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 105 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, which costs 100 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 85 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 95 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 195 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.
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.
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 110-150 kr depending on the season. You can also take a sailing trip on a viking ship for 120 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 50 kr.
Visit Ragnarock
Ragnarock is a museum for pop, rock, and youth culture. Entrance is 95 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.
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 165 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.
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.
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.
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 145 kr for June-August, and 95 kr for the rest of the year.
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 120 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 60 SEK.
- Tropikariet: The Tropikariet is an indoor zoo with lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, sharks, and tons of other animals. Entrance is 150 SEK.
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 379 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 for 280 kr. 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.
Have you visited Denmark before? If so, what did you think? If not, would you like to?
Just nominated you for the sixth Sunshine Blogger Award. Check out my most recent post 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much for nominating me! 😄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Omg, Copenhagen looks absolutely stunning in your pictures I love it! I really really hope to get to go some day!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Copenhagen is a beautiful city with the castles & ports! I hope you do too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow that is a lot to do. We went to Copenhagen a few years ago for a long weekend break. Loved our stay there. Our favourite museum was the Glyptotek which I think I could live in! We bought a pass that from tourist information that got us into a lot of places including taking the train everywhere and we used to that to go to Hamlets castle which was fab!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I haven’t been to the Glyptotek yet, but I have heard it’s a great museum!
Was it the Copenhagen pass? I know you pay for however many hours then you can go to a lot of places & take the train
Hamlet’s castle is the best haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
I miss England, and Europe but couldn’t stand the winters.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve only spent 2 winters here & I agree it can be rough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had 40 years in England, and 30 here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a long time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I am old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an extraordinary list! I can’t wait to visit someday all the castles and palaces listed. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope you have a wonderful time when you do visit 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOVED reading your post! It’s so thorough and interesting!
Denmark is definitely on my wishlist…I’m going to save this post for when I visit ❤
Love,
Ankita
http://www.beautyandthebeing.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I hope you like visiting here 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Copenhagen❤❤❤❤
lovely post😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wanted to visit the area during my last trip to Germany but I didn’t make it there. Maybe I’ll get to Denmark and the area in the next couple of years. Thanks for the information.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes you should come back and visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person