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.
