Let's Explore Denmark

Denmark Travel Guide, Transportation, Accommodations, Food, Dishes, Hidden Attractions, and much more...

Denmark at a glance

Denmark is a place I can see myself visiting several times over. The hygge-feeling along with the memories I have of exploring Copenhagen and venturing out to the Viking Village. From the thrill of Tivoli Garden to the excitement at Legoland, Denmark truly has so much to offer in landscape and attractions. Dunes, lagoons, and sandbars shelter Denmark’s west coast from North Sea storms. Denmark is a land of green pastures, blue lakes, and white coastal beaches. The carefully tended farms make up about 3/4 of the country. The roofs of most houses are made of red or blue tiles or thatch. Storks, which the Danes believe bring good lick, build nests on some rooftops. Castles and windmills rise above the land.

Denmark Do's

Be on time.
Do pack warm layers.
Do heed crosswalk signals.
Everybody is addressed with the informal “du” (you).
Learn Danish.

Denmark Dont's

Do not use formal language. In Denmark, we do not use titles like “sir” and the language in the workplace is often less formal than in the rest of the world. The Danes use first names and say du when they address each other both in general and in the workplace.
Don’t bother taking out cash. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
Don’t be alarmed if you come across a baby unattended in a stroller outside. It’s common for Danish parents to let their infant sleep outside seemingly unattended, swearing that the brisk air has health benefits for the little one.
Do not smoke too much. Smoking is not allowed indoor in Danish workplaces, and some places you cannot just take a cigarette break when you feel like it. Ask what the rules are if you are a smoker.

Denmark Quick Facts

SIM Card/Internet

Denmark is a Go Roam in Europe destination which means you can use your data here at no extra cost. If you have an Add-on with a data allowance of 20GB or greater, a fair use limit applies, with use over 20GB subject to a small surcharge. Traveling is an experience that you always want to document. By using free WiFi, you can capture the best moments of any vacation. Whether you want to post on social media or upload videos of your adventures, countless free hotspots make this easy to do. You will find that free airport WiFi can be found in most places. Few airports are unequipped to provide you with WiFi. So when you land at your destination you can begin chronicling your travels right away.

Denmark Fun Guides

Transportation in Denmark

The best way to get around Denmark is by private car on the excellent road network. In lieu of that, nearly all major towns, and certainly most Danish cities, are serviced by trains, except certain offshore islands, which can be reached only by ferryboat.

By Taxi

Taxis are generally readily available for hire in city centers, near major shopping centers, and at train stations. If you see a taxi with a lit fire sign (or a green light), you can wave it down, or you can phone for a taxi instead – hotels and tourist offices have numbers for local companies.

By Bus

All large cities and towns have a local and regional bus system. Long-distance buses run a distant second to trains (but are cheaper).

By Bike

Extensive bike paths link towns throughout the country. Bikes can be hired in every town. Denmark is the most cycle-friendly country in the EU and cyclists are well catered for with excellent cycling routes throughout the country. It’s easy to travel on a bike anywhere in Denmark, even when you’re not riding it, as bicycles can be taken on ferries and trains for a modest fee.

By Rental Car

Denmark is perfect for touring by car, which can be hired in larger towns. Drive on the right.

By Train

Reasonably priced, with extensive coverage of the country and frequent departures.

By Ferry

Boats link virtually all of Denmark’s populated islands.

Best Dishes in Denmark

Over the past 30 years, traditional Danish food has been re-invented as New Nordic Cuisine. It emphasizes the use of local and seasonal ingredients and is a hit with both local and international foodies. Traditional Danish food is based on what was historically available nearby or could be farmed during Denmark’s short summers. Cabbage and root vegetables like beets were an important part of the diet, along with rye bread, fish, and pork.

