have become an all important fixture of the Danish summer, and there is one to fit almost every age and music preference going on between June and August, and with very impressive attendances considering the country's size. There are actually so many that listing each and everyone of them would be ridiculous, but some of the most important ones are:

• Roskilde Festival ( June/July ). One of the big four rock festivals in Europe, run by non-profit organisation. 80,000 tickets sold and more than 110,000 participants in Roskilde .  
• Skanderborg Festival ( August ). The 2nd largest rock festival with 45,000 participants, in a unique location inside a historic forest by the lake shore near Skanderborg .  
• Skive Festival (previously Skive Beach Party) attracts nearly 20,000 spectators to Skive every year, mainly features Danish bands and attracts a mostly local crowd.
• Langelands Festival ( July/August ). A family oriented festival on the island of Langeland , 20,000 participants.  
• Copenhagen Jazz Festival . (July) - One of the worlds top Jazz Festivals, with small and big concert all over the Copenhagen , attracts over 20,000 spectators.  
• Tønder Festival ( August ). A large folk and country music festival held in Tønder in South Jutland .  
• Aarhus Festuge ( August/September ). 10 days of music and cultural events in the city of Aarhus , with a different theme each year.  
• Grøn Koncert . (July) - A one-day festival hosting some of the biggest Danish acts. The show travels around the country, usually taking place at 8 different cities over a 2-week-period, drawing a total crowd of nearly 200,000.  
• Aalborg Carnival . (May) - Although the music not being the main attraction, this carnival is the biggest in Northern Europe and creates an atmosphere that would make any music festival proud. The Main Parade has a different theme each year, with more than 25,000 people dressing up and partying in the streets.  

Amusement parks [ edit ]

Denmark is teeming with amusement parks, and indeed features some of the most famous in the world:

Copenhagen's Tivoli is one of the oldest of such parks in the world, and by Walt Disney's own admission a major source of inspiration for his own Disneyland. Also in Copenhagen, nestled among majestic beech trees Dyrehavsbakken is the worlds oldest operating amusement park, and both of these parks features some of the oldest still operating rollercoasters in the world dating back to 1914 and 1932 respectively, and both receiving the ACE Coaster Classic Award.

Just as famous is Legoland in Billund, the birthplace of LEGO. This park is the largest and the oldest of the now global franchise, with its spectacular miniature LEGO sceneries the star attraction, and a good selection of thrill rides to entertain kids.

While outshone by their world-famous rivals, there are four additional major amusement parks in the country: Sommerland Sjælland , Bonbonland , Fårup Sommerland , Djurs Sommerland , and a host of smaller ones.

Fishing [ edit ]

With its large coastline, Denmark offers ample opportunity for coastal fishing - this, however requires a permit [1] that is available from the official web site or all post offices at a rate of 40 kr for a day, 130 kr for a week and 185 kr for a year. On the accompanying slip, however, you are immediately informed of the allowed seasons and allowed sizes of the most common species encountered on the Danish coastline. Sea Trout is common, as is Cod and Plait, and save for a few inland fjords, water quality and thus fish populations are reasonable.

As for freshwater fishing, Denmark offers a diverse number of streams and brooks (no actual rivers, though), that host Salmon, Brown, Rainbow and Sea Trout (in the season), and Grayling, as well as Pike, Perch and Roach, as do a number of inland lakes which also host Zander, Bream and Tench. Freshwater fishing is a bit more complicated than coastal fishing in Denmark, however, as there is a host of local communities presiding over the rights to fish in the specific waters, usually in agreement with the land owners where the waters are situated if they are not owned by the state, but that also means that some stretches of a specific stream or brook may be off-limits, due to the land owner's ownership. Regulations for seasons and sizes are mandated by the state, but prices and terms for permits are regulated by the communities. Local tourist offices are usually well informed and mostly allowed to sell permits, which may be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.

Lastly, there are a significant number of "Put-and-Take" facilities across the country. They do not require a permit as such, as you purchase the right to fish for a number of hours and plenty of fish - usually Rainbow Trout - are guaranteed. Many put-and-takes are "self-serve" in the sense that you fill out a form and dump it, and the corresponding payment, in a post box. Do not be surprised if the proprietor comes by at some time to ask if you are in luck, at the same time keeping track of the number and times of the forms, hours and payments that he has collected from the box.

Hunting [ edit ]

Hunting in Denmark is done on the basis of land owners retaining the right to hunt on their premises and then, possibly renting it out to interested parties, keeping a close check on who hunts where and when.

A general hunting permit (500 kr) is required, but hunting is almost exclusively done with people that you know, and who have the hunting rights to the land in question. If you want to go hunting in Denmark, you would most probably need to befriend a landowner or a friend of one beforehand.

Danish weapons legislation is extremely restrictive. Generally any type of weapon is illegal to own or carry anywhere. There are exceptions for hunting and weapons clubs, but this requires a special permit, and outside the shooting area (hunting grounds or club) the weapon must be concealed and not loaded. Many types of knives are also illegal. Weapon types which cannot be used for hunting or shooting contents - such as knuckles - are just outright illegal anytime and anywhere. The fine for carrying an illegal weapon, especially if it is ready to use, may be severe: A heavy fine and possibly some weeks in prison.

Biking [ edit ]

Denmark is a haven for cyclists, and where ever you go you will be met by people riding their bikes; young and old, thick and thin, for transport, fun or the sports of it. Denmark is one of the countries in the world where bikes are the most widely used. This also means that facilities for biking are good, making it more convenient and safe than many other places. But most importantly, the country is super flat and is perfect for biking around, being it in the city or the country side. Many Danes and tourists go on "biking holidays" to many of the popular, quiet spots around the country. So indulging in the culture is one of the best ways to connect with the Danish spirit as well as a great and easy way to explore pretty much every corner of the place. A good place to start is here [dead link] .

It is important however to understand that many rural roads are narrow, with occasional fast driving car traffic and without bike lanes, so biking in the countryside is not recommended in these places, unless you are a very skillful and aware biker.

Hiking [ edit ]

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Water sports [ edit ]

The large coastline makes Denmark an excellent place for surfing, especially wind- and kite-surfing . The North and West coasts hosts some of the best places to do so in the world, and the town on Klitmøller (named "Cold Hawaii") even hosts a leg of the windsurfing world cup each year . In many places it is easy to take classes for all levels of experience which makes for a lot of fun, and it is not even as cold as it may sound.

In addition to the sea coasts, there are many inland rivers, creeks and lakes that make excellent opportunities for enjoying the waterways. Canoeing and Kayaking are popular activities and renting the equipment is usually a piece of cake. Along the popular rivers there are located camping spots, ranging from simple, free shelters to fully equipped, commercial sites, giving all kinds of opportunities from just a couple of hours of fun to a week of "water ways safari".

Some of the popular spots for canoeing are the lakes and rivers around Silkeborg , Skjern Å National Park , Ribe creek, Uggerby creek in Northern Jutland, Mølle Å (Mill Creek) near Copenhagen, Suså in Southern Zealand .

For sea kayaking, the Limfjorden sound is great (especially around the islands Fur and Mors), the islands south of Svendborg world class ( Sydfynske Øhav , and also the channels of Copenhagen offer interesting opportunities.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The national currency is the Danish krone (plural "kroner", abbreviated " kr ", ISO code: DKK ). The word krone means crown in English; some vendors may translate it as such. In the more "touristy" shops in Copenhagen, and at the traditional beach resorts along the Jutland West Coast and Bornholm Island it will often be possible to pay in euros. The Danish krone is pegged to the euro in a narrow band of plus or minus 2.25%.

Kroner come in 50 øre (½ kroner) copper coins, 1, 2 and 5 kroner silver nickel coins with a hole in the centre, and finally solid 10 and 20 kroner bronze coins. Notes comes in nominations of 50 kr (purple), 100 kr (orange), 200 kr (green) 500 kr (blue) and 1000 kr (red). Banknotes issued since 1944 are still valid at face value, but the National Bank of Denmark has announced that all banknotes issued prior to the 2009-series will be demonetized by 31 May 2025 , as well as the 1000 kr banknote of the 2009-series. The National Bank of Denmark is planning to introduce a new series of banknotes in 2028-2029 .

Faroese króna and the coming series of Greenlandic bank notes, while of exactly the same face value, are not legal tender in Denmark (and vice-versa), but can by law be exchanged in any bank free of charge at a 1:1 ratio.

Retailers in Denmark have the right of not accepting cash payments from 20:00 to 06:00, to improve workplace security for employees. This right does not include pharmacies, dentists and physiotherapists.

There is little demand for Danish kroner outside of the Danish Realm. In some countries Danish kroner are not accepted by banks and exchange offices, since Danish banks are refusing to receive Danish kroner from abroad due to procedures against money laundering. Try not to leave the country with any cash, as it will be difficult or expensive to exchange.

Banking and payment [ edit ]

Automatic teller machines are widely available even in small towns, but some ATMs are closed during night time out of security reasons. The Danish word is Dankortautomat , hæveautomat or kontantautomat , and might be useful to remember as the term ATM is not universally known.

Many Danish businesses accept payments using MobilePay , a money transfer system that requires Danish identification and a Danish credit card, so tourists will not be able to use it easily. MobilePay is not to be confused with mobile payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which are accepted at nearly all credit card payment terminals. Small businesses that cater primarily to locals, including small restaurants and vendors at flea markets, may only accept MobilePay or cash. Carry a small amount of cash in case you find yourself in such a situation.

Nearly all machines regardless of operator will accept the Danish Dankort , MasterCard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron, American Express, JCB and China UnionPay. While the majority of retailers accept international credit and debit cards, there are a few that still only accept the local Dankort. Also, beware that some retailers, particularly supermarkets, add a 3% to 4% transaction charge if you pay with a foreign credit card. This charge is legal and appears on a confirmation screen on a payment terminal, although if you do not notice it, the cashier may accept it for you without your explicit consent.

If you insert a chip card virtually anywhere, especially at retail self-checkout stations and automated vending machines, you are required to use a PIN . If this is not common practice in your country, remember to request one from your bank before leaving home. A few machines will not accept PINs longer than 4 characters, which can create problems for North American or other European users. Ask the clerk operating the machine if it accepts 5-digit PINs before attempting to operate the machine. Your card may be rejected even without entering the PIN if it is incompatible. If your bank does not offer a chip-and-PIN credit card, tap a contactless card or pay with a mobile payment system like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You may be required to sign the sales slip or enter your PIN if the amount due exceeds a certain amount.

Prices [ edit ]

Almost everything in Denmark is expensive , though in general prices are still somewhat cheaper than in Norway . All consumer sales include a 25% sales tax ( Moms ) but displayed prices are legally required to include this, so they are always exact. If you are from outside the EU/Scandinavia you can have some of your sales tax refunded when leaving the country.

The average price of hotel accommodation was around 900 kr according to the annual 2009 Hotels.com price index. A hostel bed hovers around 200 kr, but can be found cheaper in Copenhagen. While a three course meal at a standard restaurant will usually set you back around 200–300 kr, you can eat in cafés or pizza joints for 50–100 kr. A 1½-litre bottle of Coca-Cola costs 10–15 kr in discount stores, while a beer will cost you 3–20 kr in a supermarket, and 20–60 kr in bars. If you are a bit careful about your expenses, a daily budget of around 700 kr per day is not unrealistic.

Museums typically charge entry fees, although most will store guests' coats and bags for free. Local tourist offices may offer discounts or tell you about options to see attractions for free.

The public space however offers quite a few freely accessible options for leisure activities, mainly in the larger cities. This includes streetsport spots, city bikes, playgrounds, churches, many museums and all parks, beaches and nature sites. In the nightlife, most bars and popular spots have free entry too.

Locals who live near the border often drive into Germany to purchase groceries, as the prices are significantly cheaper, so you should consider this option as there are no permanent border controls between Denmark and Germany.

