Copenhagen & Aarhus Cities

TRAVEL TIPS

Denmark- Denmark is a Scandinavian country comprising the Jutland Peninsula and numerous islands. It’s linked to nearby Sweden via the Öresund bridge. Copenhagen, its capital, is home to royal palaces and colorful Nyhavn harbor, plus the Tivoli amusement park and the iconic “Little Mermaid” statue. Odense is writer Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown, with a medieval core of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses.

Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options…and plenty to consider.

Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the Schengen countries. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to Denmark consulate website: www.vfsglobal.com/denmark/uae/. Denmark is part of the 26 Schengen State Countries. 

Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options. Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You’ll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.

Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette, and how shoppers can take advantage of VAT refunds.

Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers…or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.

Packing Light: On your trip you’ll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.

Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.

Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.

Sightseeing & Activities: Once you’re on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.

Things do & see:

Copenhagen- Denmark’s capital, sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. It’s linked to Malmo in southern Sweden by the Öresund Bridge. Indre By, the city’s historic center, contains Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century rococo district, home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace. Nearby is Christiansborg Palace and the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle, surrounded by gardens and home to the crown jewels.

Aarhus- is a city in Denmark on the Jutland peninsula’s east coast. Den Gamle By is its old town open-air museum, with centuries-old timbered houses. Nearby are the greenhouses of the Aarhus Botanical Garden. In the center, the multistory ARoS art museum shows global contemporary works. The underground Viking Museum explores early local history. Nearby, Aarhus Cathedral has restored 14th- to 16th-century frescoes.

Odense-is a place of literary wonder, and it is the main city on the Island of Funen. The cosy city is the birthplace of the world’s most famous writer of fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen, and a trip to explore the cobbled streets of his childhood home and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a real step back in time.

Aalborg-the capital of the northernmost region in Denmark, North Jutland, is Aalborg, which is also Denmark’s fourth largest city. In recent years Aalborg has gone through rapid city development, and the city is home to world-famous buildings such as Kunsten Museum of Modern Art (only Alvar Aalto museum building outside Finland) and the Utzon Centre.

Helsingør- also known as Elsinore, is a port city in eastern Denmark. Overlooking the Øresund strait, the 15th-century Kronborg Castle provided the setting for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Nearby, the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark illustrates 600 years of Danish seafaring history. The glass-walled Culture Yard in the old shipyard organizes cultural events. On the pier is “Han,” a polished steel sculpture of a man.

Esbjerg– is a seaport town and seat of Esbjerg Municipality on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark. By road, it is 71 kilometres west of Kolding and 164 kilometres southwest of Aarhus.

Roskilde- is a city in Denmark, west of Copenhagen. Next to its harbor, the Viking Ship Museum has 11th-century vessels and an active boatyard. In its center, the Gothic, twin-spired Roskilde Cathedral holds the tombs of many Danish kings and queens. The nearby Museum of Contemporary Art sits in a former royal mansion. West of the city, the huge Land of Legends open-air museum recreates Stone Age and Viking life.

Vejle- is a town in Denmark, in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula at the head of Vejle Fjord, where the Vejle River and Grejs River and their valleys converge. It is the site of the councils of Vejle Municipality and the Region of Southern Denmark.

Ribe– is a Danish town in south-west Jutland. It is the seat of the Diocese of Ribe covering southwestern Jutland. It is now part of the enlarged Esbjerg Municipality in the Region of Southern Denmark

Billund– is a town in central Denmark. It’s known as the birthplace of Lego bricks, featured in the Legoland Billund theme park. Nearby, Lalandia in Billund water park has a tropical aquadome. Sculptures line a path along Grindsted stream in Skulpturpark Billund. Northwest of town, Karensminde Agricultural Museum showcases farm work in the 18th and 19th centuries. Givskud Zoo, northeast, is home to lions and gorillas.

