Denmark Travel Guide
Denmark is small on the map but big on vibes. It’s the land of fairy-tale spires and modern design, where Viking history sits happily next to sleek waterfront cafés and some of the best cycling infrastructure on the planet 🚲. Think windswept North Sea beaches, soft sand dunes, calm Baltic islands, colourful harbours, and cities that feel effortlessly liveable (in that annoyingly stylish Scandinavian way).
Denmark is the southernmost country in Scandinavia, made up of the Jutland peninsula plus hundreds of islands linked by bridges and ferries. Its capital, Copenhagen, is the headline act: canals, cobbled streets, cosy corners, and food that goes way beyond hot dogs (though yes, you should still eat one). But the real magic is how quickly you can escape the city. Chase dramatic white cliffs at Møns Klint, watch the seas meet at Skagen, wander castle grounds that look straight out of a storybook, or hop over to Bornholm for rocky coastlines and sleepy seaside towns.
If you’re into laid-back city breaks, coastal walks, cycling routes, Nordic history, or just leaning into a bit of hygge with a cinnamon bun in hand, Denmark’s an absolute treat 🇩🇰✨
Best Time To Visit
Denmark can be a bit of a weather tease, especially on the west coast where wind and drizzle like to make guest appearances. But it’s also what gives it that crisp, cosy, “hot coffee and a cardigan” vibe 😄
Summer (June to August) is usually the best time to visit for long, bright days, warmer temps, and peak Copenhagen and island energy ☀️. It’s perfect for cycling, beaches, and harbour hangs, but July is the busiest and priciest.
May and September are the sweet spot if you want nicer weather without the full summer crowds. Great for city breaks, day trips, and exploring castles and coastlines without queue fatigue.
October to February is proper hygge season. Think museums, cafés, candlelit dinners, and festive Copenhagen in December, but pack warm layers and expect shorter days.
What To Expect
Capital: Copenhagen
Language: Danish is the official language. The good news is most Danes speak excellent English, especially in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and touristy areas. Still, a couple of easy wins go a long way: “Hej” (hi), “Tak” (thank you), “Ja” (yes), “Nej” (no), “Undskyld” (excuse me/sorry). You’ll spot English menus pretty much everywhere in cities.
Currency: The Danish Krone (DKK). Denmark doesn’t use the Euro, but the krone is closely tied to it, so EUR conversions are usually pretty steady. As a rough guide (rates move, so check a currency app before you go): €1 ≈ 7.47 DKK, $1 ≈ 6.39 DKK, £1 ≈ 8.60 DKK. Handy maths: €10 ≈ 75 DKK, $10 ≈ 64 DKK, 100 DKK ≈ €13.40 or $15.65.
Cash Machines & ATMs: ATMs exist, but Denmark is famously card-first. Contactless is everywhere, including public transport, supermarkets, museums, and even tiny bakery stops. Keep a physical card on you just in case your phone decides to have a tantrum. Some places can be cashless only.
Plugs: Type C, E, and K. Standard voltage 230 V, frequency 50 Hz. Most European plugs work, but Denmark sometimes uses Type K, so a universal adapter is the safest bet.
Safety: Denmark is generally very safe and easy to travel around. Usual city common sense applies: keep an eye on your bag in crowded areas and train stations, and lock your bike properly if you hire one (bike theft is the most common hassle). If you’re heading to the coast, wind can make it feel colder than it looks, so pack layers.
Never ever: Don’t walk in the cycle lanes in Copenhagen unless you enjoy near-death experiences delivered by a silent Danish commuter 😅. Also, don’t assume everywhere takes cash, and try not to be loud on public transport. Denmark does calm and orderly very well.
