“Denmark is like a secret little place with its own special language.”
helena Christensen
Top Five Destinations In Denmark
- Copenhagen is Denmark’s vibrant capital city and the country’s cultural and financial center. Fantastic Nyhavn and intriguing Christianshavn are major draws for visitors. Drop down into one of many classic bars in Nyhavn for a beer. The city is full of Dutch Renaissance architecture and medieval churches. It has fantastic restaurants, buzzing nightlife, and great shopping.
- Odense Is the charming birthplace of Han Christian Anderson. This was also the haven for worshippers of the Norse Gods. The city is full of vibrant colors and a strong sense of community. Many sites to visit include Funen’s Abbey, the 11th Century Saint Canute’s Cathedral, and the Viking Castle.
- Aarhus and its environs have Iconic sites, a lively music scene, pristine beaches, castles, and twisted forests. This eighth-century fortified Viking settlement was a trade center for centuries due to its strategic location. It is famous for its music festivals. The old town area has beautifully preserved houses and is lovely to stroll through. The 13th-century Aarhus Cathedral is well worth a visit.
- The wild and untouched Northern shores, Beautiful windswept seaside, buried churches, and dramatic nature.
- Kronborg Castle is the magnificent 13th-century home of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the town of Elsinore. It is dramatic in both architecture and setting.
Did you know?
Demark Stats
- Population: 5.8 million
- Capital City: Copenhagen
- Currency: Danish Kroner (DKK)
- Government type: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
- Monarch: Margrethe II
- Prime Minister: Mette Frederiksen
- Ethnic groups: Danish (includes Greenlandic (who are predominantly Inuit) and Faroese) 86.3%, other 12.7% (largest groups are Polish, Syrian, German, Iraqi, and Romanian)
- Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
- Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (official) 74.7%, Muslim 5.5%, other/none/unspecified of less than 1% each Roman Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, Mormon, Pentecostal, and nondenominational Christian 19.8%
- U.S. State Department Risk Level: 2 due to terrorism
- Terrorist groups: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force (2019)
- GDP 348.1 billion Rank 16th
- Denmark averages 171 days of precipitation in either rain or snow.
- There are 7,314 miles of Denmark’s coastline.
- Denmark is the world’s fifth-largest importer of food despite its small population.
- The diverse economy has a mixture of agriculture, tourism, and energy.
- Denmark’s inventions include Google Maps, the loudspeaker, Lego bricks, dry cell batteries, and insulin.
- Major trading partners: Germany, Sweden, the U.K., the US, Netherlands, Norway, and Japan.
- Life Expectancy 81.2 years of age.
- The literacy rate is 99%.
Fun Facts
- Denmark is the world’s biggest consumer of meat per capita.
- The Denmark flag is the oldest in the world, and it was created in 1219.
- Named one of the happiest countries on earth multiple times.
- A word that reflects the Danish soul, Hygge, is about creating a cozy feeling of togetherness, well-being, and a warm atmosphere.
- The Danish alphabet has three additional letters.
- The Danish Monarchy is the oldest continuing monarchy in the world.
- Danish pastry originated in Austria. It was brought there by relocated Austrian bakers who replaced Danish bakers when they went on strike.
- Bike culture is prevalent and considered a safe and effective mode of transport. Denmark has 12,000 km of bike paths and lanes. 75% of Danes continue to bike in the winter, and 50% bike to work daily.
- Danes are the world’s highest consumers of coffee.
- Soccer is the national sport.
- Denmark has the two oldest amusement parks in the world. Walt Disney visited Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and was so inspired that he created Disneyland.
- Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet at Elsinore Castle, which is modeled on Denmark’s Kronberg Castle
- On Denmark’s Faroe Island, the population of sheep is twice that of humans.
- Denmark is the biggest producer of minks.
- Hans Christian Anderson, who is a fairy tale lore author, is the most famous Dane.
Denmark Map
Good to know before you go
- Tipping is not needed in Denmark, as it is included in your bill. It is not customary or expected. This includes restaurants, cab drivers, porters, bartenders, and other service workers. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
- Overall, the clothing is stylish and well-kept. They are casual dressers, often wearing jeans and comfortable shoes. Women do wear dresses often, and nylon stockings remain trendy.
- Do not jaywalk in Denmark, or you will be fined. Danes are rule followers, which is why their society is so organized.
- Driving is easy in Demark with normal rules of the road. Just be very careful with bicycles!
- Before getting on a bike in Denmark, become familiar with the norms. There is a bike traffic issue, which can overwhelm visitors. Practice first!!
- The life of a Dane is often defined by three words: simplicity, politeness, and equality.
- Danish people don’t give much value to possessions or high income. The simple life is the essence of the Danes.
- Greetings in Denmark are polite with a handshake. The Danes consider initiating a conversation with them while riding public transportation to be disrespectful.
- Women and Men are equal in Denmark. They receive equal compensation.
- Danes are happy and peaceful people.
- The Danes are very private people, and the unspoken rule of privacy is always to be respected. If you walk by a home with open windows, do not peer inside; it is viewed as very rude.
- They pay the highest taxes in the world for their healthcare, social services, and unemployment.
- Denmark has a deep folk music history. The arts are essential to their lives, and many concerts and music programs are available for travelers.
- The Danes are known for their Folklore and storytelling. You will be richly rewarded if you can engage them to share a story.
- Denmark has a heavy seafood and meat diet.
- The Danes prefer to be left alone and would appreciate it if you left their dogs alone, too. Admire from a distance.
