Denmark · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Denmark
These are the places worth your time in Denmark, from Copenhagen's palaces, bakeries and harbour baths to the art of Aarhus, Andersen's Odense, the dunes of Skagen and the cliffs of Bornholm. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Copenhagen
Things to Do
- Nyhavn (Indre By)
The postcard canal of painted gabled houses and old wooden ships, best early in the morning. - Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbro)
One of the world's oldest amusement parks, with gardens, rides and concerts that glow at night. - Church of Our Saviour (Christianshavn)
Climb the outside spiral staircase of the tower for a dizzying view of the city. - Freetown Christiania (Christianshavn)
A car free alternative community with murals, lakes and self built homes; no photos on Pusher Street. - The Little Mermaid (Langelinie)
The small famous statue on a harbour walk that also passes the Kastellet fortress. - Round Tower (Indre By)
A seventeenth century observatory with a spiral ramp instead of stairs. - CopenHill (Amager)
A waste to energy plant with a ski slope, hiking trail and climbing wall on its roof. - La Banchina (Refshaleøen)
A tiny waterside spot with a sauna and a jetty for cold dips. - Copenhagen Contemporary (Refshaleøen)
Large scale contemporary art installations in an old welding hall. - Canal tour from Nyhavn (Indre By)
The easiest first overview of the city's palaces, harbour and canals.
Arts and Culture
- Rosenborg Castle (Indre By)
A Renaissance castle in the King's Garden holding the Danish crown jewels. - Amalienborg (Frederiksstaden)
The royal family's home, with the changing of the guard at noon on the square. - Christiansborg Palace (Slotsholmen)
Parliament, royal reception rooms and ruins below, plus a free tower with city views. - National Museum of Denmark (Indre By)
The country's story from the Stone Age and Vikings to modern times under one roof. - Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (Vesterbro)
Ancient sculpture and French paintings around a palm filled winter garden. - SMK, National Gallery of Denmark (Indre By)
Danish Golden Age painting and European masters beside the green Østre Anlæg park. - Designmuseum Denmark (Frederiksstaden)
The story of Danish chairs, lamps and design in a former hospital. - Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (Humlebæk)
Modern art, sculptures and gardens on a cliff above the sea, a short train ride north. - Kronborg Castle (Helsingør)
The Renaissance castle that inspired Hamlet's Elsinore, guarding the sound to Sweden. - Frederiksborg Castle (Hillerød)
A grand castle on three islands in a lake, housing the Museum of National History.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kastellet (Østerbro)
A star shaped fortress with grassy ramparts, red barracks and a windmill, perfect for a walk. - Islands Brygge Harbour Bath (Islands Brygge)
A free outdoor harbour pool where locals swim and sunbathe all summer. - Kalvebod Bølge (Vesterbro)
A zigzag wooden boardwalk over the harbour for swimming, kayaking and sunsets. - Assistens Cemetery (Nørrebro)
A leafy cemetery used as a park, where Hans Christian Andersen and Kierkegaard are buried. - Dyrehavsbakken and Jægersborg Dyrehave (Klampenborg)
The world's oldest operating amusement park beside a deer park full of roaming herds.
Shopping and Markets
- Torvehallerne (Nørreport)
Two glass market halls of smørrebrød, fish, coffee and fresh produce. - Illums Bolighus (Strøget)
A landmark design store of Danish furniture, ceramics and homeware. - Jægersborggade (Nørrebro)
A short street of ceramic studios, small shops, coffee and wine.
Restaurants
- Reffen Street Food (Refshaleøen)
A big harbour side street food market of containers, open in the warm months. - Schønnemann (Indre By)
A classic smørrebrød lunch restaurant serving herring and aquavit since 1877. - Kødbyens Fiskebar (Kødbyen)
A buzzy seafood restaurant and bar in the old Meatpacking District.
Cafés
- Andersen and Maillard (Nørrebro)
A bakery and coffee bar known for its croissants and pastries. - Hart Bageri (Frederiksberg)
A neighbourhood bakery loved for its cardamom buns and sourdough. - Juno the Bakery (Østerbro)
A tiny bakery where locals queue for cardamom buns. - The Coffee Collective (Jægersborggade)
A pioneering roaster of carefully sourced coffee on a street of small shops.
Bars and Nightlife
- Ruby (Indre By)
A discreet cocktail bar in a canal side townhouse. - Mikkeller Bar (Vesterbro)
The original bar of the famous craft brewery, with a long list of taps. - Warpigs (Kødbyen)
A brewpub serving Texas style barbecue in the Meatpacking District. - Ved Stranden 10 (Indre By)
A relaxed canal side wine bar facing Christiansborg.