Tipping [ edit ]

Traditionally, tipping has not been common, but is being introduced by outside influences. Since service charges are automatically included in the bill at restaurants and hotels, and tips for taxi drivers and the like are included in the fare, tipping should be given only as a token of real appreciation for the service. The tips will most often be split between the waiters and the kitchen. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, any extra service (such as carrying bags) will be listed on the receipt according to rate. While tipping is not expected, nor required, tipping for outstanding service is obviously greatly appreciated.

Eat [ edit ]

Apart from the ubiquitous kebab shops and pizza stands, dining in Denmark can be fairly expensive, but a worthwhile cost. As a family with kids, you can dine at nearly any restaurant in Denmark, as long as your kids are able to behave themselves. Many restaurants have a special child's menu option ( børnemenu in Danish) at a cheaper price.

Most Danish cafes and restaurants are very children friendly. Dogs are generally not allowed inside, but there are places that welcome dogs.

In the new millennium, Copenhagen has emerged on the world scene as a very happening place for food enthusiasts and gastronomic travellers, the highlight being the world-renowned restaurant Noma serving and evolving the New Nordic Cuisine, but many restaurants with an international gourmet cuisine has also been celebrated and are attracting attention internationally. Copenhagen is not the only place with high end restaurants worth a visit and international gastronomic guides have broadened their discerning gaze to include several places outside the capital in the last few years. Three restaurants in Aarhus has received Michelin stars since 2015 and many places in the province are featured in food guides. If you are looking for gastronomic experiences out of the ordinary in Denmark, it could be a good idea to study The White Guide a bit. It is not a complete guide, but it claims to be the only authoritative restaurant guide for the Nordic region and started out in Sweden.

Restaurants and eateries serving traditional Danish meals have also been on the rise throughout the country and they are popular with both Danes and tourists alike.

In most major cities, restaurants offering an international cuisine are common, as are restaurants of other cultural flavours, especially Mediterranean and Asian. Speciality places such as Japanese, Indian, Caribbean or Mexican restaurants can be found too. The food quality is generally high, with a strictly enforced nationwide quality control system. Every employee that prepares food needs a hygiene certificate and the competition is usually too sharp for most low-quality businesses to survive. If these facts doesn't make you feel safe, popularity among locals is usually an indicator of quality as in most other countries.

Organic produce and environmental awareness is very high on the agenda in Denmark and everywhere you go, restaurants and eateries advertise with organic food. There is a nationwide system with bronze, silver and gold signs, signalling how large a percentage of the food is organic. Organic is called "Økologisk" in Danish and the letter "Ø" (often in red) marks organic produce in general.

Traditional food [ edit ]

Traditional Danish fare has similarities with Central European cuisine . Smørrebrød is ubiquitous, and many meals are hot and hearty, such as frikadeller (pan fried meat balls served in various ways), stegt flæsk (fried slices of pork belly with potatoes and parsley white sauce), flæskesteg (roast pork with cracklings served with red cabbage, potatoes and brown sauce), æggekage (large omelette with fried pork, mustard and rye bread), hakkebøf (chopped steak served with soft onions, potatoes, pickles and brown sauce), biksemad (hash with potatoes, meat, onions and fried egg), Tarteletter (small puff pastry shells filled with warm stew of either chicken or shrimps with asparagus, served as an appetiser), tenderloin with creamy mushrooms or wienerschnitzel with hash and green peas. The traditional Danish cuisine goes particularly well with beer. Shots of aquavit or snaps are also traditionally enjoyed, but mainly on special occasions or when guests are over. Historically, finer Danish cuisine has been influenced by French cuisine and includes various soups, roasts (duck, beef, veal and pork) and mousses (called fromage in Denmark). Roasts are typically served with potatoes, blanched vegetables, pickled berries and brown sauce or glace. Fine traditional Danish cuisine is to be enjoyed with wine. Drinking along with meals is encouraged as the foods are enhanced by the drinks, and vice versa.

The traditional bread in Denmark is Rugbrød , a special kind of dark and dense sourdough, wholemeal rye bread, and it is still a popular choice, especially for smørrebrød . Common white bread, locally known as franskbrød (French Bread), is equally popular and available everywhere. Rundstykker is a special kind of crusty white bread wheat buns usually served for breakfast, in particular on special occasions or Sunday mornings. There are several kinds, but all are light in texture and the most popular are håndværker with a generous sprinkle of poppy seeds. You can buy rundstykker at every bakery and most places serve them with a spread of butter if you ask. They are eaten just like that or with cheese, cold cuts or jams of your choice.

Special cakes are made around Christmas and Carnival. Special Christmas cakes include julekage (a large Danish pastry with marzipan, Corinthian raisins, succade and nuts), pebernødder (small peppery cookies, traditionally used for a number of games) and klejner (deep fried rhombus shaped dough, flavoured with cardamom and lemon zest and only slightly sweet) and for Carnival in February it includes a variety of fastelavnsboller (Carnival-buns), which usually comprise pastry creme filled buns with icing and flaky pastry cakes filled with a whipped cream mix and redcurrant jelly.

The menus change around the feasts of Christmas and Easter, and on Mortensaften (St. Martins Day), roast duck is the food of choice. Without going into intricate details about Christmas and Easter menus here, æbleskiver , gløgg , ris á la mande and brændte mandler are common sweet treats to be had in December. Æbleskiver are fried balls of puffy dough (similar in texture to American pancakes), served with jam and powdered sugar. Gløgg is a mulled wine of various recipes that is enjoyed hot (by adults) on its own or accompanying æbleskiver or Christmas cookies. Ris-á-la-mande is a sweet rice pudding with whipped cream, vanilla and chopped almonds, served cold with cherry sauce and brændte mandler (burnt almonds) are caramelised almonds, typically roasted in large open cauldrons and sold in the streets.

Smørrebrød [ edit ]

The traditional Danish lunch is smørrebrød (open sandwiches usually on rye bread) with a large variety of toppings ranging from pickled herring, fried plaice, and shrimp to cold meat cuts, pâtés, various salads or cheeses. Shellfish is served on white bread, and many restaurants give you a choice of breads. Smørrebrød served on special occasions, in lunch restaurants, or bought in lunch takeaway stores, are piled higher and more luxurious than the daily fare. The Danish rye bread ( rugbrød ) is dark, slightly sourish and often wholegrain. It is a must for all visitors to try.

Pølsevogn [ edit ]

No visit to Denmark would be complete without patronizing a Pølsevogn (lit.: Sausage-wagon). These are street vendors selling a variety of sausages (pork) and hotdogs. Some larger places also have burgers and other fast food items for sale. If looking for a quick snack to grab on the go, try a Danish hot dog, served in a bun with a variety of fixings. The best way to try a Danish hot dog is to get a "ristet hotdog med det hele" ; a hot dog with a grilled sausage and the works, comprising ketchup, strong mustard, Danish remoulade (a Danish take on the French remoulade sauce, consisting of mayonnaise with the addition of chopped pickles and turmeric for colour), fried and raw onions, finished off with pickled cucumbers on top. It's messy, it's unhealthy, and it's really good! If you are into it, you should buy a warmed Cocio chocolate milk on the side, the traditional accompanying beverage. Most places also sell red coloured boiled sausages, a Danish specialty. They are funny to look at, but some of the other sausages for sale are more flavourful.

Local delicacies [ edit ]

Denmark produces some of the best dairy products in the world. The production is well-organised and the hygiene, educational and technical level is as good as it gets. For a country the size of Denmark, the variety is outstanding with both large scale industrial producers (primarily Arla) and small local dairies but also different cow breeds and conventional, organic and biodynamic production; all available across the country in most larger stores. As Danish specialties, ymer is a fermented dairy product, somewhat similar to yogurt, and koldskål is a sweetened dairy beverage (or dessert) of various flavours on sale in spring and summer. Perhaps most interesting to travellers, Denmark produces some marvellous cheeses. Several of them are local delicacies, such as rygeost , Danablue , pungent aged semi-soft cheeses ( Gammel Ole and others) or Vesterhavsost , a semi-hard cheese matured in caves in western Jutland. You can buy them in shops, delicatessen or enjoy them at many restaurants. The Arla company has launched a series of top-notch dairy products, and most of all cheeses, under the brandname of Unika , available in Unika shops in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Some restaurants and a few supermarkets also sells the Unika dairy products.

The climate in Denmark is excellent for fruit and berry production and several companies produce great jams and fruit juices. Den Gamle Fabrik (The Old Factory) is by far the largest producer of jam and is a well-known exporter. Their jams has a high fruit content and are produced without boiling, preserving the taste, nutritional value and consistency better than other products. There is a very large variety available from this company alone, some without added sugar. Try the solbær (black currant), jordbær (strawberry), rabarber (rhubarb) or hyben (rosehip) for example. The taste is rich, complex and just outstanding. For juices, try to avoid the usual juice from concentrates and go for the more expensive cold-pressed unfiltered juices. Denmark has many varieties of apples, some older varieties have been almost forgotten for many years, but are now brought back to the attention of general consumers. Ingrid Marie , Gråsten , Filippa and Ærøæble are just a few fame-claiming apples of Danish origin out of more than 300. Dansk Landbrugsmuseum (Danish Agricultural Museum) at the manor of Gammel Estrup between Aarhus and Randers in Jutland, grows a total of 281 Danish apple varieties in their groves. Apples are collected here every year on the 4th of October and can be bought and tried on site or in Viborg and Høje-Taastrup outside Copenhagen. The open-air museum of Frilandsmuseet in Lyngby, a northern district of Copenhagen, also grows and preserves many old Danish varieties of apples, fruits and berries, almost all unknown to industrial production. Denmark has also been known as a cherry liquor exporter for more than a century (the Heering brand is perhaps the best known abroad), but in the course of the last couple of decades the Frederiksdal estate on Lolland has developed high-end luxury cherry wines to international appraisal and prize winning.

For a tiny country like Denmark, there are a large amount of regional and local delicacies to try out. Special lamb on the meadows of the Wadden sea area in the south-west, mussels at the Limfjord , fresh catches from the North Sea in north-west Jutland in particular, heathland honey in central and west Jutland , langoustine on the island of Læsø , smoked fish and various herring dishes on the island of Bornholm , and others. Apart from the locally tied produce, the regions of Denmark also present some individual culinary traditions.

Cakes [ edit ]

The "Eat" section would not be complete without a few words on the "Danish" in Denmark. No, we are not talking about the people, but of course the delicious pastries known as Danish, so famous all over the world for their crispy sweet delight. In Denmark, Danish is actually known as Wienerbrød (Bread from Vienna) for historical reasons, but if you ask for "a piece of Danish" most people would understand what you crave anyway, so don't be shy of asking. There are many types of Wienerbrød in Denmark; the well-known round pastry with icing is just one of many many kinds, and it is of a quality that is rare to find elsewhere. All bakers sell Danish pastries of some kind, but certain bakers have a very large variety. There are custard-filled Danish pastries, some with jam of prunes or raspberry, some are a metre long, covered in slivered nuts, raisins and filled with marzipan, while others are the size of large dinner plates, flavoured with cardamom or cinnamon, intended for sharing with good friends and a cup of coffee or tea.

The world of Danish baking does not end with Danish pastry and many cakes here are unique to the country, like the marzipan and chocolate filled strawberry tarts on sale in the summer months or the elaborate and sophisticated cream cakes served cold. Many larger bakeries have a café section of their own, where you can enjoy your cake, while dreaming of the next one, but there is a long tradition also for Konditorier , the Danish take on the French Patisserie. These are clearly for the advanced cake lover, and can be found in most larger cities. La Glace in Copenhagen is perhaps the most famous, serving exquisite cakes since 1870.

Sweets [ edit ]

Sweets of a large variety are available everywhere in Denmark and all larger towns has one or several slikbutik (candy store). Denmark is known internationally for its high quality marzipan and chocolate and perhaps the largest and best known exporter is the Anton Berg company.

