I have lived in Denmark for almost 2 years, and I wanted to share the things to do in the various cities here.

Things to Do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, and it is the city most tourists fly into when traveling to Denmark. There are tons of things to do from visiting the castles and museums to going shopping. Here are some things I would recommend.

Visit the castles

• Christiansborg Palace: Christiansborg is a palace and government building. You can see The Royal Reception Rooms, The Royal Kitchen, The Royal Stables, and The Ruins. A ticket costs 150 kr for all for 4 areas, but you can purchase them separately.
• Amalienborg: Amalienborg is made up of 4 separate buildings where the royal family lives, and in one building there is museum about the royalty. The museum costs 95 kr. At noon every day you can see the changing of the guard in front of the palace.
• Rosenborg Castle: Rosenborg is a 17th century castle with various rooms and halls and in the basement there is the crown jewels. Entry to the castle is 110 kr.
• Frederiksberg Palace: Frederiksberg is currently the Royal Danish Army Officers Academy. However, you can tour the palace on the last Saturday of every month. The tour is donation based, but it is recommended you pay 50 kr. You can also visit the Frederiksberg Garden for free.

 

Visit Nyhavn

At Nyhavn you can see the colorful houses and dine at one the restaurants along the port. I recommend doing the canal tour because you can see the sights of Copenhagen including The Copenhagen Opera House, Amalienborg, Christiansborg Palace, the Black Diamond Library, and the Little Mermaid. The price for a canal tour is 80 kr.

 

Visit Tivoli

Tivoli is the second oldest operating amusement park in the world. The park includes gardens and rides from roller coasters to kiddie rides as well as a concert hall and theatre. Tivoli also decorates for the holidays throughout the year (Easter, Halloween, and Christmas), and during the summer they have a weekly concert. Entrance to Tivoli is 120 kr, and a ride pass is separate and costs an additional 230 kr.

 

Visit the National Museum of Denmark

The museum is Denmark’s largest cultural and historical museum, and it has exhibits from the Stone Age, the Viking Age, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Modern Danish History. Price for entry is 85 kr.

 

Visit the zoo

The zoo has over 3,000 animals including elephants, hippos, lions, monkeys and polar bears. There is also a rain forest area and a children’s zoo, and they are currently building a panda exhibit. The zoo costs 180 kr.

 

Visit Rundetaarn (The Round Tower)

The round tower is a tower with an observatory, and you can see views of Copenhagen from the top. Entrance is 25 kr.

 

Visit Christiania

Christania is a freetown that is independent from the Danish government. There used to be pusher street where people dealt hash, but it was shut down by the police at the request of the locals. Christania has various restaurants including one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants Morgenstedet as well as some shops. It is free to visit Christania.

 

Visit Strøget

Strøget is also known as the walking street in Copenhagen. There are tons of shops from budget-friendly chains to high-end brands. There are also cafés, restaurants, and street performers.

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Things to Do in Klampenborg

Klampenborg is about 10 km north of Copenhagen and it is a short 15 minute train ride from Copenhagen Station.

Visit Dyrehavsbakken (Bakken)

Bakken is the oldest operating amusement park in the world. The amusement park includes rides, games, and restaurants, and it surrounded by a huge park with deer. It is free to enter Bakken, but a ride pass cost 269 kr.

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Things to Do in Roskilde

Roskilde is 30 km west of Copenhagen, and it is the old capital of Denmark and therefore a must see if you visit Denmark. It is only a 25 minute train ride from Copenhagen to Roskilde. Roskilde is also the city I live in.

Visit the Domkirke (Cathedral)

The cathedral is the burial site for the Danish kings and queens, and the tombs are extravagant. It costs 60 kr to visit.

 

Visit the Viking Ship Museum

The museum has 5 viking ships that were found in the fjord. The museum also has a ship yard where people continue to make viking ships to this day. The museum is 130 kr. You can take a sailing trip on a viking ship for 110 kr.

 

Visit Downtown

Downtown there are tons of shops, cafés, and restaurants. There are also 2 park and one of them has friendly ducks.

 

Visit the Roskilde Museum

The museum showcases the history of Roskilde and the archaeological finds. It costs 45 kr.

 

Visit Ragnarock

Ragnarock is a museum for pop, rock, and youth culture. Entrance is 90 kr, and there is also a cafe.

 

Visit Dyrskuepladsen

Dyrskuepladsen is a fairground in Roskilde that is the location for numerous events throughout the year.

• Roskilde Festival: Roskilde Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and it has both Danish and international artists performing. The festival starts around the end of June, but the tickets are expensive and sell out quickly.
• Dyrskue: The dyrskue is an animal show with all different animals including horses, cows, sheep, rabbits, and cats. There is also a carnival area for kids. The dyrsue is at the beginning of June, and it costs 120 kr for entrance.
• Kræmmermarked: At the market people come and sell all different kinds of things, and there is also a carnival area and circus. The market happens twice a year in April/May and in August. It is 25 kr for entrance.
• Circus: I went to a circus on my 24th birthday, and there are various circuses throughout year at the Dyrskuepladsen as well as other locations in the city.

