Denmark might not be your first guess if you were asked what the oldest kingdom in the world is, but there seems to be plenty that people don’t know about this Scandinavian country—popular itineraries detailing a whirlwind tour of Europe rarely include Denmark travel, or at best it may suggest spending a day or two in Copenhagen only. However, there is much to see 450 or so islands that make up this beautiful country; there are certainly too many to visit during a single Denmark vacation. Those that stop only in Copenhagen are also missing out on a great number of tourist attractions in Denmark that are spread across its archipelago. From Odense to Aarhus, from Sonderborg to Skagen, a Denmark vacation will not be one you soon forget.
The country is divided into three regions: Sjaeland, Fyn, and Jylland. The majority of popular tourist attractions in Denmark lie in Sjaeland, where Copenhagen dominates the country’s largest island. Fyn is mile after mile of green pasture land, along with a surprising number of powdery beaches. Trips are broken up by the occasional provincial town - the largest of which, Odense, was the boyhood home of Hans Christian Anderson. The expanding cities of Arhus and Aalborg are the main draws to Jylland. Elsewhere, the landscape can tend towards the rugged, as the country’s ample fjords cut their way inland from the Baltic Sea.
Tourist attractions in Denmark include the many castles (such as Rosenborg Castle and Amalienborg Palace) and museums in the capital, as well as the rough-hewn natural splendor that is found all across the Danish islands. Seeing the country by boat is another popular way to take advantage of the country’s numerous canals and waterways – you can see why the Vikings chose this as their main home so many years ago.
WHEN TO GO ?
It’s no surprise that the best time to travel to Denmark is in the summer. From May to August, Denmark tourism hits its peak, as foreigners amble along Copenhagen’s friendly roads, or set forth into the northern areas in search of less crowded fun. And while vacations in Denmark are never a bad idea, the vast difference in weather throughout the year makes the summer months far more tourist friendly.
If variable prices are a factor when traveling abroad, the winter months, as always, are the amongst the cheapest times to travel to Denmark. If you want better weather, try late spring or early fall - the main Denmark attractions haven"t closed up for winter and the weather has yet to take its annual turn towards grey and gloomy.
Not only are the days warmer, they are longer. Significantly longer. June and July can find the daylight lasting for over 18 hours or more per day. Allowing for this, most Denmark attractions (especially popular ones like the Rosenborg Castle) also extend their hours during these months, so even if you are braving the busiest tourist season, there are still plenty of ways to stagger your sightseeing to avoid other visitors, if you like. Because despite all the natural wonders and cosmopolitan appeal that registers when you travel through Copenhagen or Odense, Denmark tourism still never really reaches the level of their neighbors to the south – mosttravelers during a tour of the continent stick to the warmer climates of France and Italy, or even Germany. The higher prices incurred during vacations in Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia is also a factor, but the fact remains that these countries are often a bit overlooked in the scope of European travel, and for very little reason.
For those that prefer leaving home during the winter months, travel to Denmark offers quite a few interesting options during this time period, too. Though Denmark attractions keep their normal hours (assuming they stay open, which the immensely popular Tivoli Gardens does not), they are generally a lot quieter during chilly months of January and February, where temperatures often hover just around freezing. But Denmark has, like the rest of its Nordic brothers, embraced the cold as a selling point – the islands cast a far different impression during the winter, isolated and distant and more like a Christmas fairytale than anything else. For Danes, this season is also a time of celebration, as many of their most popular holidays and festivals take place in the dark of winter - Copenhagen’s Christmas proceedings are definitely a highlight of vacations in Denmark. Though if you are planning to travel to Denmark’s coastal cities from London or Dublin, you’ll find little different about the weather - surely a comforting thought to some.
THINGS TO DO
If variable prices are a factor when traveling abroad, the winter months, as always, are the amongst the cheapest times to travel to Denmark. If you want better weather, try late spring or early fall - the main Denmark attractions haven"t closed up for winter and the weather has yet to take its annual turn towards grey and gloomy.
Not only are the days warmer, they are longer. Significantly longer. June and July can find the daylight lasting for over 18 hours or more per day. Allowing for this, most Denmark attractions (especially popular ones like the Rosenborg Castle) also extend their hours during these months, so even if you are braving the busiest tourist season, there are still plenty of ways to stagger your sightseeing to avoid other visitors, if you like. Because despite all the natural wonders and cosmopolitan appeal that registers when you travel through Copenhagen or Odense, Denmark tourism still never really reaches the level of their neighbors to the south – most
For those that prefer leaving home during the winter months, travel to Denmark offers quite a few interesting options during this time period, too. Though Denmark attractions keep their normal hours (assuming they stay open, which the immensely popular Tivoli Gardens does not), they are generally a lot quieter during chilly months of January and February, where temperatures often hover just around freezing. But Denmark has, like the rest of its Nordic brothers, embraced the cold as a selling point – the islands cast a far different impression during the winter, isolated and distant and more like a Christmas fairytale than anything else. For Danes, this season is also a time of celebration, as many of their most popular holidays and festivals take place in the dark of winter - Copenhagen’s Christmas proceedings are definitely a highlight of vacations in Denmark. Though if you are planning to travel to Denmark’s coastal cities from London or Dublin, you’ll find little different about the weather - surely a comforting thought to some.
THINGS TO DO
Denmark is famous for many things, from stylish castles to Viking remains to scenic fjords and golden beer. Though difficult to boil the country down into a compact list, here are a few Denmark tourist attractions that are a cut above the ordinary. See the crown jewels at Rosenborg castle.