Events
- Copenhagen Jazz Festival (Citywide)
Ten days of concerts in squares, clubs and parks each July. - Christmas at Tivoli (Vesterbro)
Lights, markets and rides turn Tivoli into a winter wonderland from November.
Stays
- Hotel d'Angleterre (Kongens Nytorv)
The grand old hotel of the capital on the city's main square. - Generator Copenhagen (Indre By)
A central design hostel with private rooms as well as dorms. - Nimb Hotel (Vesterbro)
A small luxury hotel in a Moorish style palace inside Tivoli. - Hotel Ottilia (Vesterbro)
A design hotel in the old Carlsberg brewery buildings with a rooftop.
Places to Visit in Aarhus
Arts and Culture
- ARoS Aarhus Art Museum (City Centre)
Modern art and the circular rainbow walkway on the roof with views over the city. - Den Gamle By (Botanical Garden)
An open air old town of historic houses, shops and bakeries from three eras. - Moesgaard Museum (Højbjerg)
Prehistory and Vikings in a museum whose sloping grass roof you can walk up. - Kvindemuseet (City Centre)
A museum telling Danish history through the lives of women. - Dokk1 (Harbour)
A big library and culture house by the water with play spaces and a giant gong.
Restaurants
- Aarhus Central Food Market (City Centre)
A street food hall near the station with dishes from around the world.
Things to Do
- The Iceberg (Aarhus Ø)
Striking white jagged apartment blocks on the new harbour front. - Marselisborg Deer Park (South Aarhus)
A free deer park where children can feed the deer by hand. - Latin Quarter (City Centre)
The oldest cobbled streets of town, full of cafés and small shops. - Lego House (Billund)
An interactive house of creativity and play built from giant bricks. - Legoland Billund (Billund)
The original Legoland park with rides and Miniland models.
Nature and Outdoors
- Aarhus Ø Harbour Bath (Aarhus Ø)
A free harbour pool with diving and sauna by the new waterfront. - Den Permanente (Riis Skov)
A historic bathing pier and beach a short walk from the centre. - Marselisborg Forest (South Aarhus)
Beech woods running down to the sea, with deer in the park. - Mols Bjerge National Park (Djursland)
Rolling hills, heath and coast less than an hour from the city.
Cafés
- La Cabra (Latin Quarter)
A respected local roaster and bakery serving light roast coffee and cardamom buns.
Bars and Nightlife
- Åboulevarden (City Centre)
The canal side street of bars and terraces that fills on summer evenings.
Events
- Aarhus Festuge (Citywide)
A large arts festival of concerts and shows across the city in late summer.
Places to Visit in Odense
Arts and Culture
- H.C. Andersen House (City Centre)
An imaginative museum of the fairy tales in a garden designed by Kengo Kuma. - H.C. Andersen's Childhood Home (City Centre)
The tiny house where Andersen grew up, a short walk from the museum. - Odense Cathedral (City Centre)
A Gothic cathedral holding the remains of the murdered King Canute. - The Funen Village (Fruens Bøge)
An open air museum of farms and cottages along the river.
Things to Do
- Hans Jensens Stræde (Andersen Quarter)
A cobbled lane of crooked, colourful little houses in the old quarter. - Odense Zoo (South Odense)
One of Denmark's best zoos, with an oceanium and African savannah. - Egeskov Castle (Kværndrup)
A Renaissance water castle with gardens, mazes, a treetop walk and vintage car halls. - Ærøskøbing (Ærø)
A storybook island town of hollyhocks and cobbles, reached by ferry from Svendborg. - Valdemars Slot (Tåsinge)
A grand baroque manor on the water near Svendborg. - Svendborg harbour (Svendborg)
A harbour of old wooden ships, cafés and island ferries.
Restaurants
- Storms Pakhus (City Centre)
A street food hall in an old warehouse with long communal tables.
Nature and Outdoors
- Øhavsstien (South Funen)
The Archipelago Trail, a long coastal walking route across south Funen.
Events
- H.C. Andersen Festivals (City Centre)
Late summer street theatre and shows inspired by the fairy tales.
Places to Visit in Skagen
Nature and Outdoors
- Grenen (Skagen)
The sandbar where the North Sea and the Baltic meet, often with seals on the beach. - Råbjerg Mile (South of Skagen)
Northern Europe's largest moving dune, a small desert you climb barefoot.
Arts and Culture
- Skagens Museum (Town Centre)
Paintings by the Skagen Painters of the light, beaches and fishermen of this town. - Anchers Hus (Town Centre)
The preserved home and studio of painters Anna and Michael Ancher.
Things to Do
- Den Tilsandede Kirke (Skagen Klitplantage)
A church swallowed by drifting sand, with only its white tower showing. - Sandormen (Grenen)
The tractor pulled bus that carries you along the sand to the tip. - Skagen Grey Lighthouse (Grenen)
A tall lighthouse with a bird migration centre and views over both seas.
