Denmark
Capital City: Copenhagen
Denmark Key Facts
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Flag
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Size
42, 915.7 km²
133rd largest -
Population
5, 655, 750
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Denmark Location
Northern Europe
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Travel Insurance
For Denmark travel insurance, select Europe Region
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International Calling Codes
45
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Cities
Copenhagen
Aarhus
Odense -
Language
Danish
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Religions
80% Evangelical Lutheran
4% Muslim
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Currency
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Driving
In Denmark they drive on the right side of the road
Tourism website:
denmark.dk
When is the best time to visit?
As with all European countries, avoid the peak travel months of July and August. Early June is an ideal time for going to Denmark, as the weather is very good, there is not a lot of rain and the crowds have not yet arrived.
Transport Information
Airports (6 international, 26 domestic), bus, highways, train, tram, ports and harbours, ferries.
World Heritage Sites
- Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church, consists of 2 flat-topped burial mounds that stand testament to pagan Nordic culture.
- Kronborg Castle, famous not only for featuring in Shakespeare's Hamlet, but also for being hugely important during the 16th-18th century.
- Roskilde Cathedral, which is Scandinavia's first brick built Gothic cathedral.
- Ilulissat Ice fjord is located 250km North of the Arctic Circle and is the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world.
- Stevns Klint consists of 15km long coastal cliffs that bear witness to the succession of fauna and flora after Earth was hit by Chicxulub 65 million years ago.
- Wadden Sea, the world's largest unbroken system of mud flats and intertidal sand.
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Average Annual Temperature
8 degrees
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Average Annual Rainfall
712 mm
Climate Information
The climate in Denmark is generally speaking temperate with cool winters and warm summers. Average temperatures in winter are around 0 degrees and summer temperatures average around 15 degrees. Due to Denmark being located in the North of Europe, it is important to note that there is a large variation in sunlight hours between winter and summer. In winter, sunrise can be as late as 9 am and sunset around 4pm, while in summer sunrise can be as early as 4am with sunsets after 10pm. It does tend to rain quite a bit in Denmark, so bring a rain jacket. Generally speaking, autumn is the wettest season and spring the driest.
Official Holidays
- January 1 - New Year's Day
- April 2 - Maundy Thursday
- March | April - Good Friday
- March | April - Easter
- March | April - Easter Monday
- May 1 - Prayer Day
- May 14 - Ascension Day
- May 24 - Whit Sunday
- May 25 - Whit Monday
- June 5 - Constitution Day
- December 24 - Christmas Eve Day
- December 25 - Christmas Day
- December 26 - 2nd Christmas Day
Why Visit Denmark?
Denmark is not a cheap destination. However, you find an amazing amount of historic heritage, Viking sites, islands with stunning beaches, and excellent restaurants. For many Europeans Denmark represents a quick getaway for a few days.
Things To Do In Denmark
- Visit Viking sites and other UNESCO heritage sites.
- Stroll around Copenhagen and enjoy good food.
- Go to LEGOLAND.
Travel Tips For Denmark
- There are a lot of smaller islands off the coast of Denmark that are truly spectacular and well worth exploring.
Denmark Food
While Danish cuisine started out as peasant food, with a focus on filling meals and using cheap, local ingredients, the last 40 years have seen a big transformation. Today, NOMA located in Copenhagen, has been voted best restaurant in the world for the 3rd time. Smørrebrød is a traditional open sandwich served with fish but is also available with lots of other toppings, is found pretty much everywhere and a must-try for all travellers to Denmark. Frikadellen (pork and veal meat balls and brown sauce) are also a local favorite, together with stegt flaesk og persillesovs (pork rashers with a parsley sauce). A quick snack on the go comes in form of Hot Dogs, which are sold from vending carts all over and are best enjoyed with a remoulade, which is a uniquely Danish mix of mayonnaise, chopped cabbage and turmeric. For a warming dessert, try the rice pudding with almonds and cherries, which is absolutely divine.
