Trip to Denmark: The Complete Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Planning a trip to Denmark is a great idea because you can see castles, coastline and charming cities all within short distances. Read our Denmark travel guide to find out what to expect before your trip.

Why Plan a Trip to Denmark?

Denmark surprises many travellers. It looks small on a map, yet it gives you history, food, beaches and design within a few hours of each other.

Denmark is a Small Country and Easy to Explore

Denmark is not a small country, it is only around 43,000 square kilometres so you do not have to travel far to get to different places in Denmark. Trains can take you to cities like Copenhagen and Odense and Aarhus in just two to three hours.

Denmark has a Lot of History and Modern Buildings

When you walk around Denmark you will see many historic buildings and modern buildings. You can visit the Christiansborg Palace, see where the Danish Parliament meets and where the royal family receives guests. A short walk away is the Rosenborg Castle, where the crown jewels are kept.

Denmark has a Beautiful Coastline

Denmark has a long coastline, more than 7,000 kilometres. The west coast of Denmark faces the North Sea. It has big sandy beaches and dunes and the east coast of Denmark has calmer water and small towns with harbours.

The Food in Denmark is Delicious

Copenhagen is famous for its Nordic food and has many restaurants with Michelin stars. You can have a traditional smørrebrød lunch for around £15 in Denmark.. Do not forget to try the pastries from Copenhagen’s bakeries, like cinnamon buns and cardamom swirls that people in Denmark love to eat.

It is Easy to Communicate in Denmark

People in Denmark speak English even in supermarkets and museums. The public spaces in Denmark are clean and easy to navigate.

When you plan your trip to Denmark, think about where you want to stay before you book a hotel. Staying in one place for a few days instead of moving every night will save you time and money.

Ready to Dive Right In? Explore These Routes

What to Do in Denmark

Denmark is a great place to visit because it has a lot of interesting things to see and do. You can learn about the royal family, visit art galleries and go to the beach all in a short time. If you plan your trip well you can see a lot more than just the capital city of Denmark.

Trips to Copenhagen Denmark

If you start in the middle of the city you can see the houses by the canal in Nyhavn. Then you can go to Christiansborg Palace, home to Parliament and royal reception rooms, then walk to Amalienborg Palace to see the royal guards change.

Image by Duc Tinh Ngo from Pixabay

At night you can go to Tivoli Gardens, which's one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe. It will be open again in March. A lot of people like to stay in Copenhagen because you can walk or ride a bike to most of the sights.

Museums and Danish Heritage

The national museum of Denmark is really nice to visit because it tells you all about the Vikings, old trade and royal traditions. The exhibitions are easy to understand, also for kids. In Odense you can see where Hans Christian was born, the author of famous fairy tales like the Little Mermaid.

Visit Aarhus

Aarhus is Denmarks second biggest city and it has a lot of modern art and nice cafes by the harbour. It is a great place to stay after you visit Copenhagen. If you have kids they will love the LEGO House in Billund, where you can build all day. It is an hour drive from Aarhus.

Image by Kim Bruhn from Pixabay

Coast

If you drive north to North Jutland you can visit beaches and wide open spaces. Where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet is a beautiful natural sight. You can also see sand dunes on the west coast and forests on the east coast all within a short time.

Image by Werner from Pixabay

Make sure to check when things are open before you go because some museums close early in winter.

Best Time to Visit Denmark

The weather really affects your experience here. So when you visit depends on how daylight you want, what temperature you like and what you want to see.

Summer: Long Days and Outdoor Fun

From June to August the sun can stay out till 10 pm. It's usually between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius, which's great for walking tours and swimming at the harbour. The beach towns on the west coast get really lively in July.

If you want to save money on hotels and get into restaurants easily try to avoid booking during the school holidays in July.

Autumn: Nice and Affordable

In April, May, September and early October the air is cooler. The accommodation prices are lower. You can see the sights without having to wait in long lines. The autumn colours in the forests and by the lakes in Jutland are really beautiful.

Winter: Cozy and Christmas Markets

Christmas in Nyhavn, Denmark

In December the capital gets cozy lights and Christmas markets. Tivoli Gardens, the amusement park gets all lit up with wooden stalls selling hot wine. It can be quite chilly, between zero and five degrees Celsius so don't forget to pack your winter coat.

How Many Days Do You Need in Denmark?