A few select stores has specialised in chocolate and marzipan only and offers a huge variety of homemade treats; some flavoured with orange peel, some filled with brandy and others are mixed with nuts or Danish nougat. Flødeboller are a chocolate covered meringue specialty invented in Denmark in the 1800s, and are widely available. They are now enjoyed all over the world, but some candy stores in Denmark offers high quality homemade flødeboller of various kinds and they can be recommended.

Bolsjer (drops) is a common traditional candy in Denmark, cooked and enjoyed for centuries, and there are now a very large variety available. A few historical drop-boilers (Danish: Bolsjekogeri) still exists and can be experienced all across the country as living museums where you can watch or participate in the art of cooking drops. Historical drop-boilers in Copenhagen include Sømods Bolcher in the inner city and Tivoli also has a drop-boiler. You can buy drops of various kinds in nearly any store.

Liquorice is another type of candy that has a long history in Danish culture and is very popular. Formerly also used as medicine, liquorice candy is now available in many varieties, both mild and very strong, but liquorice with salt or salmiakki seems to be particularly favoured by the locals. It is perhaps an acquired taste, and many visitors are often amazed how anyone can find it enjoyable. Try a Super Piratos by (Haribo, Germany) or some Salt-lakrids , if you dare and make up your own mind. Liquorice ice cream is also common at ice cream stands and as industrial produced popsicles. Production of high quality liquorice has resurfaced in Denmark, in particular on the island of Bornholm, and has even found ways in to new experimental cooking.

Candy and sweets of more modern origin can be found in packets at almost any store, but if you want to have a glimpse of the variety and creativity of Danish candies, pay a visit to a candy store slikbutik . Here you can pick and mix a bag of candy just how you like it and some larger stores has more than a hundred different kinds, ranging from gummies, liquorice, chocolate, marshmallows, bolsjer to nougat, chewing gums, caramels and various confectionary treats.

Drink [ edit ]

Many Danes are often perceived as being closed and tight lipped, bordering the outright rude. So while it is by no means impossible, you can be hard pressed to find a Dane readily engaging in casual conversations with strangers. That is, until you hit the country's bars and nightclubs.

As any foreigner who has spent time observing the Danes will tell you, alcohol is the fabric that holds Danish society together. And when they are off their face in the dead of night, many suddenly let their guard down, loosen up, and while a bit pitiful, somehow transmorph into one of the most likeable bunch of people on Earth. Rather than the violence associated with binge drinking elsewhere, because it seems to serve a very important social purpose, the natives get very open, friendly and loving instead. It takes some time getting used to, but if you want to form bonds with the Danes, this is how you do it – God help you if you are abstinent. This also means Danes have a very high tolerance for drunk behaviour, provided it takes place in the weekends. Drink a glass or two of wine for dinner during the week, and you can be mistaken for an alcoholic, but down 20 pints of beer on a Saturday night, and puke all over the place, and everything will be in order.

There is no legal drinking age in Denmark, although a legal purchase age of 16 is in effect in shops and supermarkets when under 16,5% alcohol, and 18 in bars, discos, restaurants and shops and supermarkets when over 16.5% alcohol. The enforcement of this limitation is somewhat lax in shops and supermarkets, but quite strict in bars and discos, as fines of up to 10,000 kr and annulment of the license can incur on the vendor. The purchaser is never punished, although some discos enforce a voluntary zero-tolerance policy on underage drinking, where you can get kicked out if caught with no ID and an alcoholic beverage in your hand. Some would claim that the famous Danish tolerance towards underage drinking is waning in light of health campaigns targeting the consumption of alcoholic beverages among Danes. As adult Danes do not approve of the government interfering with their own drinking habits, the blame is shifted towards adolescents instead, and proposals of increasing the legal purchase age to 18 overall have been drafted – but are unlikely to pass in Parliament in the foreseeable future.

Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is mostly considered socially acceptable in Denmark. Having a beer in a public square is a common warm weather activity, though local by-laws are increasingly curbing this liberty, as loitering alcoholics are regarded as bad for business. Drinking bans are usually signposted, but not universally obeyed nor enforced. In any case, be sure to moderate your public drinking, especially during the daytime. Extreme loudness may in the worst case land you a few hours in jail for public rowdiness (no record will be kept, though). Most police officers will instead ask you to leave and go home, though.

Danish beer is a treat for a beer enthusiast . The largest brewery, Carlsberg (which also owns the Tuborg brand), offers a few choices but is mostly limited to lager beer ( pilsner ), which are good, but not very diverse. A lot of micro breweries, however, offer a broad selection of beers well worth trying from IPA to porter, stout and weissbier and anything in-between. Special spicy "Christmas beers" are produced in the 6 weeks leading up to the holidays and strong "Easter brews" are on offer in the early spring. Other tasty beverages include the Aquavit (Snaps) and Gløgg – a hot and sweet wine drink popular in December.

Beer [ edit ]

Beer is the best companion to the Danish cuisine and there are many high-quality breweries to sample. Most brews are available across the country, a few can only be enjoyed at microbreweries specifically. Carlsberg (and perhaps Tuborg) is well-known outside Denmark, but there are a plethora of smaller Danish breweries well worth trying, while in Denmark, 500–1000 breweries in Denmark. A small selection includes:

• Thisted Bryghus , a brewery in Thisted , North Jutland founded in 1902. The production includes a range of organic beers.
• Fur brewery . Situated on the island of Fur in the Limfjord , North Jutland.
• Fuglsang , brewery based in Haderslev , South Jutland since 1865.
• Hancock , based in Skive , North Jutland since 1876.
• Bryggeriet Refsvindinge , a brewery on Funen near Nyborg , founded in 1885. The brewery has a bed & breakfast.
• Skovlyst . A brewery and restaurant in a forest just west of Copenhagen. Available in shops all over the country.
• Vesterbro Bryghus [dead link] . Microbrewery and restaurant in the Copenhagen neighbourhood of Vesterbro .
• Mikeller . Relatively new high-end Copenhagen-based brewery with Mikeller bars in Copenhagen and Aarhus of uncompromising quality. Mikkeller has bars around the globe, from Taipei to San Francisco.
• Aarhus Bryghus . Micro-brewery in Aarhus with a large and changing selection. Usually large 0.6 litre bottles.

Specialities [ edit ]

The gastronomical underground scene is stirring and bubbling in Denmark and it also includes distilleries and breweries of all kinds. Small quality micro breweries and distilleries can be found throughout the country and comprise craft beers, whiskeys, aquavit, gin, wines and liqueurs. Almost all of them are relatively new, from the early 2000s, but several has already received enthusiastic appraisals by connoisseurs and won awards for their unique products. They aren't called micro breweries for nothing; the productions are usually rather limited, with beer taking the larger share generally, and the products can usually only be found at the breweries themselves, a few select bars and restaurants or in speciality shops in big cities. Historically, the excellent fruits and berries produced in the Danish climate has been used to make several fruit wines and liqueurs, in particular local varieties of cherries, apples and black currants. Modern distillers and entrepreneurs has been inspired by these traditional practices and use of local ingredients, enhancing and developing production methods to make exquisite luxury products.

• Denmark has been a well-known exporter of cherry liqueur for more than a century, in particular to Sweden, the United Kingdom and Holland. The Heering brand from 1818 is perhaps the best known worldwide as it went famous in 1915 when bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in Raffles Hotel, Singapore used it to make the first Singapore Sling cocktail. Cherry Heering can still be had in Denmark and around the world, but newer small Danish winemakers has out-competed it, in terms of quality. This includes Nyholmgaard Vin [dead link] on Funen , Cold Hand Brewery near Randers in East Jutland and RÖS cherry liqueur from Dyrehøj Vingaard near Kalundborg on Zealand .
• Solbærrom (black currant rum) is another traditional Danish sweet fruit liqueur, even though it is based on imported rum from the Caribbean. It used to be much more popular in previous times, with several producers, but nowadays only Oskar Davidsen delivers with an unchanged recipe since 1888. The black currants gives this liqueur type a rich, sweet almost creamy fruit flavour, but also tannins and a certain character that the rum further enhances.
• Other Danish liqueurs are based on apples and new distilleries have launched prize winning strawberry and elderberry liqueurs as part of the gastronomical wave of New Nordic innovations.
• Frederiksdal estate on Lolland has developed high-end luxury cherry wines in the last one or two decades, receiving several appraisals and prizes internationally. Frederiksdal wines are rich, complex and with several variations depending on the cherry type and production methods, but they are not sweet (or cheap) as the cherry liqueurs. You can buy Federiksdal cherry wines at speciality shops across the country, some restaurants serves them to be enjoyed alone or with desserts or why not visit the estate yourself, while you are in Denmark? Guided tours with tastings are arranged regularly.
• There is a long tradition of home productions of fruit wines based on apples and other local fruits and berries, but such wines are hardly available in the market.
• Mead is a honey-based wine that used to be much more prominent in Danish and Nordic culture and is in particular associated with the Vikings. This alcoholic beverage has also seen a cultural revival, but since the main ingredient is honey, it is a bit expensive and can mostly be found in specialty shops. Mead taste like nothing else and is worth a try.

Wine from grapes has been enjoyed in Denmark for millennia, but the climate has not allowed for grape growing here since the Bronze Ages, so wine was exclusively an imported luxury until the late 20th century. With the current climate change, Denmark is becoming more suitable for domestic wine production. Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Perhaps a local curiosity more than a treat for wine connoisseurs? Try for yourself and be your own judge.

• Dyrehøj Vingaard near Kalundborg on Zealand is the largest wine farm in Denmark and produces wine, brandy (edelbrand), gin, cider and liqueurs, including cherry and apple liqueurs. All their products are marketed under the brand RÖS, referring to the Røsnæs peninsula where the farm and winery is located.
• Skærsøgård north of Kolding in Jutland was the first authorised winefarm in Denmark and produces all kinds of wine, including fruit wines, and liqueurs since 2001. You can visit the farm the first Wednesday (15:00-17:00) of the month.
• Nordlund (Dansk Vincenter). You don't have to leave the city to visit a Danish winefarm. Nordlund in Hvidovre , a suburb east of Copenhagen, welcomes visitors year round on Thursdays (13-17 hours). Wine tastings and arrangements can be negotiated.

• Aquavit, also known as snaps or brændevin (burning-wine) in Danish, has been popular in Scandinavia for centuries and in Denmark it is still to be found anywhere you look. Made from potatoes and sometimes various grains, pure distilled aquavit is clear and without taste, but an endless variety of herbs are used as additions for flavour and colour. Caraway, dill and sweetgale are common herbal infusions but many locally tied variations exists and are worth trying. One or two shots of aquavit is to be enjoyed on festive occasions such as the traditional dinner-party arrangement of Det Kolde Bord (The Cold Table), comprising a selection of cold dishes, including smørrebrød . Aquavit is also used to mix some local drinks; added to a cup of coffee to make a kaffepunch or mixed with lemon soda to make a flyver (airplane) are well known drinks. At 45–50% alcohol, aquavit should be approached with caution and it is not an everyday beverage nowadays.
• Quality gin is increasingly popular and available. Njord [dead link] is a micro distillery in central Jutland producing high quality gins.
• Whiskey has been enjoyed for many years in Denmark, but it used to be an imported luxury. In the 2000s, however, local distilleries have launched high-end whiskeys of various kinds. Braunstein in Køge south of Copenhagen has produced Danish whiskey since 2005. They also make aquavit and vodka and has a sizeable craft beer production that can be had across the country. Fary Lochan in Give , central Jutland, is one of the smallest distilleries in the world, but has a varied production nevertheless. The name is Scottish and is meant as a homage to the Scottish culture of whiskey making, as single malt whiskeys has the primary focus here. Various aquavit's flavoured with local ingredients are also produced, a speciality gin and some experimentation with wines as well. A much appraised speciality from Fary Lochan is their sweet and celebrated strawberry liqueur.

