Destinations in Denmark

Get to know Copenhagen like the palm of your hand
Come and be charmed by Copenhagen, Northern Europe’s cosiest capital, packed with cafés, shops, and the best restaurants in Scandinavia.

Must-sees in Copenhagen
All capitals have their classic sights – the things you just have to see and do – and Copenhagen is no different. We will guide you to some of Copenhagen’s most iconic attractions and experiences, from Nyhavn to Tivoli, Strøget and Amalienborg, so you can tick them off on your list.

Tivoli Gardens: A worldclass amusement park
Tivoli is the most popular attraction in all of Denmark for a reason. Over 4 million visit the park every year and it is not surprising considering how much Tivoli has to offer. Come for the wonderful atmosphere, the wild rides, the restaurants and the concerts. Tivoli is also open during Halloween and autumn holidays, Christmas and New Year and their new winter season in February.

Nyhavn: A Danish Classic
The name Copenhagen comes from the words for “Merchant Harbor” for a reason. Nyhavn used to be one of the hubs for the ship merchants of yesteryear. With its colorful facades, Nyhavn is a compulsory stop on the classic list. Although it may be busy with tourists from all corners of the world, finding a place on one of the many outdoor dining venues is usually easy. Sit down and enjoy a sandwich and a cold beer and indulge in some primo people-watching. Christmas time opens with a cozy Christmas market in Nyhavn, the epitome of hygge.

Amalienborg: The Queen’s palace
Amalienborg Palace is the Queen’s residence in Copenhagen. The palace consists of four separate rococo palaces around a square, two of which are open to the public. One houses a museum where you can view almost 400 years of royal history in the form of paintings and other objects, and in the second you can get a close look at what the Danish royal residence is like on the inside. Do not miss the changing of the guard that happens every day at 12 noon.

Strøget: Copenhagen’s shopping street
Strøget is the central pedestrian street at the center of Copenhagen’s major shopping area. There’s everything you could want nearby, from budget options and small independent shops to some of the world’s most exclusive brands. The stretches and the many small side streets are full of shops, cafes and restaurants with something for all tastes. If you want to shop for classic Danish design, you can visit Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen or Illums Bolighus.

Canal tour: See the city from the water
When the weather is nice, a canal tour is a great way to see iconic sights around Copenhagen. Jump on at Nyhavn or near Christiansborg and follow a tour that takes you past the Opera House, The Black Diamond library and The Little Mermaid sitting on its rock. You continue through Christianshavn’s cozy canals, full of houseboats and lined with charming old buildings.

The Round Tower: Copenhagen’s historic vantage point
The Round Tower, built in the 17th century, is Europe’s oldest functioning observatory and is used extensively by amateur astronomers. Once you get to the top via the spiral ramp, you’ll see a striking view of Copenhagen from a viewing platform running around the tower. Horses used to drag carts loaded with books up to the university library at the top, hence the spiral ramp instead of stairs.

Rosenborg Castle: A Renaissance gem in the middle of town
Rosenborg Castle is a 400-year-old Renaissance castle located in the center of Copenhagen. In addition to the beautiful exterior and the royal palace park, there is a lot to discover inside the castle. Inside, you can see three life-size silver lions keeping watch, and do not miss the Danish crown jewels that can only be worn by the Queen and only when they are within the borders of the country.

Christiania: Copenhagen’s free town
Christiania is a colorful and controversial area in Copenhagen that is definitely worth a visit. The sanctuary was started as a social experiment in the 70’s but has survived and is today a popular excursion destination for both tourists and Copenhageners. There are several good cafes and restaurants where you hang for a while and look at the people’s life after a walk among the hilarious and odd houses of Christiania.Please note that some visitors may find Christiania, particularly the area around Pusher Street, to be rough. For your own safety, we recommend that follow the Do’s and Don’ts signs up at the entrances and refrain yourself from taking any photos or videos.

Smørrebrød: Classic Danish Food
We finish this list with a dish that is as iconic as Tivoli or The Little Mermaid, namely the smørrebrød (sounds kind of like “smuurreh-bruuldt”). Try this delicious open-faced sandwich at one of Copenhagen’s restaurants for the perfect end to your trip. The hardest part might be choosing where to eat, like the popular Aamanns or at Schønnemanns, one of Copenhagen’s oldest restaurants.

AARHUS
Why you should get to know Aarhus as soon as you can!
Just to help you blend in with the locals when you get here, it’s pronounced ‘Or-hoose’ not ‘Are-hoose’. Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the reasons why you should be getting to know Aarhus, one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 European Destinations, as soon as you can!

Aarhus has an iconic harbour
Once upon a time, a trip down to the harbour in Aarhus would’ve brought you up close to some hardy fishermen and the ferry out of Aarhus. These days, the harbour is a major attraction in itself where you can get up close to some of the city’s most exciting attractions, like the bustling Dokk 1 Cultural Centre, or iconic buildings like the Iceberg at the new Aarhus Ø district. You can also swim at the harbour baths (designed by Bjarke Ingels), something we Danes love to do, or, just as in Copenhagen and Odense, you can take a green kayak out for free, as long as you bring back some trash from your trip.