It’s hard to get away from the castles – Copenhagen tours pretty much require you to pass at least one or two. And while there are plenty to choose from, it’s no secret why Rosenborg Castle is one of the top Denmark tourist attractions. Both opulent and stately, the real draw is the royal collection strewn throughout the many chambers and ballrooms.
Visit the sandy Skagen beaches
Beaches might not be the first thing you think of when considering Denmark tourist attractions, but the ones located in the Skagen area along the northwestern side are among the country’s best. Gulf streams keep the air fairly warm, even in the winter months, and the beaches range from the heavily populated to the heavily secluded.
Eat at Tyenkokkenhanskoneoghendeselsker
Though one does not always think of Denmark as synonymous with fine food, the chefs at this ridiculously named restaurant (named after the film “The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and Her Lover), not only purvey a variety of wonderful dishes, they are never afraid to experiment with them either. Delightfully odd combinations (such as fish and coffee sauce) make eating here one of the top things to do in Copenhagen.
See the Remains of Viking Ships at the Viking Ship Museum
This museum has five restored Viking ships that were sunk in the fjords of Roskilde hundreds of years ago. Discovered in 1957, great pains were taken to restore them, and the results prove that the Vikings were innate shipbuilders who took to their craft with great precision and skill.
Rock out at the Roskilde Festival
Music fans will want to make the pilgrimage to this summer festival, where top rock bands from all over the world come to play to you and 90,000 of your closest friends.
Tour the Carlsberg brewery
The Danes consume more beer, on average, than any other country in the world. So it just makes sense to add a visit to their most famous brewery onto your list of things to do in Copenhagen.
Ride the Roller Coaster at Bakken
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen gets all the recognition, but Bakken can rightfully take its place as one of the top Denmark tourist attractions. Just nine miles away, it can be an easy addition to most Copenhagen tours, and you can see the oldest amusement park in the world. The rides and atmosphere almost seem to be purposefully the opposite of Tivoli – less flashing lights and devoid of the tourist traps of the Copenhagen park, Bakken is simply unpretentious fun.
Play with Legos at Legoland
Not just kids will enjoy this theme park consisting of 45 million interconnected blocks. One of the most popular Denmark tourist attractions, Legoland is located in the otherwise small town of Billund.
Egeskov castle
Not too many people make it out to Kvaerndrup, on the island of Fyn, but those that do are certainly going to see this castle. Dominating the rolling countryside, Egeskov Castle is surrounded by all kinds of moats and styles of gardens, from renaissance to English and many others.
Stroll through Nyhavn
Take a walk (or bike, if you want to look like a local) along the harbor front neighborhood that is the staple of most Copenhagen tours. It’s a rich mix of an old sailor’s haunts and new and updated storefronts, and the shimmering sun on the harbor will add all the vitamin D you need to enjoy the well-preserved harbor.
- Gathered from Destination 360 -
It’s hard to get away from the castles – Copenhagen tours pretty much require you to pass at least one or two. And while there are plenty to choose from, it’s no secret why Rosenborg Castle is one of the top Denmark tourist attractions. Both opulent and stately, the real draw is the royal collection strewn throughout the many chambers and ballrooms.
Visit the sandy Skagen beaches
Beaches might not be the first thing you think of when considering Denmark tourist attractions, but the ones located in the Skagen area along the northwestern side are among the country’s best. Gulf streams keep the air fairly warm, even in the winter months, and the beaches range from the heavily populated to the heavily secluded.
Eat at Tyenkokkenhanskoneoghendeselsker
Though one does not always think of Denmark as synonymous with fine food, the chefs at this ridiculously named restaurant (named after the film “The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and Her Lover), not only purvey a variety of wonderful dishes, they are never afraid to experiment with them either. Delightfully odd combinations (such as fish and coffee sauce) make eating here one of the top things to do in Copenhagen.
See the Remains of Viking Ships at the Viking Ship Museum
This museum has five restored Viking ships that were sunk in the fjords of Roskilde hundreds of years ago. Discovered in 1957, great pains were taken to restore them, and the results prove that the Vikings were innate shipbuilders who took to their craft with great precision and skill.
Rock out at the Roskilde Festival
Music fans will want to make the pilgrimage to this summer festival, where top rock bands from all over the world come to play to you and 90,000 of your closest friends.
Tour the Carlsberg brewery
The Danes consume more beer, on average, than any other country in the world. So it just makes sense to add a visit to their most famous brewery onto your list of things to do in Copenhagen.
Ride the Roller Coaster at Bakken
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen gets all the recognition, but Bakken can rightfully take its place as one of the top Denmark tourist attractions. Just nine miles away, it can be an easy addition to most Copenhagen tours, and you can see the oldest amusement park in the world. The rides and atmosphere almost seem to be purposefully the opposite of Tivoli – less flashing lights and devoid of the tourist traps of the Copenhagen park, Bakken is simply unpretentious fun.
Play with Legos at Legoland
Not just kids will enjoy this theme park consisting of 45 million interconnected blocks. One of the most popular Denmark tourist attractions, Legoland is located in the otherwise small town of Billund.
Egeskov castle
Not too many people make it out to Kvaerndrup, on the island of Fyn, but those that do are certainly going to see this castle. Dominating the rolling countryside, Egeskov Castle is surrounded by all kinds of moats and styles of gardens, from renaissance to English and many others.
Stroll through Nyhavn
Take a walk (or bike, if you want to look like a local) along the harbor front neighborhood that is the staple of most Copenhagen tours. It’s a rich mix of an old sailor’s haunts and new and updated storefronts, and the shimmering sun on the harbor will add all the vitamin D you need to enjoy the well-preserved harbor.
- Gathered from Destination 360 -
0 comments:
Post a Comment