Sleep [ edit ]

For Budget accommodation, Danhostel is the national accredited Hostelling International network, and operate 95 hotels throughout the country. Only the country's two largest cities - Copenhagen and Aarhus, have a few independent youth hostels. It is worth noting that the Danish word for hostel is Vandrehjem , which also what hostels in Denmark are usually signposted as. Another option is one of the Hospitality exchange networks, which is enjoying growing popularity among the Danes, with couchsurfing reporting a doubling of available hosts every year.

Hotels are expensive in Denmark, with an average price of a double room hovering around 847 kr in 2007, hotels are mostly off limits to shoestring travellers, although cheaper deals can most certainly be found, especially for online bookings done in good time before arriving. National budget hotel chains include Zleep and Cab-inn . Alternatives to hotels include a well developed network of Bed & Breakfasts which are bookable through the national tourism organization VisitDenmark (Click on Accommodation > Private accommodation) - or in country famous for its bacon, butter and cheese - what better way to dive into Danish culture than on a Farm Holiday ? the National organization maintains an online catalogue of farms offering stays all over the country in both English and German. Another alternative to hotels are the many historic Old inn's - or Kro in Danish - dotting the towns and villages, most of them are organised though a national organization called Danske Kroer og Hoteller [dead link] .

Another overnight is in one of the more than 500 caravan sites ( campingpladser in Danish). Most of them are well equipped with up-to-date facilities, and even Wi-Fi included in many cases and accepts both caravans, motor homes and tents and/or rent out cabins. The association Danish Camping Board maintains a list of 450 approved campsites on their website ( danishcampsites.com ) and Eurocampings has almost 350 on their site ( eurocampings.co.uk ). Prices varies greatly and can be anything between €40 and €200/night for a family with a caravan. You prefer to sleep in closer contact with nature? The article Primitive camping in Denmark provides additional information on sleeping in tents , bivouacs , shelters and similar.

To buy a vacation home ( sommerhus , feriehus , hytte ) in Denmark you need to live in the country for five years, or have a professional or family connection to the country.

Work [ edit ]

The Danish work environment is known for its strong emphasis on work-life balance, high job satisfaction rates, and competitive compensation packages. With an unemployment rate of 2.8% (as of 2023), there are jobs for people with the right skills and qualifications. A good knowledge of Danish will significantly enhance your employment opportunities in Denmark.

Citizens of the Nordic countries, the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland have the right to enter, reside, and work in Denmark freely. Everyone else, however, needs a work permit to work in Denmark.

The average salary in Denmark is 45,500 kr a month (as of 2023). Although this figure may seem impressive, Denmark has one of the highest tax rates in the world and a high cost of living.

While Denmark may not be the best destination for someone who wishes to accumulate personal wealth, the taxes pay for free education, free health care, and other social benefits.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Dial 1-1-2 ( Alarm 112 ) for emergency services in situations that are dangerous for life, health, property or the environment, such as accidents, serious crime and fire. This is toll free, and will work even from cell phones without a SIM card. For the police in non-emergencies call 1-1-4 ( Service 114 ).

Generally: Denmark is a very safe country, with almost no risk of natural disasters or animal attacks. There is one poisonous snake in some heathlands ( Hugorm , the European viper; rare and non-aggressive), and a stinging, bottom-dwelling fish called "Fjæsing", known as Greater Weever ( Trachinus draco ) in English. Its sting is painful, and strong enough that medical treatment is always encouraged; for children and the elderly it is indeed often lethal. Red stinging jellyfish sometimes infest bathing waters in great numbers. Their sting can be painful, but has no adverse effects on humans. They are dish-sized, easy to spot and avoid. As in the rest of Europe and the world at large, borrelia-carrying ticks have also been on the rise in Denmark. Always check your body for them when you have been in the wild, especially when legs and arms are bare and the vegetation high. If a red ring forms around the bite in a week or so, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Since 1 August 2018 it has been prohibited by law to wear garments that hides the human face in public, unless there is a credible purpose, such as to protect against cold weather or a virus outbreak. The law is officially called tildækningsforbud (cover ban), also known as maskeringsforbud (masking ban) and burkaforbud (burqa ban). A fine of 1,000 kr is given at the first violation, 2,000 kr for the second violation, 5,000 kr for the third violation and 10,000 kr for the fourth violation. The police has issued a set of guidelines that give an assessment of what can be considered a credible purpose. Wearing a burqa, niqab or balaclava in public is not considered a credible purpose according to the guidelines.

Since 1 January 2021 the Law on Consentual Sex ( Samtykkeloven ) is in force. In short, the law makes it punishable to have sex with another person without their consent. If it can't be established that consent was given, the event constitutes rape.

Compared to most other countries, crime and traffic are only minor risks, and the only crime to worry about is non-violent pickpocketing, except in some suburban districts, where you should be wary at night.

• On foot : In cities Danes drive by the rules, and they have every expectation that pedestrians do the same. It is important to obey Walk/Do not Walk signals and avoid crossing streets haphazardly; cars will not slow down since you are not supposed to be in the street. Traffic signals are obeyed around the clock, so do not get surprised to see Danes patiently waiting for green light in the dead of night with not a single vehicle in sight. You are supposed to do the same. Also, take good notice of the dedicated bike lanes when crossing any street; bikers tend to ride fast and have right of way on these lanes.
• On the beach : Do not bathe alone. Do not get too far away from land. Swim along the coast rather than away from it. In some areas undertow is a danger and kills a number of tourists every year, but will mostly be signed at the beach. On many beaches, flags indicate water quality. A blue flag means excellent water quality, green flag means good water quality, red flag means that bathing is not advised. A sign with the text "Badning forbudt" means that bathing is forbidden. Obey these signs, as it often means that the water is polluted with poisonous algae, bacteria, or chemicals, or that there is a dangerous undertow. Beaches on small islands are often prone to tidal waters, especially in the Wadden Sea .
• In the city : A few districts in major cities are probably best avoided at night by the unwary and by lone women – but unlike in North America, it is often the suburban projects that are unsafe, not the central areas. Tourists will rarely pass through these outskirt areas by chance, but exchange students occasionally end up in apartments here without being aware of these districts reputation beforehand.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Health services in Denmark are of a high standard, although waiting times at emergency rooms can be quite long for non-emergencies. Except for surgical procedures there is no private healthcare system to speak of, all is taken care of by the public healthcare system and general practitioners. All visitors are provided with free emergency care , until you are deemed healthy enough to be transported back to your home country. Citizens of EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and certain British dependencies are all entitled to additional basic medical services during their stay, but other nationalities should have a valid travel insurance for any additional medical care needed after any emergency is dealt with. Transportation home is also not covered by the system. English speakers should not have any trouble communicating with staff in English.

Danish doctors do not hand out prescriptions or pills at the rate common in North America, Japan and Southern Europe. There is a general trend of letting the body's own immune system take care of diseases, rather than using medicines . So if you show up at the local GP with minor illnesses like the common flu, expect to be send back to your bed to rest, rather than receiving any treatment, if you are otherwise of good health. Pharmacies (Danish: Apotek) are usually well stocked, but brand names may differ from those in your own country – check the generic name ("INN"). Staff is highly trained, and major cities usually have one 24 hour pharmacy. Many drugs that are prescription-free in other countries, require prescription in Denmark, which is not trivial to get (see above). Medicines available in supermarkets and drug stores are very limited; i.e., allergy drugs and light painkillers (based on paracetamol/acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen).

Dentists are only partly covered by the public healthcare system, and everyone, including Danes, pay to visit their dentist. Danes and other Nordic citizens have some of the expenses covered by the public healthcare system, while non-Scandinavians should generally be prepared to foot the entire bill themselves, or forward the expenses to their insurance company. Prices are notoriously high compared to the neighbouring countries, so unless it is urgent to see a dentist, it will probably be more economical to wait until you return home, or pass into Germany or Sweden.

Tap water is potable unless indicated, which is very rare indeed. The regulations for tap water in Denmark even exceeds that of bottled water in general, so do not be offended if you notice a waiter filling a pitcher of water at the sink, it's perfect for drinking. However, most places charges a fee for the service.

Restaurants and other places selling food are checked regularly by health inspectors and awarded points on a 1-4 "smiley scale" . The ratings must be prominently displayed, so look out for the happy face when in doubt. Every cook and employee handling prepared food are required to hold a hygiene certificate and food poisoning is not a problem to be concerned with.

Nearly all beaches are fine for bathing on sunny days – even parts of the Copenhagen harbour have been opened for bathing (read the Stay safe section). At quite a few beaches though, rainwater run-off from residential areas pours directly and untreated into the sea and flooding sewers are an increasing issue after heavy rain. During this time, bathing is not recommended at these places. Several municipalities issue bathing water quality data continuously on-line, so check up if you are going to bath after heavy rains. Winter bathing in the sea has become quite popular, but be careful. Jumping straight into ice-cold sea water without any preparation is dangerous.

Smoking [ edit ]

Since 2007 it is illegal to smoke in any indoor public space in Denmark. This includes government buildings with public access (hospitals, universities, etc.), all restaurants and bars larger than 40 m² and all public transport. It is also prohibited to smoke on any train or bus platform outdoors.

You have to be at least 18 years old to buy tobacco products in Denmark.

Respect [ edit ]

In a country which has no direct equivalent to please in its vernacular, where the local version of Mr. and Ms. has all but disappeared from common usage, and where the people can hardly muster a sorry if they bump into you on the streets, you could be forgiven to think they are the rudest people on earth, and you can get away with pretty much anything. You'd be wrong. Most of the behaviour many tourists consider appalling can be attributed to either the Danes' blatant – and when you get to understand it, quite sympathetic – disregard for formality , or their unfortunate shyness (see Drink above), and there are rules to the madness, way too complex to get into here, but some of the most important ones can be summed up as follows:

• It is generally not considered impolite to omit verbal formalities common in other cultures, such as generic compliments or courteous bromides. Likewise, Danes almost never use Sir or Madam to address each other, as it is perceived as distancing oneself. On the contrary, addressing (even a stranger) by first name is considered a friendly gesture. The only exception to this is when addressing Danish royalty.
• Employees, including waiters, are empowered in Denmark, so do not expect anybody to dance to your tune, even in expensive restaurants. If you are dissatisfied with something, handle the situation diplomatically.
• Honesty is valued and forms the foundation of most social interactions in Denmark. Danes generally expect you to be true to your word.
• Friendships are taken seriously in Denmark; most Danes generally have tight groups of friends, and it can take time to get to be part of someone's inner circle.
• Respect the personal space of Danes. Do not touch or back-slap someone you're not well acquainted with.
• Danes are neither Swedes nor Norwegians . Calling a Dane a Swede or a Norwegian will result in some amused reactions or puzzled looks.
• Be punctual ; few things can make the Danes more annoyed than showing up late, even by minutes, save social gatherings at people's homes, where the requirement for punctuality is more relaxed.
• It is not customary to seat yourself next to strangers if there are free seats on a bus or train. It is a nice gesture to offer your seat for the elderly and the disabled. In many buses, the front seats are reserved for them.
• Be aware that there are marked "quiet zones" on each train: one in the back of the back wagon and one in the front of the front wagon. Don't talk on the phone there. In fact, do not talk at all. These are for people who want a quiet trip, usually people who need to go far, and may want to sleep, read, work on their laptop or do other things in peace.
• As the case throughout the Nordic countries , modesty is a cornerstone of Danish culture. Try not to brag, boast, show off your accomplishments, or prove yourself to people. Try to strike a balance between sharing relevant information and appearing boastful.
• Financial affairs are private ; don't ask a Dane about how much they earn, how much their house costs and so on, unless you're well acquainted with them.
• Greetings between good friends, close relatives, etc. are often in the form of a careful hug. A handshake is customary for everyone else. It is rare to see a peck on the cheek as a form of greeting, and it might be taken as way too personal.
• When invited by a Dane – to visit their home, join them at their table or engage in an activity – do not hesitate to accept the invitation. Danes generally do not invite out of politeness, they only say it if they mean it. The same goes for compliments. Bring a small gift; chocolate, flowers or wine are the most common. Practice good table manners while at restaurants or in people's homes.
• Even though Lutheranism is the state religion, and nominally professed by roughly 72% of the population (as of 2023), Denmark is by and large a non-religious country . Outside places of worship, displays of faith should be kept private. Saying grace for example, is likely to be met with bewilderment and silence. Religious attire such as Muslim headscarves, kippahs or even T-shirts with religious slogans, will – while tolerated – make many Danes feel uncomfortable. Denmark adheres to the principle of freedom of religion, but questions about people's faith are largely unwelcome.
• In Denmark, family takes priority over work with few exceptions. Do not get surprised if Danes excuse themselves from even the most important of meetings by four o'clock to pick up kids, a burden equally shared between the sexes.
• Possession of any amount of cannabis or other drugs is a crime. While Denmark does have a narcotic subculture in places such as the Christiania district , many Danish people shun narcotics.
• As anywhere, politics can be a touchy issue. In Denmark, immigration is definitely one of the more touchy subjects and the current government has implemented immigration laws that are widely seen as strict. It is remarkably difficult to obtain Danish citizenship.

