Denmark Holidays

Must-see sights

Denmark blends modern design with Viking history and long coastlines.

• Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen – A historic amusement park in the city centre, first opened in the 1800s and a key influence on Disneyland. It’s worth arriving in the late afternoon and staying into the evening, when the gardens are lit up and the atmosphere feels calmer and more relaxed.

• Nyhavn, Copenhagen – A colourful waterfront lined with 17th-century buildings and old wooden ships.

• Kronborg Castle, Helsingør – A striking Renaissance castle on the coast, best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It’s an easy daytrip from Copenhagen, with direct trains taking around 45 minutes.

• Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Jutland – This abandoned lighthouse is surrounded by shifting sand dunes on Denmark’s west coast. The walk out is exposed and often windy, so sensible shoes and layers make the visit far more comfortable.

• LEGOLAND, Billund – The original Legoland park, built next to where the famous bricks were first made. During the summer school holidays, booking tickets in advance helps keep costs down, as entry on the day is usually more expensive.

History and arts

Denmark’s museums and historic landmarks are easy to fit into a daytrip.

• ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, Aarhus – A large modern gallery best known for its rainbow rooftop walkway, with views across the city.

• Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde – Home to five original 11th-century Viking longships that were once sunk to protect the city’s harbour.

• Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Odense – A modern, immersive museum in the author’s hometown, focused on his life and fairytales.

• Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen – A well-preserved Renaissance castle set in the King’s Garden, originally built as a royal summer residence. Most visitors head straight to the basement treasury, where the Danish Crown Jewels are displayed, before exploring the upper rooms.

Local experiences

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• Embracing hygge – Hygge is Denmark’s focus on comfort, presence and shared time. It’s less about buying things and more about simple moments – lighting a candle, getting cosy, and enjoying a coffee and pastry with friends when the weather turns grey.

• Winter bathing – Cold-water swimming followed by a hot sauna is popular year-round. If you want to try it, places like in Copenhagen make it easy, with saunas and direct access to the harbour.

• Cycling – Cycling is the main way people get around, especially in Copenhagen. Bike lanes are fast and well used, so following the rules matters – clear hand signals and steady riding help you fit in and feel confident on the road.

Festivals and events

Denmark’s calendar mixes large-scale festivals with simple seasonal traditions.

• Roskilde Festival, June and July – One of Europe’s largest music and arts festivals.

• Copenhagen Light Festival, February – A winter festival that brightens up the city with large-scale light installations across canals and public squares.

• Sankt Hans Aften, 23rd June – Denmark’s midsummer celebration, marked by bonfires on beaches and by lakes, along with traditional songs.

Live like a local

Join in with one of these local activities while you’re on holiday in Denmark.

• The morning bakery run – Many locals stop by their neighbourhood bakery (bageri) in the morning for rundstykker – crusty rolls usually eaten with butter and cheese at home or on the go.

• The Friday Bar – Known locally as fredagsbar, offices and universities set up informal bars on Friday afternoons. Drinks are usually cheap and relaxed, with the aim being to ease into the weekend.

• Harbour swimming – In summer, Copenhagen’s harbour is clean enough for swimming. Locals head to places like Islands Brygge to sunbathe, swim and cool off in the designated harbour baths.

Daytrips

Denmark’s size makes it easy to see more than one place, with simple train journeys and short drives from the main cities.

• Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden – Trains run across the Øresund Bridge and get you to Malmö in under 40 minutes, making it easy to add another country to your trip.

• Aarhus to Mols Bjerge National Park – Around a 45-minute drive from Aarhus takes you into rolling hills, coastal paths and open countryside shaped by the Ice Age.

• Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle – Reach this castle in around 40 minutes by train to Hillerød.

Must-try dishes

Danish food is filling and straightforward, with plenty of options that work well for casual meals.

• Smørrebrød – These classic open-faced rye bread sandwiches are topped with things like pickled herring, roast beef or fried fish. Usually eaten at lunchtime and served with a knife and fork.

• Stegt flæsk med persillesovs – Denmark’s national dish – crispy pork belly with boiled potatoes and a creamy parsley sauce.

• Flødeboller – A popular sweet treat made from marshmallow on a wafer or marzipan base, coated in chocolate.

• Frikadeller – Traditional pan-fried meatballs, commonly served with gravy and pickled red cabbage.

