Denmark is an incredibly beautiful, somewhat under-the-radar country in Europe that’s worth some extra time. Sure, Copenhagen gets a lot of notoriety, and for good reason, but have you considered a week exploring more of Denmark than the capital city? This list of 10 must-see places in Denmark is your guide for just that.
After a decade of living in Denmark as ex-pats, and considering my intense desire to see new places as much as is reasonable, my family has been super fortunate to be able to explore so much of this incredible country.
With our recent move back to the U.S., I’ve been reflecting on some of the most memorable of our times in the country, and present to you this list of our must-see places in Denmark.
These are the ones that left their mark on us, stopped us in our tracks, and truly expressed the soft, gentle beauty of this small, but wonderful country.
1. Dueodde – Bornholm
Bornholm in general will probably top most lists of must-see places in Denmark. The island, which sits off the southern coast of Sweden, is accessible only by ferry or plane. Packed with some of Denmark’s most diverse topography, you’ll find expansive beaches, canyons, small sea cliffs, castles and charming coastal towns.
If we are narrowing down within the island, Dueodde has to be at the top of the list. It’s a stunning white sand beach with what seems like miles of towering dunes, all pristinely untouched. Having visited in both the summer and winter, both are incredible, but the water really shines in the summer sun.
Other worthwhile stops on Bornholm
Hammershus Slot, a castle ruins with a view, is a great place to scamper around for an hour or two. The towns of Svaneke and Gudhjem are our favorites for strolling, harbor views and ice cream. Svaneke Bryghus makes some of our favorite Danish beer. Svaneke Brød is fantastic bakery choice.
For some laid back hiking, Echodalen (Echo Canyon) features geography that is rare in the relatively flat Denmark.
2. Wadden Sea National Park
Expansive beaches, with little to no development marring the spectacle of the sea and the sand. Dramatic low tides that expand the beach much farther than you can imagine. Seals, starlings and sunsets. Enough said?
The Wadden Sea National Park (Vadehavet) is an often overlooked gem on the west coast of Denmark that I couldn’t love more. Access the National Park via bridge to the island of Rømø or by short ferry ride from Esbjerg to the island of Fanø. Both are great.
The National Park offers miles and miles of hiking and/or bike riding through some seriously gorgeous heather fields and coastal forest land. Expansive beaches make for incredible summer days.
From the southwestern edge of Fanø, at low tide, you can walk far out into the ocean for a truly special experience. Because it’s such a shallow sea, low tides are dramatic and expand the beach much farther than you can imagine. With proper footwear (or bare feet if it’s warm enough), you can venture towards islands far out into the sea that are home to seals. It’s amazing.
Sitting on the western side of the country, the National Park provides the setting for some remarkable sunsets. Make sure to get yourself onto the beach at the right time for that.
CC Favorite: On your way to either island, be sure to make a stop in the beautiful town of Ribe. Incredible architecture, cobbled streets, stunning nature all around.
3. Cold Hawaii/Klitmøller/Thy National Park
Located on Denmark’s rugged, wild west coast, Thy is one of the most beautiful places you’ll find in the country. It is worth a visit in any season.
Stop by the famous Cold Hawaii to see the best (and only?) waves in Denmark and explore the surfer’s town of Klitmøller. Highly recommend Surf Pro – Cold Hawaii for a cool souvenir.
Explore the numerous World War II bunkers in the surrounding beaches. Built as a part of the Atlantic Wall during the German occupation of Denmark, it’s a fascinating landscape, with these massive concrete structures now nestled into the soft white sand of the dunes. Truly remarkable and a favorite way to spend a few hours for my kids, climbing and exploring the structures amongst the dunes. You can spot bunkers on Klitmøller Strand or at Coastal Battery Klitmøller.
There’s so much to do in Thy National Park, but I think a favorite option for me would be to book a camping shelter for a night and spend an evening or two out in the incredible nature of this area. Check out this post to learn more about camping in Denmark.
Bulbjerg sits just outside of the park, but is worth making a short detour for. Small cliffs make the views of the coastline incredible. There are paths all over for walking and exploring.
4. Helsingør
Easy to access by train from Copenhagen, (take the regional train from Copenhagen Central Station, Nørreport or Hellerup) this one is easy to check off the list. Helsingør is the home of Kronborg Castle, famous for inspiring the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
This town is so picturesque that it’s easy to spend a whole day here. Visit the castle, explore the coastline, check out the Maritime Museum, the small and cozy Øresunds Akvariat/Aquarium or wander the alleyways of the town.
If you want to tack on an extra adventure, make your way to Danmarks Tekniske Museum. Home to airplanes, cars, other vehicles and other technology-related exhibits, it’s a bit out of the way, but a fun way to spend a few hours. My kids love all of the interactive options they have.
CC Favorite: Check out KageFryd in Helsingør town center for delicious coffee, cake or other treats.
5. Danish Riviera
If you’ve read any of my posts on Denmark, you’ll know well by now how much I love the Danish Riviera, the string of small towns and beaches on the north coast of Zealand. In fact, I’ve written an entire post dedicated to finding the best of the Riviera.
The north coast of Zealand is one of my favorite places on earth.
Holiday homes abound in this section of Denmark. Any of these towns would make a lovely base for a long weekend or even week of chill beach vacationing. Check out VRBO to rent a classic Danish summer house or look into cozy inns and B’nBs here.