Connect [ edit ]

Internet [ edit ].

While Internet cafés are present in most larger cities, they are usually not geared for tourists and hence they can be a bit tricky to find. Hotels usually provide both wireless internet and computers with internet access, but whether this service is provided for free, varies greatly. Many cafés and bars also provide free wireless internet for paying customers, even when it is not signposted, so it is always a good idea to ask. A lot of the McDonald's restaurants in Denmark have a couple of internet terminals available for their customers. The easiest way to get online is often the public library , as there is one in almost every town. Public libraries are usually centrally located, well signposted (look for Bibliotek ) and always free. There can be a bit of waiting time to get a free computer though, but there will normally also be some sort of reservation system in place.

If staying for more than a few weeks, it might be worthwhile to get a mobile broadband connection . Most of the country has excellent coverage and speeds rivalling those of a fixed connection in the major cities and plenty for surfing the web, even in many of the more remote areas. Unfortunately the Danish ISPs generally do not have up-to-date English versions of their websites, so getting information about coverage and store location can be tricky. To buy a subscription package it is usually needed to have a residence permit, a Danish citizen ID number ( CPR-nummer or person-nummer ) and a local address. This means, that in practice, subscription packages are only relevant to travellers staying for more than half a year in Denmark.

It is instead possible to buy a prepaid package, which is limited to a couple of operators now (Dec 2023):

• Lebara uses the shared Telenor/Telia network and offers a SIM for 49 kr, on which the following packages can be added, all for 30 days:
• 5/15/30/60/100/150/400 GB data for 19/49/59/79/99/119/159  kr, with 1/2/3/4/5/6/8 GB EU roaming if purchased as a "subscription" (automatic renewal can be stopped after paying for the first month)
• Lycamobile uses the same shared Telenor/Telia network and offers their SIM for 29 kr, on which the following packages can be added, also for 30 days:
• 30/100/200 GB data for 59/99/119 kr, includes 7/12/14 GB EU roaming

All of the major network operators in Denmark have stopped selling prepaid service themselves, instead leaving the prepaid market to the two MVNOs listed above. These packages are available at many supermarkets and at any post office.

When travelling in Denmark and Sweden, it may instead be beneficial to get a prepaid package from Sweden. For example, while Telenor has stopped offering prepaid service in Denmark, it continues to sell prepaid service in Sweden that works in both countries (and the rest of the EU) with no added roaming charges in convenience stores and supermarkets in Sweden (as well as through third party sellers on eBay), and can be activated by yourself through the Telenor Ladda app (iOS) or on the Telenor Sweden website. While vouchers are not sold in Denmark, the SIM can be reloaded while in Denmark from the Telenor Sweden website here with a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card from any country.

The package from Telenor in Sweden is known as Telenor Kontantkort, and the starter costs 49 Swedish kroner with 1 GB data included (Jan 2024).

One-month refills come in the following sizes for data only/data, voice, and SMS (prices in Swedish kroner):

• 5 GB for 125/149 Skr, 10 GB for 175/199 Skr, 20 GB for 225/249 Skr, 40 GB for 275/299 Skr, 100 GB for 325/349 Skr, 150 GB for 425/449 Skr
• Data only plans are available for 12 and 24 months

All plan allowances are fully valid in both countries.

Phone [ edit ]

Bring your own unlocked LTE phone to make calls. Prepaid SIM cards are available at most shops from the same providers mentioned above for mobile broadband, and international calling can be reasonably priced.

If you have an existing subscription with an EU-based mobile provider , you should be able to use at least some of your bundled minutes, SMS, and data in Denmark at no extra cost. This should save you the hassle of purchasing another SIM and a prepaid bundle. See European Union#Connect and check with the provider of the SIM. If you are planning on coming to Denmark from Sweden, Telenor SIMs allow full use of Swedish data allowances in Denmark, while Telia, Halebop, and Comviq impose a fair-use limit that varies by plan (but Comviq uses the TDC network while in Denmark, which covers some places that the Telia/Telenor network does not).

International collect calls are not allowed from phone booths, which are all ran by the TDC company. You should be able to make international calls with the prepaid SIM cards anyway and many of the offers include generous number of international minutes.

Denmark's international phone country code is 45 . The prefix for international dialling is "00" or '+' (on a mobile phone).

Mail [ edit ]

The national postal service in Denmark is run by PostNord . Digital postal stamps are available: you pay for the postage on the PostNord website , write the provided 12-digit code on the envelope, instead of using a physical stamp. Postal franchises ( posthus ) sells postage stamps and can be found in many supermarkets and grocery stores all over the country. Business drop-in's ( erhversindlevering ) does not sell postage stamps. Post boxes are red with the postal logo, and most of them are emptied once every workday. It is not indicated exactly at what time during the day the mailboxes are emptied. An unregistered priority (airmail) postcard or letter with a weight of less than 100 grams is 50 kr (approximately €6.70) for all international destinations (as of 1 January 2024).

The standard mode of sending domestic mail has a delivery time of up to four workdays. There is a premium service only available in person at post offices called quickbrev [dead link] , which cuts the delivery time to the next workday.

If you need to have parcels or mail sent to you in Denmark, you can receive it as Poste Restante at most major post offices (General Delivery in the US). The post office will only hold such mail for two weeks, after which it will be returned to the sender. The address format is:

When picking up the mail, you will need to identify yourself with a government-issued photo-ID (i.e. passport or driver's license). Make sure that your name is spelled in the same way on the package and on the ID.

Major international parcel services like UPS, Fedex and DHL while present in Denmark, do not offer any holding service. GLS have an agreement with a number of retailers, which offers a holding service for a limited time ( pakke shop )

Cope [ edit ]

Consular assistance [ edit ].

Nearly all developed nations have embassies in Copenhagen, and most other countries have embassies in either Stockholm or Copenhagen responsible for consular services to the whole Scandinavian region. EU member nations often maintain consulates in the provinces. There are 71 foreign embassies in Copenhagen and more than 100 consulates in Copenhagen and larger cities, such as Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense, Vejle. If you fall victim to serious criminal injuries while in Denmark, you might be eligible to financial compensation. If you wish to file a claim you must report the incident to police within 24 hours, and file a form obtainable from the police to Erstatningsnævnet; Gyldenløvesgade 11, 1600 Copenhagen V. Tel +45 33 92 33 34, Fax: +45 39 20 45 05, Email: [email protected] . Claim processing time is a minimum of 3 months.

Customer service [ edit ]

By most standards, the Danes have a great deal to learn about customer service, and many visitors may initially be appalled by the low standards present outside upmarket establishments, used to dealing with international expectations. Cleaning tables and removing trash from messy customers has a low priority and it is not uncommon to experience staff doing other duties than serving, while happily keeping customers waiting. Also do not expect any sirs or madams; verbal bromides seem awkward to most Danes, including those behind a counter. On a practical level, the service situation means that you should only expect table service in restaurants. In most cafés and bars you usually order at the desk and pay immediately when ordering, even if you intend for a second order. Luckily, Danes have a civilised queue culture generally and waiting for your turn at the desk without loosing your temper or trying to cheat on other customers is standard practice, and you are expected to behave likewise.

As with most cultural issues, there are several reasons for this situation. Some attribute it to the egalitarian Danish culture along the line: "you are not worth any more than me, so why should I treat you any different", while a major reason might be ascribed to the fact that most service personnel in Denmark are untrained people, often underaged or part time students, working for a low salary, so they have no clue how to service customers beyond the rudimentary. Another aspect stems from Danish culture in general, which seems to cherish and promote direct interpersonal contact and request and a low-key service attention. Allowing other people space to move and breathe is considered part of proper hospitality and politeness.

Danes themselves seems to have coped with the service situation and do not expect much outside high-end places. By and large, it is just one of those issues you will have to deal with while visiting, and throwing a hissy fit or demanding to speak to the supervisor is unlikely to get you anywhere. On the upside, tipping is neither expected nor required, and that goes for professional and trained attendants as well. When you do bump into good service, it tends to be truly genuine helpfulness, rather than an expectation for tips or employee training courses — so savour such moments, tip if you feel like it, and forget about the rest.

Media [ edit ]

Apart from children's shows, nothing gets dubbed in Denmark - although a sizeable portion of broadcasts in Denmark are American and British productions - so even with no English channels, there will usually be something on in a comprehensible language. The same goes for cinemas - so you should be safe for a lazy rainy day. Nearly all hotels will have CNN or BBC World News available.

If you want to be updated with local news, the Copenhagen Post is Denmark's sole English language newspaper. It is published weekly and available in many bars and Cafés in Copenhagen, while much harder to find in the rest of the country.

Online you can follow Danish news in English at:

• The Copenhagen Post [dead link] (neutral)
• Politiken (centrist)
• Jyllands Posten [dead link] (right)
• DR (public broadcaster)
• TV2 (private broadcaster)

Go next [ edit ]

North atlantic [ edit ].

For historical reasons, Denmark is a central hub for access to the truly fascinating North Atlantic region, with direct flights to several cities on Iceland , Faroe Islands and Greenland . The region is especially renowned for its unique natural landscapes as well as strong national and cultural heritages, still being kept alive and protected. Hanstholm in Northwestern Jutland has weekly ferry services to Torshavn on the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður on Iceland . Longyearbyen on Svalbard can be reached from several cities, once or twice weekly with a single stopover in Oslo .

Sweden [ edit ]

Similar in culture and sharing large parts of history, Sweden is nearby not only by geography. The Southern part in particular can easily be reached from Copenhagen via the bridged Öresund with frequent rail service as well as by car and is a great place to experience similar historic and natural attractions around Malmö and Lund . The Scanian lands of Southern Sweden was part of Denmark until 1658 at the end of The Great Northern War and presents many outstanding examples of Danish Renaissance architecture from large manors to romantic townscapes. These parts are often, by the rest of Sweden, still regarded as closely linked with Denmark because of a particular dialect of Swedish spoken here that is somewhat related to the Danish way of pronunciation. The southern parts are especially famous for Viking sights and a romantic countryside setting. Going further North in this huge country, Sweden is a place for enjoying nature and can be reached from several places. From Copenhagen there are direct flights to the capital of Stockholm and Western Sweden can be reached from Jutland by ferry through the Frederikshavn - Gothenburg or Grenaa - Varberg links.

