A combination of old and new Scandinavian style gives Denmark a wonderful blend of the past and the present where tourists can find everything, where the fairy-tale castles are located on the one hand and the state-of-the-art architecture is provided on the other hand. This small Nordic country is way out of proportion in the number of cultural attractions, natural beauty and urban taste.
Copenhagen
Denmark has a capital city and the jewel of the crown which is also a destination to be visited. The legendary 17 th -century waterfront, Nyhavn is brilliant with its colorful townhouses and the old wooden boats. The statue of the Little Mermaid, being a small object, is still one of the most photographed monuments in the world. One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, Tivoli Gardens entertains the guests with old-fashioned rides, gorgeous gardens, and night lights. The bike-friendly streets of the city, the restaurants of the world (with many Michelin stars), and an alternative commune of Christiania make Copenhagen fascinating endlessly. This is not the place to overlook the magnificent modern design of the Royal Danish Opera House and black diamond library.
Kronborg Castle (Helsingor)
This UNESCO World Heritage site, found through Hamlet by Shakespeare, as Elsinore, controls the thinnest passage of the Oresund strait. The Renaissance castle is all grand ballroom and royal chambers, and the airy casements, therein, round which is the legend that the statue of Holger the Dane is sleeping, waiting its moment to protect Denmark at its endangered time. Its location and royal intrigue that has made the castle to be one of the most significant Renaissance castles in Northern Europe.
Roskilde
Roskilde is just 30 kilometers away form Copenhagen but it has a rich historic meaning. Another UNESCO attraction is the magnificent Roskilde Cathedral, which is the burial of the Danish kings during a thousand years. Its design follows the development of the European architecture during 800 years. The Viking Ship Museum exhibits exceptionally well-preserved ships that were found in the fjord nearby giving practical experiences such as the boat-building sessions as well as summer trips on the Viking ships which are being rebuilt.
Aarhus
The second-largest city in Denmark is a masterpiece of the combination of ancient and modern. The rainbow panorama walkway of ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is a legendary built-in panorama walk inside the roof of the museum with magnificent views of the city, with coloured glass. Den Gamle By (The Old Town) is an open-air museum with 75 historical buildings that recreate the life of the Danish city during the 16 th -20 th centuries. The cobblestone streets in the Latin Quarter are lined with quaint cafe and boutique shops and the restructured harbor district exhibits novel urban design.
Skagen
Skagen, at the north end of Denmark, is intriguing with its special scenery whereby the Baltic and North seas collide in an impressive battle with the waves collision point Grenen. The yellow houses with red-tiled roofs and the unusual light conditions in the town attracted the 19 th century artists who were called the Skagen Painters. Rabjerg Mile is a moving coastal dune that produces a surreal desert-like scenery that has never been seen in Northern Europe before. The Tilsandede Kirke (Sand-Covered Church) which is buried, narrates the tales of the power of nature.
Bornholm
This is a Baltic island that seems to be the best secret of Denmark. Bornholm is distinctive because of its rocky coastline, medieval round churches nowhere in Scandinavia, attractive fishing towns such as Gudhjem and Svaneke and its good local cuisine (especially smoked herring). Atop cliffs bordering the coast stands the remains of Hammershus the largest medieval fortress in Northern Europe. The microclimate, the artistic community and the relaxed atmosphere of the island form a utopian retreat.
Legoland Billund
In addition to a theme park, Legoland praises Danish creativity and the world phenomenon that started in Billund. Miniland unbelievable replicas of the world monuments constructed of Lego millions of plastic blocks astonish guests of any age. The original Legoland park has dozens of rides and attractions and the nearby Lego House gives an interactive experience of exploring the creative possibilities of the brick. Even Billund is a tribute to the Danish design.
