Best attractions in Denmark: Top 25

Denmark is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, which has a lot of memorable places, full of centuries-old history and an abundance of magnificent natural scenery. This country has become a true symbol of purity and beauty - involuntarily it may seem that this is just a picture of a beautiful landscape. Bright green vegetation, azure blue sky, colorful houses, red tiled roofs … Denmark has always attracted tourists, and its many attractions make this country even more attractive for its guests. That is why each of you will find something to see in Denmark. Historical sites of this country are numerous Viking fortresses, cathedrals, castles, basilicas, decorated in different styles of architecture, peculiar to its era. To uncover the secrets and all the historical moments that each of these sights conceals, to plan a plan and route of travel, will help guides in Copenhagen. And for maximum coverage of remarkable places, monuments of history, culture, nature, there are planned tours in Copenhagen, which will allow in one trip to form a real idea of this wonderful country.

What to see in Denmark first of all

In their own way all excursions in Denmark are interesting, but some like to see the monuments of history and architecture, others are interested in sports facilities, others love fishing and recreation in nature. Our list has options for tourists with all hobbies, including those suitable for a weekend visit to the country.

1. The Little Mermaid Statue (Copenhagen)

The capital city of Copenhagen, located on the island of Zealand, is essentially a major landmark in Denmark itself. The Monument to the Little Mermaid, located in the port of Copenhagen, has since some time become a peculiar symbol of Denmark. The sculpture, perched on a granite pedestal, is dedicated to the character of Andersen’s fairy tale, which tells a beautiful love story: the sea beauty, saving the prince from a storm, fell in love with a young man and appealed to a witch who, in exchange for her wonderful voice, gave her legs so the Little Mermaid could go on dry land. According to the spell, the girl was supposed to make the prince fall in love with her, but if she failed to do so, she was to turn into sea foam. As it turned out, the young man’s heart was possessed by another, and after the time given by the spell, the Little Mermaid died, turning into foam.

A ballet based on the fairy tale in 1906 impressed one of the audience, Carl Jacobsen, who later became famous as the founder of Carlsberg. It was on his initiative that the statue of the Little Mermaid was created, which in 1913 took its place of honor on the coast of Copenhagen.

Official site: http://mermaidsofearth.com

2. Church of the Savior (Copenhagen)

One of the most famous and significant religious buildings in the capital was the Church of the Redeemer. The Protestant church was built in the late 17th century during the reign of King Christian IV, and its doors were first opened to the congregation in 1695. The peculiarity of its architecture becomes noticeable at first sight - it is a long twisted spire, which is so high that it can be seen from almost anywhere in Copenhagen.

Initially, the temple building, built of red brick in the Baroque style, was the most important landmark in Denmark, but only half a century after its completion, it acquired an even more original appearance, when the temple was topped with an unusual spire, resembling a bee sting.

The interior decoration of the temple also strikes the imagination.

• For example, an unusual altar, made of wood and marble, and not like the usual iconostasis.
• Or an ancient musical instrument - a huge organ with 3 thousand pipes, which is still in good condition, and you can even enjoy its amazing sound.
• And every hour the entire area is enveloped by the ringing of the cadrilon, consisting of 48 bells.

3. Tivoli Park (Copenhagen)

If you’re traveling with children, you won’t have the question of what to visit in Denmark. After all, the Tivoli amusement park is the first thing that a young traveler should definitely see with his own eyes. One of the oldest parks in Europe is actually the grandfather of all modern amusement parks, including the world famous Disneyland. And even if there are no super-modern rides developed by the latest technology, but everyone’s favorite high-speed carousel and roller coaster are always open to visitors. Tivoli is a classic of its genre, a real amusement park, as not only we imagined it, but also as it was seen by past generations:

• vintage carousels with cozy, mesmerizing lighting;
• a whole range of street performances;
• a sea of fireworks,
• a lake with large fish, which you can feed by buying special food on the spot;
• theater pantomime;
• many good restaurants.

