17+ Very Best Things to Do in Denmark

Looking for fun things to do in Denmark? Check out this list of the very best things to do in Denmark.

Although Denmark is a small country, there’s a myriad of unique things to do in Denmark. I’m Danish and I’ve lived in Denmark all my life, but sometimes I’m still surprised at how many things there really are to do in Denmark.

There are probably many who can nod in recognition that you sometimes take your own country a little forgiven, unfortunately. I do that myself, though it’s a shame.

Well, but if you’re planning a trip to Denmark, I would like to recommend the very best things to do in Denmark.

Table of Contents

The best things to do in Denmark:

1. Skagen

Skagen is the northernmost city in Denmark and is an extremely popular holiday town in Denmark. Here you will find charming yellow houses, white sandy beaches, and quite a few hours of sunshine. The surrounding area also offers some of the most popular sights and things to do in Denmark:

Grenen: This is the northernmost tip in Denmark where the two seas Kattegat and Skagerak meet. Enjoy a walk along the coast or hop on Sandormen, a small train that transports visitors back and forth from the parking lot.

Den Tilsandede Kirke: The name can be translated to the Sanded Church in English. This is an old church built in the late 14th century. The surrounding dunes are to blame for the fact that only the church tower is left alone above the sand.

Råbjerg Mile: The largest migrating dune in Denmark with about 3.5 million m3 of sand, covering an area of about 1 km2.

2. Mønsted Kalkgruber

Mønsted Kalkgruber isn’t only the largest lime mine in Denmark, but also the largest lime mine in the world. That is precisely why it’s one of the best things to do in Denmark! Fortunately, the special soil conditions in the area have meant that Mønsted Kalkgruber is so close to the earth’s surface that it’s possible to visit them.

Travel underground to the limestone mines and explore an endless maze of mine tunnels. They extend over 60 kilometers on several floors. However, you should be aware that it’s only possible to explore the illuminated mine tunnels of 2 kilometers. If you’re lucky you may come across bats, the permanent inhabitants of the pits. Mønsted Kalkgruber is definitely one of the best things to do in Denmark.

3. Amusement parks in Denmark

In Denmark, you’ll find a myriad of amusement parks that are perfect for a fun day out for the whole family. They’re scattered across Denmark, and there’s rarely a long way to the nearest amusement park. Here’s a small selection of some of the most popular amusement parks in Denmark:

4. Klitmøller

Klitmøller in North Jutland is also called Cold Hawaii because it’s one of the best surf spots in Europe. It’s actually the best place to surf in all of Northern Europe and it attracts many surfers from near and far.

If you aren’t exactly the born surfer but would like to try your hand at it, you can visit one of the many surf schools in Klitmøller. Also, don’t forget to hit the road past National Park Thy a short drive away.

5. H.C. Andersen’s House

The small yellow corner house on Hans Jensens Stræde 43 in Odense, is called H.C. Andersen’s house. It is reportedly right here in this house that Denmark’s own world-famous fairy-tale poet and author was born in 1805.

Today, the house serves as the main museum for H.C. Andersen. It’s one of the oldest poetic museums in the world and one of the most essential sights in Denmark. When H.C. Andersen was 2 years old, the family moved into another small yellow house on Munkemøllestræde 3. This house is in turn called H.C. Andersen’s childhood home because he lived here from the age of 2 to 14.

6. Silkeborg Lakes and Himmelbjerget

Silkeborgsøerne can be translated to the Silkeborg Lakes and consist of several lakes connected by the Gudenåen, the longest stream in Denmark. The lakes are located in a scenic area between Silkeborg and Ry in central Jutland.

The largest and deepest lake is called Julsø, and this is where you’ll find Himmelbjerget. With a height of 147 meters, this hill is one of the highest points in Denmark. You can park your car close to the tower at the top of Himmelbjerget. However, the best experience is to sail by boat to the bottom of the hill and then hike all the way to the top of the hill.

We usually sail in our own boat on the Silkeborg Lakes, but it’s also possible to go on a boat trip with Hjejlen. In fact, this is the oldest wheeled steamer in the entire world! Another idea for things to do at Silkeborgsøerne is to go canoeing. You can rent canoes in several places by the lakes.

7. Copenhagen

The beautiful capital of Denmark is always worth a visit. If you’re visiting Copenhagen, you should definitely not be afraid of getting bored. Copenhagen has it all, whether you’re looking for fun experiences, cultural sights, great shopping opportunities, or something completely different:

Nyhavn: A colorful and iconic harbor district buzzing with life and happy days.

Tivoli: The second oldest amusement park in the world with countless fun rides.

The little mermaid: Denmark’s most famous statue sits beautifully and looks hopefully out over the sea.

Christiania: A haven for people with an alternative lifestyle.

Rundetårn: The oldest functioning observatory in Europe. It dates to 1642 and has a viewing platform at a height of 34.8 meters.

Related: 20 Amazing Free Things to Do in Copenhagen

8. Møns Klint

Møns Klint is a unique natural area, known as the highest cliff in Denmark. The cliff is located at an altitude of up to 128 meters above sea level, and the view is seriously amazing! The cliff stretches along the coastline for about 7 kilometers. Thus, there’s ample opportunity to explore the unique nature of the cliff.

The high lime content in the cliff contributes to the presence of plants, animals, and fossils that cannot be seen anywhere else in Denmark. Stop by GeoCenter Møns Klint, the most modern science center in Northern Europe. Here you can travel 70 million years back in time and learn more about Denmark’s past.

There’s no doubt that Møns Klint is one of the best things to do in Denmark. And one of the best places to visit in Denmark as well.