Mons Klint
These are dramatic white chalk cliffs that are 128 meters above the turquoise Baltic Sea that provides the most spectacular natural scenery in Denmark. The cliffs are six kilometers long on the eastern coast of Mon island topped with beech forests. Hunting of fossils on the beaches beneath, hiking paths through the mature woodlands, and the breathtaking sceneries all contribute to this to become a paradise to nature lovers. The GeoCenter Mons Klint offers some interesting geology and natural history background.
Hillerod Frederiksborg Castle.
The place is referred to as the Versailles of Denmark because it is a Renaissance palace located in three tiny islands in a lake, which reflects extraordinary beauty in the form of mirrors. The Museum of National History is located in the castle, and the rooms cover the Danish history in the form of paintings, furniture, and decorative arts. The re-created Baroque gardens including the geometric designs, fountains and sculptures are part of the best formal gardens in Northern Europe.
Ribe
Copenhagen offers the oldest town in Denmark that was built in the early 8 th century and this takes people back to medieval times. Half-timbered houses are perfectly maintained along the cobblestone streets that have been in use since time immemorial. The skyline is dominated by Ribe Cathedral which is made of volcanic tuff. Even at night the night watchman continues with his rounds singing traditional songs. The bordering Wadden Sea National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site with distinct tidal flat ecosystems and excellent view of birds.
All such destinations are accessible to Denmark, which is relatively small, and in many situations, these destinations are reachable within several hours either by car or train. Are you fascinated with Viking history, royal palaces, modern design or nature, then Denmark can offer pure experiences enveloped in this hygge culture, a concept that is always Danish, which means warmness and satisfaction.
Egeskov Castle (Funen)
This is one of the Renaissance water castles that were perfectly preserved on the island of Funen on the moat. Egeskov is one of the best preserved Renaissance castles of Europe built in 1554. The inside is richly furnished with period rooms and the exterior with spectacular gardens with a Renaissance garden, English garden and fuchsia garden. There are also very interesting museums within the property that represent vintage cars, motorcycles, and aircraft. Children love tree top walking path and giant hedge maze. The castle is privately owned which gives the tour an extra touch of authenticity in the experience of going back to the life of the nobility in Denmark.
AEro Island
The gem of the Danish island is this southern archipelago. The AEroskobing town seems to be trapped in the 18 th century, and the cobblestone streets are laced with impossible quaint houses in pastel colors with hollyhocks. The whole town itself has been preserved in the form of a living museum in which people keep to traditional aesthetics. Riding through the scenic countryside of the island along its quiet roads, or visiting the maritime museum in Marstal or just observing the passage of the ships across the Baltic makes one have a feeling of undisputed serenity. The micro brewery and organic food in the island appeal to food lovers.
Aalborg
Copenhagen is the fourth-largest city of Denmark that perfectly balances 1,000 years of tradition and modern cultures. Redevelopment of the waterfront has converted the former industrial sites into impressive modern structures such as the futuristic Utzon Center, an architecture by Jorn Utzon (the Sydney Opera House architect). The old town of the city has the grand Budolfi Cathedral and the best renaissance mansion, Denmark – Aalborgus Castle. The Lindholm Hoje Viking cemetery containing more than 700 graves offers chilling details of Nordic prehistory. Jomfru Ane Gade street of Aalborg is vibrant with nightlife, whereas the aquavit distilleries of the city celebrate the traditions of spirits making.
Stevns Klint
This World Heritage of the UNESCO has a geological and historical value with dramatic scenery along the coasts. The stretch of coastal cliffs 15 kilometers long is the world’s best fossil record of the impact of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago- the K-T visible layer. The stevensfort, an ancient Soviet-era underground fortification excavated into the cliffs is now used as a museum giving creepy views of the nuclear anxiety that gripped Denmark in the Cold War. The church on the cliff at Hojerup which is half fallen into the sea makes a picturesque scene. There are numerous hiking trails and bird-watching.