There are famous sights all along Aarhus’ coast
The sights worth seeing extend all along Aarhus’ sandy coastline, into the woodlands around the city. Just south of the city centre, you can visit the summer home of Denmark’s Queen Marguerite. If she’s home, you can watch the changing of the guards every day at noon. If she’s not, you can explore Marselisborg Castle’s beautiful rose gardens, which you can easily reach by bike in around 10 minutes from the centre of Aarhus. Close by is the extremely photogenic Infinite Bridge (Den Uendelige Bro). And if you hear screams coming from the woods, it’s probably just crazy people trying one of the world’s highest freefall rides at the Tivoli Friheden fairground.

Old world meets vibrant modern living in Aarhus
Two of Aarhus’ biggest attractions couldn’t be more worlds apart. ARoS Aarhus Art Museum has become one of Aarhus’ most iconic spots, with its dazzling rooftop sculpture you can walk inside, Your rainbow panorama by Olafur Eliasson. For old-world charm, head to the Old Town Open Air Museum. It’s one of Denmark’s biggest attractions and a place where you can literally walk through time, soaking up the buildings, atmosphere and ways of life from Denmark’s history.

Lots of Aarhus’ best bits are free
Just near the Old Town Museum you can wind down and enjoy the extensive parks and tropical houses of Aarhus Botanical Gardens. They’re free to visit and you can either picnic there or grab a bite at the café. And it’s actually possible to get around the biggest sights in the city for free. Aarhus has a free city bike scheme, where you can pick up a bike to explore without paying from one of the 56 stands around the city.

Aarhus is now a real foodie city
How about dinner in an old bus garage? Just hear us out… Street food markets have been popping up all over Denmark and in more and more outlandish locations! Aarhus’ Street Food Market is no exception and it’s a great place to eat elbow-to-elbow with Danes and other visitors. But if you fancy splashing out, Aarhus has evolved to become a Michelin-starred city, where you can eat at some of the best restaurants in Denmark.

Picture-worthy things to do in Aarhus
You’ll want your camera at the ready in Aarhus. It’s a very pretty place! One of the most-photographed places is the cobbled street, Møllestien. The colourful buildings will certainly brighten your day. If you’re on the hunt for more iconic buildings, head to Aarhus City Hall with its famous clock tower, designed by legendary Arne Jacobsen. A little further afield is the ground-breaking building and collections at Moesgaard Museum, a sight to behold and a fascinating day out. It’s not just an incredible museum about human civilisation, it’s also one of the world’s most energy-efficient museums, built with sustainability in mind from the start. And the building is pretty cool.

Aarhus is a Danish design hotspot
If it’s Danish design you’re after, Aarhus is a great place to grab it. It’s one of the best places to shop in Scandinavia and a walk around the cosy Latin Quarter is a must, not least for the atmosphere. A shopping trip to Aarhus will also lead you to two fantastic city viewing points. The first is on top of the Godsbanen centre, where you can also see local artisans at work. The second is the rooftop at Salling department store. Kick off the weekend here with cocktails and music with the whole of Aarhus as your backdrop.

ODENSE
Odense: Step back in time at Hans Christian Andersen’s home
Odense is a place of literary wonder. The cosy city is the birthplace of the world’s most famous writer of fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen, and a trip to explore the cobbled streets of his childhood home and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a real step back in time.

Why you should visit Odense
Don’t you just love the idea of visiting a cultural gem where you don’t have to wrestle with selfie sticks and an army of hot-and-bothered city break tourists? Odense is this kind of destination. It’s popular because of its rich history and the fact that you can follow the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen. But the whole world doesn’t know about it yet! So you can explore Odense’s cosy streets, enjoy its cafés or street food market and disconnect from the hectic pace of larger cities.

Walk in the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was born in a tiny yellow house on a cobbled street in the centre of Odense in 1805. And it’s still there! Today it’s one of the oldest poet museums in the world and a great place to start a Hans Christian Andersen tour through Odense’s oldest and prettiest parts. Take a photo next to Hans Christian Andersen’s statue in the Fairy Tale Garden, or of the dramatic 12-metre high mural of his face at Bangs Boder. You can buy a one-day ticket to tour all the most important Hans Christian Andersen sights in Odense.

What to eat, drink and do in Odense
Odense has an antique market, one of Denmark’s biggest shopping centres, Rosengaardcenteret, and Fyn’s largest market every Wednesday and Saturday. Head to the area outside the concert hall to sample fresh farm produce from across the island of Fyn. Odense’s street food market, Storms Pakhus, is a popular place to grab some grub and get to know the locals! Or just simply wander the cobbled streets and try one of Odense’s cafés, bar and restaurants.

Cultural highlights in Odense
Being a city of such cultural importance, it’s hardly surprising that Odense has a variety of exciting cultural offerings to entice you throughout the year. Head to Odense in August to experience the highly-respected Odense International Film Festival and the fairy-tale magic of Hans Christian Andersen Festival. If you’re bringing kids, or are just a big one yourself, Odense Zoo is open 365 days a year and October is when Harry Potter fans descend on Odense for the Magic Days Festival.