The park is open to visitors in the warm season from April to September.

Official website: http://www.tivoligardens.com/en

4. Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen

In the heart of the Danish capital stretches the oldest park of about 5 hectares, led by Denmark’s most important landmark, Rosenborg Castle. The ancient large-scale structure is located in the north-western part of the park and is surrounded by a moat filled with water around its perimeter. The castle was built by order of King Christian IV in 1624. For a long time Rosenborg served as a royal residence, and only in 1710 began to be used for official receptions, and the role of the residence was performed by another castle, built by order of Frederick IV in the suburbs of the capital. In 1838, the doors of Rosenborg opened to all visitors and exhibited royal collections and numerous objects testifying to the period from the 16th to the 19th century.

The park, where the castle is located, is called the Royal Garden - it was created shortly before the construction of the castle, so its landscape is decorated with architectural elements in the style of that era - Renaissance. Now the park is extremely popular among tourists and attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.

Official website: http://www.kongernessamling.dk

5. Tu and Mols Bjerge National Park (eastern Jutland)

The Danish peninsula of Jutland is home to two more of Denmark’s beautiful landmarks, the Thü and Mols Bjerghe National Parks.

Mols Bjerghe is a wonderful piece of land in the southeast of Jutland, inhabited by the rarest flora and fauna of Denmark. Forests, pastures, magnificent beaches and numerous Bronze Age ruins can be found on the 180 square kilometer park.

The Tu National Park on the west coast of Jutland is particularly charming. Here you will meet numerous representatives of birds, which come here twice a year during their migratory flights. On the territory of the park of about 24 hectares there is a mass of pedestrian and bicycle paths, as well as special roads for horseback riding.

In short, travelers with all preferences will find something to see in Denmark - each visitor of the national parks Tue and Mols Bjerghe will find something interesting to do:

• Nature lovers - an opportunity to observe extremely beautiful landscapes: migratory birds’ flights, heather heaths, virgin forests and lakes;
• avid fishermen - an opportunity to fish in picturesque places, surrounded by pristine nature;
• fans of active lifestyle - an opportunity to take a hike full of impressions or ride bicycles on special bicycle routes;
• lovers of antiquity - the opportunity to visit a lot of monuments, ruins of castles and churches.

6. The Oresund Bridge (Copenhagen - Malmo)

Another of Denmark’s most important landmarks, the Oresund Bridge between the Danish capital of Copenhagen and the Swedish city of Malmö, is an ambitious project that began in 1995. First of all, the abolition of passport control and simplified customs control between Denmark and Sweden contributed to the appearance of this project. Already in the beginning of the project, workers found 18 unexploded shells from World War II at the site of the bridge. Another unexpected problem arose during the construction of the bridge - one of the tunnel segments was tilted due to an error in engineering calculations. However it didn’t prevent by August 1999, bypassing all the difficulties and eliminating all the shortcomings, we finished the construction of the bridge - the bridge-tunnel with the length of 7,845 meters, combining a double-track railroad and a four-lane freeway.

The bridge has become a masterpiece of modern engineering, a true admiration for its grandiosity. Today tens of millions of people annually cross the bridge to reach the neighboring country by the shortest route. Thus, the bridge made it possible to bring the borders of the two countries closer and significantly reduce the crossing time.

7. Museum of Modern Art (Aarhus, central Jutland)

Do you want to feel like Gulliver from the well-known fairy tale? Then you should see the huge silicone statue of a sitting boy, which is so natural that it almost merges with reality. Museum of Modern Art - this is what you should visit in Denmark, if you find yourself in central Jutland. It is the statue of a boy which became a visiting card of this museum, and the museum itself is so unusual, that each visitor after 10 levels leaves under extremely strong impression. The fact is that the main concept of the museum was its internal organization on the principle of the circles of hell, purgatory and paradise, described in Dante’s Divine Comedy. Thus, the visit begins from the lower floors with a “hellish” entourage, and the top of the building is crowned with a transparent rainbow halo, from within which you can observe the surrounding panorama of the city.

