Discover Denmark: Hotels, Coasts and Culture

Denmark has more than 7,000 kilometres of coastline. This includes broad sandy beaches along the north Jutland coast as well as gentler beaches on the Danish Riviera north of Copenhagen. At the same time, Denmark is one of the flattest Nordic countries; its highest point is only just over 170 metres high.

Coast and Nature

The Wadden Sea is the world’s largest continuous system of tidal sand and mud flats and includes the Danish part of a cross-border World Heritage site. It is also an important resting area for migratory birds: every year, an average of 10 to 12 million birds pass through it.

The Wadden Sea Centre has a 1,000-square-metre exhibition about the Wadden Sea landscape and the migratory birds found there. It also offers a seal safari, where visitors can experience seals in their natural environment. On an oyster safari organised by the Wadden Sea Centre, participants aged eight and over can walk across the exposed seabed at low tide, collect and taste oysters, and learn about their way of life and importance.

Hanstholm Wildlife Reserve is home to Europe’s largest dune heath. With a little luck, dancing and trumpeting cranes can be observed there in March and April below the bird tower at Sårup.

Trails and Cycling

In addition to numerous smaller cycling paths and day tours, Denmark has seven long-distance cycling routes. The Fjord Path is a 230-kilometre route suitable for cycling and hiking. Copenhagen has more than 390 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths, as well as priority signals for cyclists.

In Thy National Park, the Vestkyststien hiking trail along the Redningsvejen is 67 kilometres long and classified as difficult. The Vestkystruten begins at the ferry port of Agger and runs more than 100 kilometres north to beyond Bulbjerg.

The hike on the Redningsvejen begins from the square in front of Lodbjerg Lighthouse; numerous other marked hiking trails also start there. The lighthouse was built in 1883 and first lit on 28 November 1884.

History and Culture

The burial mounds, rune stones and church of Jelling illustrate the transition from pagan Nordic culture to Christianity in Denmark. The Kongernes Jelling experience centre is located in the monument area surrounding the church of Jelling and provides information about the Viking kings Gorm and Harald, their rune stones, the large ship setting and the enormous palisade.

Store Dyrehave is a public forest with unrestricted access for everyone. It includes stone walls built by Christian IV as well as an advanced system of parforce hunting avenues.

Kronborg Castle controlled the narrowest point of the Øresund from 1429 to 1857, thereby becoming a symbol of Denmark’s power. Roskilde Cathedral is the burial church of the Danish royal family; more than 40 kings and queens are buried in its royal chapels.

At the Viking Ship Museum’s boatyard, Viking ships and traditional wooden boats are reconstructed at full scale using techniques and materials from the Viking Age. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art combines modern art, nature and architecture and is regarded as one of Denmark’s most important attractions. Its sculpture park displays approximately 60 sculptures in a landscaped park overlooking the Øresund.

Experiences for Different Days

GeoCenter Møns Klint offers more than 20 indoor and outdoor experiences. These include guided tours, climbing, a cable car, a 3D cinema and mountain bike tours. During the peak season and at selected times, open guided tours take place there to the fossil beach, through the forest and on mountain bikes.

Tivoli Gardens is located directly next to Copenhagen Central Station. The station can be reached by bus, train and metro. A train journey between Copenhagen and Aarhus takes about three hours.

Danish Flavours

Smørrebrød is part of Denmark’s distinctive food culture.

For an overview of the regional divisions, you can find Central Jutland, the Capital Region, the South Danish Islands, Southern Jutland, Zealand, Rømø, Northern Jutland, Funen and Bornholm.