• Wienerbrød (Danish pastry) – What most people know as Danish pastries. Locals order them as ‘wienerbrød’, with favourites including custard-filled spandauer and cinnamon swirls, usually eaten for breakfast.

Local drinks

Drinks in Denmark are a mix of strong spirits, well-made beer and plenty of coffee.

• Snaps (Akvavit) – A strong, clear spirit flavoured with herbs such as caraway or dill. It’s usually served as a small shot during long lunches or alongside dishes like pickled herring, rather than something people drink casually.

• Craft beer – Denmark has a thriving brewing scene. Carlsberg is the historic name, but independent breweries like Mikkeller and To Øl are easy to find, especially in cities.

• Filter coffee – Coffee is part of daily life, and strong black filter coffee is still the go-to choice at home and at work. Espresso is widely available, but filter coffee remains the favourite.

Nightlife

Danish nightlife tends to focus more on cosy bars than loud superclubs.

• Kødbyen (The Meatpacking District), Copenhagen – The main nightlife hub in the capital, where former industrial buildings now house craft beer bars, late-night food spots and underground clubs.

• Bodegas – Traditional Danish brown bars that keep things simple. Expect dim lighting, cheap bottled beer and a no-frills feel.

Why couples love Denmark

Couples can choose small boutique hotels with clean design, thoughtful details and quiet spaces to switch off. Eating out can be a highlight too, with New Nordic restaurants offering high-quality food – though these do come at a higher cost. For something slower and more intimate, many couples head to the coast to stay in summer houses near the dunes.

Why families love Denmark

Denmark is well set-up for families with pavements, transport and public spaces designed with pushchairs in mind, as well as safe cycling routes. There are also attractions like the Experimentarium in Copenhagen and the storybook settings around Odense.

Why groups love Denmark

Group trips work well thanks to Denmark’s social, shared way of living. Friends can hire electric picnic boats and take themselves around Copenhagen’s canals, spend an afternoon moving between local breweries, or sit down together over large plates of smørrebrød in historic food halls.

Why solo travellers love Denmark

Denmark is safe and easy to navigate for solo travellers. English is widely spoken, public transport is reliable, and getting around on foot or by bike is straightforward.

Places to shop

Shopping in Denmark is a mix of well-known brands, independent stores and department shops.

• Strøget, Copenhagen – One of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets, with global fashion brands at one end, and designer boutiques at the other.

• The Latin Quarter (Latinerkvarteret), Aarhus – A charming district full of cobblestone streets, independent boutiques, local fashion designers, and vintage shops.

• Illum, Copenhagen – This department store offers the best of Scandinavian fashion, beauty and homeware.

Souvenirs and local finds

Pick up a souvenir to remember your trip to Denmark.

• Danish design and homeware – Look out for ceramics, glassware and simple wooden pieces from well-known brands.

• Liquorice (Lakrids) – Salty liquorice is a local favourite, or for something different, try chocolate-coated versions from specialist brands.

• Rainwear – With changeable weather, waterproofs are a Danish speciality. Brands like Rains sell jackets, backpacks and accessories that are practical and well designed.

Markets

Markets in Denmark are a good way to eat well and browse local products.

• Torvehallerne, Copenhagen – A modern, glass-covered food market with more than 60 stalls. It’s a handy place to pick up local cheese, fresh seafood, sweet treats and good coffee.

• Loppemarked (flea markets) – Outdoor flea markets pop up across Danish cities at weekends during the warmer months. Places like Frederiksberg in Copenhagen are popular for second-hand Danish design, vintage clothing and retro homeware – and they’re often cheaper than the shops.

Cycling

The best way to get around cities like Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense is by hiring a bike. It’s simple and often quicker than public transport, with shared schemes widely available. Stick to the right of cycle lanes, signal clearly and avoid walking in bike paths.

Trains (DSB)

Ideal for travelling between regions, such as from Zealand to Jutland. Trains are clean, punctual and usually have free Wi-Fi and quiet zones. Booking DSB Orange tickets online in advance can make longer journeys much better value.

The Metro

The easiest way to move around Copenhagen – the driverless metro runs 24/7 and connects the airport to the city centre in around 15 minutes.

Hire car

Best for exploring rural areas, coastal parts of Jutland or places like Skagen. Roads are well maintained and quiet outside the cities, but fuel costs are high and crossing the Storebælt Bridge comes with a toll, which is worth factoring into your budget.