Travel Guides
City Guides
Itineraries + Map
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit (City Specific)
Denmark Travel Tips and Advice
Everything Else
Search for your Accommodation
Find the Cheapest Flights
Book tours and purchase tickets
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Denmark
1. Walking the White Cliffs of Møns Klint
If Denmark had a “wait, THIS is Denmark?” moment, it’s Møns Klint. These chalk cliffs drop straight into the Baltic in a way that feels properly dramatic, especially at sunrise when the light hits the white rock and everything looks a bit unreal. The best bit is the mix of easy forest trails above and a leg-burny staircase down to the beach. Bring decent shoes because pebbles can be slippy, and keep an eye out for fossils if you’re the kind of person who can’t resist pocketing a cool rock. Bonus points if you time it for golden hour and pretend you’re in a moody Nordic film 🎬🌊
2. Exploring Denmark’s Castle Royalty: Kronborg and Frederiksborg
Denmark does castles with serious confidence. Kronborg Castle in Helsingør is the famous one, Shakespeare fans know it as Hamlet’s Elsinore, and it’s got proper ramparts, sea views, and echoey halls that make you walk slower for no reason. Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød is the fairytale show-off, all turrets, lakeside gardens, and “how is this real?” ceilings inside. Do one as a day trip or pair them across a couple of days if you’re leaning into your inner history nerd. Pack a warm layer too, those coastal winds love a surprise cameo 🏰👑
3. Getting Lost in Copenhagen’s Best Wandering Neighbourhoods
Copenhagen’s magic isn’t just the big sights, it’s the wandering. Nyhavn is the postcard bit with colourful houses and boats, but it’s even better when you keep walking and let the city do its thing. Head into Christianshavn for canals and cute streets, then cross into the older lanes near Strøget and you’ll find little courtyards, design shops, and cafés that make you “just one more coffee” yourself into the afternoon. It’s an easy city to explore on foot, and even easier if you do it with a pastry in hand 🥐🚶♀️
4. Chasing Big Sea Air at Skagen and Grenen
Right at the northern tip of Jutland, Skagen is where Denmark goes full windswept and wild. Grenen is the star, it’s the sandy point where the Skagerrak and Kattegat meet, and you can stand with waves coming in from two sides like nature’s little flex. The whole area is great for long beach walks, dune views, and that fresh salty air that makes you hungry every 20 minutes. If you fancy extra drama, nearby dunes and wide open skies make it feel like the edge of the world, in a good way 🌬️🏖️
5. Doing “Culture with a View” at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Louisiana is one of those places that even non museum people end up loving. It’s modern art right on the water, with big windows, sculpture gardens, and calm coastal views that make you slow down without trying. You can do a proper wander through the galleries, then go sit with a coffee looking out over the Øresund like you’re having a thoughtful main character moment. It’s an easy half-day trip from Copenhagen and it’s the perfect reset if your brain needs a break from “go go go” travel mode 🎨☕
Denmark Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – £23–£52 / $31–$71 / €27–€60
- Hostel Private Rooms – £52–£105 / $71–$141 / €60–€120
- Budget Hotels – £82–£152 / $110–$204 / €94–€174
- Airbnb Private Rooms – £52–£105 / $71–$141 / €60–€120
- Airbnb Apartments – £105–£210 / $141–$282 / €120–€241
- Campsites – £23–£52 / $31–$71 / €27–€60
Transportation
- Local Bus or Metro (single ticket) – £3–£7 / $4–$9 / €3–€8
- Intercity Bus (example routes like Copenhagen–Aarhus) – £9–£21 / $13–$28 / €11–€24
- Train (advance tickets) – £12–£52 / $16–$71 / €13–€60
- Taxi start fee – £4–£6 / $6–$8 / €5–€7
- Taxi (per km) – £1.30–£1.70 / $1.70–$2.40 / €1.50–€2.00
- Car Rental (per day) – £29–£76 / $39–$102 / €33–€87
Food
- Budget Meal – £12–£20 / $16–$27 / €13–€23
- Mid-Range Restaurant Meal (per person) – £29–£52 / $39–$71 / €33–€60
- Coffee – £3.50–£7 / $4.70–$9.40 / €4–€8
- Beer (pint/0.5L) – £6–£9 / $8–$12 / €7–€10
Activities
- Museum Entry – £10–£19 / $14–$25 / €12–€21
- Guided Tours – £23–£82 / $31–$110 / €27–€94
- Theatre or Show Tickets – £29–£93 / $39–$126 / €33–€107
- Day Trips – £47–£140 / $63–$188 / €54–€161
Denmark Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 650–1,050 DKK per day (≈ €87–€141 / £76–£122 / $102–$164)
Think hostel dorms (or a cheaper room just outside the centre), lots of walking and cycling, and public transport when your feet tap out. Food wise, you’ll be living your best “grab and go” life with hot dogs, bakery bits, supermarket salads, and the occasional smørrebrød when you want to feel fancy on a budget. Nature is your wallet’s best mate here too. Beaches, forest trails, and coastal walks cost exactly nothing, and you can still squeeze in a couple of paid sights if you pick wisely.
