| 6 mins read
By: Sally Goldenberg
Despite its miniature size, Denmark is a dense cluster of cultural and historical treasures; not a wonder it has been proclaimed the "Pearl of Scandinavia". The country attracts thousands of visitors, yet many of them come away without being acquainted with its unique facets. For example, did you know that Danish pastry is so good that it has its own subculture, and that every Dane can spend hours talking about their favourite bakery and biscuits? Not a wonder then, that the Danish are some of the happiest people in the world!
The tour of Denmark should start at its capital! Copenhagen was initially founded in the years 1160-67 as a commercial trading port; today the city offers myriad attractions such as castles and palaces, the Nyhavn promenade with its Little Mermaid monument inspired by Hans Christian Andersen, the Tivoli Gardens and the Bakken and Legoland theme park for entertainment, along with numerous souvenir stores and cafes. The historic centre of Copenhagen boasts an intriguing maze of old streets, alleys, parks and beautiful squares, set on what was called the “Castle Island’ and separated from the rest of the city by the Frederiksholms Kanal.
Your Copenhagen tour guide will first and foremost march you to the Christiansborg Palace, the former royal residence that hosts events of national importance even today. This is where the Danish parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and the Supreme Court are located – a rather rare phenomenon where the three branches of the government are located under one roof. Follow this up with a visit to the Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of Danish monarchs to view the changing of the royal guard against the backdrop of its well-preserved Rococo style of architecture.
It is not a coincidence that palaces and castles symbolise Denmark; there are so many of them! Don’t miss out on the The Rosenborg Castle which is surrounded by a small park and hosts a Museum of the Danish Kings with a remarkable art and jewel collection of the royal families, while Frederiksborg Palace, built in the 17th century is famous for its rich and luxurious interiors of the Knights Hall.
The largest museum in Denmark, the National Museum is the most significant repository of cultural and historical artefacts of Denmark! Having ticked that off your list, head out to have some of the more “fun” museums in the city. There is the Beer museum at the Carlsberg factory, the Guinness World Records Museum, “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” Museum, and the absolutely “not to be missed” Blue Planet, the largest Oceanarium in northern Europe. If you’re not too tired, finish the day with round of shopping down Strøget, Europe’s longest pedestrian street!
Christiania, otherwise known as ‘Free City’ a partially self-governing district found in Christianshavn should definitely be visited for its unique character. The area consists of former military barracks and the remains of ramparts, and is primarily interesting for its residents, colourful lodges, ethnic shops and cheap street food. It is home to less than a thousand people comprising mainly hippies and artists, who have declared their own unique set of laws. For example, while the trade of cannabis is permitted, concepts such as cars, violence, bulletproof clothing, stolen goods and fireworks are strictly banned.
Another beautiful site to visit in Denmark is Aarhus, with its open-air museum showcasing more than 75 types of houses, some of which are more than 400 years old! Take a walk around the narrow streets of Old Town, twisting around St Clement - the largest Gothic cathedral in Denmark. Your Aarhus tour guide will also recommend a visit to the Museum of History, where one can find the remains of the ‘man of Grauballe’, dating back to around 2000 years.
Among the other "must do" things to do in Denmark is to read the runic inscriptions found on ancient stones in Jelling that narrates how Harald Bluetooth turned Danes to Christianity. After that head out for a visit to the castle of Hamlet, a beautiful fort found on the seashore in Elsinore; if you are lucky, you can even see a revived production of the sonnet! And if participating in an interesting festival is on your agenda, then plan your visit around one of the summer festivals dedicated to Hans Christian Andresen in Odense, or dress up for the colourful Aalborg carnival that takes place at the end of May.
Gorgeous towns and villages aside, Denmark has beautiful islands too! Marvel at nature’s miracles with a trip to the Zealand island, replete with striking beaches, lakes and forests; or the Funen island, also known as the Garden of Denmark, where a traveller can truly get overwhelmend with hundreds of picturesque villages, complete with manor houses and more than a hundred castles! The Moen Island is home to fascinating chalk cliffs sometimes reaching 130 meters in height.
Looking for a dose of solitude? The Christiansø Island, a boat ride away from the island of Bornholm is a good bet. Here, apart from the well-preserved castle of the 17th century, the main attraction is its people; with only 140 residents, the island has no modern buildings or cars, and strangely enough, no pets either.
A great way to explore the natural beauty of Scandinavia is in one of the three major national parks in Denmark -Wadden Sea National Park, Thy National Park or the Mols Bjerge National Park. Breathe in the unspoiled and unique landscapes, go hiking, cycling or horse riding through the thick forests, and even have a go at camping.
Denmark is a fantastic place to visit; romantic castles and old manor houses vie for attention with magnificent fjords and bays, pristine beaches on the Baltic Sea and idyllic villages, all adding up to an unforgettable holiday experience!
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/ecr2GQ (Douglas Muth, CC BY-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/rxJTjT (Allan Watt, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/nR3k4Y (Faheem Hussain, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/nvJEiQ (BenBenW, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/pWrX5p (Andy, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/jv4MPX (blueviking63, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/riMj2Y (Five Furlongs, CC BY-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/et5PLt (Aalborg Karneval, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/qtmM3g (jean schweitzer, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/9UDbSx (Rick Segal, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/audVUE (Otto Kristensen, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/ef1R9g (La Mela Ammaccata), CC BY-NC 2.0)