Odense
Born in Denmark, Hans Christian Andersen is honored in the very country of his birth and gives a lot more. The HC Andersen Museum offers the visitor to experience the life story and fairy tales of the author in a comprehensive manner. Medieval part of the city, where half-timbered houses stand and the Cathedral of Gothic St. Canute is situated, charms the wanderers. The Funen Village open-air museum presents the life of the 19th century countryside revived with the help of original structures and costumed guides who showcase ancient crafts. The position of Odense on the Funen island that is frequently referred to as the Garden of Denmark offers entry to pastoral views, manor houses, and pretty villages. Wide cycle tracks and green areas represent Danish quality of life in the city.
Fano Island
Being reachable through ferry at Esbjerg, Fano retains unique maritime culture and impressive natural landscapes. Nordby and Sonderho are the traditional villages in the island with unique structures which are influenced by Dutch architecture and are covered with colored tiles. The beaches in the west are endless, and when it is not storming, the beaches are great places to swim, fly kites, and hunt amber. Shipping and whaling made the island rich in the 18 th -19 th centuries, and the heritage is kept in museums. Traditional costumes and customs are commemorated in annual events such as the Fannikerdagen. The car-free zones and slow living experience on the island gives the true island life.
Thy National Park
The original national park in Denmark preserves a wild, windswept seashores, heathlands and pine plantations in Northwestern Jutland. The uncivilized beauty of the park seems to be miles apart with clean Danish cities. The scenery is filled with cold war bunkhouses that remind the visitors that the location is strategically important. The beaches are some of the best in Denmark and the inland heath in late summer is purple. Good hiking and cycling paths go through diversified land. Thy is an outstanding place to stargaze because of the dark sky initiative. There is a close art gallery in Klitmoller and the surfing scene in Cold Hawaii that is contemporary.
Dark Sky Park and Mons Klint Geocenter.
Although the cliffs of Mons Klint are worth being mentioned on any list of the tops, the island of Mon should be explored more deeply. The GeoCenter Mons Klint is an interactive center that describes the 70-million-year-old geological history of the area at interactive exhibits. The fact that Mon is an International Dark Sky Park, which is the best place to stargaze – in Scandinavia, of course, the Milky Way is seen with an incredible brightness during clear nights. There are very good frescoes in the medieval churches of the island. The Liselund Park is a Romantic landscape garden that forms a fairytale setting. Riding through the soft topography of this island with its thatched-roof farmhouses is Danish perfection.
Christiansfeld
This Moravian Church settlement which was built in 1773 under the UNESCO World Heritage is a unique form of urban planning and religious tolerance. The geometric structure of the town, and the fact that buildings there are all the same, and that the people hold together to traditions, are all Moravian. The unique flat graves at the cemetery form peaceful homogeneity. Christiansfeld is still known because of the honey cakes (honningkager), prepared to centuries old recipes. The Brodremenighedens Kirke (Moravian Church) and community houses provide a clue of egalitarian values of this Protestant group. The quiet nature of the town and the 18 th century character gives reflective experiences.
Djursland Peninsula
This eastern Jutland peninsula is a mixture of family attraction and nature beauty and manor house traditions. The Mols Bjerge National Park has a unique hilly landscape (compared to other regions in Denmark) created during the Ice Age period and consists of heathland, ancient graves, and sea scenery. Northern Denmark has many historic manor houses, most of which are open to the public, which depict aristocratic Danish life. The fishing village of Ebeltoft is delightful with its cobble laid center and the frigate Jylland the longest wooden war-vessel in the world. Wildlife is encountered in the Kattegatcentret aquarium and in Ree Park Safari. Djursland with its beautiful beaches, golf courses, and gourmet restaurants is becoming more and more popular.
The reason to visit Copenhagen is Why Explore Beyond Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is a city that deserves the majority of international tourists, but provinces, islands, and small cities of Denmark speak the soul of Denmark. The distances are not beyond manageable, in no part of Denmark is the sea more than 50 kilometers distant, and by efficient trains and ferries most destinations are united. Travelling outside the capital shows what the Danish definition of hygge is like in its pure form: charming harbor cities, windy beaches, or candles in castles, and hospitable people who are happy to share their history.