The museum was opened not so long ago, in 2004, but it has already gained fame not only among the locals but also, of course, among the guests of the city and country. Here you can find a huge variety of expositions - surprising, exciting, astonishing, frightening and even shocking. Unique collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, sound and video installations, creative experiments - all this is concentrated in the museum area of 17 thousand square meters.

Official website: http://en.aros.dk/

8. Guinness World Records Museum (Copenhagen)

Among the unique sights in Denmark is undoubtedly the Guinness Museum of Records in Copenhagen, created on the initiative of a very eccentric man, cartoonist Leroy Ripley. He became world famous for his incredible collection of artifacts he collected over a long period of time while traveling around the world.

The 1,000 square metre space houses exhibits testifying to around 500 world records in various areas of life, registered at different times in different places. All of the exhibits are in one way or another related to the Guinness Book of World Records. Right at the entrance you are greeted by a realistic wax figure of the tallest man on the planet, 272 cm tall. In the exhibition halls the figure of the record-breaker in weight, whose body weight was 485 kilograms, is presented. The third record holder, represented here, literally ate metal products, “devouring” during his life about 2 dozen bicycles. Presented here and the longest mustache, more than 3 meters long, and women’s nails 9 meters long, and a lot of achievements in science, art and sports.

In addition to records, you can also see just unusual things in the museum. For example, an exhibit dedicated to Michael Jacksonand Marilyn Monroe. In a separate room you can see ghosts and even sit on an electric chair.

Official website: http://www.ripleys.com

9. Legoland (Billund)

In the entertainment category, a Czech attraction worth mentioning is Legoland, an amusement park. The largest theme park was organized in Billund, in 1968, the birthplace of Lego. Built on an area of about 100 thousand square meters, consisting of more than 46 million Lego cubes, Danish Legoland consists almost entirely of the constructor: these are models of world-famous buildings, and fairy tale characters, animals, and birds.

The entire park zone is divided into 8 thematic zones, presented for different age categories of children.

The World of Miniatures is Legoland’s base of 20 million cubes, which is where the park’s construction began. Here are concentrated miniatures of the most famous corners of the planet, exactly repeating their originals.

• World of Duplo - an area for the youngest visitors, equipped with a soft surface, also known for the car school built here for young car enthusiasts.
• Imagination World is an area for older children. There is a 3D movie theater and a center where children can build their own toys out of Legos.
• Legoredo City - an area dedicated to the theme of the Wild West, and designed for recreation for the whole family.
• Land of Pirates - an area dedicated to the theme of travel, full of riddles and adventures.
• Kingdom of Knights - an area in the form of a medieval castle with knights and princesses, with exciting attractions for children.
• Adventure World - an area for the oldest children, full of the most extreme, breathtaking rides.
• Lego City - an entire city of Lego cubes with its own factory and fire station.

Official site: https://www.legoland.dk

10. Nyhavn (Copenhagen)

Connoisseurs of historical places, which keep a rich chronicle of events, will find something to visit in Denmark - fortunately, there are a lot of historical monuments here. The Nyhavn district, one of the brightest and most colorful in Copenhagen, is among them. Here in the 17th century was dug a canal connecting the city to the sea and leading from the Royal Square to the main city port, and about the same time was built a lot of colorful buildings with fancy pointed roofs, which have preserved its shape to this day. In three of these houses at different times lived and created the writer-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. With ancient buildings are interspersed with cozy restaurants, where you can appreciate the taste and variety of local food. On the shores of the canal moored a lot of old wooden boats. In short, sailors, ships and beer - that’s what was inextricably linked with the idea of this area. To this day, especially on sunny days, many prefer to spend their day here with a pint of fresh beer.

Official website: https://www.nyhavn.com

Danish sights: what else to visit while in Denmark

Analyzing what guides in Denmark offer, not all travelers understand what places to visit. Having information about the most famous sights, it won’t be difficult to decide which guide to go to. The list will be no less useful for those who explore the country without a guide.

