Denmark travel guide : discover history, culture and must-see destinations

Essential Denmark travel information

• Official name: Kingdom of Denmark (Kongeriget Danmark)
• Capital: Copenhagen
• Population: About 5.8 million people
• Official language: Danish
• Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
• Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Denmark's rich history: from Viking power to modern welfare state

Denmark has one of the most fascinating histories in Northern Europe. Here's a simple timeline:

Viking Age

Denmark's recorded history begins in the Viking Age (around 800-1050 CE), when Danish seafarers explored, traded, and raided across Europe. King Harald Bluetooth, who unified Denmark and Norway and introduced Christianity to Denmark around 965 CE, is commemorated today through the Bluetooth wireless technology named after him. The Jelling stones, massive carved runestones erected by Harald Bluetooth, are considered Denmark's "birth certificate" and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Medieval Kingdom

The medieval period saw Denmark become a significant power in Northern Europe. In 1397, Queen Margaret I created the Kalmar Union, uniting Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under a single monarch. This made Denmark the center of the largest Scandinavian state in history. Copenhagen was established as the capital in 1443, and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark's oldest university, was founded in 1479. The Protestant Reformation reached Denmark in the 1530s, transforming the country from Catholic to Lutheran.

Age of Enlightenment to Modern Era

The 18th century brought significant changes to Danish society, including the abolition of serfdom in 1788. Denmark remained neutral during the Napoleonic Wars but suffered when the British bombed Copenhagen in 1807. The mid-19th century saw transition to a constitutional monarchy with the signing of Denmark's first constitution in 1849. After defeat in the Second Schleswig War in 1864, Denmark lost significant territory to Prussia but turned inward to develop its agriculture and educational system. During World War II, despite being occupied by Nazi Germany, Denmark managed to save most of its Jewish population through a coordinated evacuation to neutral Sweden.

Modern Denmark

Post-war Denmark embraced social democracy and developed one of the world's most comprehensive welfare states, balancing market economy with strong social services. Denmark was a founding member of NATO (1949) and joined the European Economic Community (now EU) in 1973, though it has opted out of certain aspects, including the euro currency. Today's Denmark consistently ranks among the world's most developed, peaceful, and happy nations, known for its egalitarian society, environmental consciousness, and innovative design and technological solutions.

Danish culture & traditions every traveler should know

Danish Language

Danish belongs to the North Germanic language family along with Norwegian and Swedish. Written Danish is relatively similar to Norwegian and Swedish, but the pronunciation is quite distinctive, with numerous vowel sounds and the famous "soft d" that challenges language learners. While Danish is the official language, almost all Danes speak excellent English, making travel easy for international visitors. Danish has contributed several concepts to international vocabulary, most notably "hygge," which refers to coziness, contentment, and well-being created through simple pleasures, warm atmosphere, and good company.

Art & literature in Danish culture

Denmark has produced influential cultural figures across many fields. Author Hans Christian Andersen created beloved fairy tales like "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling" that have been translated into over 125 languages. Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard is considered the first existentialist thinker, profoundly influencing Western philosophy. In the visual arts, the Golden Age of Danish Painting (early 19th century) produced masters like Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, while modern Danish architecture and design from firms like Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and furniture designers like Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner have defined the minimalist yet warm aesthetic known as Danish Modern.

Danish cuisine: What to eat & drink

Danish food celebrates fresh, local ingredients with both traditional and New Nordic approaches:

• Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches on rye bread with creative toppings)
• Frikadeller (Danish meatballs, typically made with pork)
• Stegt flæsk med persillesovs (crispy pork with parsley sauce, the national dish)
• Danish pastries (called "wienerbrød" or "Vienna bread" in Denmark)
• New Nordic cuisine (innovative dishes focusing on seasonal, local ingredients)

Denmark has a strong beer culture, with Carlsberg and Tuborg being the most famous brands, though craft brewing has grown significantly. Aquavit (snaps), a caraway or dill-flavored spirit, is traditionally consumed with Christmas and Easter meals. Danish coffee culture is also important, with Danes ranking among the world's top coffee consumers, often enjoying it during the cultural institution of "hygge."

Hygge and Danish lifestyle

At the heart of Danish culture is the concept of hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga"), an untranslatable term encompassing coziness, contentment, and well-being. Hygge involves creating a warm atmosphere, enjoying the simple pleasures of life, and spending quality time with loved ones. It's particularly important during the long Danish winters and might involve candles (Danes burn more candles per capita than any other Europeans), comfortable settings, good food, and relaxed conversation. This concept connects to the broader Danish value of balance in life. Danes prioritize work-life balance, with reasonable working hours allowing time for family, friends, and leisure activities. Cycling culture epitomizes this approach to life—efficient yet relaxed, environmentally friendly, and healthy. Copenhagen's bicycle infrastructure is world-class, with over 350 kilometers of dedicated cycle paths.