Norway [ edit ]

Famous for its mountain-ringed fjords and overall breathtaking natural scenery, Norway makes for a great destination easily reached from Denmark. From Copenhagen direct flights operate to Oslo , Trondheim , Bergen , Stavanger and possibly more, but all of Norway being reachable with a transfer. From Frederikshavn and Hirtshals in Northern Jutland, several destinations are reachable by ferry: Oslo, Larvik, Kristiansand. There is also a ferry connection from Copenhagen to Oslo

Germany [ edit ]

Germany is the only country Denmark has a land border with, and for faster access from the east of the country there are frequent ferry connections to Denmark's southern neighbor. Germany's two largest cities, Berlin and Hamburg are only a few hours by car or train from most of Denmark as are the German islands in the North and Baltic Seas, Lübeck and other Hanseatic cities and a whole slew of historical sites from different epochs.

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Exploring DENMARK’s Charms: Your Ultimate Denmark Travel Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive Denmark travel guide. From exploring the iconic streets of Copenhagen to savoring traditional Danish pastries and uncovering hidden gems, this guide is your key to immersing yourself in the beauty and culture of Denmark.

Fast Facts About Denmark

• Climate: Experience a temperate maritime climate with mild summers and cool winters. Be prepared for varying weather throughout the year.
• Local Currency: The official currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are commonly accepted.
• Power Voltage: Denmark uses 230V, 50Hz. Bring a suitable power adapter if your devices require a different voltage.
• Language: Danish is the official language, but many Danes speak English fluently. Learning a few Danish phrases can enhance your experience.
• Religion: The majority of Danes are Lutheran Protestants, but Denmark is known for its religious tolerance.
• Safety: Denmark is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare, but always practice general safety precautions.
• Cultural Etiquette: Danish culture values punctuality, respect for personal space, and direct communication. A firm handshake and maintaining eye contact during greetings are common.
• Tipping: Service charges are often included, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip is appreciated.
• Local Cuisine: Indulge in traditional Danish dishes like smørrebrød (open sandwiches), Danish pastries, and fresh seafood.

Best Time to Visit Denmark: Seasons and Festivals

• Spring (April to June): Enjoy pleasant weather, blooming flowers, and fewer crowds. The Copenhagen Marathon takes place in May.
• Summer (June to August): Experience long daylight hours, outdoor events, and lively festivals. Roskilde Festival, one of Europe’s largest music festivals, is held in July.
• Autumn (September to November): Witness the fall foliage and participate in grape harvest events in Danish vineyards.
• Winter (December to February): Embrace the cozy Danish concept of “hygge” during the winter months. Visit during December for festive Christmas markets.
• Skagen Festival (June): Celebrate folk and roots music in the northern town of Skagen. Enjoy live performances and a friendly atmosphere.
• Copenhagen Jazz Festival (July): Immerse yourself in the world of jazz during this city-wide festival featuring both local and international artists.
• Aarhus Festival (August/September): Experience Denmark’s second-largest city at its cultural peak with art exhibitions, performances, and open-air events.
• Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market (November/December): Get into the holiday spirit at the magical Tivoli Gardens, adorned with lights, decorations, and festive stalls.

Top Attractions and Things to See and Do in Denmark

• Copenhagen: Explore the capital city’s iconic landmarks, including the Little Mermaid statue, Nyhavn’s colorful houses, and the historic Rosenborg Castle.
• Kronborg Castle : Immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at this stunning castle in Helsingør.
• Tivoli Gardens: Experience the enchantment of one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, offering thrilling rides and charming gardens.
• Aarhus: Discover Denmark’s second-largest city, known for its modern architecture, vibrant arts scene, and the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum.
• Viking Ship Museum: Learn about Denmark’s Viking history at this museum in Roskilde, where you can see well-preserved Viking ships.
• Legoland Billund: Perfect for families, enjoy a day at the original Legoland theme park, filled with imaginative Lego creations.
• Møns Klint: Marvel at the dramatic white chalk cliffs and scenic views at this natural wonder on the island of Møn.
• National Museum of Denmark: Dive into Danish history and culture through impressive exhibits and artifacts.

The Best Ways To Get Around Denmark

• Public Transportation: Denmark boasts an efficient and well-connected public transportation system, including trains, buses, and metro services.
• Cycling: Embrace Denmark’s bicycle culture and explore cities and scenic routes on two wheels. Bike rentals are widely available.
• Copenhagen Metro: Navigating Copenhagen is easy with its metro system, connecting major attractions and neighborhoods.
• Ferries: If you’re exploring Denmark’s islands, ferries are essential for seamless travel between destinations.
• Car Rentals: Renting a car is ideal for exploring remote areas and enjoying road trips along Denmark’s picturesque coastline.
• Regional Trains: For longer journeys between cities, regional trains offer comfortable and efficient travel options.
• Walking: Many Danish cities are pedestrian-friendly, allowing you to discover hidden gems and architectural wonders on foot.
• Domestic Flights: While Denmark is well-connected by land, some domestic flights operate for longer distances.

Accommodation Tips: Denmark

• Hotels and Inns: Choose from a range of accommodations, from modern hotels to charming inns. Consider locations near major attractions for convenience.
• Hostels: Budget travelers can opt for hostels, which often offer shared facilities and a social atmosphere. Some hostels even have private rooms.
• Copenhagen Airbnb: Experience local life by renting an apartment or Airbnb in Copenhagen. This provides a unique insight into Danish living.
• Historic Stays: Stay in historic buildings that have been converted into accommodations. Enjoy modern comforts while soaking in the charm of the past.
• Countryside Retreats: If you’re exploring rural areas, consider staying in countryside retreats for a peaceful escape surrounded by nature.

Denmark Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

• Smørrebrød: Opt for affordable and delicious open sandwiches, known as smørrebrød, available at local eateries.
• City Cards: Look into city cards that offer discounts on attractions, public transportation, and guided tours. They can help you save on overall expenses.
• Free Attractions: Denmark offers numerous free attractions, such as city parks, beaches, and public art installations.
• Student Discounts: If you’re a student, take advantage of discounts offered at museums, attractions, and transportation services.
• Grocery Stores: Save money on meals by purchasing groceries from supermarkets and enjoying picnics in parks.

Culinary Delights and Traditional Cuisine in Denmark

• Smørrebrød: Savor the iconic open sandwiches topped with a variety of ingredients, from herring to roast beef.
• Danish Pastries: Delight in flaky pastries filled with custard, jam, or marzipan. Try a classic wienerbrød or a cinnamon-laden snegl.
• Frikadeller: Indulge in these Danish meatballs, often served with potatoes and gravy, as a hearty and flavorful dish.
• Rødgrød med Fløde: Try this unique dessert made from mixed berries, served with cream. It’s a burst of color and flavor.
• Smoked Fish: Enjoy freshly caught smoked fish, such as salmon or mackerel, for a taste of Denmark’s maritime heritage.

Souvenir Ideas: Bringing a Piece of Denmark Home

• Danish Design: Explore design shops for quality homeware, furniture, and accessories that showcase Denmark’s renowned design aesthetic.
• Royal Copenhagen Porcelain: Bring home intricately designed porcelain pieces, from plates to figurines, crafted by Royal Copenhagen.
• Nordic-style Clothing: Consider purchasing stylish Scandinavian clothing and accessories that reflect Denmark’s fashion-forward culture.
• Local Crafts: Look for unique handcrafted items like glassware, textiles, and ceramics that embody Danish craftsmanship.
• Lego Sets: If you’re a fan of creativity and play, bring back a Lego set from the home of these iconic building blocks.

Additionally, check out our articles about 2023 top travel destinations in the world , and the best holiday destinations in 2024 .

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Ultimate Denmark travel guide – everything to plan your trip

Planning a trip to Denmark? Great idea! This Denmark Travel Guide will show you things to do in Denmark, cities in Denmark you should definitely visit, and lots of practical information to help you plan your Denmark trip.

Denmark is located in the north of Europe, bordering Germany, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea. The Nordic country is the smallest and southernmost of the Scandinavian countries. The small country is made up of the Danish Archipelago and consists of around 406 islands, 70 of which are inhabited in Denmark.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Denmark, it also includes the Faroe Island and Greenland. It’s one of the founding members of NATO and is also a member of the European Union, the World Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The laid-back country has a rich culture and history with several UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit. With a world-class food scene, Denmark is a foodie’s paradise.

Denmark Travel Guide: quick facts

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Size: 42,915.7 km² or 16,562.1 sq mi

People living there: More than 5,650,000

Capital of Denmark: Copenhagen

Governmental structure: A parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch of Denmark, Queen Margarethe II, is head of state.

National day: June 5

Time zones:

• UTC-4: Thule Air Base in Greenland
• UTC-3: most of Greenland, including inhabited south coast and west coast
• UTC-1: Ittoqqortoormiit and surrounding area in Greenland's Tunu county
• UTC: Danmarkshavn weather station and surrounding area in Greenland's Tunu county, Faroe Islands
• Central European Time (CET) / UTC+1: metropolitan Denmark

Currency: Danish krone

Power voltage and socket type(s): 230V, plug types C, F, E, K. If these don't match with your devices, make sure to bring a universal adapter .

Official religion(s)/Freedom of religion: Freedom of religion. Overall Denmark is a secular country with a small amount of the population identifying as Christian, Buddhist, and Muslim.

Official language(s) and general knowledge of English: The official language is Danish. English is widely spoken.

Drives on this side: right

International driver's licence accepted? Yes

Phone code: +45

Vaccinations required? No

Is it safe to drink the tap water? Yes

Want more quick facts about Denmark? Check out my post full of interesting facts about Denmark .

Denmark is divided into five regions with each region being governed by a popularly elected regional council, where the regional chairman is selected. The regions were created as administrative entities in 2007 at a level above municipalities but below the central government.  

Northwest of the capital is Denmark’s largest lake, Arresø, perfect for an evening walk. Copenhagen’s infamous alternative neighborhood, Christiana, offers up a mixture of art galleries, music venues, and organic eateries.

The popular Scandinavian destination is one of the best places to visit in Denmark and boasts a number of museums and exceptional restaurants. A great option for families, you can find LEGOLAND and the Mols Bjerge National Park to explore. Central Aarhus has its beautiful Old Town which acts like an open-air museum of Denmark’s rich past. For art lovers, the ARoS Art Museum features a rainbow skywalk designed by artist Olafur Eliasson  

Thy park is Denmark’s oldest and biggest natural park is located on the north-west coast of Jutland. While here, tourists visiting Denmark can take part in a number of great outdoor actives including hiking and windsurfing. To learn more about Denmark’s fascinating Viking history, visit Lindholm Høje and Fyrkat.  

Here, Roskilde is another one of the best cities to visit during a trip to Denmark. It has a historical center where you can find the Viking Ship Museum and see 800-year-old Viking ships. The coastline in Stevns Klint in the south Zealand region has some of the most important fossils in the world. Wander along the coastline and take in 65 million years of history.  

The south-west coast is home to the UNESCO protected Wadden Sea and can be especially rewarding for wildlife lovers. The region is also home to Denmark’s largest population of spotted seals, with the summer months being the best for sightings.

With a strong influence from Germany, the region’s cuisine is exquisite. For a traditional eating experience, try a South Denmark Coffee Table which consists of 14 types of cake. This can be found at a number of places across the region and is not for the faint-hearted.

How to travel to Denmark

Denmark is part of the European Union’s Schengen Agreement which means that you don’t need to show your national ID card or passport when you are traveling to and from Denmark if you’re from a Schengen Agreement country. It is, however, recommended that you still carry your ID or passport on you.  

How to get to Denmark

It’s easy to travel by bus from Germany or via the Øresund bridge from Sweden. The bridge connects the Swedish city of Malmö to Copenhagen. There are a number of daily buses from Germany to Denmark. Although traveling by bus takes longer, it’s usually more cost-efficient. On average, the journey takes approximately 11 hours. You can reach Copenhagen from Sweden by bus in roughly 55 minutes. Budget long distance bus companies include Flixbus, Eurolines and Sindbad.