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Things to Do in Lejre

Lejre is about 40 km west of Copenhagen and only 10 km from Roskilde. It is about a 50 minute train ride from Copenhagen or a 20 minute train ride from Roskilde.

Visit Sagnlandet (Land of Legends)

Land of Legends is an open air museum with reconstructed settlements, houses, gardens, and workshops from the Iron, Stone, and Viking Ages. There are also cows, sheep, and goats. During the summer families can spend a week living in the settlements, dressing in period costumes, and using tools and techniques from that time. Entrance is 150 kr.

 

Visit Ledreborg Palace

Ledreborg is a privately owned palace, and you can visit the gardens year round. It is recommended to make a 25 kr donation for upkeep. The palace does offer guided tours, but they are for groups and by reservation only.

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Things to Do in Hillerød

Hillerød is around 35 km north of Copenhagen and a 50 minute train ride.

Visit Frederiksborg Castle

Frederiksborg is a 17th century castle that was turned into the Museum of National History. The museum features portraits, history paintings, furniture, and art from the last 5 centuries. There is also a chapel and garden at the castle. Entrance is 75 kr.

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Things to Do in Fredensborg

Fredensborg is about 40 km north of Copenhagen. It is quicker to drive, but it is about an hour train ride.

Visit Fredensborg Palace

Fredensborg is a palace by a lake that the queen lives at for several months each year. You can visit the huge garden year round for free. In July and August you can take a guided tour of the palace, reserved garden, and palace church for 90 kr.

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Things to Do in Helsingør

Helsingør is around 45 km north of Copenhagen and a 45 minute train away. I would definitely recommend visiting Helsingør if you visit Denmark.

Visit Kronborg

Kronborg is the castle where Shakespeare got his inspiration for Elsinore in Hamlet, and it is my favorite castle to visit. The castle has chambers, a ballroom, tapestries, casemates (underground passageways), and Holger Danske (the statue underneath the castle and legend has it he awakes when Denmark is under attack). There is also a church and a cannon tower you can go up to see the view of Helsingør and Sweden. From June 1st to August 31st there is Hamlet Live where actors play characters from Hamlet and you can interact with them as you tour the castle. The price for entry to all areas of the castle is 140 kr.

 

Visit the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark

The museum was built in an old dry dock, and it showcases the history of Denmark as a maritime nation. Entrance is 110 kr.

 

Visit Helsingborg, Sweden

Helsingborg is a short ferry trip from Helsingør. You can either bring a car or go on foot on the ferry. For foot passengers it is 37 kr one way. In Helsingborg there are various you can do including visiting the shops and dining at the restaurants. You can also visit several attractions.

• Kärnan: The tower is the only remaining part of the Helsingborg castle. You can climb the steps to the top to see views of Helsingborg. The price is 50 SEK.
• Tropikariet: The Tropikariet is an indoor zoo with lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, sharks, and tons of other animals. Entrance is 150 SEK.

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Things to Do in Billund

Billund is another city tourists fly into when visiting Denmark mainly to go to Legoland and Lalandia.

Visit Legoland

Legoland is an amusement park with over 50 rides for kids and adults of all ages. The park also features Lego structures including Miniland that has famous buildings, capitals, and small cities. There are also tons of restaurants and Lego themed shops. You can rent a room in the hotel or a small cabin in the Holiday Village. The price for 1 day entry to Legoland is 359 kr.

 

Visit Lalandia

Lalandia is a holiday resort that has an indoor waterpark called the Aquadome with water slides, a wave pool, and areas for kids. Lalandia also has other areas including Winter World with an ice rink, ski slope, and climbing wall and Monky Tonky Land, which is an indoor playground. Lalandia also has a bowling alley, mini golf course, sports hall and fitness center as well as several shops, restaurants, and a grocery store. You can rent a small home to stay in, and the price of the home will include entry to the Aquadome and Monky Tonky Land. If you are not staying at Lalandia, you can buy a day pass for the Aquadome. Everything else like the ice rink and bowling costs extra.

 

Visit Givskud Zoo

Givskud Zoo is a safari park and zoo that you drive around in including in an area with lions, and there are also areas where you get out and walk to see the animals. The zoo has 700 different animals including gorillas, monkeys, rhinos, hippos, elephants, giraffes, wolves, otters, camels, and many others. There is also a dinosaur exhibit with 50 different life-sized dinosaurs. Entrance is 210 kr.

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Have you visited Denmark before? If so, what did you think? If not, would you like to?