11. Karlsberg Glyptothek (Copenhagen)

The owner of the Carlsberg beer brand has proven by example that doing business can be perfectly combined with doing art. The Karlsberg Glyptothek is the most important attraction in Denmark and one of the most important art museums in Copenhagen. In addition to succeeding in the brewing business, Carl Jacobsen was also a keen connoisseur of art and a collector. In 1888, he and his wife Ottilia donated their rich collection of antiquities to the state. The collection was housed in a new building, which was later named the New Karlsberg Glyptothek.

Later the museum building had to be redesigned and a project to enlarge the building was developed, a new wing and partitions of the Winter Garden were added.

Today, on the first floor is a collection of sculpture, including 30 works by Rodin, a sculptor from France. On the upper floors is an exhibition of paintings, featuring many works by famous Impressionist artists, including Gauguin and Van Gogh.

12. Museum of Erotica (Copenhagen)

On Stroget street in Copenhagen there is a museum that has become the first of its kind among the attractions of Denmark - it is the Museum of Eroticism, founded in 1992 by the film producer Olom Edge and the photographer Kim Reisfelt-Clausen. The museum was created so that visitors could look at erotica as a real art and also discover a whole history of the manifestation and development of erotica in different parts of the world, from the erotica of Rome and Ancient India, to the present day. Here is a chronological presentation of the development of this art with all kinds of erotic exhibits: the presentation of explicit scenes in sculptures, paintings, photographs and postcards, magazines and pornographic films from different times. Erotic miniatures dedicated to the beauty of male and female bodies, sex toys, erotic lingerie, special devices, depictions of Kamasutra positions and even exhibits telling about the intimate lives of some celebrities. Visiting the museum of erotica is an opportunity to look at intimate life from a new angle and with an unconventional approach.

Official website: http://www.erotisch-museum.nl/

13. Frederiksborg Castle (Hillered)

Travelers who find themselves near the town of Hillered have a lot to see in Denmark. It’s only a half-hour drive from Copenhagen and you’re immersed in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Not far from the Danish capital is situated Frederiksborg Castle which is one of Denmark’s most beautiful historical sites. Centuries-old history, rich interior and exterior decoration, a beautiful park around the castle with canals, swans and fountains - all this attracts visitors, the number of which increases every year.

Originally on the site of the castle in 1560 was built its predecessor, which took the name of Hilleredsholm, derived from the name of the nearby town. But in 1859, after a devastating fire, only ruins remained of the castle. A few years later a new building was erected, after which the castle was given a new name - Fredericksborg. In 1878, a museum of national history was founded there, and the doors of the restored palace-museum were opened to the public only in 1882.

Inside the castle is divided into three parts:

• the central part houses the Royal Enclosure,
• the left wing is occupied by the chapel,
• the right wing is the so-called Princess Wing.

Each room of the castle is richly decorated; on the walls - tapestries, portraits of Danish monks, beautiful paintings, ancient antique furniture everywhere. In a word, every element of architecture and painting, as well as the whole castle in general, is a real masterpiece of art.

Official site: http://www.dnm.dk/uk/russian.htm

14. H. H. Andersen Museum (Odense)

The Danish city of Odense has an amazing place that allows you to immerse yourself in a good old-fashioned fairy tale. The old, once impoverished neighborhood has been restored and put on display like an expensive antique toy. It is here that the fabulous, literally, Danish landmark, the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, is located. Modest yellow house with red tiles, where the great writer was born, once was a shelter for a young couple - the parents of a future storyteller, who lived in poverty, but in endless love for each other, as the writer himself said.

Today, Andersen’s museum has become part of the city, more precisely, its historic district, where the same small and bright houses adorn the streets, under their windows the same bright flowers grow and the cobblestones are paved in the old way. Inside the house-museum, everything is fascinating - from the interiors, paintings based on the writer’s tales, to his personal belongings. And in the open theater right in front of the museum, scenes from famous fairy tales are played out, and appreciative spectators watch the performances nearby, right on the grass.