Check bus routes to Denmark with Flixbus.  

The capital can be reached easily by train with a train from Hamburg to Copenhagen taking around 5 hours. Copenhagen also connects with Swedish cities Goteborg, Stockholm, and Malmö. It takes 35 minutes to reach Copenhagen from Malmö.

Check here for train timetables and prices within Europe.  

Getting to Denmark by ferry is possible from Sweden, Germany, Norway, and the UK.

• Stenaline provides ferry service from Sweden and Norway.
• Scandlines can take you from Germany to Denmark by ferry.
• DFDS Seaways connect the UK to Denmark by ferry.
• Fjord Line offers ferry service between Norway and Denmark.
• ColorLine also offers ferry service between Norway and Denmark.

Look here for a good overview of ferry routes and prices to Denmark.  

The biggest airport is Copenhagen airport on the island of Zealand. You should be able to find direct routes to Copenhagen from most major airports all over the world. Denmark’s second busiest airport, Billund, on the Jutland peninsula is another option when flying. If you’re heading to central Jutland then Aalborg is the third largest airport and services this area.

Check Skyscanner for the best flights to Denmark. They give you a good overview of flight options and prices.

How to travel around Denmark

The excellent road system means there are a number of long-distance coach routes that will show you the best of Denmark for a very reasonable price. They usually focus on certain regions and don't always have a website in English so make sure to use the Google Translate function in your browser. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the local tourist offices for more information.

Ferries also make up an essential service for Denmark with ferries and passenger boats taking you to and from the smaller Danish islands. Samsø Rederi is just an example of a domestic ferry company. It offers a ferry service between Jutland and Samsø.

Traveling by car is an easy and efficient way to get around Denmark due to the brilliant road system and may be more suitable if you’re on a tighter schedule. Just take into account you might need to pay toll when crossing bridges.

Check Rentalcars.com for the most extensive comparison and the best deals for car rental companies.  

One of the best booking resources I always use is Booking.com for booking hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts. It has a lot of filtering options so I can easily get a list of only the hotels that meet my criteria. If you're looking for a place to stay in Denmark, I highly recommend you check there .

When I want to book an apartment rather than a hotel, I use Airbnb .  

What to pack for Denmark

The west coast of Denmark sees more rainfall than the rest of the country due to a prevailing western wind. There are no truly dry periods but September to November tends to be the wettest season. No matter the time of year, taking items that layer up is key to packing for Denmark.  

• Shorts/skirts/dresses
• A re-usable water bottle
• A warm, wind- and waterproof jacket
• A thick scarf
• A waterproof jacket
• An umbrella
• Waterproof boots
• A jumper or cardigan
• A waterproof coat
• Clothes to kayer
• Comfortable walking shoes

With a massive coastline full of beaches, the best time to go swimming in Denmark is between June and August with the average sea temperature being between 17°C and 22°C. Denmark welcomes Midsummer’s Eve, the longest day of the year, around June 21 with a country-wide celebration. For one of the country’s best music festival, visit Denmark during the first week of July to experience the Roskilde Music Festival.  

• Stegt flæsk , crispy pork with parsley sauce
• Smørebrød , open-faced sandwich
• Pølser , hot dog
• Æbleskiver , small, round pancakes usually filled with apples
• Wienerbrød , a Danish pastry, a sweet and buttery multi-layered pastry
• Risalamande , a dessert made up of rice pudding mixed with chopped almonds, vanilla, and whipped cream usually served with a cherry sauce
• Lakrids , licorice
• Flodebolle , a sweet made from a wafer biscuit and marshmallow cream covered in a chocolate shell
• Rugbrod , rye bread
• Æbleflæsk , bacon, apples, onions, and sugar mixed together then served on rugbrod (rye bread)

Check out this article on Danish food for even more tips.

• Roskilde Festival , Roskilde (June) – the largest music and cultural event in northern Europe attracting 80,000 people annually to enjoy a week of music and art.
• Skagen Winter Swimming Festival , Skagen (January) – the event guarantees ice-cold sea dips, hot drinks and a close experience with the unique nature of Skagen.
• Copenhagen Jazz Festival , Copenhagen (July) – one of the biggest jazz festivals in Europe, the city comes alive with jazz in the streets, city squares, and clubs.
• Aarhus Festival, Aarhus (August to early September) – the 10-day arts and cultural festival is among one of the largest cultural events in Scandinavia with local, national and international artists.
• Ribe International Viking Market , Ribe (May) – over 500 Vikings flock to Ribe to experience how the Vikings would have lived and worked 1,300 years ago.
• Aalborg Carnival , Aalborg (May ) – the largest carnival in Northern Europe with up to 60,000 participants and more than 100,000 spectators, ending in a spectacular Grande Parade.
• Classic Race Aarhus , Aarhus (May) – 300 racing cars from Denmark and abroad come to the historical race track for the event at Marselisborg Memorial Park.
• Beer Festival , Copenhagen (May) – the three-day beer festival is popular among the Danish and beer enthusiasts.
• Blokhus Wind Festival , Blokhus (May) – a beautiful kite festival on the beach in Blokhus with the opportunity to fly your own kite and enjoy great performances.
• Odense International Film Festival , Odense (August) – experience national as well as international short films at the Danish film festival.

• New Year’s Day
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday
• Day of Prayer
• Ascension Day
• Whit Sunday
• Whit Monday
• Constitution Day (June 5)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Second Day of Christmas

Denmark is a well-oiled machine and Danes tend to follow the rules. Courteous behavior is expected from everyone whether it be locals or tourists. Follow the rules when you travel Denmark and remember not to jaywalk across the street. When cycling through Danish cities, use your hand signals. Generally, cultural customs are easy to follow here but don’t be surprised by Dane’s lack of social pleasantries. The lack of please’s and thank you’s might be a surprise for non-Scandinavian travelers.  

No matter how well you plan and research a trip, there are always things that happen beyond your control. Something might get canceled, you can get ill or hurt while traveling or one of your electronics might break or get stolen. When misfortune strikes, travel insurance has got you covered. I've had ongoing travel insurance ever since I started traveling to make sure I'm covered for every trip I go on. Don't have insurance yet? You can get a free quote here:

Those with a SIM card from an EU country don't have to pay roaming charges when calling, texting, or using data in Denmark. The same goes for some global phone plans.

Skyroam offers both day passes and monthly subscriptions providing you with 4G throughout your trips. I've been using their daily passes not just when I travel outside the EU (no roaming charges for me in the EU) but also as a backup for when I think I'll go over my phone's data plan.

Tipping is not customary in Denmark as service, including gratuities, is already included in the bill and salaries are decent. Even at restaurants and bars, there's no need to tip. It won't be frowned upon if you top for excellent service but it also won't be expected. You can read more about that here .

The German occupation of Denmark in WWII finished in 1945 after five years. Following on from the war, Denmark was a leader in industrial design with cool clean lines that features in its architecture, silverware, and furniture. As a founding member of the UN in 1945, Denmark went on to join the European community in 1973. With the first female prime minister in office and the legalization of same-sex marriage in the 2010s, Denmark has come along away from its Viking days. Much of the country’s culture and history can be still be seen today throughout Denmark.  

And that's it!! I hope these Denmark travel tips have given you an idea of what to see in Denmark and how to plan your trip to this beautiful country.  

Click here for all the Denmark blogs I've written on top of this Denmark Travel Guide.  

Find below the best travel guides about Denmark.

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Restorative and romantic, Copenhagen's Botanic Garden lays claim to around 13,000 species of plant life – the largest collection in Denmark. You can amble…

Vor Frue Kirke

Founded in 1191 and rebuilt three times after devastating fires, Copenhagen's neoclassical cathedral dates from 1829. Designed by CF Hansen, its lofty,…

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Fin de siècle architecture meets with an eclectic mix of art at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. The collection is divided into two parts: Northern Europe's…

Jens Olsen's World Clock

The most famous resident at Copenhagen's Rådhus (City Hall) is the curious Jens Olsen's World Clock, designed by astromechanic Jens Olsen (1872–1945) and…

Islands Brygge Havnebadet

Copenhagen's coolest outdoor pool complex comprises three pools and sits right in the central city's main canal. Water quality is rigorously monitored,…

Nikolaj Kunsthal

Built in the 13th century, the church of Sankt Nikolaj is now home to the Copenhagen Contemporary Art Centre, which hosts around half-a-dozen exhibitions…

This harbourside street-food market is a veritable village of converted shipping containers, peddling sustainable bites from across the globe. Multiculti…

Forget Thailand: to escape the Nordic cold, simply slip inside the Botanic Garden's Palm House. A large, elegant glasshouse dating from the 19th century,…

Vor Frelsers Kirke

It's hard to miss this 17th-century church and its 95m-high spiral tower. For a soul-stirring city view, make the head-spinning 400-step ascent to the top…

Rådhuspladsen

The square outside Copenhagen's Rådhus (City Hall) unites the busy thoroughfare of Vestrobrogade and the bustling Strøget pedestrian street. While the…

Completed in 1905, Copenhagen's national Romantic-style city hall is the work of architect Martin Nyrop. Inside is the curious Jens Olsen's World Clock,…

De Kongelige Stalde

Completed in 1740, the two curved, symmetrical wings behind Christiansborg belonged to the original baroque palace, destroyed by fire in 1794. The wings…

Amager Strandpark

A sand-sational artificial lagoon southeast of the city centre, with acres of beach and, during summer, a festive vibe most days, with cafes and bars…

Thorvaldsens Museum

What looks like a colourful Greco-Roman mausoleum is in fact a museum dedicated to the works of illustrious Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844)…

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Copenhagen Travel Guide

Like some sort of mythological riddle, Copenhagen seems to embody every phase of life at once. Want to evoke memories of childhood? Head to the whimsical Tivoli Gardens (which, unlike the Little Mermaid statue, is worth the crowds). Those college stoner days? Bond with bohemians across the river in Christiania. How about your seemingly endless hipster phase? Take a stroll though Nørrebro, where twenty-somethings dressed in wide-leg jeans and top knots are as ubiquitous as the eco-friendly concept stores. But among all that nostalgia, Copenhagen is a city planted firmly—and constantly—in the present. The Danish capital continues to churn out imaginative, ultra-modern hotels, as well as its famously cutting-edge restaurants (Noma is just the beginning—the city currently lays claim to a whopping 15 Michelin-starred restaurants). But when in existential doubt, take a pause and open your eyes: One glimpse of the waterfront, Crayola-bright houses of Nyhavn will bring you right back to where your feet are.

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Things to Do in Denmark

Eco-friendly Denmark greets visitors with everything from a cosmopolitan, food-loving city in Copenhagen to Renaissance castles, wind-swept offshore islands and tiny fishing villages. This is the land that inspired the children's author Hans Christian Andersen, and the Vikings to lay claim to much of this part of northern Europe. Those who obsess about furniture, handcrafted items, and sleek modern design make pilgrimages to Denmark for Hans Wegner's sculptured teak chairs and hand-painted Royal Copenhagen porcelain. Remember Lego? At Legoland kids encounter a miniature world made from 20 million plastic Danish bricks.

Sightseeing

Tivoli Gardens has been keeping visitors under its spell for 150 years, especially those who soar above Copenhagen on the Ferris wheel. Nearby in Klampenborg, ride the classic wooden Rutschebanen rollercoaster at Dyrehavsbakken , the oldest amusement park in the world. At the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, see the author's walking stick and top hat and listen to some of his children's tales on tape.

Eating and Drinking

It's substance over style in Denmark where locals love the freshest of ingredients and relaxed dining. Book ahead at Copenhagen's Noma -- literally meaning "food mad," it's topped the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list. All over Denmark, locals fill up at lunch on shrimp-and-dill smørrebrød sandwiches on freshly baked bread. In the evening tuck into traditional herring, steak and potato dishes made from organic ingredients. In Aarhus , sit in a riverside cafe and sip the national brew, Carlsberg.

