Denmark holidays

Denmark holidays: travel tips and attractions

Denmark is the country that gave the world Lego, the concept of hygge and a design tradition with names such as Arne Jacobsen and Kay Bojesen. It is also a country with wide west coast beaches, medieval towns, world-famous amusement parks and a food culture worth taking your time over.

Distances are short and it is easy to get around on your own. Spend a few days in Copenhagen, explore the west coast of Jutland or head for Legoland in Billund. Families love the country for its parks and relaxed atmosphere, couples find romance in cobbled streets and cosy bakeries, and anyone who just wants to recharge will find few places better than a campsite by the sea on the Danish coast.

The best places to visit in Denmark

Denmark is small enough to see a lot in one trip, yet varied enough that each region feels like a destination of its own. A classic route starts in Copenhagen, continues to Odense on Funen and on to Jutland, with stops in Aarhus, Ribe and Skagen. For something completely different, Bornholm awaits in the Baltic Sea.

Copenhagen: the capital that always impresses

Copenhagen is Denmark's capital and the natural starting point for many visitors. Historic cobbled streets, colourful harbour fronts and Tivoli, one of the world's most famous amusement parks, right in the centre make it the anchor of any trip. While you are in the area, Kronborg Castle in Helsingør is just an hour away by train. The castle is famous worldwide as the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Odense: the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen

On the island of Funen lies Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. The new H.C. Andersen House takes you into the world of his fairy tales through a fascinating combination of architecture, nature and storytelling, and Odense Zoo is one of the country's most visited attractions.

Aarhus: a culture city with world-class art

Denmark's second city has become a modern cultural destination with exciting architecture and lively nightlife. Aarhus is home to the ARoS art museum, where the rainbow-coloured rooftop walkway offers one of the most photographed views in the country. The city is the gateway to Jutland, home to some of Denmark's most distinctive destinations.

Ribe: the oldest town in Scandinavia

By the Wadden Sea in Jutland lies Ribe, and few places in Denmark take you back in time so instantly. Founded around the year 700, it is the oldest town in Scandinavia, with crooked cobbled streets and a cathedral from the 12th century towering above the houses. From May to October you can join the night watchman on his evening rounds, a tradition with roots in the Middle Ages.

Nearby, in the marshes at Skærbæk, the Marsk Tower is a modern landmark in Corten steel designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, with 360-degree views over the Wadden Sea National Park.

Skagen: where two seas meet

At the very top of Jutland lies Skagen, a place all of its own. At Grenen, where the land ends, you can stand with one foot in the Skagerrak and the other in the Kattegat as the waves collide in front of you. The light here is warm, low and almost golden, and it drew a whole generation of Danish painters at the end of the 19th century, whose work you can see at the Skagens Museum. The town itself has colourful yellow houses, good fish restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere, and the west coast to the south has some of Denmark's best beaches.

Bornholm: an island in the Baltic

Out in the Baltic Sea lies Bornholm, an island that feels like a little country of its own. Rocky cliffs in the north meet sandy beaches in the south, traditional smokehouses send the smell of smoked herring through the harbours, and four of Denmark's medieval round churches are found here. A bike is the best way to explore, and a couple of days here make for a completely different Danish holiday.

For somewhere even more remote, take the ferry from Gudhjem to Christiansø, a tiny island with a 17th-century naval fortress, yellow houses along the harbour and an atmosphere all of its own.

Top things to do in Denmark

Denmark has experiences for every traveller, from world-famous amusement parks and coastal bike rides to design shops that make it hard to go home empty-handed.

Legoland in Billund

If one thing makes Denmark unique for families, it is Legoland Billund Resort. Here, in the heart of Jutland, you will find several big attractions within a short drive of each other. Legoland itself is built from more than 80 million Lego bricks, with more than 45 rides and experiences, from miniature cities and roller coasters to water rides. It is first and foremost a party for families, but the detail in the models means many adults love it too. Summer is peak season, so book tickets early.

Givskud Zoo is a safari park where you drive through the enclosures in your own car among lions, giraffes, rhinos and zebras, and it also has Denmark's largest dinosaur park. In Billund you will also find LEGO House, an interactive experience centre dedicated to Lego and creativity, Lalandia with its big indoor water park, and WOW Park, an outdoor activity park with climbing towers, ziplines and water play in the forest. Billund can easily fill a whole week.

