So, you’re thinking about a trip to Denmark? Smart move. But let’s be honest, your mind probably went straight to Copenhagen.
And hey, that’s a fantastic start. But Denmark is so much more than its stylish capital. This is a country where ancient Viking spirit meets modern design, where fairy tales feel real, and where the concept of ‘hygge’—that cozy, contented feeling—is a way of life.
It’s clean, safe, and incredibly easy to explore.
But here’s the real secret: Denmark’s magic is in its diversity. We’re about to take you beyond the postcards to the places that will truly steal your heart.
Picture yourself walking on a shifting sandbar in the middle of the sea, stepping inside a storybook castle, or biking across an island of thatched-roof villages. Get ready to be inspired. This is your guide to the absolute best places to visit in Denmark.
1. Copenhagen’s Nyhavn: The Iconic Waterfront
You’ve seen the pictures. The iconic, candy-colored 17th-century townhouses lining the canal, historic wooden ships bobbing in the water, and an atmosphere that’s both lively and charming. Nyhavn is the postcard come to life, and for good reason.
Once a busy commercial port, it’s now the perfect place to start your Danish adventure. Grab a seat at a waterfront cafe, watch the world go by, and soak in the energy.
It’s a gateway to the city’s heart and remains one of the most popular places to visit in Denmark. A stroll here is non-negotiable.
2. Tivoli Gardens: Where Whimsy Lives
Right in the heart of Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens isn’t just an amusement park—it’s a national treasure. Opened in 1843, it’s one of the oldest operating parks of its kind in the world.
But think less screaming roller coasters and more magical garden party.
With its gorgeous flower beds, sparkling pavilions, historic rides, and twinkling lights at night, Tivoli is pure enchantment. It famously inspired Walt Disney.
You can enjoy a concert, ride the classic wooden roller coaster, or simply people-watch. It’s a top-tier destination in Denmark for fun and nostalgia.
3. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Art by the Sea
Forget stuffy galleries. The Louisiana Museum, a short train ride north of Copenhagen in Humlebæk, is an experience. This stunning museum of modern art is beautifully integrated into a seaside sculpture park.
You’ll wander between galleries, gazing at works by Picasso and Warhol, then step outside to see Henry Moore sculptures against the backdrop of the Øresund Sound.
The architecture itself, with its glass corridors connecting the buildings, is a masterpiece. It’s a place where art, nature, and light have a conversation. For culture lovers, it’s a premier place to see in Denmark.
4. Kronborg Castle: The Home of Hamlet
Feel like stepping into a Shakespearean drama? Head to Helsingør and visit Kronborg Castle. This imposing Renaissance fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famously known as Elsinore, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
You can explore the grand ballrooms, the gloomy casemates, and meet the legendary sleeping statue of Holger the Dane. Standing on the ramparts looking across the narrow strait to Sweden is a powerful moment. It’s one of the most historic and dramatic castles to visit in Denmark.
5. The Old Town (Den Gamle By) in Aarhus
Time travel is possible in Aarhus. Den Gamle By is not just a museum; it’s a fully immersive open-air town. It consists of 75 historical buildings relocated from all over Denmark, recreating life in a Danish market town from the 1700s to the 1970s.
You can walk into shops, homes, and workshops, where costumed interpreters bring history to life. The smell of baking bread, the sound of blacksmiths, and the sight of vintage cars make it incredibly engaging. It’s a fantastic, hands-on attraction in Denmark for all ages.
6. Møns Klint: Denmark’s White Cliffs
Denmark has its own stunning answer to the famous white cliffs of Dover. Møns Klint, on the island of Møn, is a breathtaking 6-kilometer stretch of bright white chalk cliffs towering over the turquoise Baltic Sea.
You can hike along the top through a preserved beech forest or walk down the nearly 500 steps to the pebble beach below. The GeoCenter at the site explains the fascinating geological history. For jaw-dropping natural beauty, this is a top place to visit in Denmark outside the cities.
7. Legoland Billund: The Original Brick Park
Calling all builders and dreamers! In the town of Billund, where the LEGO brick was invented, you’ll find the original Legoland. This massive theme park is a vibrant, colorful world built from millions of those iconic plastic bricks.
From miniature cities like a replica of Amsterdam to thrilling rides and interactive building zones, it’s a full day of pure, imaginative fun. It’s a pilgrimage site for families and anyone who’s ever snapped two blocks together, making it a classic Danish destination.
8. The Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse: A Dune’s Prison
See a landscape in action. On the windy northwest coast of Jutland, the Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse tells a dramatic story of nature’s power. Built in 1900, it was slowly engulfed by migrating sand dunes.