- The weather can be harsh, and even summers never get that hot. Plan layers even for summer travel.
- Most Danes speak excellent English.
- Spirits are expensive in Denmark. Beer is the most popular drink.
- Most restaurants and tourist sites do not allow smoking.
- It is a very safe country.
When to travel to Denmark
Denmark is a top-rated destination for tourists. It is the happiest place to live on earth, so why wouldn’t you want to be there? It also rains (rarely snow) every other day of the year, so weather can be an issue if you don’t plan for it. During the peak tourist season, July & and August can be crowded. May and September can still have nice weather but with fewer crowds.
Summers stay mild but may get chilly or feel like there is no summer. June is the driest month of the year. Days are long, and you will see everyone outside. Winter months are the low season, but the Christmas markets and festivals draw many visitors; keep that in mind. The noted “Hygge” indeed does occur in winter, and Danes just cozy up in their home for the short, cold days.
Overall, Denmark can be a year-round destination if you plan accordingly.
- Summer 54-72°F (12-21 °C)
- Spring 34-61°F (1-16 °C)
- Fall 39-62°F (4-17 °C)
- Winter 30-39°F (-1-4 °C)
Our Favorite Denmark Resources
This resource section contains some Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Travel Books/Guides
Our trip to Denmark was during a two-week trip to seven different countries. What we can pack is limited, and it had to have bang for the space required. These guides served us well in planning and during our travels.
Lonely Planet’s Denmark (Country Guide)
This is a passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice, the highlights Denmark has to offer, and what hidden discoveries await you. Sample Danish food, immerse yourself in Viking history, wander amazing castles, and stop by the home of Lego—all with your trusted travel companion. This travel guide provides detailed information to help you plan your visit to this amazing country. Discover this travel guide here.
Rick Steves Snapshot Copenhagen & the Best of Denmark
Full disclosure: We are huge Rick Steve’s fans; it will be rare we do not recommend one of his wonderful guides. For a few days there, the Denmark version did an excellent job. We love his travel style and perspective. His off-the-beaten-path approach and independent travel philosophy match well with how we travel. The guides never disappoint. This book made the cut into our suitcase and was a fantastic resource. Find this must-have guide here.
Our favorite websites
2. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs Denmark Country Info
We cannot encourage you enough to visit this website as you plan and prepare for your trip. The U.S. Federal Government addresses the safety, security, travel risk, entry, exit, visa documents mandates, emergency U.S. and Embassy contacts, health, local laws, special circumstances, threats, traveler vulnerabilities, government warnings, and transportation in Denmark. This is your best and most reliable resource for all this important info. Check back often before you go, as things can change quickly. Being prepared is essential in all travel, but especially internationally.
Denmark International Travel Information (state.gov)
3. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers Health Resource
This CDC travel resource provides essential health info for your specific destination. Using their tool, you can determine which vaccines, medications, and health advice recommendations are needed for Denmark.
CDC’s Travelers Health Page for Denmark
Our favorite maps
Denmark National Geographic Adventure Map, 3329 Easy to read the map with practical road and travel information. We enjoyed the National Geographic maps as they provided accurate details. It seems geared toward the adventure traveler, which we appreciate. Hundreds of points of interest are on this map, including our beloved Castles. Though we default to Google Maps, it was excellent for planning. Find this essential map here.
Our favorite apps
Copenhagen Travel Full city guide in your pocket. Click the A.R. button and turn yourself 360 to see what is near you to visit. Has offline maps.
Rome2rio: Trip Planner Trip and Holiday Organizer Enter any address, landmark, or city in the App, and It will instantly display all your travel options and booking info, along with accommodation providers and things to do. Find it on your local app store.
Rick Steves Audio Europe App includes a vast library of Rick Steve’s audio content. Get cultural and travel info. Includes self-guided tours of top attractions and historic walks. A must-have. Find on your local app store.
Duolingo-Language Lesson Audio lessons that help improve your listening and speaking skills. Find on your local app store.
Learn The Danish Language – Drops Focus is a practical word that uses picture-enhanced learning. Great to practice before you go. Easy and fun.
Google Translate We often use this to practice the proper pronunciation of Danish words. As we always encourage, learning the basics of greeting and thanking people in the local language is essential. Google Translate was an easy app to use. If needed, you can enter text in English, and it will speak back in Danish to aid in communicating with locals. Furthermore, it came in very handy to translate text into images instantly.
Do you have a favorite Denmark travel resource? Share your favorites in the comments section at the bottom of this page or
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Our Denmark Gallery
Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Services
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured—not just for the little stuff but for the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to place is Squaremouth.com. It does a fantastic job with its user-friendly interface and uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems.
To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. A Medjet membership is only for medical transport. Medjet Horizon offers expanded coverage. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. It is our preferred booking site.
Transportation
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip is an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers around the world. We love their service, and it costs much less than renting a car. You can enjoy comfortable, stress-free travel with the added bonus of scenic sightseeing stops along your journey. For example, we used them between Budapest and Vienna, making some fantastic stops along the way. Their professional drivers and customizable routes ensure a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and local attractions.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier. We use them often during our travels and love their liberal cancellation policy.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM keeps travelers seamlessly connected worldwide without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or facing unexpected roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making travel more convenient than ever. They have a great offer, a 100 MB data plan for free, and no credit card is required. They are that confident you will love their product!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10
To learn more about how GigSky, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides
Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.
This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
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