Official website: http://www.solvangca.com

15. Roskilde Cathedral (Roskilde, Island of Zealand)

Roskilde Cathedral is the country’s main cathedral, a striking example of Gothic style, a world cultural heritage site, and for travelers, a good option for what to see in Denmark. The cathedral, which became the tomb of all Danish kings, is located in eastern Denmark, on the island of Zeeland.

It is the first Gothic cathedral built in brick, and the way it was built served as an example for the spread of this architectural style throughout northern Europe. Construction began in 1170 by the founder of Copenhagen, Bishop Absalon. In the 13th century, the construction of the temple was continued, and it was then that the original Romanesque style was replaced by the typical Gothic features - as evidenced by the two spires erected at that time.

Since the 14th century, the cathedral became the tomb of the Danish monarchs, who from that time began to be buried in richly decorated sarcophagi, both inside and outside the cathedral.

The history of the altar in the cathedral deserves special attention - originally it was intended for another castle, Frederiksborg, but was installed here. The paintings of the altar convey scenes of the life of Jesus Christ, from birth to crucifixion.

It was the appearance of this cathedral that made Roskilde the spiritual capital of Denmark.

Official website: http://www.roskildedomkirke

16. State Art Museum (Copenhagen)

Copenhagen is the city of cultural festivals, historical castles and home to everyone’s favorite fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen. In the Danish capital at different times lived other famous people of Denmark - such as physicists Niels Bohr, Ørsted Hans Christian, philosopher Kirkegaard Søren Obus and many others. And with the artistic works of Danish artists introduces the State Museum, built in the late 19th century in the Renaissance style. In 1998 due to the extension of museum’s collection a new building was added to the main museum, which is connected to the old one with a covered gallery. Thousands of paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and sketches, including paintings by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Matisse, Titian, and Picasso, are on display in the spacious galleries.

Official website: https://www.smk

17. Kronborg Castle (Helsingor)

Powerful fortresses have played an important role in the history of the Danish state for centuries, and today they form an important part of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Among the country’s most famous fortifications are the Christianborg, Amalienborg, and Rosenborg Palaces in the capital, and Cronborg Castle in Helsingor, in the north-east of the island of Zealand. At one time Cronborg was even glorified by Shakespeare in the drama “Hamlet” and also became famous thanks to the legend, according to which somewhere in the depths of the castle the legendary warrior Ogier the Dane sleeps centuries ago, ready to wake up at any moment. The castle was built in the 15th century, and at that time its main task was to collect taxes from the passing merchant ships.

Official website: http://kongeligeslotte

18. The old town “Den Gamle Bu (Aarhus)

In the city of Aarhus, located in the east of the Danish peninsula of Jutland, there is a wonderful open-air museum. It consists of 75 ancient structures of 18-19 centuries, brought from all over Denmark, which demonstrate different crafts and features of everyday life of those times. Visitors have an opportunity to taste delicious baked goods according to old recipes, see a toy, shoe and hat shop, see a wine maker’s house, a tailor’s dwelling, an old pharmacy and study examples of kitchen utensils. Construction of the old structures continues today: the buildings are dismantled into blocks, each item is numbered and transported to the museum grounds for reassembly.

Official website: https://www.dengamleby

19. Direhavsbakken Amusement Park (Ljungby-Thorbek)

It’s not just historical and cultural treasures that Denmark preserves in its lands. Attractions for children also find their place here - the Dyrehavsbakken Park, which has its own legendary history, is one of them in particular. There is a legend that once a little girl, walking in the surroundings of Durenhavn, found a spring there. She took water from it and brought it home, where it turned out that the water had magical powers. The locals were delighted to hear the news and created a beautiful park on the site. Today in the entertainment park is more than 150 different attractions, as well as numerous cafes with national dishes. Visitors are especially attracted to the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, which prevails in the park thanks to the peculiar design.

