Denmark Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Denmark in 2023

Denmark is a small country in Northern Europe, located between Sweden and Germany. The capital city of Denmark is Copenhagen. The history of Denmark goes back more than 1,000 years and was founded by the Vikings. No wonder this country has so much history and culture to offer for visitors!

Use this ultimate Denmark travel guide to plan a trip to this wonderfully cool country.

Document checklist for Denmark

• Visa
• Valid passport
• Sufficient funds

Essential Denmark travel information

• Currency - Danish krone (kr.). 1 kr is equivalent to approx. $0.14.

• Daily budget for 1 person - The daily budget for one person is around kr 1,080 ($147)

• Languages - Official language is Danish. English is widely spoken, especially in cities.

• Socket type - Denmark has four associated plug types: C, E, F, and K, 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

• Time zone - Central European Standard Time (GMT+1).

• Top 3 cities to visit - Copenhagen, Aalborg, and Odense.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Little Mermaid, Tivoli Gardens, and Nyhavn District.

Visa information for Denmark

We invite you to use our visa checker tool to find out, according to your nationality, if you need a Danish Schengen Visa or must obtain the Denmark ETIAS.

Danish Schengen Visa explained

Depending on your nationality, if necessary, you will have to obtain a Schengen visa for Denmark. This will allow you to travel to the country for tourism, business, or family-visits. The validity of this visa is 90 days within a period of 180 days.

Denmark ETIAS explained

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is an electronic travel authorization necessary for all travelers wishing to visit the Schengen area who can enter without a visa. ETIAS is valid for three years or until the expiration of the passport. It will be implemented in 2023.

Typical costs and budget for Denmark

Some details of costs to keep into account when traveling to Denmark.

Daily spending per person - Daily costs per person come to about kr 1,080 ($147), including:

• Meals - Meals in a nice restaurant cost about kr 311 ($42) per person.

• Transport - Local transportation per day comes to approx. kr 198 ($27).

• Hotel - A single room in a comfortable hotel costs about kr 494 ($67) and a double room costs about kr 988 ($135).

A vacation to Denmark for one week costs on average kr 7,560 for one person. This always depends on your standards and modes of travel.

Budget backpacker options are available, but keep in mind that Scandinavia can still be more expensive to travel around than the rest of Europe.

Transport and ways to travel around Denmark

Denmark has excellent transportation options to travel pleasantly throughout the country, even to reach its islands. From buses, bicycles, and scooters to trains and ferries, let us explain each of these alternatives so that you choose the one that best suits your travel needs.

Bus and train

Both buses and trains are affordable public transport options and are very easy to use as there are networks that run throughout the country. You can pay with cash or card at a station ticket machine or in person on a bus.

The Copenhagen Card can be a great option for tourists, as it offers unlimited public transport in the capital city. Plus, you can use it to enter more than 80 museums and attractions for free or with a discount. It is available for 24, 48, 72, or 120 hours.

You can also make long-distance trips to other countries using FlixBus, which connects Danish towns to other European cities for an affordable price.

Bicycles and scooters

Danes love getting around on bikes and scooters, and it is an easy and fun way to explore the city. In Copenhagen, you will find the Bycyklen, a network of electric bicycles throughout the city that you can rent directly on site.

Ferries

The best way to get to the islands of this beautiful country is by ferry. In fact, it is essential! Many tour operators are offering tickets for these travel services, as well as cruises. The ferries offer regular connections between the Danish, Swedish, German and Baltic ports.

Safety in Denmark

Here's some news you'll love: Denmark is a really safe place for foreigners. On the other hand, you never want to get in trouble on a trip, so here are some tips.

• Read about local laws and rules. They might be different from your home country.

• Have travel insurance to get medical assistance if you are sick and need treatment.

• If you are lost or need help, don't hesitate to ask the local authorities.

Weather in Denmark

Denmark has four distinct seasons, so you can choose the one that best meets your exploration needs. June, July, and August are the most popular months for tourism, when the temperatures are comfortable between 20°C (68°F) and 26°C (78°F) and the landscapes are green and lush, fantastic for enjoying nature.

In the early winter months, Denmark celebrates the festive season with lots of lights and events, which can offer some holiday cheer for your holidays. However, during that time of year, you're more likely to experience low temperatures and snowfall. The average winter temperatures are around 0°C (32°F), hovering just above freezing.