Smørrebrød – The Danish open-faced sandwiches, smørrebrød, are perhaps the most famous of the Danish food classics. Smørrebrød is simply a slice of rye bread with various combinations of toppings such as pickled herring, roast beef, and eggs topped with mayo and shrimps.
Stjerneskud – Is the lesser-known but more extravagant smørrebrød, and one of the Danes’ absolute favorites. Stjerneskud is a slice of rye bread with fried plaice fillet, topped with shrimp, lettuce, and caviar from the Limfjord.
Stegt flæsk – A few years ago, Danes voted on their national dish, and the winning dish, a classic pork recipe called ‘Stegt flæsk med persillesovs’, was no surprise. The crispy pork with parsley sauce and potatoes is a very old dish that has won the hearts, and tummies, of Danes for centuries.
Danish pastries – In Denmark, these world-famous sticky delights are called Vienna Bread (wienerbrød), as they were first made in Denmark in the 1840s by Austrian bakers. Still, Danish pastries rose in popularity over the centuries and are now a firm favorite of ordinary Danes.
Danish meatballs – Frikadeller (Danish meatballs) are very popular in Denmark, and they are served both for lunch and dinner. Traditionally, the meatballs consist of equal calf and pork, flour, milk, eggs, onions, and spices, but today there are countless versions of the Danish classic, which is also a popular smørrebrød-topping.

Best Accommodations in Denmark

There are many types of accommodations in Denmark – from the very basic to ultra-high class. You can choose from traditional hotels, Danish hostels, or even a personal Home Stay. Probably the least expensive types of accommodations in Denmark are homestays and bed and breakfast. There are 96 hostels throughout Denmark called DanHostel or Vandrerhjem. During the summer months, you may wish to look into renting a summer home. Many Danes have summer homes, which are cottages outside the cities in small communities. They can be anything from a single room to a multiple-room house. If you are the outdoors type or the more adventurous free spirit. there are lots of camping sites and caravan/motor home parks and you can opt to sleep in the open.

Denmark's Top Tourist Attractions

Tivoli, also known as Tivoli Gardens, is an amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park opened on 15 August 1843 and is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world, after Dyrehavsbakken in nearby Klampenborg, also in Denmark, and Wurstelprater in Vienna, Austria.

The Little Mermaid is a bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, depicting a mermaid becoming human. The sculpture is displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is 1.25 meters tall and weighs 175 kilograms.

Amalienborg Palace is a must for anyone with a taste for royal history and the life of Denmark’s royal family who still resides inside the palace. Experience royal history at the museum and sense the presence of one of the world’s oldest monarchies from the beautiful palace square where you can watch the changing of the guards.

Denmark's Hidden Gems

In 2006, not quite 100 years after Eriksen’s iconic mermaid was introduced, Bjørn Nørgaard, a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, created “The Genetically Altered Paradise.” A news release described the piece as “a provocative and humorous look at postmodern society.” Located a quarter of a mile from the beloved tourist attraction are contorted, abstract sculptures of Adam, Eve, Mary Magdalene, Christ, a pregnant man, and “The Genetically Modified Little Mermaid.”

The northernmost point in Denmark is a turbulent sandbar created by two clashing seas. Known as “The Branch” in English, Grenen is a slowly lengthening strip of beach that marks the intersection of two seas which are continually forcing more sand to the surface.

An old limestone mine transformed into a beautiful and unusual sculpture museum. Since 1935, the old THINGBÆK limestone mine has been operating as a museum dedicated to sculpture. This distinctive, unusual exhibition space is beautiful and chilling, lit mostly by candles and kept at a temperature of about 45 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. As such, it’s a surprising and charming stop along an older two-lane highway that’s now usually bypassed by travelers who take the nearby (faster) freeway.

