Denmark Holidays

How to reach Denmark

• Flight time: Flights to Denmark from London take around 1 hour 50 minutes.

• Transfer time: Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, 11km southeast of the centre, is served by a main-line train to Central Station which takes just 12 minutes.

• Price: A one-way Metro ticket costs around 36 DKK (£4.20), and train fares are similar. A taxi ride to the city centre costs around 250–300 DKK (£28–£34).

Best time to visit Denmark

Think about what you want to do during your holidays to Denmark; spring and summer are best for outdoor adventures, but autumn and winter have their own attractions.

• March to May: Spring brings longer days and therefore more time to explore the country’s outdoor offerings. Average temperatures climb from 4°C to 10°C, rainfall is moderate, and there are about 6–8 hours of sunshine daily.

• June to August: The best time to visit the country for its combination of culture (including many festivals like Roskilde) and sunshine. Temperatures hover around the mid-20s, leading the natives to make the most of the balmy weather as they take up residence outside bars and cafés. Rainfall is light and you can expect around 8–10 hours of sunshine daily.

• September to November: As summer draws to a close, the Danes gradually abandon their outdoor pursuits and head indoors. Temperatures drop from around 15°C to 8°C and rainfall increases slightly, but this is an excellent time to investigate Denmark’s cultural riches.

• December to February: The perfect time for embracing the Danish concept of hygge. Christmas markets across the country light up the winter gloom, with temperatures averaging 0°C to 4°C. Snowfall is possible, but not guaranteed, and there are around 4–6 hours of sunshine per day.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Danish is the official language, but most Danes are fluent in English.

• Local habits and customs: Denmark is a liberal, tolerant country. The Danish language doesn’t have a specific word for “please”, so don’t be upset if Danes leave it out when talking to you in English. Tipping is not expected, as service charges are included in hotel, restaurant and bar bills.

• Currency: Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK). Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller vendors.

• Getting around: Denmark has a swift, easy-to-use public transport system. Danish State Railways runs an exhaustive, reliable rail network, with services ranging from the large intercity expresses (lyntog) to smaller local trains (regionaltog). Ticket prices are calculated according to a countrywide zonal system. The bus network is also extensive, although prices don’t work out much cheaper than trains. Ferries or bridges link all of Denmark’s principal islands, and where applicable, train and bus fares include the cost of crossings. Bicycles are a popular and practical way to get around, and many cities offer bike rental schemes.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard is 230 volts with European-style two-pin plugs. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Denmark is on Central European Time, which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Daylight Saving Time applies.

Best things to do in Denmark

Culturally, this small country really hits the high notes. Expect impeccable design and great musical offerings (especially jazz) at every turn - and food-wise, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better collection of restaurants anywhere in Scandinavia.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Rundetaarn: Dominating the skyline north of Strøget, the Round Tower was built as an observatory and finished in 1642; the main attraction is the stunning view from the top, reached via a spiral walkway.

• Grenen, Skagen: Denmark’s northernmost tip, where two seas – the Kattegat and Skagerrak – meet, often with a powerful clashing of waves. You can get here by tractor-drawn bus, although it’s an enjoyable walk through beautiful seaside scenery.

The best districts

• Christiania: A former barracks area colonised by hippies after declaring itself a “free city” in 1971, it has evolved into a self-governing entity based on collective ownership, with quirky buildings housing alternative small businesses such as a bicycle workshop and women’s smithy, as well as art galleries, cafés and restaurants.

• Aarhus Latin Quarter: Denmark’s second-largest city is an attractive assortment of intimate cobbled streets, sleek modern architecture and brightly painted houses, but its real highlight is the Latin Quarter, crammed with shops, galleries and modern cafés.

Museums

• Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde: Gawk at the art of Viking shipbuilding at Denmark’s most famous museum which showcases five of the world’s most magnificent Viking vessels, dredged up from the fjord bottom where they lay for nearly a thousand years.

• H.C. Andersens Hus, Odense: Dedicated to Denmark's most famous writer, a visit here offers visitors some intriguing insights into the father of the modern fairy tale, including a library of Andersen’s works and audio recordings of some of his best-known fairytales read by the likes of Sir Laurence Olivier.

• Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen: Excellent displays on Denmark’s history from the Ice Age to the present day; the exciting prehistory section includes amber animals, gold Viking horns, numerous corpses preserved in bogs and Denmark’s oldest coin, struck around 995 AD.

Parks and gardens

• Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen: More than just an amusement park, Tivoli is a magical blend of beautifully landscaped gardens, lakes and fairy-tale lighting.

Historical monuments

• Kronborg Castle, Helsingør: Famous for being the setting of Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Kronborg is considered one of Northern Europe's most important Renaissance castles and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Lindholm Høje: Atmospheric Lindholm Høje is Scandinavia’s largest Viking burial site with more than 700 graves. Visit early or late in the day and you’ll see the slanting sunlight glint off the burial stones.