Popular cities and towns in Denmark

Don’t miss these 5 great cities and towns on your visit to Denmark!

• Copenhagen - The capital of Denmark is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Culture and art abound in every corner of this city, and exceptional architecture, museums, and restaurants await!

You can also enjoy the castles, which will make you feel in the past, with the neoclassical places.

• Aalborg - This city is a beautiful secret for those travelers looking for places off the beaten track. It has a castle dating back to the 16th century, a medieval old town, and a Viking cemetery. A history-lover’s dream!

• Odense - Odense was the home of Hans Christian Andersen, famous for his storybooks such as the Ugly Duckling, the Little Mermaid, and the Snow Queen, among others. Enjoy learning more about his life and how his famous stories came about.

• Randers - A magnificent place to explore with architectural design that will leave you speechless. Here you can visit the Danish Designmuseum, dedicated to Danish and international arts, architecture, design, and craft.

• Esbjerg - Denmark's gateway to the west opens out to the world and welcomes you with the colossal sculpture Man Meets the Sea. Due to its location next to the Wadden Sea, Esbjerg can offer its visitors grand architecture and art, exciting museums, and unique nature.

Must do and see in Denmark

• Little Mermaid- One of the most famous monuments in Copenhagen, if not the world. The statue has been standing since 1913, and was designed by Edvard Eriksen. This statue was created to commemorate the work of Hans Christian Andersen.

• Tivoli Gardens - A popular and magical tourist attraction in Copenhagen. The Tivoli Gardens are a great place to spend a morning or an afternoon. Here you can find rides, games, musicals, concerts, beautiful flowers, and shops.

• Nyhavn District - Take a walk along the canal, see the beautiful multicolored buildings surrounding the channel, and have fun having a drink in a bar or coffee and eating a traditional Danish dish to get a feel for local life.

• Viking Ship Museum - This museum is located in Roskilde, Copenhagen. The exhibition that most surprises visitors are the five boats of Skuldelev, one of Denmark's most important and memorable monuments. If you like Viking history, this is an exceptional place to learn more.

• Kronborg Castle - Kronborg is a castle and fortress in the town of Helsingør and was Immortalized as Elsinore in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Kronborg is one of Northern Europe's most important Renaissance castles and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Typical Danish food to try

While in Denmark, make sure to try these delicious dishes.

• Stegt flæsk med persillesovs - This dish is known as the “national dish of Denmark.” It is a simple and tasty combination of crispy pork, potatoes, and parsley sauce.

• Danish hot dog - This street food is very popular with locals and foreigners. The hot dog is topped with deliciously creamy, curried remoulade sauce, fresh pickled cucumbers and crispy fried shallots.

• Risalamande - Risalamande is a rice pudding with vanilla, almonds and whipped cream, and it's typically served together with warm cherry sauce. A perfect dessert for any sweet tooth!

Vaccine information for Denmark

Overall, Denmark does not require any vaccination certificates upon entry. Check the CDC website for more information.

Visiting Legoland in Denmark

In 1932, a local carpenter invented the little people and building bricks known as LEGO in the small Danish town of Billund. To this day, Billund is still the global headquarters of the toy company, as well as the location of Legoland, home to 9 themed Lego areas, 4 roller coasters, 2 water rides, and over 40 other attractions created from over 60 million bricks.

In a country consistently ranked as one of the world's happiest, Legoland in Billund is one of the best places on earth to take kids. Families who book tickets online in advance can take advantage of discounts and avoid long queues at the entrance.

There is a free shuttle bus from Billund airport to Legoland between June and August. Vejle is the closest station if you are traveling by rail from Copenhagen or Aarhus.

Fun facts about Denmark

• Denmark has been named the happiest country in the world several times and remains at the top of the UN’s global happiness report.

• Did you know that Danes don’t have the word "please" in their language? It is fascinating because the Danes are not used to using it daily. So don’t take this wrong if you don’t hear a “please” when you make a Danish friend/

• Denmark consists of 444 islands, of which only 76 are inhabited.

• The Copenhagen harbor is very clean, so clean that you can take a swim in the port without pollution.

• One of the most popular toy brands in the world was created by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen. Of course, we’re talking about LEGO, created in 1949 from wood. In 1947 the iconic colorful bricks as we know them now, made of plastic, were introduced.

• You’ll find some of the cleanest tap water in the world in Denmark, so staying hydrated on your trip will be a breeze.