9. Nationalpark Vadehavet

In English, Nationalpark Vadehavet is translated into Wadden Sea National Park. The Wadden Sea stretches all the way from Ho Bay near the town of Esbjerg to the Dutch town of Den Helder. The Danish part was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. The Wadden Sea is a very special place in Denmark because you can experience two unique natural phenomena.

One is called Black Sun, which you can read more about right here. The second natural phenomenon is the special tidal conditions that expose the seabed twice daily. The greatest chances of experiencing the Black Sun are in the spring and fall when up to 1 million migratory birds gather in the sky. If you’ve never visited the Wadden Sea National Park, it should be on your bucket list of things to do in Denmark.

10. Castles in Denmark

Denmark is a country with many fascinating castles with exciting stories, royal objects, interesting exhibitions, and beautiful gardens. If you’re interested in the castles in Denmark, there’s plenty to choose from. Here’s a list of some of the most popular castles in Denmark:

Kronborg Castle: One of the finest examples of Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. The castle is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Frederiksborg Palace: A fairy tale castle that houses the Natural History Museum with more than 500 years of Danish history.

Egeskov Castle: One of the best-preserved water castles in Europe offers many exciting exhibitions and perhaps the most beautiful garden in Denmark.

Amalienborg Palace: The residence of the Danish royal family and Queen Margrethe II’s permanent residence in Copenhagen.

Rosenborg Castle: The former royal residence in Denmark today functions as an art history museum with some of the largest cultural treasures in Denmark.

11. Lille Vildmose

Lille Vildmose is a beautiful nature area near the city of Aalborg in northern Jutland. In fact, Lille Vildmose is the largest raised bog in Northern Europe and the largest protected area in Denmark on 7,600 hectares.

In the wild and unspoiled countryside, you may be lucky enough to meet golden eagles, red deer, wild boar, and even moose! The latter may seem a bit surreal in Denmark, but it’s quite true that there are majestic and giant moose in Denmark. However, you can only meet them right here in Lille Vildmose.

12. Bornholm

Bornholm in the Baltic Sea is known as Denmark’s sunshine island and rocky island. In fact, Bornholm has been voted the second-best holiday island in Europe. Although Bornholm is located a long way from the rest of Denmark, the drive and ferry ride is all worth it! Bornholm is an incredibly beautiful and lovely island. Here’s a small selection of the most popular things to do on Bornholm:

Hammershus: The largest castle ruin in Northern Europe is located on a 70-meter-high cliff on Bornholm.

Christiansø: The easternmost point in Denmark is a small island that was once home to the first lake fortress in Europe.

Helligdomsklipperne: One of the largest nature attractions in Denmark with dramatic rock walls, reaching a height of up to 20 meters.

Østerlars Rundkirke: The largest and oldest of the four iconic round churches on Bornholm.

Dueodde Strand: Bornholm’s and perhaps even all of Denmark’s most popular beach.

13. Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse

Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse stands on Rubjerg Knude’s impressive dune near Lønstrup and Løkken in North Jutland. The lighthouse was built more than 120 years ago, but after major problems with sand escape in the area, it was unfortunately closed in 1968. Today it’s possible to get up to the 100-meter-high lighthouse. From the top, there’s one of the most magnificent views of the North Sea and Vendsyssel.

Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse has been dangerously close to crashing into the sea due to the harsh nature and storms in the area slowly making the cliff disappear. In October 2019, it was fortunately decided to save the lighthouse, after which it was moved 70 meters into the countryside. Thus, the lighthouse is relatively safe for the next many years to come.

14. Zoos and aquariums in Denmark

When visiting Denmark, you’ll find a myriad of zoos and aquariums. It’s almost always a rock-solid hit for families with children, but it can also be a nice thing to do in Denmark for couples or friends. Here’s a small selection of some of the best zoos and aquariums in Denmark:

15. Men by the Sea

Men by the Sea is a 9-meter-high sculpture with 4 men looking out over the sea at Sædding Strand north of Esbjerg. The sculpture can be seen from a distance of up to 10 kilometers and welcomes travelers from the seaside to the city.

The sculpture was erected on Esbjerg municipality’s 100th anniversary and has since become a major landmark for the city. The purpose of Man by the Sea is to symbolize the encounter of the pure man with nature.

16. Camp Adventures Forest Tower

Camp Adventures’ 45-meter-high forest tower is brand new and has in fact already become a landmark in Denmark. After a short walk through the beech forests of Gisselfeld Monastery, you’ll stand at the foot of the impressive hourglass-shaped forest tower.

Here you’ll find a 650-meter-long path that winds up over the treetops and ends at Zealand’s highest accessible point. From here there’s an amazing 360-degree view of the South Zealand nature. On a clear day, you can see more than 25 kilometers away. Read more about the Forest Tower here.

17. Aarhus

Aarhus is a lovely and innovative city, referred to as the City of Smiles. Back in 2017, Aarhus was named Europe’s Capital of Culture and that says a lot about the second-largest city in Denmark. Aarhus offers many cultural and unique things to do:

Den Gamle By: The Old Town in Aarhus is a large open-air museum of urban history and culture in Denmark.

ARoS: One of the largest art museums in Northern Europe. It’s especially known for its huge rainbow, offering a 360-degree view of Aarhus.

Tivoli Friheden: An extremely popular amusement park close to the center of Aarhus.

Marselisborg Deer Park: A large garden where you can get very close to fallow deer and wild boar.

So that’s all on this list of the best things to do in Denmark. What are your favorite things to do in Denmark? Which sights in Denmark would you like to experience? Feel free to leave a comment.

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Looking for fun things to do in Denmark? Check out this list of the very best things to do in Denmark.