Kolding- is a Danish seaport located at the head of Kolding Fjord in the Region of Southern Denmark. It is a transportation, commercial, and manufacturing centre, and has numerous industrial companies, principally geared towards shipbuilding.

In leafy, residential Frederiksberg- locals relax in the gardens surrounding the Italianate Frederiksberg Palace. Gammel Kongevej is the hub for exclusive clothing and design shopping, while cafes and specialty food stores line charming Værnedamsvej street. Families head to nearby Copenhagen Zoo to visit the elephant house and the Arctic zone, with its polar bears and seals

Randers- is a city in Randers Municipality, Central Denmark Region on the Jutland peninsula. It is Denmark’s sixth-largest city, with a population of 62,482. Randers is the municipality’s main town and the site of its municipal council.

Viborg- a city in central Jutland, Denmark, is the capital of both Viborg municipality and Region Midtjylland. Viborg is also the seat of the Western High Court, the High Court for the Jutland peninsula.

Horsens- is a city on the east coast of Jutland region of Denmark. It is the seat of the Horsens municipality. Horsens is best known for its culture and entertainment events.

Sønderborg- In recent times, Sønderborg is a center for trade, tourism, industry, and education in the region of Southern Denmark. The town is the headquarters for several industrial companies.

Frederikshavn- is a Danish town in Frederikshavn municipality, Region Nordjylland, on the northeast coast of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark. Its name translates to “Frederik’s harbor”. It was originally named Fladstrand.

Fredericia- is a town located in Fredericia municipality in the southeastern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. The city is part of the Triangle Region, which includes the neighbouring cities of Kolding and Vejle. It was founded in 1650 by Frederick III, after whom it was named.

Hillerød- is a city in Denmark, north of Copenhagen. The 17th-century Frederiksborg Castle lies on 3 islets and has baroque gardens. Inside the castle, the Museum of National History evokes 500 years of Danish history with portraits and furniture. To the east, Hillerød Town Museum has vintage printing presses and replicas of 19th-century streets. North of the city are the trails of Grib Forest.

Køge- is a seaport on the coast of Køge Bugt 39 km southwest of Copenhagen. It is the principal town and seat of Køge Municipality, Region Sjælland, Denmark. The natural harbour and strategic location have given Køge a long history as a market town.

Leafy, suburban Nørresundby- is home to the Lindholm Høje Museum, one of Denmark’s oldest Viking sites, with hundreds of burial mounds encircled by stone markers and exhibitions on the area’s Vikings. At the waterfront, Strandpark has views over the Limfjord, cycling and jogging paths, and areas to picnic, swim, and play beach volleyball. Nearby, Skanseparken offers sports facilities, a playground, and a rose garden.

Svendborg- is a town on the island of Funen in south-central Denmark, and the seat of Svendborg Municipality. In 2000 Svendborg was declared “Town of the year” in Denmark, and in 2003 it celebrated its 750th anniversary as a market town. Be sure to visit Vlademars Slot, a palace that was constructed by King Christian IV for his son, Vlademar. His son died before ever living in the place, but the palace-turned-manor is still inhabited.

Herning- is a Danish city in Region Midtjylland, on the Jutland peninsula. It is the main town and the administrative seat of Herning Municipality.

Silkeborg- is a Danish town with a population of 46,923. Silkeborg is the seat of Silkeborg City Council. Silkeborg is located in the middle of the Jutlandic peninsula, slightly west of the geographical centre of Denmark.

Holstebro- is the main town in Holstebro Municipality, Denmark. The town, bisected by Storåen, has a population of 36,643.

Skive- is a town in Skive municipality in Region Midtjylland at the base of Salling Peninsula, a part of the larger Jutland peninsula in northwest Denmark. It is the municipality’s main town and the site of its municipal council.

Slagelse- is a town on Zealand, Denmark. The town is the seat of Slagelse Municipality, and is the biggest town of the municipality. It is located 15 km east of Korsør, 16 km north-east of Skælskør, 33 km south-east of Kalundborg and 14 km west of Sorø.