Denmark Travel Safety and Warnings
Denmark is a remarkably safe country and travellers generally have to fear neither people nor animals. Make sure to be careful when going swimming, currents can be dangerous here. Also pay attention to the flags around beaches, they inform you of the water quality and tell you whether you can swim there or not. As a general precaution for travellers, get travel insurance for Denmark before going.
About Denmark
Ranked number 1 in the 2016 World Happiness Report, Denmark is the birthplace of Lego and Smørrebrød (open faced sandwich), home to Vikings and one of the world's best restaurants, and with a coastline that’s almost as long as Brazil's, Denmark has much to offer to travellers.
While only the 133rd biggest country in the world, the Kingdom of Denmark is a wonderfully intriguing holiday destination with much to explore, taste and discover.
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Whatever time of year you decide to go, pack a rain jacket and some good shoes, get travel insurance for Denmark, and head to 'the happiest place on earth.' Copenhagen is Denmark's capital and biggest city. The ideal and very Danish way of conquering Copenhagen is by bike, and there are numerous places to borrow or rent them for the duration of your stay. Denmark is known for its ecological awareness, so it seems right for travellers to use a bike in the big cities rather than taxi or car. |
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Copenhagen has a lot to offer, there are:
- Museums, such as the Danish National Gallery or the science based Experimentarium,
- Viewpoints such as the famous Round Tower or the spire at the Church of our Savior,
- Some of the best restaurants in the world, most notably NOMA (though don't hold your breath for a reservation)
- And you’ll find excellent examples of world famous Danish design everywhere.
Copenhagen also hosts a range of festivals throughout the year, such as:
- Copenhagen Fashion Week in the first week of February,
- Copenhagen International Film Festival in April, and
- Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July to name but a few.
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In short, Copenhagen has lots to offer, and many travellers don't even make it out of the city on their holiday! While you’re in Copenhagen, it can be fun to visit the Christiania, a large commune and self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood. Copenhagen is not actually attached to the European mainland, but is on the island of Zealand. This area is also home to two notable sites:
A quick boat ride from Zealand is the island of Funen. While mocked among the Danish for just being between Zealand and Jutland, it is a place most of us know for being the birthplace of writer Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote stories like 'The Little Mermaid’, ‘The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes' |
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Jutland is the birthplace of Lego and home to the original Legoland theme park. Here you’ll also find the world famous Jelling Mounds and access to the Wadden Sea, which is a system of mud flats and intertidal sandbanks. If you’re going to explore the Wadden Sea, be mindful of the tides and ensure you have proper travel insurance for Denmark. |
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To see the most spectacular UNESCO site of Denmark though, you have to leave mainland Europe behind and head to Greenland, which technically speaking is still part of the Kingdom of Denmark. About 250 kms north of the Arctic Circle is the amazing Ilulissat Icefjord, which is the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. While a bit out of the way, this is truly a once in a lifetime trip and something everyone should have on their bucket list.
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While most people associate Denmark with Vikings and cold weather, every year millions of Germans come to Jutland to enjoy a beach vacation. And as crazy as it may seem, they’re on to something because Denmark actually has beautiful beaches. If, however, the main beaches in Jutland are not to your liking, Denmark also has more than 400 islands, of which 72 are inhabited. These islands are well off the beaten tourist path and may make you feel like an early explorer! |
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Denmark is a remarkably safe place for travellers, but you should still organise travel insurance for any overseas travel. If you do go swimming at the beaches, make sure to check the flags for water ratings and that there is someone to watch you - while the water may appear placid, there are strong currents and undercurrents that can sweep away inexperienced swimmers.
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With its strong Viking heritage, friendly people, tasty food, and ecological awareness, Denmark is truly a pleasure to travel through. Over a drink or two in the local pub (or more, as the Danish do like to drink) you’ll find out why Denmark is such a popular travel destination in Europe. |
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For more information on Denmark, visit the Denmark Tourism Website.