Top places to visit in Denmark

Copenhagen: Essential sights in Denmark's capital

The capital city blends historic charm with cutting-edge design and sustainability:

• Nyhavn: The iconic 17th-century waterfront district with colorful townhouses, historical wooden ships, and outdoor cafés where Hans Christian Andersen once lived.
• Tivoli Gardens: One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843, featuring gardens, rides, performances, and magical evening illuminations.
• The Little Mermaid: The famous bronze statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, sitting on a rock in Copenhagen Harbor since 1913.
• Christiansborg Palace: Home to the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and Prime Minister's Office, as well as royal reception rooms and historic ruins beneath the palace.
• Christiania: The controversial self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood established by squatters in 1971, known for its alternative lifestyle, colorful street art, and unique architecture.

Aarhus: Denmark's second city

Aarhus offers a perfect blend of youthful energy (thanks to its large student population) and historical significance. The ARoS Art Museum features a stunning rainbow panorama walkway on its roof, offering colorful views over the city. Den Gamle By (The Old Town) is an open-air museum with historic buildings from all over Denmark. Moesgaard Museum presents Danish archaeology and ethnography in an architecturally striking building with a sloping grass roof. Named European Capital of Culture in 2017, Aarhus continues to develop as a creative and gastronomic center.

Odense

Located on the island of Funen, Odense is Denmark's third-largest city and the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Visitors can explore the writer's childhood home and a museum dedicated to his life and works. The city's name means "Odin's sanctuary," referring to the Norse god, reflecting its ancient origins. Funen itself is known as Denmark's "garden island" for its picturesque landscapes, historic manors, and charming villages with half-timbered houses.

North Jutland

The northernmost region of Denmark offers dramatic natural beauty and unique geological phenomena. At Grenen, the northernmost point of Denmark, visitors can stand with one foot in the Skagerrak and one in the Kattegat where two seas visibly meet. The "migrating" sand dune Råbjerg Mile moves about 15 meters per year. Skagen, Denmark's northernmost town, became famous for the Skagen Painters who captured the region's distinctive light. The buried church of Tilsandede Kirke, with only the tower visible above the sand, offers another dramatic sight.

Roskilde

Just 30 minutes from Copenhagen, Roskilde combines ancient and modern Danish culture. The UNESCO-listed Roskilde Cathedral contains the tombs of 39 Danish kings and queens. The Viking Ship Museum displays remarkably preserved 11th-century vessels recovered from Roskilde Fjord. The city is also famous for the Roskilde Festival, Scandinavia's largest music festival, which transforms the city each summer with over 130,000 attendees. Nearby, the Land of Legends (Sagnlandet Lejre) open-air museum recreates prehistoric and Viking Age settlements.

Natural wonders & landscapes of Denmark

• Møns Klint: Dramatic white chalk cliffs rising 128 meters above the Baltic Sea, featuring unique flora and fossils dating back 70 million years.
• Wadden Sea National Park: UNESCO World Heritage site featuring tidal flats where millions of migratory birds stop during their journey between breeding and wintering grounds.
• Thy National Park: Denmark's first national park showcases wild dune landscapes, coastal heath, and windswept forests along the North Sea.
• Ærø: A picturesque island in the South Funen Archipelago with rolling hills, pristine beaches, and charming villages with cobblestone streets and colorful houses.
• Bornholm: Baltic island known as "Sunshine Island" for its favorable climate, featuring distinctive round churches, rocky coastlines, and fine sandy beaches.

Fascinating Facts About Denmark

Denmark consists of a peninsula (Jutland) and 406 named islands, of which only 74 are inhabited.

Danes are consistently ranked among the world's happiest people in the annual World Happiness Report.

The Danish flag, Dannebrog, is recognized as the oldest continuously used national flag in the world, dating back to at least 1219.

LEGO, one of the world's most popular toys, was invented in Denmark in 1932 (the name comes from "leg godt," meaning "play well" in Danish).

Denmark has approximately 12,000 kilometers of bicycle lanes for a country that's only 43,000 square kilometers in total area.

Danish contributions to world culture

• Danish Modern furniture design (revolutionizing home interiors globally)
• The loudspeaker (developed by Danish engineer Peter L. Jensen in 1915)
• Insulin treatment for diabetes (Nobel Prize-winning work by August Krogh and Hans Christian Hagedorn)
• Wind turbine technology (Denmark pioneered modern wind power development)
• The concept of hygge (inspiring a global lifestyle movement)