Denmark is small. It has very different areas that you can visit within a few hours of travel. Here are some suggested Denmark itineraries for your trip.

3 Days: Copenhagen and Roskilde Route

This route is great for short city breaks. You can travel between places by train.

Start in Copenhagen’s centre. Look at landmarks, canals and museum highlights.

Explore neighbourhoods beyond the squares. End your evening at Tivoli Gardens.

The following day visit museums and take a boat tour of the harbour. You can see the city from the water.

Then travel to Roskilde by train. Visit the Viking Ship Museum and the cathedral.

Return to Copenhagen in the evening.

5 to 7 Days: Copenhagen to Aarhus via Funen

Begin in Copenhagen. See the capital’s highlights over two or three nights.

Travel west across the Great Belt Bridge to Odense. This is where Hans Christian Andersen was born.

Continue to Aarhus, Denmark’s second city. Look at art and walk by the harbour.

Travel into Jutland’s lakes region before looping back east.

7 to 10 Days: The Denmark Loop

Start in Copenhagen. Then go north to Helsingør to see Kronborg Castle.

Explore North Zealand. Then cross west to Funen and Aarhus.

From Aarhus go into North Jutland. Wide beaches meet the North Sea near Skagen.

Travel south, along the west coast to Billund. Visit the LEGO House.

Then return east to Copenhagen.

Planning to explore Copenhagen? Take a look at our recommended 5-day itinerary for a trip to Copenhagen.

Is Denmark Expensive? This is What You Can Expect to Pay

Denmark has a reputation for being expensive, and compared to the UK, daily costs can be higher. Let’s look at what you can realistically expect to pay.

Average prices of activities and accommodation in Denmark

Compare the cost of individual attraction tickets with a Copenhagen Card, as it can save money if you plan multiple museum visits.

What You Need to Know Before You Go on a Trip to Denmark

Planning ahead makes everything easier. Denmark is an organized country and knowing a few things about the way people do things there can help a lot.

Pay With Credit Card in Denmark

Denmark uses the Danish Krone. One hundred Danish Krone is under twelve pounds. You can pay with a credit card everywhere in Denmark. You can use your credit card to pay at supermarkets, cafes and even small shops. You can also use it to buy tickets for transport.

Public Transport in Copenhagen is Really Good

Denmark has a lot of trains that connect cities like Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg. These trains run often, usually every thirty to sixty minutes. If you buy your ticket ahead of time on the DSB website it will be cheaper. The metro in Copenhagen runs often from early in the morning to late at night. You can even take the metro from the airport to the city centre in fifteen minutes.

Rent a Car to Explore Denmark

If you want to see more of Denmark you can also rent a car. This is especially convenient when you leave Copenhagen and start exploring the rest of Denmark. There are a lot of places to visit in Denmark like the coast of Jutland, small fishing towns and beautiful nature spots. These places are easier to get to by car than by train or bus. In Copenhagen it is usually better to use public transport or ride a bike because it can be hard to find a place to park in the city.

Cycling is a Big Part of Life in Denmark

A lot of people in Denmark ride bikes. There are bike lanes in most cities and people on bikes follow the same traffic rules as cars. If you are walking, stay out of the bike lanes. If you rent a bike, make sure to signal when you turn and do not stop suddenly.

Weather in Denmark Can Change Fast

The weather in Denmark can change quickly because it is a country with a big coastline. In the summer it can get cool in the evening when the sun sets. It is a good idea to bring a light waterproof jacket and wear layers because this will keep you warm and dry all year round.

Ready to Map Out Your Denmark Route?

We hope this guide was useful for planning your trip to Denmark. Check out our application and stay tuned for more information about Denmark, including routes, tips and travel ideas!

FAQs About Trips to Denmark

What country is Copenhagen in?

Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark, a Nordic country in Northern Europe. The city sits on the island of Zealand and connects to Sweden via the Øresund Bridge.

Do I need a visa for Denmark from the UK?

UK citizens can visit Denmark for up to 90 days within a 180 day period without a visa for tourism. You can read more about travel requirements for Denmark before you leave.

Is Denmark in the Schengen Area?

Denmark is part of the Schengen Area, which means there are normally no border checks when travelling between other Schengen countries. The 90 day limit applies across all Schengen nations combined, not just Denmark.

Is Denmark safe?

Denmark is a safe place to visit. Denmark has low crime rates. You should still always be careful when you are travelling.