In a daring feat, the entire 720-ton lighthouse was moved 70 meters inland in 2019 to save it from falling into the sea.
Visiting it now, surrounded by sweeping sands with the roar of the North Sea below, is an unforgettable and surreal experience. It’s a unique and haunting site to see in Denmark.
9. The Faroe Islands: A Dramatic Archipelago
Okay, technically a self-governing territory of Denmark, but no list is complete without them. The 18 volcanic islands of the Faroes are a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Think emerald green slopes, sheer sea cliffs, charming villages with grass roofs, and more sheep than people.
The landscapes are epic, moody, and incredibly photogenic. Hiking to the cliff edge at Trælanípa or seeing the sea-stack Drangarnir are life-list experiences. For raw, untamed beauty, the Faroes are a phenomenal place to explore near Denmark.
10. The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde
Get up close with Norse seafaring history. In Roskilde, just west of Copenhagen, this fantastic museum displays five original Viking ships excavated from the nearby fjord. You can see the skilled craftsmanship of these 1,000-year-old vessels.
Even better, you can watch modern boatbuilders use ancient techniques to reconstruct ships at the museum’s boatyard. In summer, you can even go for a sail in a replica Viking ship on the fjord. It’s a deeply engaging look into the Viking age and a key historical site in Denmark.
11. Skagen: Where Two Seas Meet
At the very top of Denmark, where the Baltic and North Seas collide, lies the luminous town of Skagen. Famous for its special light that attracted painters in the 1800s, it’s a place of wide beaches, charming yellow houses with red roofs, and a laid-back seaside vibe.
The big draw is Grenen, the sandy spit where you can literally stand with one foot in each sea. Watch the waves crash together in a visible line. Skagen’s natural beauty and artistic heritage make it a brilliant Danish coastal destination.
12. The Islands of Funen & Ærø: Fairy Tale Country
Central Denmark’s island of Funen is known as “The Garden of Denmark” and is the heartland of Hans Christian Andersen’s stories. Explore his hometown of Odense, then bike through rolling countryside dotted with castles and manor houses.
From here, take a ferry to the tiny, idyllic island of Ærø. It’s a picture of timeless Danish charm, with cobblestone streets in Ærøskøbing, thatched-roof cottages, and quiet beaches. Exploring this region is like cycling through a living storybook, making it a perfect scenic place to visit in Denmark.
13. The National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen
To truly understand the country’s soul, spend a few hours here. The National Museum in Copenhagen holds Denmark’s most important historical and cultural collections, from the Stone Age and Viking era to the Renaissance and modern times.
You can see the world-famous Sun Chariot, well-preserved Viking tools, and even an entire ethnographic collection from around the world. It’s comprehensive, well-presented, and the perfect primer on Danish history. It’s an essential museum to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark.
14. The Wadden Sea National Park: A World of Tides
A UNESCO World Heritage site shared with Germany and the Netherlands, the Wadden Sea is one of the world’s most important tidal flats. At low tide, you can embark on a unique “mudflat hiking” tour, walking on the seabed to small islands, guided by an expert.
The park is a critical stopover for millions of migratory birds. The vast, open landscape under huge skies has a stark, beautiful tranquility all its own. It’s a completely unique ecosystem and a must for nature enthusiasts seeking unique Danish landscapes.
15. The Designmuseum Danmark
Denmark is a global powerhouse of design, and this Copenhagen museum is its temple. Housed in a beautiful old hospital building, it showcases the best of Danish and international design, from iconic chairs by Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner to sleek ceramics and textiles.
It’s not just about looking; it’s about understanding the philosophy of functional, beautiful, and democratic design that defines Denmark. For anyone interested in the sleek aesthetic of Scandinavian living, this is a key cultural spot in Denmark.
16. Bornholm: The Sunshine Island
Out in the Baltic Sea lies Denmark’s “sunshine island,” known for more hours of sun than anywhere else in the country. Bornholm is a mix of dramatic rocky coastline, sandy beaches, dense forests, and picturesque round churches.
You can visit the impressive medieval fortress Hammershus, sample the island’s famous smoked fish, and bike between charming fishing villages like Gudhjem and Svaneke. It offers a slower pace and a distinct island culture, rounding out any list of the best Danish places to visit.
Conclusion
See? Denmark is a layered delight, offering so much more than meets the eye. It’s a country that values beauty in everyday life, from a perfectly designed chair to a cliffside vista. Each destination on this list offers a different piece of the Danish puzzle.
Don’t just dream about that bike ride through a village or that walk on the tidal flats. Make it your next adventure. Start plotting your route, checking ferry schedules, and packing your coziest sweater for those moments of pure hygge.
Your journey to discover the happiest kingdom on earth is ready to begin. What are you waiting for?