Restaurants
- Skagen harbour fish restaurants (Harbour)
Fresh shrimp and smoked fish at the stalls and restaurants along the quay.
Stays
- Brøndums Hotel (Town Centre)
The historic inn where the Skagen Painters met, still welcoming guests. - Ruths Hotel (Gammel Skagen)
A grand white beach hotel on the sunset side of the peninsula.
Events
- Skagen Festival (Town Centre)
A folk and roots music festival in early July.
Places to Visit in Bornholm
Arts and Culture
- Hammershus (North Bornholm)
Northern Europe's largest medieval castle ruin on a cliff above the sea. - Østerlars Round Church (Østerlars)
The largest of the island's white, fortress like round churches. - Bornholms Kunstmuseum (Gudhjem)
The island's art museum set on the coast above the sea.
Nature and Outdoors
- Dueodde (South Bornholm)
A huge white sand beach backed by dunes and pine forest, shallow and great for children. - Almindingen and Ekkodalen (Central Bornholm)
One of Denmark's largest forests, with an echo valley and trails. - Jons Kapel (West Coast)
Dramatic sea cliffs reached by a long wooden staircase.
Things to Do
- Gudhjem (North East Coast)
A steep fishing village with a harbour, smokehouse and ice cream shops. - Christiansø (Ertholmene)
A tiny fortress island reached by boat from Gudhjem in season. - Svaneke (East Coast)
A pretty harbour town of crafts, candy makers and a brewery.
Restaurants
- Hasle Smokehouse (Hasle)
Smoked herring under the tall white chimneys of a traditional smokehouse. - Gudhjem Røgeri (Gudhjem)
A classic smokehouse for Sol over Gudhjem by the harbour.
Bars and Nightlife
- Svaneke Bryghus (Svaneke)
A long established brewpub in the harbour town.
Shopping and Markets
- Svaneke Bolcher (Svaneke)
Watch candy being pulled and cut by hand.
Places to Visit in Roskilde
Arts and Culture
- Viking Ship Museum (Harbour)
Five original Viking ships and a boatyard where replicas are built. - Roskilde Cathedral (City Centre)
A brick cathedral holding the tombs of Danish kings and queens. - Ragnarock (Musicon)
A museum of pop, rock and youth culture with interactive exhibits.
Events
- Roskilde Festival (Festival Grounds)
One of Europe's biggest music festivals, held in late June and early July.
Things to Do
- Viking Ship sailing trips (Harbour)
Row and sail a replica Viking ship in summer.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lejre Land of Legends (Lejre)
An experimental archaeology park of Iron Age and Viking life.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Noma (Christianshavn, Copenhagen)
The famous New Nordic restaurant, now focused on projects and pop ups; check the site for what is on. - Grød (Nørrebro, Copenhagen)
A cosy spot devoted to porridge, risotto and comfort bowls. - Distortion (Nørrebro and Vesterbro, Copenhagen)
Huge street parties that take over the neighbourhoods in early summer. - Hija de Sanchez (Kødbyen, Copenhagen)
Celebrated tacos from a former Noma chef, a cheap and cheerful lunch. - John's Hotdog Deli (Central Station, Copenhagen)
A classic Danish hot dog stand near the station. - Mikkeller Aarhus (City Centre, Aarhus)
A relaxed craft beer bar with a rotating tap list. - NorthSide Festival (Eskelunden, Aarhus)
A big music festival held in June. - Comwell Aarhus (City Centre, Aarhus)
A large modern hotel near the concert hall. - Danhostel Aarhus (Risskov, Aarhus)
A hostel in a historic building in the woods near the beach. - Ingerslevs Boulevard Market (Frederiksbjerg, Aarhus)
A local market of produce and food stalls on Wednesdays and Saturdays. - Carl Nielsen Museum (City Centre, Odense)
The life and music of Denmark's great composer. - First Hotel Grand (City Centre, Odense)
A historic hotel near the station and the old town. - Carlsens Kvarter (City Centre, Odense)
A cosy old pub in a crooked house in the old quarter. - Skagen Bryghus (Town Centre, Skagen)
A brewpub with local beers and live music in summer. - Hulsig Hede (South of Skagen, Skagen)
Quiet heath and dune landscape on the way to Råbjerg Mile. - Grønbechs Gård (Hasle, Bornholm)
Island crafts and design exhibitions in an old merchant's house. - Stammershalle Badehotel (North West Coast, Bornholm)
A small seaside hotel on the cliffs between Gudhjem and Allinge. - Roskilde Saturday market (Stændertorvet, Roskilde)
A traditional market on the main square near the cathedral.