Official website: https://www.bakken

20. Carlsberg Museum (Copenhagen)

Connoisseurs of beer and everyone interested in the technology of beer production will certainly remember a visit to the Carlsberg Museum in the Danish capital. This small institution tells everything about the formation of the Carlsberg brewery. The presentation in the museum will show you the intricacies of beer production according to a unique recipe developed by our own laboratory, which discovered the method of cultivation of pure yeast back in 1865. Also, you can look into the cellars with old untouched bottles of beer, examine the display of labels, determine the best flavor and type of beer in the special aroma room, examine the steam engines and boilers, in which beer was brewed a century and a half ago. The museum has a bar where you can taste dozens of varieties of beer and buy a couple of bottles to take home.

Official website: https://www.visitcarlsberg

21. Rune Stones (Yelling)

Denmark, whose nature still preserves ancient monuments of mankind, is known for one unique sight - historical inscriptions carved on large natural stones. These are the so-called runic stones - the silent witnesses of thousands of years of the country’s history. The largest and most famous of the rune stones can be seen in the village of Jelling, in the Jelling Church between the burial mounds. Two conflicting religions seem to have converged here, and the two stones bear vivid witness to this: one is carved entirely with pagan inscriptions, the other with Christian ones. The small pagan stone is dated to about 955 A.D., the large Christian stone to 965 A.D. at the earliest. A color copy of the latter can be seen today in the national museum.

22. Cape Gronen (Skagen)

Northern Denmark, whose photos reflect the unique features of its landscape, has its own interesting places. One of these places is Cape Gronen, located a few kilometers from the town of Skagen. The geographical feature of the cape is that it is located at the junction of two currents that have formed a long sandy spit, going deep into the sea for 4 kilometers. Because of its unusual position the cape has long been considered a dangerous place, characterized by very high sea waves, so the first lighthouse was built here back in the 16th century. The local flora and fauna are no less peculiar - for example, Gronen is an ideal place to observe the migrations of birds of prey. There are two museums on the cape - a military museum from World War II and an art museum with a collection of paintings.

23. Bornholm Island (Hovedstaden)

Some attractions in Sweden and Denmark are on the border of these states. They include the island of Bornholm, which is separated from the Swedish shores by only a few kilometers of sea space. This place is ideal for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Of the recommended places to visit on the island are the ruins of Hammerhus Castle - one of the largest Northern European fortresses, the Bornholm Museum, dedicated to the history of the island, the area Paradisbakkern with its rocky landscapes and rift valleys, a number of round medieval churches in the Romanesque style. And the island’s scenery itself is a sight to behold: valleys of lush vegetation alternate with rocky massifs, and the rocky coastline is washed by the calm waters of the Baltic Sea.

24. The White Cliffs of Mön Island (Baltic Sea)

The rugged, dramatic, magnetic landscapes of northern nature, with its pristine mixed forests, mountainous landscapes, and rocky islands, unite a number of northern European countries. That is why the natural attractions of Finland, Sweden and Denmark have their own unique features. So, the rocky coastline of the island of Møn is a characteristic monument of the Danish nature. A unique feature of this area is a bright white shade of rock: over millions of years, dead shellfish gradually formed the Cretaceous layer at the bottom of the ocean, which later came to the surface as a result of the movement of giant glaciers and formed the uplands. The waters of the sea undermined the shore, forming an amazing miracle of nature: the white cliffs.

25. Faroe Islands

Winter is the perfect time to travel “to the ends of the earth” to see the northern nature in all its might and harshness. If you’re wondering what to see in Denmark in winter, include a visit to the Faroe Islands, a northern treasure that is often given the status of a landmark in Iceland, even though officially the land belongs to Denmark. Here travelers unfold fantastic nature in its pristine, sedate, reserved, magic: these are deep calm lakes, dizzying fjords, mysterious gorges, wild waterfalls, coastal cliffs, slumbering in the misty clouds. Each island of the archipelago is unique and an attraction in itself.

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