The roads in Denmark happily accommodate cyclists so roll past windmills and half-timbered houses on Ærø , off the coast of Funen . No place is more than 35 miles from the sea, and the country's lakes and rivers are well-stocked, so fishing for shrimp, herring, eel and salmon is a national pastime. Base yourself in Silkeborg , unusually hilly for Denmark, if you want to canoe on its lake, cycle, or walk through forests.

You can completely let go at Denmark's sandy beaches , as many Danes like to go nude. The best seaside spots for relaxation are on the north coast of Zealand , with its fine white sand and shallow waters, and the sunshine-filled southern tip of Bornholm , out on the Baltic Sea. Across the country, nearly 500 private garden owners display their fragrant blooms to the public.

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Colour, castles and eco communities: your travel guide to Denmark’s vibrant cities, towns and islands

Danish travel is quite literally a breath of fresh air, whether you’re after walkable cities or island living

You may think you know Denmark, but the regions of this Scandinavian archipelago have their distinct attractions – from award-winning gastronomy and sustainability programmes to Viking world heritage sites and wilderness sanctuaries. What’s more, from small towns to major islands, everything’s connected via cycle-friendly train, bridge or ferry routes, making it easy to hop around.

Lively cities with small-town charm

These places may be home to Denmark’s largest communities, but the chilled vibes and outdoor lifestyle make for slow, relaxing city breaks

Local colour: the rainbow panorama of ARoS Aarhus Museum of Art; The Infinite Bridge in Aarhus Bay. Source: Your rainbow panorama, Olafur Eliasson, 2006 - 2011, ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Photographer: Robin Skjoldborg; The Infinite Bridge (2017) - Johan Gjøde. Photographer: Dennis Borup Jakobsen

Aarhus had a big moment in the sun when it was named European capital of culture in 2017 – and it hasn’t stopped shining since. On the east coast of Jutland, the city’s circular “Your rainbow panorama” walkway above the ARoS art museum creates a dramatic impact on the skyline, while the singularly innovative urban architecture at the Aarhus Ø (redeveloped docklands) is silver and sleek. The Moesgaard Museum has a range of exhibitions charting human evolution within its impressive partly subterranean concrete design – including one of the world’s best preserved Iron Age bog bodies, Grauballe Man. The Infinite Bridge , a circular wooden structure originally conceived as a temporary art installation, is now reconstructed each spring in Aarhus Bay, allowing walkers to go on seaside promenades. Share in the Danish love of the big outdoors at Mols Bjerge National Park at Djursland, and hire your own guide to kayak or hike within the 18,000-hectare (44,480-acre) reserve.

The Moesgaard Museum, a short trip from Aarhus; the extraordinary landscape of Mols Bjerge National Park was shaped during the ice age. Source: Foto Medieafdelingen/Moesgaard Museum; Frame & Work; Roar Paaske

Viking ships once sailed along the Limfjord in northern Jutland, but the city of Aalborg , with its vibrant old centre, now sits at the vanguard of design. The home town of Jørn Utzon, architect of the iconic Sydney Opera House, Aalborg’s waterfront Utzon Centre celebrates global architecture through exhibitions and education. Its neighbour, the impressively slick Musikkens Hus , has cutting-edge technology in gorgeously designed auditoriums for the best listening experience. After taking your fill of creativity, you might be in need of something more substantial – head to the international street food market at Køkkenfabrikken , or to the Aalborg Tower , which serves up edifying 360-degree views alongside Danish cuisine.

Aalborg’s Utzon Center was designed by the iconic architect Jørn Utzon; the Musikkens Hus is renowned for its acoustics. Source: Rasmus Hjortshoj/Utzon Center; Alamy

Copenhagen might be the Danish capital, but it’s a highly walkable (not to mention cyclable) city filled with harbour swimming zones and relaxed waterfront cafes – and, of course, many of the world’s very best restaurants . Wander at will through foodie hotspots in what are known collectively as the “bros”: Nørrebro, Østerbro and Vesterbro, go shopping along the pedestrianised Strøget, then make a beeline for Nyhavn, the picturesque, historic centre of Copenhagen, with its harmoniously coloured 16th and 17th century townhouses and permanently moored tall ships. Take a canal tour from here to the iconic Little Mermaid statue – but be warned, she really is very little, and best viewed up close, on foot!

Copenhagen is home to 239 miles of cycle lanes; dining at Bæst, Nørrebro; the old town waterfront at Nyhavn. Source: Giuseppe Liverino; Malin Poppy Darcy Mörner; Kim Wyon

Other highlights of Copenhagen include the Tivoli Gardens amusement park , the 17th-century Round Tower (Europe’s oldest working observatory), as well as Amalienborg , home to the Danish royal family. Make sure you time your visit for the daily changing of the guard, and listen to the sound of boots reverberating over the ancient courtyard cobblestones. Amalienborg’s so laid-back, you can stroll right up to photograph the beautiful rococo four-palace complex. Cross the water to explore the western side of the Copenhagen harbourfront and enjoy a range of street food stands at Reffen and The Bridge Street Kitchen . While you are on this side, take greater care at Freetown Christiania, where you need to heed the written advice on entry regarding safety – but it’s a very liberal, alternative-living enclave that’s worth taking a guided wander through.

Street eats and craft beer can be found in abundance in Copenhagen – not to mention Denmark’s other great cities. Source: Rolands Varsbergs

On the island of Funen, the cultural city of Odense has produced two of Denmark’s most famous artists – the composer Carl Nielsen and Hans Christian Andersen . A whole multimedia experience opened in 2021, inviting visitors to fully immerse in the world and characters of Andersen’s fairy tales, while Nielsen’s life is celebrated in a museum and a new sound-enhanced walking trail , which is presented only in Danish but still absolutely worth it for the music. The Funen Village , where 18th- and 19th-century Danish history is brought to life – something the Danes do so well – is not to be missed. Or visit Odense in the summer for the Tinderbox music and international film festivals.

Hans Christian Andersen House, Odense; thatched roofs in the Funen Village; Tinderbox festival. Source: Daniel Jensen; Kim Wyon; Johan Tobias Joensen

Small towns and islands with big ideas

With so many islands and small towns dotted over the Danish archipelago, there’s something on offer for every kind of visitor

Sustainable and naturally wonderful locations Samsø , in the Kattegat Sea between Jutland and Zealand, is the sunny isle that’s at the heart of eco living. Cycle around the island that was the first to generate 100% of its electricity from reneweable sources, thanks to people-power , and journey there on a new electric ferry (in operation from January 2025). Known for its horticulture too, try the typically Danish open sandwich, kartoffelmad – showcasing the island’s fabulous new potatoes, and one of the few vegetarian smørrebrød . Ærø , the idyllic, small island south of Funen, also boasts world-leading green technology, spearheaded by its community-driven initiatives.

Plunging into the harbour bath at Bornholm; the island is known for its seafood – as well as its herring smokehouses (above). Source: Niclas Jessen; Johny Kristensen; Kim Wyon

For a taste of authentic laid-back Danish island life, though, Bornholm , in the Baltic Sea, is just perfect. A haven for summerhouse living and wild winter swimming , the fishing villages here have traditional herring smokehouses, not to mention Kadeau , perhaps the world’s only Michelin-starred restaurant in a converted beach shack – find it near the fine white sands and grassy dunes of Dueodde beach.

Windswept and beautifully wild, Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost town, poking out at the top of North Jutland, where the North Sea and Baltic waters meet. With its natural setting and oh-so-perfect light, you will be just as inspired as the French realism-influenced Skagen painters who, in the late 19th century, depicted the beauty of the seascapes here. Cosy up with a bit of hygge in the town’s quaint museums and cafes, after a walk over the dunes.

Skagen’s stunning, rugged coastal landscapes inspired a whole school of Danish painting in the late 19th century. Source: Mette Johnsen

Family-friendly, educational and Unesco heritage locations It’s fair to say that the entire country of Denmark is family-friendly, but for a bit of extra fun, head to Billund ’s Legoland , the original resort built from coloured bricks. Billund is actually the town where Lego was invented by local carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen. Initially fashioning the toys from wooden blocks in the early 1930s, he moved on decades later to injection-moulded plastic. And the rest is history.

Building blocks: the Lego House in Billund; the majestic spires and fortifications of Kronborg Castle, a Unesco world heritage site. Source: Lego; Lasse Bruhn

Just 45 minutes north of Copenhagen, the beautiful town of Helsingør, or Elsinore , is known to be William Shakespeare’s inspiration for Hamlet. At Kronborg Castle , where the Bard’s work is performed in scenes around the castle and grounds, you can mingle with the actors. With glorious sea views too, the old-world charm of the small town’s timber-framed houses and narrow streets make it a wonderful place to while away a lazy afternoon.

Denmark’s oldest town, Ribe , is one of the best places to experience Viking history. Stretching back to approximately AD710, the street plaques and local guides tell the story of this fascinating pre-Christian settlement. The tower at Ribe Cathedral looks out over the Unesco heritage Wadden Sea National Park and the island of Mandø , a newly certified Dark Sky Park, where seal and bird life abound.

A Viking ship on Roskilde Fjord. Source: Martin Auchenberg

Roskilde on the main island of Zealand is only a short drive from metropolitan Copenhagen, yet it’s full of Viking heritage. Visit the Viking Ship Museum and the medieval, Unesco-listed gothic cathedral , the resting place of 40 Danish kings and queens, including the infamous 10th-century Viking king Harald Bluetooth, who united Denmark and Norway.

At Jelling , the Viking rune stones are part of Denmark’s long history and are Unesco world heritage listed, alongside the newest entry – the country’s five Viking ring fortresses. Spanning the country from Aggersborg near Løgstør to Trelleborg close to Copenhagen, it’s possible to drop in on at least one of them, whichever part of Denmark you choose to visit next.

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The Swedish and Danish Royals Sparkled in Stunning Tiaras at a State Banquet Last Night

The Met Gala had nothing on this glittering royal red carpet.

Many of the highest ranked royals from both families joined together for a banquet to celebrate King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark's official state visit to Sweden, and as one might expect, it was a bejeweled affair.

Queen Mary's ruby and diamond parure in particular had a strong connection to the event, as the set—now known as the Danish Ruby Parure—was originally owned by Désirée Clary, who became queen of Sweden in 1818. Originally crafted for the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte, the set came to Denmark after Désirée's great-granddaughter Lovisa (AKA Louise), married the future King Frederik VIII of Denmark in 1869. According to The Court Jeweler , the set didn't originally include a tiara, but one was later fashioned out of a matching set of hair ornaments.

Over the years, the set has become a favorite of Queen Mary's—she first wore the tiara almost 20 years ago, ahead of her wedding to Frederik . Last night, Mary paired the collection with a champagne and burgundy lace gown.

Queen Silvia of Sweden, meanwhile, selected a set known as the Leuchtenberg Sapphires, including a sapphire and diamond tiara, necklace, earrings, and brooch that have been part of the royal family's collection since the early 1800s, to go with her emerald lace gown.

The princesses of Sweden also donned some glittering toppers for the occasion, with Crown Princess Victoria choosing the Connaught Diamond Tiara. Once owned by Princess Margaret of Connaught, the tiara was a special choice to highlight the bond between the royal families , as Margaret is not only Victoria's great-grandmother, but King Frederik's as well ! She matched the look with a pale robin's egg blue gown shimmering with embellishment.

Princess Sofia wore her Palmette tiara—one of her signature pieces—along with a powder blue gown bedecked with spring-ready florals.

So while there were plenty of jewels at the Met Gala — including a $10 million necklace !—the tiaras at last night's State Banquet in Stockholm were the highlight of the first Monday in May.

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

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