Other amusement parks in Denmark

Denmark is one of the most amusement-park-dense countries in the world. Tivoli in Copenhagen is one of the most visited amusement parks on Earth and a cultural icon, and Bakken in Klampenborg north of Copenhagen is the world's oldest amusement park, with free entry. Fårup Sommerland in northern Jutland and Djurs Sommerland near Aarhus, the Nordic region's largest summer park with a big water park, are both family favourites, and Odense Zoo and Copenhagen Zoo are great for animal lovers.

Outdoor life and nature in Denmark

Denmark is one of the world's most bike-friendly countries, with more than 11,000 kilometres of signposted routes, including 11 national cycle routes. They take you along the coast, through villages and forests and out to some of Denmark's best sandy beaches. The west coast is a highlight for many, with wide beaches for families and powerful waves that attract surfers and kitesurfers from across Northern Europe.

Canoeing on the Gudenå, Denmark's longest river, is a classic way to see the peaceful Jutland countryside from the water, and sea kayaking along the coast gives you a unique view of the cliffs, beaches and fishing villages. A particular highlight is the Wadden Sea near Ribe, one of Europe's most important bird areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where hundreds of thousands of starlings gather for the spectacular Black Sun, or Sort Sol, in spring and autumn.

A taste of Danish food

Danish food is simpler than you might think, and better than you expect. Smørrebrød is the symbol of the Danish lunch, rye bread topped with everything from prawns to roast beef and beetroot. A classic is stjerneskud, a generous open sandwich with fried plaice, prawns and caviar. For something warm and filling, Stegt flæsk with parsley sauce, crispy pork with parsley sauce, was voted Denmark's national dish, and frikadeller meatballs are an everyday classic. With coffee, a Danish pastry, or Danish pastries, is essential.

On the coast, fresh seafood is unavoidable, especially oysters and prawns, and the bright red Danish hot dogs sold from street stands are a must. Danish beer also deserves attention, with microbreweries all over the country. Copenhagen also has several restaurants with three Michelin stars, something only a handful of cities in the world can match.

Danish design, culture and hygge

Denmark has given the world some of the most recognisable design classics. Arne Jacobsen created the Egg chair and the Ant chair, Kay Bojesen is known for his iconic wooden monkey from 1951, and Georg Jensen represents the best of classic Danish craftsmanship. Many travellers spend hours in design and interior shops.

This sense of style is closely linked to the Danish concept of hygge, the word for cosiness, calm and good company. You will recognise it in cafés lit by candles in the afternoon, in neighbourhood restaurants with open kitchens and in the small moments Danes create around a table.

Danish culture is as much about community as design, and nowhere is that clearer than at Roskilde Festival, one of Europe's biggest and most legendary music festivals, held at the end of June.

Best time to visit Denmark

Summer, from June to August, is high season and perfect for beaches, cycling and outdoor activities, with long days and pleasant temperatures. May and September are ideal for fewer crowds and still good weather for city breaks. The Christmas markets in December give Denmark a magic of their own, not least in Copenhagen.

How to get to Denmark

Flying to Copenhagen is the fastest option, with direct flights from London and many other UK airports in under two hours. For Jutland, flights to Billund, Aarhus or Aalborg can be a smart alternative, and from Norway there are ferries to Hirtshals and Frederikshavn.

Within Denmark, trains are the easiest way to travel between cities. In Copenhagen, bikes and public transport cover most needs, while a rental car gives you the most freedom in Jutland. From Copenhagen it is easy to continue across the Øresund Bridge to Sweden, just 35 minutes away by train.

Book Legoland and Tivoli tickets early in summer, especially during school holidays. Camping is very popular along the coast and available in every price range.

Denmark holidays: frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to go on holiday in Denmark?

Copenhagen is the top choice for a city break, food and culture. Families often head to Legoland in Billund, while Skagen, the west coast of Jutland and Bornholm are popular for beaches and nature. Aarhus and Odense are great for culture and museums.

How many days do you need in Denmark?

Three to four days is enough for Copenhagen and a day trip to Kronborg or Louisiana. With a week or more, you can combine Copenhagen with Legoland and the west coast of Jutland or a few days on Bornholm.

Is Denmark expensive to visit?

Denmark is one of Europe's more expensive countries, particularly for eating out and accommodation in Copenhagen. Save money with smørrebrød lunches, street food, camping and cycling, and book popular attractions in advance.