Denmark has its secret treasures, which reward the curious tourist who might care to explore the attractions beyond the well-known. These destinations exhibit the amazing diversification of the country in its small territory.
Helsingor
There are more than just Kronborg Castle, this lovely seaside town boasts of beautiful streets, the amazing Maritime Museum erected in a former dry dock and ferries to Sweden. The cultural district is full of galleries and cafes with the views on the Oresund strait.
Thy National Park
The first national park in Denmark is a protection area of wild and wind-swept scenery of coastal dunes, heathlands, and pine forests, in the Northwest of Jutland. The land is covered with cold war undergrounds, perfect beaches draw surfers to the so-called Cold Hawaii, and the status of an International Dark Sky makes the view of the stars magnificent.
Djursland Peninsula
The peninsula of Eastern Jutland consists of Ice Age hills covered by Mols Bjerge National Park, historic manors, and sea-side attractiveness. The cobblestoned center of Ebeltoft and the largest wooden, wooden warship in the world, frigate Jylland, make history lovers gape, and beaches and Ree Park Safari make families drink in the fun.
Aalborg
The fourth city of Denmark has perfectly combined the 1,000-year history with an excellent modernity. The Lindholm Hoje Viking burial ground, with 700+ graves, haunts the visitors, whereas the futuristic Utzon Center and redevelopment of the waterfront present the examples of modern architecture. The attraction is topped with Renaissance mansions and vibrant night life.
Samso
This green inner city is a sustainable island that ensures 100 percent renewable power and organic agriculture is at the fore. Peaceful retreats are made by rolling landscapes, beaches, strawberry fields, and the remarkable Samso Labyrinth the largest permanent maze in Northern Europe. Denmark is a leader in terms of the environment as the island shows.
Christiansfeld
In this 1773 UNESCO settlement of Moravian church, there is a unique planning of cities and religious tolerance. Egalitarian principles are expressed in geometric patterns, repeating construction of buildings, and flat gravestones of the cemetery. The town is also renowned because of the traditionally honey cake (honningkager) prepared according to the centuries old recipes.
Fano Island
Fano maintains special maritime culture that is accessible by ferry boat in Esbjerg. There are traditional villages Nordby and Sonderho, where gabled houses have color tiles of Dutch influence. There are infinite western beaches that allow swimming and amber hunting, and museums also maintain whaling culture. Traditional costumes and customs are celebrated every year in festivals.
Stevns Klint
The K-T boundary layer which is visible in this UNESCO coastal cliff holds the best fossil record of the asteroid impact that was the cause of the extinction of dinosaurs that occurred 66 million years ago- this is what impresses geology enthusiasts. Underground fortress of the Cold War era of Stevnsfort and church of Hojerup which is at the top of the cliff provide dramatic layers of history.
Laeso Island
One can find the houses with seaweed roofs in Kattegat but not in other areas. The quiet island is unique in terms of salt production heritage, beautiful sea beaches, and outstanding seafood restaurants. The island is isolated and pure and the destination of people who would like to experience authentic Danish life on the island.
Funen Villages
Between Jutland and Zealand the island is worthy of exploration between Odense and Egeskov. Intricate half-timbered buildings survive in traditional villages such as Faaborg and are full of charm. Denmark is a garden island, which is made up of rolling agricultural landscapes, farm stands on the sides of roads, and manor houses.
Why Explore Deeper
These are smaller attractions that showcase the real Danish life without tourists. Exploration is easy due to the presence of efficient public transportation, short distances and the infrastructure that is conducive to the bicycle. The regions have its own personality, but share the Danish principles of quality, sustainability, and that desirable hygge feeling. The depth of Denmark takes them by surprise upon finding out that there is more to the country than meets the eye, whether it is on sustainable islands, Viking burial grounds, or dramatic geology, among other aspects.