Næstved– is a town in the municipality of the same name, located on the island of Zealand in Denmark. Næstved has several adult education centers, five elementary schools – and has at least one of each type of the four upper-second-level education centers.

Holbæk- It is located in the northeastern part of Region Sjælland, Denmark. Holbæk is located on Zealand, on the banks of Holbæk Fjord, an inlet of the larger Isefjord.

Sorø- is a town in Sorø municipality in Region Sjælland on the island of Zealand in east Denmark. The municipal council and the regional council are located in Sorø. Sorø was founded in 1161 by Bishop Absalon, later the founder of Copenhagen, and is the site of Sorø Academy.

Nykøbing Falster- is a southern Danish city, seat of the Guldborgsund kommune. The city lies on Falster, connected by the 295-meter-long Frederick IX Bridge over the Guldborgsund waterway to the island of Lolland.

Maribo– is a town in Lolland municipality in Region Sjælland on the island of Lolland in south Denmark. To the north of Maribo is Nørresø and to the south is Søndersø. Søndersø is the largest lake on Lolland. There are more islands in Søndersø than in any other lake in Denmark.

Haderslev-It is the main town and the administrative seat of Haderslev Municipality and is situated in the eastern part of Southern Jutland.

Aabenraa or Åbenrå- is a town in Southern Denmark, at the head of the Aabenraa Fjord, an arm of the Little Belt, 26 kilometres north of the Denmark–Germany border and 32 kilometres north of German town of Flensburg.

Kalundborg- is a Danish city with a population of 16,295, the main town of the municipality of the same name and the site of its municipal council. It is situated on the northwestern coast of the largest Danish island, Zealand, on the opposite, eastern side of which lies the capital Copenhagen, 110 km away.

Ebeltoft- is an old port town on the central east coast of Denmark with a population of 7,167. It is located in Syddjurs municipality in Region Midtjylland on the larger Djursland peninsula of Jutland. Ebeltoft is known for its old town center with cobble-stoned streets and centuries-old half-timbered houses.

Ringsted- is a city located centrally in the Danish island of Zealand. It is the seat of a municipality of the same name. Ringsted is approximately 60 km from Copenhagen. Ringsted Station is the last station before trains bound for Funen and Jutland diverge from trains bound for Lolland-Falster and Puttgarden/Hamburg.

Give- is a small railway town with a population of 4,569 in Denmark near Vejle. As a result of “The Municipal Reform” of 2007 Give Municipality was forced to join Vejle Municipality by the Løkke government. Give has a historical museum about the surrounding area and life in Denmark in general.

Grenaa- is a Danish town and seaport on the east coast of the Jutlandic peninsula. Tourism, education and commerce are important sectors in the economy of Grenaa. It is the only larger town on Djursland.

Hirtshals– is a town and seaport on the coast of Skagerrak on the island of Vendsyssel-Thy at the top of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark, Europe. It is located in Hjørring municipality in Region.

National Museum of Denmark – Some impressive runic stones are on display, and the Danish history collection includes a sun chariot (cult object in the form of a cart) that is more than 2,000 years old, Romanesque and Gothic church fittings, Danish porcelain and silver, and collections of antiquities and coins.

The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst), Copenhagen – The National Gallery of Denmark displays the largest collection of Danish art from the 1700s to the present day, as well as impressive works from around the world. Highlights include the Danish and Nordic art exhibition, which spans 150 years, as well as paintings by the Dutch Masters, Edvard Munch, and Picasso among others.

The Round Tower (Rundetårn) – On Købmagergade is the Round Tower (Rundetårn), a 36-meter-high structure built as an observatory in 1642. It now also houses a small collection connected with the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe.

Strøget Shopping Mile – A stroll of around five minutes from Christiansborg takes you to the bustling shopping area of Strøget where you’ll find a wealth of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Strøget, a nickname from the 1800s, consists of several roads criss-crossing one another, beginning at Town Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) and ending at Kongens Nytorv.

