Denmark Guide
Five Things First Time Travellers To Denmark Should Know
- If you're planning on doing a lot of sightseeing in Copenhagen, get the tourist card. The pass will give you discounts and free admission to a range of museums and attractions. But the best part is that it comes with free trips on the city's public transportation system.
- Buy the Orange railway tickets. These are only available online and cost a third of what you'd pay at the station. If you're on a tight budget, this is a great way to save money while travelling through Denmark.
- Refill your water bottle. The water in Denmark is clean and held to high-quality standards. Skip spending money on bottled water and top your water bottle at the nearest tap.
- Expect a service charge. In Denmark, tips are already included in the bill, so it's not necessary to add one on top of your final bill. The same concept applies to taxis, but if you decide you want to, it's always appreciated.
- WiFi is available throughout the country. You can get online for free at most hotels and cafes in Denmark's cities. There's also free WiFi available at visitor centres if you need to take a break and plan your next stop.
Best Time To Visit Denmark
The best time to visit Denmark is in the summer. From June to August, the days are long, the weather is warm, and the country is full of outdoor activities and festivities. Some of the most popular events are Independence Day and a massive rave festival called Distortion.
But if you want to avoid the crowds, skip the summer months. It's the busiest and most expensive time to visit. Autumn is a good option to explore the country during its shoulder months. The landscapes will be awash with autumnal hues and prices will start to drop. The only downside is that attractions will begin operating on reduced hours and you'll need to plan your itinerary carefully.
The cheapest time of year to visit Denmark is from October to April. While the winter months are cold, they are rarely severe with temperatures hovering around 0°C.
Outdoor attractions are closed during this season, and you'll need to check opening times for the top sights around the country. But if you don't mind the cold and adjusting your itinerary, you'll save big on airfare, hotel rates and car hire.
Top Cities
Denmark Cities
Copenhagen
Established in 1167, Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark. The cosmopolitan city is known for its cafes, rich history and beautiful architecture.
It has attractions to suit every kind of traveller, and the best part is most of them are within walking distance. Head to the 100-year old amusement park, visit the statue of The Little Mermaid or explore the Freetown of Christiania.
Aarhus
Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark and is one of Scandinavia's oldest cities.
Only a three-hour drive from Copenhagen, it's home to some of the best seafood in the world and buildings that date back to the 16th-century.
Its highlights include an open-air urban history and culture museum, one of the largest art museums in Europe and the royal summer palace.
Aalborg
Dating back to 700 AD, the city of Aalborg is full of history. Once ruled by the Vikings, there's plenty to see about this time in Danish history.
One of its most important sites is Lindholm Hole. Over 600 graves and 150 stone ships were discovered here both from the Viking Age and Germanic Iron Age.
Today, the city is ranked as the happiest in Europe and has a growing foodie scene. Its other highlights include Aalborg Carnival, the largest carnival in Northern Europe and Aalborghus Castle.
Top Attractions
Top Attractions in Denmark
Tivoli Gardens
Built in 1843, the Tivoli Gardens are the second oldest amusement park in the world. Used by Walt Disney as the inspiration behind Disney theme parks, it's a must-visit.
Inside the park, you'll find a range of attractions like roller coasters, roundabouts and puppet theatres. Once you've worked up an appetite, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from and quaint souvenir stores to browse.
If you really want the full Tivoli experience, plan your trip around some of its biggest events. Christmas is one of the most popular times to visit when the entire park is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland.
The Round Tower
Located in Copenhagen, the 17th-century tower is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. Standing at 36 metres high, it boasts some of the best panoramic views of the city below.
But it's not for the faint of heart. It's a 200-metre walk, and once you make it to the top, you'll be standing on a glass floor, 25 metres above the ground.
For astronomy enthusiasts, there's also a small museum dedicated to the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. Entrance is DKK 25 for adults, but if you have the Copenhagen card, it's free.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum
No visit to Denmark would be complete without a visit to either the Little Mermaid statue or the Hand Christian Andersen Museum. One of Denmark's most famous authors, his fairy tales have captured the imagination of children and adults for centuries.
Located in Odense, the museum opened its doors in 1908 and is a fascinating look into Anderson's life and work. Inside you'll find interactive installations, a domed hall decorated with scenes from his autobiography and a visit to his childhood home.
There are also displays of mementoes, artefacts and the author's own sketches and artworks. It's a great day trip for bibliophiles and is one of the top things to do in the city.
Egeskov Castle
Located in the south of Funen, the Egeskov Castle is a 460 years old. Only a 30-minute drive from Odense, it's a great day trip for families or history buffs.
Egeskov is considered to be one of the best-preserved moat castles in Europe. It boasts staggering 2,000 window panes and is also home to Titania's Palace. The dollhouse was created for the queen of fairies and contains more than 3,000 pieces.
Besides the beautiful Renaissance architecture and opulent furnishings, the gardens are equally impressive. Laid out in the 1730s, they contain the largest collection of fuchsias in Europe.
Other highlights include the breathtaking Banqueting Hall, the Vintage Car Museum and treetop walk tours.
National Museum of Denmark
For history buffs, no visit to Copenhagen would be complete without a stop at the National Museum of Denmark.
Located in The Prince’s Palace, it boasts exhibitions from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Modern Danish History.
Some of the museum's highlights include a 3,000-year-old sun chariot, the Bronze Age Egtved Girl and a robust collection of Viking Age artefacts.
If you're travelling with young children, the museum is especially worth a visit. It has a Children's Museum exhibition that details what life was like for kids in the 1920s. Children can also ride a Viking ship, cook food in a Middle Ages kitchen and curate their own exhibition in the King's Cabinet of Curiosities.
Airports
Major International Airports in Denmark
- Copenhagen Airport
- Billund Airport
- Aarhus Airport
