Denmark Destination Guide
Denmark is located on the Jutland Peninsula at the heart of Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea to the west and north, Germany to the south and Sweden across the Baltic Sea via the Øresund Bridge, which connects the capital Copehagen with Sweden's Malmö to the east. The Danish Archipelago includes the islands of Zealand, Falster and Bornholm among others, as well as the Faroe Islands and Greenland, to complete the Kingdom of Denmark – officially a constitutional monarchy.
Denmark is a maritime country par excellence and the place of origin of the Vikings, those infamously adventurous Norse seafaring warriors who left behind a trail of turbulent political history along with a fascinating cultural heritage. However, according to many a Denmark Travel Guide, these days the country is better known for its affluence as well as the content dispositions of its citizens, who keep topping international happiness polls. Quality of life in Denmark is undeniably high – as are prices – however visitors can expect high standards everywhere, from hotels to restaurants and roadside cafes.
Your Denmark holidays are likely to start in the capital Copenhagen, one of the European Union’s busiest hubs, where most flights to Denmark arrive. The city is full of cobbled streets, meandering canals, vibrant architecture and plentiful sights, including the iconic Little Mermaid statue. Despite its many historic charms, paradoxically most visitors soon leave Copenhagen for Billund and Legoland, Denmark’s primary tourist drawcards. It is indeed incredible to see what one can do with Lego blocks and here you can enjoy a whole theme park dedicated to them!
Most Denmark tours stop at Roskilde on the island of Zealand for a visit to the rather impressive Viking Ship Museum, home to five Viking ships excavated from Roskilde fjord. If castles are more to your liking, there are plenty of those as well. The grand Frederiksborg Castle for example, is likely to exceed all expectations. A formidable fortress built across three islands on the Palace Lake in Hillerød, surrounded by immaculately kept baroque-style gardens, the castle is home to the National History Museum, featuring Denmark’s best painting collection. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts will enjoy exploring some of the Danish Archipelago islands: Bornholm is famous for its rather dramatic cliffs, and Skagen has beautiful sand dunes. Island hopping is great fun and the overwhelming majority of Danes speak fluent English should you get lost.