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Denmark Holidays

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A Guide to Holidays in Denmark

Denmark offers a refreshing take on a European break, blending sleek design and a famous sense of wellbeing – known locally as hygge – with rich history and head-turning landscapes. While many holidays in Denmark begin in the capital, Copenhagen, you'll find so much more to discover across its main regions. From the fairytale island of Funen, the birthplace of author Hans Christian Andersen, to the wide-open beaches of the Jutland peninsula, this is a country that balances city chic with simple, natural pleasures.

Where to go in Denmark

Denmark is made up of the Jutland peninsula, which connects to mainland Europe, and over 400 islands. Each area offers a different kind of holiday, from city breaks to coastal retreats.

Copenhagen and Zealand

Most trips start on the island of Zealand, home to Copenhagen. You can spend days exploring the capital, from the colourful 17th-century townhouses lining the Nyhavn harbour to the shops along Strøget, one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets. Zealand is also where you'll find Kronborg Castle in Helsingør – the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet – and the historic city of Roskilde, with its impressive cathedral and Viking Ship Museum. From Copenhagen, you can also take a 40-minute train journey across the Øresund Bridge to visit Malmö in Sweden for a two-country trip.

Funen and Odense

Known as Denmark's garden island, Funen is a land of rolling hills, charming manors, and picturesque villages. Its main city, Odense, is the birthplace of the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. You can visit the museum dedicated to his life and work, wander the cobbled streets of the old town, or simply relax by the river that runs through the city.

Jutland: Aarhus, Legoland and coastal beaches

Jutland is the large peninsula connected to Germany, offering a huge variety of landscapes. In the east, you'll find Aarhus, Denmark's second-largest city, which has a lively cultural scene and impressive art museums. Further south in Billund is the original Legoland, a must-visit for families. The west coast of Jutland is lined with long, sandy beaches and windswept dunes, while the northern tip, Skagen, is a famous artists' colony where two seas meet.

Bornholm

For something a little different, the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea is a popular summer spot. It's known for its dramatic rocky coastline, fine white-sand beaches, and distinctive round churches. The island’s distinctive natural light has attracted artists for centuries, and it's a fantastic place for cycling and fresh seafood.

Things to do in Denmark

Whether you're looking for culture, history, or outdoor fun, you'll find plenty to fill your days.

City sights and iconic landmarks

In Copenhagen, a visit to the Tivoli Gardens is essential. It's one of the world's oldest amusement parks and has a magical atmosphere, especially at night when the gardens are illuminated. A short walk from Nyhavn, you can see the famous Little Mermaid statue, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale. Canal tours are also a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

Viking history and royal castles

Denmark's Viking past is on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, where you can see five original Viking ships. The country is also dotted with grand castles. Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen is the winter home of the Danish royal family, while Rosenborg Castle houses the Crown Jewels. In Helsingør, you can explore the formidable Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cycling, beaches and the great outdoors

Denmark is a cyclist's dream, with a nationwide network of well-maintained and mostly flat cycle paths. Renting a bike is one of the best ways to explore both the cities and the countryside. For a day on the sand, you don't even need to leave the capital – Amager Strandpark is a large beach park just a short metro ride from the city centre. Further afield, the Danish coastline offers hundreds of miles of clean, sandy beaches perfect for a summer's day.

Danish food, hygge and culture

A key part of Danish culture is hygge, which translates loosely to a feeling of cosiness, contentment, and enjoying the simple things in life. You'll find it in candlelit cafes, warm bakeries, and shared meals with friends. Be sure to try some local specialities:

  • Smørrebrød: An open-faced sandwich on dark rye bread with toppings like pickled herring, roast beef, or cheese.
  • Stegt flæsk: The national dish featuring crispy fried pork belly served with potatoes and a creamy parsley sauce.
  • Danish pastry: No trip is complete without sampling a flaky pastry from a local bakery.

When is the best time to visit Denmark?

Denmark is a year-round destination. The summer months, from June to August, offer long, light-filled days and mild temperatures, perfect for sightseeing, cycling, and enjoying the beaches. Spring and autumn are also lovely times to visit, with fewer crowds and pleasant weather. Winter brings a different kind of magic. From mid-November, cities like Copenhagen are transformed with festive Christmas markets, twinkling lights, and a deeply cosy atmosphere that makes it a wonderful time for a city break.

From its forward-thinking cities to the serene and unique breadth of the countryside, a holiday in Denmark more than lives up to the promise of hygge.

Need to know

building
Capital
Copenhagen
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Language
Danish
wallet with card inside
Currency
Danish Krone
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Time zone
GMT +1
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Flight time
1hr 25 mins

* Average time from London Gatwick to Copenhagen

All regions in Denmark

Copenhagen

Explore our map of Denmark

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    Your questions answered

    Travellers visit Copenhagen all year round. Winter is definitely chilly, temperatures can drop to zero or below, but the city plays host to festive markets that are a big attraction. Other parts of Denmark, like Skagen up on the north tip, become a lot colder so aren’t as popular with visitors during the cooler months. For sightseeing, Denmark is best in the summer when the temperatures are a lot more comfortable. Spring can be a nice time, too, and you’ll often find hotel rates to be a bit lower at this time of year.
    It does! Although Denmark isn’t really known for its beaches, there are some lovely stretches of sand across the country. And believe it or not, Copenhagen has its very own sandy beach that’s right there in the city. It’s called Amager Strandpark and it’s where the locals head to on a hot summer’s day to kitesurf and kayak. If you wanted to travel a little further afield, both Marielyst Beach on Falster Island and Gudmindrup Beach in Sejero Bay can be reached in an hour and a half by car. Gudmindrup is another kite surfing hotspot, while Marielyst Beach is a great place for families to find shells and build sandcastles.
    Lots of Denmark’s best sights and attractions are on the island of Zealand, so it usually makes sense to make this your base. Copenhagen is the island’s biggest city, so many travellers choose to stay in Copenhagen and take day trips to other destinations in Zealand. Helsingor, which is less than an hour away by road, is a good day out. People come here to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kronborg Castle. Copenhagen is also well-connected to Malmo in Sweden by bus, train, or car across the famous Oresund Bridge. It takes around 45 minutes.
    Denmark’s biggest public holidays come at Christmas and Easter. December 24th is the main festive holiday, with families gathering for dinner. Although celebrations usually continue for a few days afterwards. Danes mark the long Easter weekend, and also celebrate Great Prayer Day on the fourth Friday after Easter; a tradition unique to Denmark. Most businesses close on these dates. In the summer is Saint Hans Festival, which usually involves evening bonfires and relaxing strolls along the shores. And New Year’s Eve is party time in Denmark, but only after the Monarch’s annual televised speech at 6 pm.
    Denmark is known for a great variety of different things. It’s famous for its brightly coloured buildings, and for being the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. There’s even a statue of the Little Mermaid near the port in Copenhagen. But the country is probably most famous for its Viking history. Viking trade routes travelled both east to Russia and Ukraine, and west to Iceland, Greenland, and North America. Stores sell all sorts of Viking trinkets, and there are some great museums in Copenhagen where you can learn more.
    Danish cuisine has been reinvented over the last few years and is now pretty trendy. But the locals still love their traditional tried-and-tested favourites. Classic Danish food is quite basic. It’s usually always pork-based, with some earthy root veg thrown in for good measure, like potatoes, carrots, and celeriac. You can experience a good taste for traditional Danish fare with the country’s national dish: stegt flaesk. This is crispy fried pork belly with spuds and creamy parsley sauce. It’s hearty and warming in the winter.