How to get to Odense
Odense is less than 1.5 hours from Copenhagen and Aarhus, so even though this cosy little city is nestled on the green and relaxed island of Fyn, it’s surprisingly easy to get to. You can take the train from Copenhagen Central Station or you can drive by car across the Great Belt Bridge (Storebæltsbroen) from Zealand to Fyn. Trains run from all over Denmark’s mainland (Jutland) to Odense and you can drive from Jutland too.

Things to see around Odense
Odense is a good jump-off point for the whole of the island of Fyn and the many attractions dotted around Denmark’s ‘Garden Island’, like the reconstructed 19th-century village, Funen Village. On the old Little Belt Bridge between Fyn and the mainland, you can try bridgewalking – the only place outside Sydney where you can! Egeskov Castle is a stunning destination in itself and home of the popular Heartland Festival. See our guide to things you should try on Fyn for more inspiration.

AALBORG
Our guide to the best of Aalborg
An ancient city where Viking ships once sailed past on the Limfjord, Aalborg has evolved to a vibrant cultural hotspot with a spectacular waterfront of iconic architectural buildings. The New York Times even put Aalborg in its Top 10 Places to Go in 2019. Here are 12 reasons why!

The architectural Utzon Center
Heard of the Sydney Opera House? A Dane, Jørn Utzon, designed it! At the Utzon Centre, you can explore his works and enjoy exhibitions on ground-breaking Nordic architecture and design. The Utzon Centre also works with social sustainability for children and young people, and the core of their exhibitions is that materials and more must be recycled.

The dramatic House of Music
Another dramatic building vying for your love and attention on Aalborg’s waterfront is the House of Music, Musikkens Hus. This eye-catching silver icon is a meeting place for music professionals and music lovers. Amongst other things it’s the home of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and a concert venue for international and Danish artists.

Street food in an old furniture factory
No trip to Aalborg is complete without a cheap bite to eat with Danes in an old furniture factory. That’s the venue for Aalborg’s first permanent street food market; the popular local hangout, known as The Lighthouse. Head here to try food from around the world and to soak up the local atmosphere.

The Kunsten Museum of Modern Art
Designed by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in 1957 and opened in 1972, the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art is a recognized piece of art in itself. Inside this newly renovated icon of Aalborg, you can wander and enjoy works by well-known international artists and get to know Danish artists too.

The cosy streets and buildings of Aalborg’s old town
Aalborg is a fascinating mix of old and new, where you can wander cobbled streets and enjoy a drink in a cosy local café overlooking giant street art murals or crooked houses from the 1600s! Some streets are Instagram favourites, such as Hjelmerstald. See if you can spot Jens Bang’s House, one of Aalborg’s most famous, built in 1624!

The Nordkraft power station turned cultural hotspot
Nordkraft is a little piece of New York right in the heart of Aalborg. This vibrant cultural centre houses theatres, cinemas, food joints and exhibitions, all in the lofty guts of an old power station from 1947. It’s also a great place to get active. You can climb Denmark’s highest climbing wall right here inside Nordkraft.

Aalborg’s colourful street art
Aalborg is small and easy to get around, so you’ll definitely notice the dramatic murals that set this city apart when you explore the centre. You could even put together your own walking tour of the over 50 pieces of impressive street art that adorn the city, giving Aalborg its colourful and unique feel.

The pristine harbour baths in the Limfjord
We Danes love a good harbour swimming bath! Aalborg’s newly refurbished Vestre Fjordpark is an outdoor swimming spot located close to the city centre, but it feels a world away. From here you can swim, kayak or sail in the beautiful clean waters of the Limfjord or just relax on the popular wooden swimming platforms.

The views from Aalborg Tower
You should be very glad that it was too expensive to tear down the Aalborg Tower after it was built for an exhibition in 1933. It’s survived to become a unique icon of the city. It’s also an experience getting up there. Ring the bell and the elevator will come down to get you! Up at the viewing platform, there’s a bistro so you can enjoy the views of Aalborg and beyond with a drink or bite to eat too.

Lindholm Høje
How many cities can claim to have their own mystical Viking burial grounds? Well Aalborg can! You can virtually step off the plane at Aalborg Airport and into the historical wonder of the stone circles at Lindholm Høje; an important Iron Age and Viking burial site over 1500 years old. Explore the museum exhibitions and enjoy the café just north of the Limfjord.

Aalborg Zoo
Aalborg Zoo is officially Aalborg’s most visited attraction! You can get to know the zoos popular polar bear family before you visit, by following them live on webcam!

Cloud City at the famous Aalborg Akvavit Distillery
Not a mining colony in the sky (just so we don’t have a lot of very disappointed Star Wars fans when they arrive in Aalborg), Cloud City is a whole new cultural district of Aalborg built around the distillery of the famous local spirit, Aalborg Akvavit. From 2023, you’ll be able to see the world’s biggest glass artwork and enjoy a variety of cultural events.