Midrange – 1,300–2,000 DKK per day (≈ €174–€268 / £151–£233 / $203–$313)
This is comfy Denmark. Private rooms in decent hotels or cosy guesthouses, proper sit down meals, and enough wiggle room for museums, castles, and day trips without doing mental maths every five minutes. Trains and buses fit nicely into this budget, and you can splash out on things like Kronborg, Frederiksborg, or a museum day in Copenhagen, plus a few “we’re on holiday” coffees and pastries. Basically, you get Denmark with fewer compromises and more cake.
Upscale – 2,600+ DKK per day (≈ €348+ / £302+ / $407+)
Now we’re talking design hotels, bougie brunches, and dinners that involve tasting menus and a suspicious number of tiny courses. You can add private tours, spa time, and more spontaneous choices like “shall we just get a taxi?” without wincing. This budget also covers high-end island stays, sea-view rooms, and the kind of shopping that makes your suitcase mysteriously heavier on the way home.
Denmark Money-Saving Tips
Bring a reusable water bottle – Denmark’s tap water is not just safe, it’s genuinely nice. Fill up at your accommodation, cafés, and public taps, and save your krone (and plastic) for pastries instead 💧🥐
Use public transport smartly – Copenhagen’s metro and buses are easy, but tickets add up fast if you buy single rides. Look at day passes or city cards if you’re doing lots of hopping around, and consider trains for day trips like Helsingør or Hillerød.
Travel off-peak – Midweek stays are often cheaper, and you’ll feel the difference in Copenhagen. Late spring and early autumn can give you great weather without peak summer prices and crowds.
Stay just outside the centre – Denmark accommodation in city centres can sting. Neighbourhoods a few stops out (still safe and well connected) often save you a chunk without ruining the vibe.
Grab supermarket meals sometimes – Irma is gone now, but Netto, Rema 1000, Føtex, and Lidl are your budget besties. A picnic in King’s Garden or by the harbour can be a proper win.
Cycle instead of taxi – Bike hire is very Denmark, and it’s usually cheaper than taxis for short hops. Just remember: bike lanes are basically sacred ground, so keep left, look over your shoulder, and don’t wobble 😅🚲
Book popular stuff early – Summer trains, the nicest island stays, and the best value hotels can sell out quickly, especially around July and school holidays. Booking ahead gives you better prices and better times. FREE Walking Tour Denmark
Prioritise free nature – Beaches, dunes, forest trails, and coastal walks are the real bargain here. Places like Skagen’s beaches, Dyrehaven (the deer park), and lots of harbour areas cost nothing and feel very “this is why we came”.
Be strategic with booze – Alcohol in bars is pricey. If you want a drink without crying at the receipt, pick up a couple from the supermarket and enjoy them somewhere scenic (just be mindful of local rules and don’t be a menace).
