Denmark
From the beautiful cobbled streets of its capital, Copenhagen, to its exhilarating great outdoors, Denmark is a country of style, grace and effortless elegance. Denmark makes an excellent family holiday destination, and not just because of Legoland. You’ll find shopping, architecture, museums and activity centres galore as you stroll through its chic streets, hotdog in hand.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands have been part of Denmark since the 1700s.
In 1989 Denmark become the very first European country to legalizesame-sexmarriages.
Lars Ulrich from Metallica is Danish.
Copenhagen’s Stroget is one of Europe’s longest shopping streets.
Lurpak butter is one of Denmark’s most famous exports.
Denmark was the first European country to abolish slavery.
Denmark has no mountains.
What to see
Copenhagen
The capital Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest city, and also Europe’s greenest. Green spaces abound, including the famous Tivoli, and it enjoys a wonderful social scene of cafe culture and al fresco dining. Wander through its charming narrow streets lined with gabled houses, chic shops and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Ålborg Viking site
The city of Ålborg is home to the largest Viking burial site. The old Ålborg Castle and some pretty 17th century houses also remain in the town centre. Visit during May for the Ålborg Carnival, a triple-event celebration incorporating the children’s carnival, the battle of carnival bands and the carnival itself.
Legoland
Loved by kids and big kids alike, Legoland is located at Billund and is open from April to October. The magical ten-hectare amusement park is home to attractions and rides built entirely from Lego – over 40-million bricks of the fun-stuff.
Kronborg Castle
The 16th century Kronborg Castle is located in Elsinore, known as Helsingør to the Danes, and famous as the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe and is marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its position alone is enough to warrant a visit, overlooking the picturesque waters of the Øresund.
Top experiences / sites of particular interest
Århus Teater
The largest provincial theatre in Denmark, Århus Teater is a beautiful art nouveau building that is the architectural pride and joy of the town. Opened in 1900, it has five stages, its own theatre troupe and is the venue for some of Denmark’s most critically-acclaimed performances.
Fishing
Fishing in Denmark is a wonderfully tranquil experience. Freshwater and saltwater angling is catered for and sea-fishing trips can be arranged with local fisherman along the coast.
Hot dogs
Munching on hotdogs is something of a national Danish past-time. Pay a visit to a pølsevogn(sausage stall), found on most main street corners, to see what all the fuss is about.
Kayak polo
This Danish sport is particularly popular in Copenhagen, and there’s a large facility in the city centre dedicated to its teaching and learning. Word of warning; kayak polo is particularly strenuous, and a leisurely kayak canal tour may be more to the laid-back traveller’s taste.
When to go
Weather and Seasons: Summer in Denmark is a sunny affair, with temperatures reaching 18 – 20 degrees during July and August, which are the most popular months to visit. Winters can be quite wet, with early sunsets and frost. Denmark tends to be quieter during spring and autumn, seeing fewer tourists and less crowded attractions.
Important Dates and Festivals: Festivals hold an important place in Danish culture, with key events including Copenhagen Fashion Week, held twice a year in February and August, and the Roskilde Festival, held in June. The opening of Tivoli’s Christmas amusements and market in November is a festive celebration that heralds the onset of Advent, while Midsummer is a nationwide important event, celebrated with particular enthusiasm on Midsummer’s Eve in Copenhagen.
Getting there / around
Flights: Denmark is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from London.
Boat: Copenhagen Harbour is a major cruise destination for ships heading on to Norway and the Baltic.
Train:All international trains to Copenhagen arrive and depart from Hovedbanegården central station.
Public Transport: Copenhagen’s excellent bus and train services operate daily from 0500 to 0030. A night bus service is also in operation, and the 22-station strong Metro runs throughout the night between Thursday and Saturday.
Car: Most cities in Denmark are heavily pedestrianised and see a low amount of traffic. Car hire is available to drivers over the age of 21.
Bicycle: Cycling is one of the most popular ways for visitors and locals to travel. There are numerous cycle routes throughout Copenhagen plus over 100 City Bike Parks, where you can whizz around the city for a few hours for a small deposit which is refunded when you return the bike.
Potential itineraries
City Breaks: Copenhagen is just under two hours from London, and makes a culturally engaging and historically intriguing destination for a city break.
7-night stay: A week is ample time to explore the major attractions of Zealand (an island located close to Copenhagen), Funen island, plus the cultural highlights of Copenhagen.
14-night stay: After spending your first week exploring the islands of Zealand and Funen, travel to the Jutland peninsula, which links Denmark to Germany. Visit Tønder and Ribe in South Jutland, turning tail to stunning island of Fanø. Next visit the 2,400-year old Tollund Man in Silkeborg, before heading to Jutland’s two major cities of ÅrhusandAalborg, finally heading to north Jutland to see the artist colony in the summer resort of Skagen.
Our Recommendations
Local Dishes
Fish and seafood are an important part of Danish cuisine, with cod, herring and salmon among the most popular varieties. Open sandwiches, known assmørrebrød, are the usual choice for lunch and are something of a national specialty. Local dishes to look out for include Boller i karry (curried meatballs with rice and cucumber salad), Stegt flæsk med persillesovs, (slices of fried pork served with potatoes and parsley sauce) and Flæskesteg (roast pork with crackling), which is often served at Christmas. Delectable Danish desserts include the summer-favourite of strawberry pie, Pandekager (a thin crepe-like pancake), Risalamande(rice pudding made with whipped cream) and Koldskål, a sweet, cold buttermilk dish with vanilla and lime.
Nightlife
Copenhagen is the leader when it comes to nightlife, where the party rarely really gets going until after midnight. It has plenty of nightclubs, bars and restaurants, particularly around the areas of Nyhavn and Boltens Gaard. Music is also a large part of the Danish social scene, and there is always a diverse programme of styles available to suit most tastes, from jazz skits to live DJ sets.
Pre-Trip Practicalities
Language
Danish
Currency
Danish Krone
Visas
Three-month visa-free stays are available to EU citizens.
Health issues
No particular vaccinations recommended.
Safety, FO travel advice
Safety, FO travel advice: Generally safe.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Danish country representatives can be foundin the UK at
55 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, SW1X 9SR, London. Tel: 0207 333 0200.and in the US at
3200 Whitehaven Street, N.W.20008-3683 Washington District of Columbia. Tel: 202 328 1470.There is a tourist board
in the UK at
55 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9SY. Tel: 020 7259 5958For more information visit: www.denmark.org.uk and http://www.denmarkemb.org/.
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