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I’d base myself in Tisvildeleje, Rågeleje, or Hornbæk. Then, spend a weekend (or more) exploring up and down the coast at a leisurely pace, building in time for bike riding, sitting on the beach, swimming in the freezing cold sea, and lots of coffee and/or ice cream.
Top suggestion – ride the North Coast Path (Nordkystien). This planned route connects the entirety of the Danish Riviera for an epic 66 km ride through some of the country’s best scenery. Gravel bikes are useful in some parts. You can always stick to the main road if a section doesn’t suit your bike. It’s genuinely one of the most classic Danish experiences you can have.
6. Råbjerg Mile
Råbjerg Mile is a massive migrating sand dune that’s worth half a day. Take a walk in what looks like the middle of the desert. It’s truly incredible.
The kids will love running around in the sand, jumping off of massive dunes and wondering how this big pile of sand ended up in the middle of the land.
When visiting Råbjerg Mile, base yourself in the village of Skagen and wander the charming traditional yellow houses. It’s a great place to find a coastal bed & breakfast or a cute VRBO close to the dunes. You’ll also find a few art and nature museums tucked into this village.
The lovely stretch of coast at Grenen, the Tip of Denmark, showcases where two seas meet. Spot more bunkers on the beach and throw a shell or two into both seas.
7. Copenhagen Harbor
Of course, there are so many things you could get up to in the capital city, many of which you can read about here.
But, if you have to choose one thing to see, it has to be a day spent exploring the Copenhagen harbor.
Walk through some of the city’s most famous sites and neighborhoods. Start near the Danish Architecture Center and follow the canal past many famous Copenhagen sites. You’ll pass the Gammel Strand area, the Harbor Promenade (Havnegade Promenaden), Nyhavn (the famous postcard shot), Ofelia Plads, and can even continue on up to Amalienborg Palace. Pause for coffee and pastry breaks along the way, take in the cool architecture and harbor happenings.
Alternatively, ride the Havneringen (The Harbor Circle). Crossing multiple of the city’s most famous biking bridges over the harbor, it’s a must do and also offers so many places to stop and explore.
Stop for lunch at Broens Street Food for a bite, or ride all the way out to Reffen Street Food, one of my favorite places in all of CPH.
8. Ærø (or any other small Danish island)
Rural, quiet, peaceful. Take a ferry from Svendborg to this lovely little island sandwiched between the island of Langeland and mainland Jylland. Take coastal walks, throw rocks into the ocean, spot colorful beach huts and enjoy all kinds of relaxation.
The towns of Ærøskøbing and Marstal offer more of that Danish coastal ambience that you’re searching for. I have spent a whole afternoon just wandering the streets of the town of Ærøskøbing taking photos of the many interesting colorful doors of the adorable homes that line the streets.
CC Favorite: Stop at Ærø Bryggeri for fantastic brews and classic Danish food.
If Ærø doesn’t really fit your itinerary, I’m happy to say that there are so many small Danish islands that will also fit this bill. Try Samsø, or Læsø, for similar vibes.
9. Møn
Only an hour and half from Copenhagen, Møn is perfect for a day trip, but even more perfect for a quick weekend retreat. Beautiful, quiet villages line the roads to the coast. Farmland meets ocean at the tip of the island.
The stars of the show are the famous white chalk cliffs that are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We love to hike down to the cliffs from Liselund park (owned by the National Museum of Denmark) – it’s a lovely walk through beautiful gardens and rolling forest land to the white on teal colors of the cliffs.
GeoCenter Møns Klint offers different exhibitions related to the geological history of Denmark. The Camøno Route is a hiking trail with multiple segments that traverse the entire island (plus a few more). Find a segment and take on a 4 or 5 hour hike.
CC Favorite: MønIs is a dairy farm that sells homemade ice cream and other farm specialities on site. Stop to let the kids watch cows being milked and run around on hay bale mazes. Cafe Borre is a great stop on the way out to the cliffs.
10. Cathedral Towns
Did you know that Denmark has 10 official cathedral towns? These towns host massive medieval churches which contribute to making each town feel special, historical and well-preserved. We find these towns to have a special atmosphere that make them well worth visiting.
Roskilde is probably the most famous of these towns, as it hosts the cathedral where former kings and queens of Denmark are buried. Combine your trip to Roskilde with one of the many other interesting things there are to do there, as shared in this post.
Ribe, Odense, Århus, Helsingør and Copenhagen itself are all cathedral towns. I think it’s fun to visit the more obscure towns, and see these cathedrals sitting in sleepy Danish towns.
Maribo was our favorite example of this. Stop by to wander the town (especially if it’s around a holiday), and then see the local troll while you’re at it.
Viborg is another interesting stop, especially when combined with a walk around Dollerup Bakker. There’s always something interesting to pair with a small Danish town, trust me!
Honorable Mention
Ferry boats have got to be the unsung hero of exploring Denmark. There are ferries everywhere, so if you really want to get the full Danish experience, make sure to include at least one in your travels. They’re done right, with full service restaurants and bars on board. So, grab a snack, get out in the wind (assuming it’s not completely awful weather) and enjoy the best form of Danish transportation.
Looking for more Denmark inspiration?
10 Must-Do Activities for Families in Copenhagen
8 Incredible Islands to Visit in Denmark