Rosenborg Palace – Round Tower and now home to some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures, the castle was originally built by Christian IV as a pleasure palace. Inhabited by the royal family until 1720 and after that used as a summer retreat, the castle and contents became a museum in 1838.

Kastellet – the former Citadel of Frederikshavn, the oldest parts of which date from 1625. The Citadel buildings are well maintained and well worth exploring.

The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue) – which you’ll see from the shore, is the official emblem of Copenhagen. The bronze sculpture, created by Edvard Eriksen in 1913, is based on a theme from one of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, which tells the tale of a mermaid who once came up out of the depths of the sea because she’d fallen in love with a prince. Sadly, as the prince didn’t reciprocate, she was forced to leave the human world and return once more to the sea.

Town Hall Square – (Rådhuspladsen) is dominated by Copenhagen Town Hall (built between 1892 and 1905), which is based on a mix of Italian Renaissance and medieval Danish architecture.

Christiania – Starting out as a hippy settlement more than 40 years ago, this unique and controversial area was firstly designated as a social experiment and is now owned by the residents. Christiania is one of Denmark’s most loved tourist attractions, and each year, this “freetown” lures up to a million visitors.

Bakken: The World’s Oldest Amusement Park – Bakken amusement park is a folksy version of the Tivoli, with numerous restaurants, cafés, and fun things to do – especially for younger children.

Copenhagen Zoo – To the west of Copenhagen, a little more than three kilometers from the city center, lies the Zoological Garden (Zoologisk Have), founded in 1859 and one of the oldest and largest zoos in Europe.

Enjoy Roskilde – Known as the ancient city of Denmark, Roskilde was Denmark’s capital from 960 to 1536. This is an amazing city to view the country’s history, whether it be at the various churches, brick building lined streets, or the Viking-influenced museums. This small city is close to Copenhagen so it’s easy to get to. The Roskilde Cathedral is the most famous in the country. It is also host to Europe’s largest music festival every June.

Kronborg Castle – This castle is where Shakespeare set his play, Hamlet, though you don’t need to be a fan of the Bard to enjoy it. Located along the coast in Helsingør, the castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. It’s a great place to wander and explore, and it’s only an hour from Copenhagen.

Christiansborg Palace – On the tiny island of Slotsholmen is the Danish seat of government and an attraction that should be top on any visitor’s agenda. Christiansborg boasts more than 800 years of history and today, the palace is home to the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court.

Go wild in Dyrehaven – Known commonly as ‘The Deer Park’, this park is located just outside Copenhagen in a city called Klampenborg. Both locals and tourists enjoy cycling, trekking, and horseback riding throughout the park. Be sure to check out the Bakken Amusement Park also within the park.

Skagen Museum – This is the Skagen artists’ museum, featuring the culmination of the artistic inspiration of the area. Transformed into an artist colony during the 1880s, many paintings from the time are on permanent display here.

Randers – A small town located in the harbor of the Kolding fjord, this is a quaint place to enjoy some time hiking, bird watching, or cycling. The cobbled streets and crooked alleys will charm you and the Clausholm Castle is one of the country’s last remaining castles.

Borreby Castle – The oldest renaissance-style construction in Denmark, this castle is a stunning sight located outside of Zealand. It often appears in fairy-tale movies.

Tivoli Garden – Just adjacent from Copenhagen Central Station, the Tivoli Garden is a beautiful amusement park. It’s tons of fun, even if you aren’t a little kid. (There’s a beer garden here too!) Complete with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, the Peacock Theatre, and a concert hall, this is an awesome place to spend an afternoon.

Hans Christian Anderson Parade – Famous for his fairy-tales, this parade is a performance featuring over 30 characters from Hans C. Anderson’s literary works. Held every day during the summer behind the Anderson Museum in Funen, this is a neat event to check out, especially for children.

Den Japanske Have – This beautiful and sophisticated Japanese garden includes a tea house, shop, café, several sub-gardens, and a Japanese house. It is particularly beautiful during summer and autumn.