Use cards, but carry a backup – Denmark is basically contactless heaven, and some places are card-only. Still, keep a physical card as backup in case your phone dies at the worst possible moment (it always does).
Go for the shoulder season – May and September are the sweet spot for decent daylight, fewer crowds, and slightly less wallet pain, especially for Copenhagen and the coastal areas.
How to Get Around in Denmark
Getting Around Denmark: The Basics
Denmark is compact, organised, and ridiculously easy to navigate. Cities are built for walking and cycling, trains are clean and reliable, and even the smaller towns tend to link up well. You can base yourself in Copenhagen and still knock out brilliant day trips without turning it into a military operation.
Walking
Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense are very walkable, especially the central areas. Expect cobbles in the older streets, lots of pedestrian zones, and plenty of “just one more canal” detours. Bring comfy shoes and a light waterproof because Danish weather loves an unpredictable plot twist.
Public Transportation
Denmark’s public transport is smooth and easy once you’re in the rhythm. Copenhagen has metro, buses, and S-trains that stitch the city together nicely, and other cities rely mostly on buses and local trains.
Tickets: You can buy via apps, machines, or contactless options in many places.
Copenhagen Metro: Fast, frequent, and great for airport to centre hops.
City passes: Worth it if you’re doing lots of rides in one day.
Airport Transfers
Main gateways are Copenhagen (CPH), Billund (BLL), and Aarhus (AAR).
Copenhagen: Metro and trains connect the airport to the city quickly and painlessly.
Billund: Buses connect well, especially for LEGOland and onward travel.
Private transfers: Handy if you land late, have loads of luggage, or just cannot be bothered with logistics.
Trains
Trains are one of the best ways to get around Denmark. They’re comfy, reliable, and ideal for day trips and city-to-city travel.
Great for Copenhagen to Odense, Aarhus, Helsingør, and Roskilde.
Book ahead for better prices on longer routes, especially in summer and around holidays.
Bring snacks if you’re doing longer stretches, Danish station kiosks can be dangerously tempting.
Buses and Coaches
Buses fill the gaps where trains don’t go, and they’re often the simplest option for smaller towns and rural areas.
Useful for parts of Jutland, coastal villages, and some island connections.
Tickets are usually bought via apps, online, or at stations depending on the region.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Denmark are safe and regulated, but they’re not cheap, especially in Copenhagen.
Use official taxis and check the fare setup before you hop in.
Ride-hailing exists in some areas, but coverage varies, so don’t rely on it like you would in bigger cities elsewhere.
Car Rental
A car is brilliant if you want maximum freedom, especially for west coast beaches, countryside routes, and hopping between smaller towns.
Drive on the right.
Roads are well maintained and signage is clear.
Parking in Copenhagen can be pricey and annoying, so a car is usually better for “Denmark outside the capital” trips.
If you’re crossing bridges to islands, budget for tolls on certain major crossings.
Cycling
Cycling is basically Denmark’s unofficial religion. Cities are built for it, and it’s often the quickest way to get around Copenhagen.
Bike rentals are easy in major cities.
Stick to bike lane rules and signal, locals take cycling seriously.
Bring a light or rent a bike with one if you’ll be out after dark.
Apps to Use
Google Maps works well. Local transport apps are useful for tickets and live times, and national train planning apps make day trips easier. If you’re visiting Copenhagen, the city transport apps can save you money and faff.
Money & Tickets
Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, and some places are card-only. Still, it’s worth having a physical card as backup in case your phone dies mid-journey. Cash is rarely needed, but it won’t hurt to have a tiny amount for the odd kiosk or countryside stop.
Tips for Smooth Travel
Avoid rush hour on weekday mornings and late afternoons in Copenhagen if you hate crowded trains.
Book ahead for peak summer routes and weekends, especially if you’re going towards popular coastal spots.
If you’re cycling, do not drift into the bike lane while checking Google Maps. That’s how you get politely but firmly judged 😅
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