• Koldinghus: Sensitively restored to retain its raw, weather-beaten look, this is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in the country.

Things to do in different parts of the region

• Jutland: The west coast of Jutland is known for its long sandy beaches abutting the North Sea, which are popular for swimming, sunbathing and beach sports. The beaches of the east coast are known for their beautiful scenery, with high dunes and cliffs.

• Skagen: At the very top of Denmark amid breathtaking heather-topped sand dunes, this popular resort attracts thousands of visitors annually thanks to its artistic links to the past and spectacular seafood restaurants.

Activities for families in Denmark

Denmark holidays offer a remarkable amount of things for families to see and do, whether that’s being thrown around on a rollercoaster or kicking back on the beach.

• Amusement parks: Tivoli Park aside, you can head for the world’s oldest amusement park at Bakken, about 10km north of downtown Copenhagen. Besides slightly sinister clowns and vintage rollercoasters, it offers pleasant woods and nearby beaches to wander around.

• Legoland Billund: Designed to look like a giant Lego brick and featuring over 25 million Lego pieces, this ace park includes over 50 rides, shows and attractions, as well as a variety of Lego-themed shops and restaurants.

• Aquariums and zoos: Denmark boasts some excellent zoos, including Odense, which has Northern Europe’s largest exclusively African safari park. Meanwhile, Den Blå Planet in Copenhagen is Northern Europe’s largest aquarium, with fascinating marine life from all over the globe.

Free things to do in Denmark

Exploring Denmark doesn’t have to break the bank. The country offers plenty of free activities that let you experience its beauty without spending a krone.

• Beaches: Denmark’s beaches, more than 200 of which have Blue Flag status, are serene and unspoiled. The dunes of Skagen and the long sandy stretches of Bornholm are the best of a fine bunch.

• Summer events: In Copenhagen, free concerts are held at Tivoli Park almost weekly during summer, while at Den Fynske Landsby in Odense, free shows are staged at the open-air theatre.

• Free museums: Many museums, like the National Museum in Copenhagen and the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, offer free entry on specific days or for certain age groups.

Nature and outdoor activities in Denmark

Denmark’s outdoor offerings are as varied as its landscapes; whether it’s cycling the flatlands, surfing in Jutland or hiking the coast's spectacular dunes, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.

• Cycling: Cycling is the best way to appreciate Denmark’s flat landscape. Cycle paths proliferate, country roads have sparse traffic and all large towns have cycle tracks. Bikes can be rented at hostels, tourist offices and some train stations, as well as from bike rental shops.

• Water sports: Denmark’s 7,000km coastline is paradise for water enthusiasts. Head to Klitmøller, nicknamed Cold Hawaii, for world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding, while stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are popular in the calm waters around Aarhus.

• Dune hikes: Hiking the coastal dunes is a fantastic, if exerting, activity. The best of these is the Råbjerg Mile in the northern part of Jutland, one of the largest moving sand dunes in Northern Europe. The dune is constantly moving due to the wind and it is estimated to move around 15m per year.

• Wildlife watching: Wadden Sea National Park is a unique coastal area that is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including migratory birds, fish and several colonies of seals.

Local dishes in Denmark

One of the joys of holidays to Denmark is discovering the country’s kitchen, which is highly regarded and relies on traditional recipes and innovative New Nordic cuisine.

Some typical dishes

• Smørrebrød: The traditional open sandwich of dark rye bread topped with anything from smoked salmon or shellfish to herring or salami is delectable and delicious.

• Stegt flæsk: Crispy pork belly served with parsley sauce and potatoes is considered Denmark’s national dish.

Meat dishes

• Frikadeller: Delicious Danish meatballs served with potatoes and a rich, creamy gravy.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Røget sild: The quintessential Danish seafood, this is smoked herring served with dill and mustard sauce.

• Oysters: Danish oysters are a world-class delicacy, especially those from the Limfjord and the North Sea.

Street food

• Hot dogs: Hot dog stands (pølsevogn) are a cultural institution and you’ll find them on all main streets and at train stations serving hot dogs (pølser), as well as toasted ham-and-cheese sandwiches (parisertoast) and chips (pommes frites).

Sweets and desserts

Danish pastries, or wienerbrød, are famous worldwide for their flaky, buttery layers and are tastier and much less sweet than the imitations sold abroad. Variations include the fantastically named cinnamon snail (kanelsnegl) and seed snapper (frøsnapper) pastries and there’s also spandauer, a custard or jam-filled pastry.

Local drinks

• Akvavit: A traditional Scandinavian schnapps, the most popular of which is the potent Aalborg-made Aquavit.

• Craft beer: While the most common brands are Carlsberg and Tuborg, microbreweries are now thankfully much more common, with many pubs making their own beer on the premises; leading the way are breweries like Mikkeller and To Øl.