Known as the nation’s Land of Light, Skagen is a quaint town in northern Denmark that has attracted artists for decades. Creatives travelled here in the min-1800s to marvel at the attractive yellow houses, red-tiled roofs, and white picket fences. Today, it’s has a busy working harbour, with long sandy beaches and excellent seafood restaurants.
2. Aarhus Art Museum
One of the largest museums in northern Europe, the ARoS has a whopping 10 storeys filled with paintings, sculptures and installations, including pieces by contemporary video artist Bill Viola and printmaker Robert Rauschenberg. On the roof of the building visitors will find an installation created by Danish-Icelandic sculptor Olafur Eliasson.
3. Den Gamle By
Translated as ‘The Old Town’, the National Open Air Museum of Urban History embodies the look and Danish lifestyle of the 1700s – 1900s. Budding historians can meet actors dressed as people from this bygone era, plus ride a carriage through the town and watch geese wandering freely on the streets. Meanwhile, in the Toy Museum on site there are dozens of toys of the past to view, from teddy bears and doll houses to miniature locomotives.
4. Wadden Sea National Park
Considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its large unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats, the area offers unbeatable bird watching opportunities. Thirty minutes inland visitors will find the oldest Scandinavian town. Ribe is filled with beautiful medieval buildings, cobblestoned streets and the country’s oldest cathedral.
5. Silkeborg
Pristine woodlands, tranquil lakes and long stretches of river make up the picturesque city of Silkeborg. Nearby, Himmelbjerget, translated as ‘The Sky Mountain’, is a distinctive hill that stands at 147 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Julsø. Equally striking views can be found aboard the SS Hjejlen, on which tourists can cruise the world's oldest coal burning paddle steamer.
6. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Situated on the North Sealand, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art showcases modern and contemporary art, dating from World War II and to the present day, including works from Picasso, and Warhol to Bourgeois and Jorn.
7. Royal North Sealand
The town of Elsinore is home to the famous Kronborg Castle, immortalised in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and is the perfect start to a tour of North Sealand. Situated in Hillerød, the eye-catching Frederiksborg Castle is surrounded by a spectacular Italianate Baroque garden, while the nearby Fredensborg Palace is the Danish Royal Family’s spring and autumn residence.
8. Rockslide
The capital of Denmark during the Viking age is the best place to start any Viking tour. Visit the Roskilde Cathedral and see where many Viking kings and queens are buried, the Viking Ship Museum where there are five restored Viking ships and the nearby Lejre Museum, where ancient settlements have been vividly brought to life in an open air museum.
9. Eat the local grub
Danish food is a great way to experience local culture. Copenhagen houses one of the world's best Michelin restaurants, Noma, run by Danish chef René Redzepi. Cheaper culinary delights include the city’s street food or old Danish classics like smørrebrød (with bread, cold cuts, meat or fish and cheese), served all over town.
10. Tivoli Gardens
All the family will enjoy this huge pleasure garden in Copenhagen, the second oldest amusement park in the world. Tivoli has been thrilling tourists with its cultural wonderland since 1843 and it's the world’s most visited seasonal theme park. As well as a mixture of rides, renovated vintage rollercoasters and attractions, high profile concerts also take place, previous acts have included Elton John and Lady Gaga.
For more holiday inspiration on Denmark click here
1. Skagen
Known as the nation’s Land of Light, Skagen is a quaint town in northern Denmark that has attracted artists for decades. Creatives travelled here in the min-1800s to marvel at the attractive yellow houses, red-tiled roofs, and white picket fences. Today, it’s has a busy working harbour, with long sandy beaches and excellent seafood restaurants.
2. Aarhus Art Museum
One of the largest museums in northern Europe, the ARoS has a whopping 10 storeys filled with paintings, sculptures and installations, including pieces by contemporary video artist Bill Viola and printmaker Robert Rauschenberg. On the roof of the building visitors will find an installation created by Danish-Icelandic sculptor Olafur Eliasson.
3. Den Gamle By
Translated as ‘The Old Town’, the National Open Air Museum of Urban History embodies the look and Danish lifestyle of the 1700s – 1900s. Budding historians can meet actors dressed as people from this bygone era, plus ride a carriage through the town and watch geese wandering freely on the streets. Meanwhile, in the Toy Museum on site there are dozens of toys of the past to view, from teddy bears and doll houses to miniature locomotives.
4. Wadden Sea National Park
Considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its large unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats, the area offers unbeatable bird watching opportunities. Thirty minutes inland visitors will find the oldest Scandinavian town. Ribe is filled with beautiful medieval buildings, cobblestoned streets and the country’s oldest cathedral.
5. Silkeborg
Pristine woodlands, tranquil lakes and long stretches of river make up the picturesque city of Silkeborg. Nearby, Himmelbjerget, translated as ‘The Sky Mountain’, is a distinctive hill that stands at 147 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Julsø. Equally striking views can be found aboard the SS Hjejlen, on which tourists can cruise the world's oldest coal burning paddle steamer.
6. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Situated on the North Sealand, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art showcases modern and contemporary art, dating from World War II and to the present day, including works from Picasso, and Warhol to Bourgeois and Jorn.
7. Royal North Sealand
The town of Elsinore is home to the famous Kronborg Castle, immortalised in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and is the perfect start to a tour of North Sealand. Situated in Hillerød, the eye-catching Frederiksborg Castle is surrounded by a spectacular Italianate Baroque garden, while the nearby Fredensborg Palace is the Danish Royal Family’s spring and autumn residence.
8. Rockslide
The capital of Denmark during the Viking age is the best place to start any Viking tour. Visit the Roskilde Cathedral and see where many Viking kings and queens are buried, the Viking Ship Museum where there are five restored Viking ships and the nearby Lejre Museum, where ancient settlements have been vividly brought to life in an open air museum.
9. Eat the local grub
Danish food is a great way to experience local culture. Copenhagen houses one of the world's best Michelin restaurants, Noma, run by Danish chef René Redzepi. Cheaper culinary delights include the city’s street food or old Danish classics like smørrebrød (with bread, cold cuts, meat or fish and cheese), served all over town.
10. Tivoli Gardens
All the family will enjoy this huge pleasure garden in Copenhagen, the second oldest amusement park in the world. Tivoli has been thrilling tourists with its cultural wonderland since 1843 and it's the world’s most visited seasonal theme park. As well as a mixture of rides, renovated vintage rollercoasters and attractions, high profile concerts also take place, previous acts have included Elton John and Lady Gaga.
For more holiday inspiration on Denmark click here