Den Gamle By (Old Town) – is an open-air museum consisting of more than 75 historic buildings collected from across Denmark, dismantled, and reassembled in Aarhus for preservation. Dating from the 16th to the early 20th century,

ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum – The ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, one of the largest art museums in Europe, is housed in an impressive 10-story building that is itself a work of art. The museum’s most remarkable architectural work of art is Your Rainbow panorama, a circular walkway surrounded in glass in a spectrum of colors, created by Danish-Icelandic artist, Olafur Eliasson.

The New Moesgård Museum – Built on the grounds of the Moesgård manor house, where the original museum was housed, this well-designed attraction opened in the autumn of 2014 and offers a comprehensive account of Denmark’s history from the Stone Age to Viking times.

Aarhus Cathedral – The inner city of Aarhus consists of a semi-circle enclosed by a ring road (Ringgade), and at its heart lies the Great Market (Store Torv) in which stands Aarhus Cathedral (Sankt Clemens Kirke), dedicated to St. Clement.

Viking Museum and Festival – (Vikingemuseet) consists of collections based upon the discoveries made by builders when excavating the bank’s foundations in the 1960s. The museum paints a fascinating picture of the Viking community that made Aarhus its home some thousand or more years ago.

Aarhus Botanical Gardens – (Botanisk Have) was founded in 1875 and covers an impressive 53 acres. Highlights are the large hothouses with subtropical plants from around the world, recently renovated with the addition of a large tropical dome.

Tivoli Friheden- a theme park only two kilometers from the center of Aarhus and within walking distance from Marselisborg forest. Its more than 40 attractions include themed rides, games, playgrounds, and a 5D Cinemagic cinema.

Marselisborg Palace and Park – (Marselisborg Slot), built in 1902 as a gift from the Danish people, has since been the summer residence of Danish royalty. While the palace itself isn’t open to the public, the surrounding gardens and parklands are. This 32-acre park are its large lawns with their many sculptures and ponds, as well as flourishing rose and herb gardens.

Aarhus City Hall – (Rådhus), built in 1941 to plans by architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Moller and one of the few such municipal buildings ever built in Denmark.

Kvindemuseet: The Women’s Museum – Founded in 1982, the Women’s Museum (Kvindemuseet) in Aarhus is a unique organization designed to gather and preserve information pertaining to the lives of the country’s women and their role in society and culture.

The Church of Our Lady – Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the Church of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke) was originally part of a Dominican priory and remains one of the largest churches in Denmark. Now a purely Gothic building, it contains many fine frescoes and a magnificent altarpiece dating from 1520.

Attend a music festival – Roskilde is the Danish music festival with the biggest international reputation (more than 80,000 tickets sold at this annual rock music event), but it only offers a taste of the music scene in Denmark. Other big events include the Skanderborg Festival (August – rock music), Copenhagen Jazz Festival (July), Tønder Festival(August – folk and country), and the Skive Festival (Danish music).

Go hiking – Like their Scandinavian counterparts, Danes love the outdoors. There are plenty of hiking trails all throughout the country, many of which are interconnected.

Relax at one of Denmark’s many beaches- With 7,400km of coastline, Denmark has its fair share of beaches. In the summer months, there is a huge influx of tourists (mostly German) who own summer homes around the country. While the weather can be tricky, a sunny day on the beach in Denmark is a wonderful way to unwind.

North Zealand – Just a train ride away from Copenhagen, North Zealand features an idyllic coastline, the beautiful landscapes, and the Shakespearean setting of Kronborg Castle. If you are looking to get away from the city for a day or maybe more, this is an awesome place to head to and one not often visited by tourists.

Visit the Jelling stones – The Jelling stones are massive runestones dating all the way back to the 10th century. They were declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1994, and are worth checking out if you are in the area. You can reach Jelling by train from Aarhus. The ride takes just over an hour.