Denmark Daily Costs

Budget: Less than $135

Accommodation:

Hotel or Hostel (single): $33
Double-occupancy room: $65

Food

Meals for one day: $22

Hotdogs: $16
Coffee: $16

Transportation

Taxis, local buses, train: $25
Intercity: $18

Bicycle rental: $70

Entertainment

Entrance tickets & shows: $16

Boat tour: $9.82

Tips & Handouts

Guides & service providers: $6.87

Alcohol

Drinks for one day: $5.24

Water

Bottled water for one day: $6.87

Mid-range: $135-245

Accommodation

Hotel or rental home (single): $81
Double-occupancy room: $163

Food

Meals for one day: $56

Hotdogs: $16
Coffee: $16

Transportation

Taxis or Car rental: $69
Intercity: $43

Bicycle rental: $70

Entertainment

Entrance tickets & shows: $51

Boat tour: $9.82

Tips & Handouts

Guides & service providers: $6.87

Alcohol

Drinks for one day: $12

Water

Bottled water for one day: $6.87

High-end (Luxury): More than $245

Accommodation

Resort or hotel (single): $199
Double-occupancy room: $397

Food

Meals for one day: $143

Hotdogs: $16
Coffee: $16

Transportation

Car Rentals or private driver: $207
Intercity: $89

Bicycle rental: $70

Entertainment

Entrance tickets & shows: $192

Boat tour: $9.82

Tips & Handouts

Guides & service providers: $6.87

Alcohol

Drinks for one day: $25

Water

Bottled water for one day: $6.87

Denmark Money-Saving Tips

Travel during the offseason – During the offseason, hotels and flights are often cheaper and the crowds are not as dense.
Explore free things to do – With the abundance of history beautifully displayed in a number of museums, there are a lot of free entrance fees and other free activities offered in many of the larger cities.
Take public transportation – With an extensive transportation system, getting around via bus or train is very reliable. Thanks to a slow progression toward a more modern-look, bicycling can also be very efficient.
Consider buying city-passes – City-passes can be great. They usually let you visit a number of attractions for free and/or use the transit system for a fixed number of days.

Useful Websites & Apps

Hotel booking – Booking.com via InteleTravel
Tours & activities – Viator or Shore Excursions Group
Ferry tickets & schedule – Scandlines
Bus Schedule – Moovit
Translation – Google

10 Cool Facts About Denmark

One of the happiest countries in the world Denmark has been named the world’s happiest country on numerous occasions, and remains to be in the very top of the UN World Happiness Report.
You’ll find the two oldest amusement parks in the world in Denmark Denmark is home to the world’s oldest amusement park, Bakken, as well as the second oldest one, Tivoli Gardens. You find Bakken located just a short 20-minute train ride from Copenhagen central station and Tivoli Gardens is located just on the opposite side of the street from the station in the center of our vibrant capital.
Greenland is a part of the kingdom of Denmark The giant territory of Greenland belongs to the Danish kingdom. So, in reality, the country’s area is a lot bigger than just 42,931 km2, considering the fact that Greenland’s total area is 2 166 000 km². However, Greenland is an autonomous constituent country.
Denmark is famed for its liberalism Few countries in the world (if any) are as free and liberal as Denmark. It’s a very open society and the Danes aren’t afraid of speaking their minds.
We don’t have any mountains, so biking is never uphill Denmark is known around the world for its bike culture, and the fact that our country is quite flat is definitely an advantage in this matter. But we also have more than 12,000km of cycle tracks and lanes throughout the country which makes biking in Denmark a safe and respected way to travel.
Health Care and Education is free Well, kind of. Health care and education is being paid for by taxes, so in a sense, it’s paid for by the people. But, it also means that not only the richest people have the opportunity to get health care and good education.
We have a word for that cosy feeling of togetherness: Hygge Hygge is a term that goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. In essence, Hygge is about creating cozy social gatherings and intimate get-togethers with family and friends. It’s the feeling of wellbeing and warm atmospheres.
The Danish flag is the oldest state flag still in use The “Dannebrog” was first acknowledged back in 1219, which makes it the oldest state flag still in use by an independent nation.
The Danish language has no word for “please” Don’t think Danes are impertinent if they forget to say please when asking for a favor, we’re simply not used to use it in a sentence as there is no direct translation for “please” in Danish.
Denmark has been inhabited since at least 12 500 BC The earliest archeological findings are dating back to 130,000–110,000 BC. Experts say that the country has been inhabited since at least 12 500 BC, and agricultural pieces of evidence have been found dating back to 3900 BC.