Consistently voted one of Europe’s happiest nations, Denmark offers visitors an eclectic range of attractions so they can share the Danish joy. Our top ten Denmark attractions should give you plenty of reasons to smile. They range from free museums and fun parks in the capital, Copenhagen, to historic castles and villages made out of Lego further afield!
10. Rosenborg Castle
flickr/Dennis Jarvis
Situated in the heart of Copenhagen is the lovely Rosenborg Castle. Once the country summer house of Christian IV, King of Denmark in the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle is now largely a museum exhibiting Danish royal heirlooms such as portraits, regalia, furnishings and the crown jewels. The castle and surrounding gardens are easily visited by foot.
9. Grenen Skagen
flickr/David Cartagena
If you’re in Denmark during spring or summer, it’s worth taking a cruise to Skagen at the northernmost point of the country. Skagen has a relaxed family-friendly village atmosphere and lots of outdoor activities. The most popular of these is visiting the Grenen headland, a shifting sandbar that represents the top of Denmark and where two seas meet. Take a trip on The Sand Worm bus to reach the last stretch. Only paddling on the edge is permitted, the currents here are very dangerous!
8. Church of Our Saviour
flickr/Haylstorm's Head
You’ll need to leave your vertigo behind when you visit the Church of Our Saviour in Copenhagen. Famous for its corkscrew spire which is a popular observation point, there are around 400 steps to climb and the last 150 are around the outside of the spire! Once at the top you’ll be rewarded with unmatched views of the city, just don’t look down, its 90 metres above street level.
7. ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum
flickr/Shawn Baker
This is a large contemporary art museum situated in the town of Aarhus in eastern Denmark. ARoS is just one of city’s many museums but it is the largest at 10 storeys high and with a total floor space of 17,000 m2. It has four sizable exhibition galleries as well as the larger West gallery, and features permanent and temporary artworks by local and international artists. The 9 Rooms are a series of black installation gallery spaces at the bottom of the museum and visitors travel from these to the bright roof terrace at the top via a spiral staircase, the concept is a symbolic journey from hell to heaven.
6. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
flickr/Eugene Phoen
The Danish brewer behind the creation of The Little Mermaid, was also an avid art and sculpture collector. Carl Jacobsen’s personal collection has been housed in an art museum in Copenhagen called the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. If the name Carlsberg sounds familiar it’s because he was the son of the founder of Carlsberg Breweries. The collection focuses on French artists as well as sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome, and important works by Degas and Rodin.
5. Legoland
flickr/Sir Jayko
A Danish attraction that has been going since the 1960s, and still popular today, is the original Legoland theme park in Billund. Since the park opened its doors to reveal detailed miniature Lego villages, copycat Legolands have sprung up in England, Germany and California. Today the 45 acre park has over 9 themed Lego lands incorporating over 55 attractions including roller coaster rides, water rides, and plenty more to keep adults and kids alike entertained!
4. Frederiksborg Palace
flickr/Casper Moller
Sitting serenely on three small islands overlooking Palace Lake in Hillerød is the magnificent Dutch Renaissance-style castle, Frederiksborg Palace. Home to the Museum of National History, it is considered the largest example of a Renaissance palace in Scadinavia. Its name refers to the original version constructed by Frederick II in the 16th century, and although there are still parts of Frederick’s palace, most of the building is 17th century courtesy of Christian IV, who used the palace for his royal residence up until his death in 1648.
3. Kronborg Castle
flickr/Benjamin Asmussen
To visit or not to visit? That is the question. Anyone familiar with Shakespeare will appreciate Kronborg Castle in Helsingør just north of Copenhagen. This is Elsinore Castle, the setting for the play ‘Hamlet’. Today a World Heritage Site, the castle has been open to the public since 1923 and has a gigantic banqueting hall, apartments with Dutch paintings and tapestries, and spooky underground corridors.
2. Tivoli Gardens
flickr/Stig Nygaard
One of Copenhagen’s oldest but most popular attractions is Tivoli Gardens near the City Hall. Tivoli is an amusement park that dates back to 1843 and is a peaceful place to stroll around for its lakes, flowers and fountains. As well as classic rides, the park has recently expanded to include three new ones; the 4G eagle ride, the rotating star tower and the interactive Little Dragon.
1. Nyhavn
flickr/Tiberio Frascari
One of the most photographed shots of Copenhagen is the waterfront quay of Nyhavn. Originally sailors’ quarters, today Nyhavn is a lively, picturesque area featuring colourful shop fronts, cafés, bars and restaurants. It’s a great place to kick-back and relax on a sunny day with a drink and do some people watching!
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