Denmark Attractions

Are you looking for some vacation destinations? You probably want to know about attractions at your destinations. We have fun facts about attractions in Denmark in this post. Denmark has so many interesting things to see. It should be on your bucket list. I’m 50% Danish from my Mother’s side so I am definitely biased.  As a traveler, here are some attractions you should consider when you visit Denmark.

There are so many beautiful attractions to visit in Denmark. Many are in Copenhagen and many others can be visited by taking a train. Let’s start with Amalienborg Palace, a palace complex located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It consists of four identical palace buildings arranged around a large octagonal courtyard. The palace complex has been the official residence of the Danish monarchs since the 18th century. Amalienborg was originally built as a residence for four noble families in the 1750s. However, when the Christiansborg Palace, the former royal palace, was destroyed by fire in 1794, the Danish royal family purchased the Amalienborg complex and made it their official residence.

The four identical palaces that make up the complex are known as Christian VII's Palace, Christian VIII's Palace, Frederick VIII's Palace, and Christian IX's Palace. Each palace has its own unique style and decoration, and visitors can take a guided tour of some of the palaces to see the grand reception rooms, royal apartments, and historical artifacts. In front of the palaces stands a statue of King Frederick V, who founded the Amalienborg Palace complex. The Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place daily at noon, is also a popular attraction for visitors to Amalienborg.

Today, Amalienborg remains the official residence of the Danish monarchs, with Queen Margrethe II and her family residing in one of the palaces. The palace complex also houses a museum displaying the history of the Danish royal family and their connection to the Amalienborg Palace. In addition to Amalienborg Palace, there are many tourist attractions waiting for you to discover in Denmark.

Tivoli Gardens, located in the heart of Copenhagen is an amusement park with beautiful gardens, rides, restaurants, and entertainment. It is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, opened in 1843. The park is known for its beautiful gardens, illuminated fountains, historic buildings, and a wide variety of rides, including roller coasters, carousels, and Ferris wheels. Tivoli Gardens also features numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as live performances, including concerts, theater shows, and ballet performances. The park is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, attracting millions of visitors every year. Tivoli Gardens is open from mid-April to late September and also hosts special events during Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Tivoli Gardens has been used as a scene stealer in plenty of movies. We watched the movie, Copenhagen, recently and we were delighted to see so many scenes of Tivoli Gardens.

The Little Mermaid Statue is a famous bronze statue of the character from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale is a must-see in Copenhagen. The sculpture is just over 4 feet tall and depicts a mermaid resting on a rock in the water, gazing out to the sea. It is based on the character from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Mermaid," which tells the story of a mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and sacrifices her tail to gain legs so she can live on land with him. The status was unveiled in 1913 and quickly became a popular tourist attraction. It is now one of the most recognizable symbols of Denmark. 

Nyhavn is a historic waterfront area in Copenhagen with colorful buildings, restaurants, and cafes. Nyhavn is a famous tourist attraction in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a historic waterfront area with colorful buildings, restaurants, and cafes that date back to the 17th century. Nyhavn was once a busy commercial port, and many of the buildings along the canal were used as warehouses, but today it is a popular destination for tourists. The area's colorful buildings and picturesque canal have been featured in many films, television shows, and advertisements, making it one of the most recognized landmarks in Copenhagen. Nyhavn is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with many bars and pubs lining the canal.

The Frederiksborg Castle is a stunning Renaissance castle in Hillerød, north of Copenhagen, with beautiful gardens and a museum of Danish history. It was built in the early 17th century by King Christian IV as a royal residence and was used by the royal family until the late 18th century. The castle is one of the most impressive examples of Danish Renaissance architecture and is known for its beautiful gardens, ornate interiors, and stunning art collection. The castle's interior features exquisite decorations and furnishings, including intricate wood carvings, painted ceilings, and tapestries. One of the highlights of the castle is the Great Hall, a large room with a spectacular ceiling adorned with paintings and sculptures. The castle also houses the Museum of National History, which showcases the history of Denmark from the Stone Age to the present day. The museum's collection includes a wide range of objects, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and silverware.

Legoland is a very popular theme park in Billund, with millions of Lego bricks, rides, and attractions for families. If you are traveling with children, I’m sure this will be on your list of things to see. The park features over 50 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and themed areas based on different Lego sets, such as Lego City, Ninjago World, and Duplo Land. In addition to the rides and attractions, Legoland offers a variety of interactive experiences, such as building workshops, where visitors can create their own Lego creations, and shows featuring life-sized Lego figures. The park also has a large aquarium, featuring a wide range of sea creatures. You can even stay at Legoland. They have resort lodging to accommodate a variety of accommodations, such as themed hotels, holiday homes, and camping areas. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops, selling a range of Lego merchandise. Like many tourist attractions, Legoland is open from late March to late October and also offers special events during Halloween and Christmas.

Kronborg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Helsingør, it is the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet and offers stunning views of the Oresund Strait. It was built in the 16th century and has played an important role in Danish history as a royal residence and a stronghold that protected the Danish kingdom. One of the most famous legends associated with Kronborg Castle is that of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The castle is said to have been the inspiration for the setting of Shakespeare's play, and it is believed that the playwright may have visited the castle during a trip to Denmark in the early 17th century. Today, the castle hosts performances of Hamlet in the castle courtyard during the summer months.

Denmark's second-largest city is Aarhus with a vibrant cultural scene, museums, restaurants, and the ARoS art museum. It is about a 3-hour train ride between Copenhagen and Aarhus. Aarhus is also known for its historic old town, which is home to well-preserved buildings and charming cobblestone streets. The old town is centered around the Aarhus Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic-style church dating back to the 12th century. Another popular attraction in Aarhus is the Moesgaard Museum, which features exhibits on Danish history and culture, including Viking artifacts and archaeological finds. The museum is also located in a beautiful natural setting, with walking trails and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Viking Ship Museum - Located in Roskilde, this museum features five original Viking ships from the 11th century. It is about a 40-minute train ride from Copenhagen. The museum showcases five well-preserved Viking ships that were discovered at the bottom of Roskilde Fjord in the 1960s. These ships are over 1,000 years old and provide a unique glimpse into Viking history and culture. In addition to the ships themselves, the museum also features exhibits on Viking seafaring, navigation, and shipbuilding techniques. Visitors can explore the ships up close and learn about the Vikings' remarkable seafaring skills, which allowed them to sail across vast distances and establish settlements throughout Europe.

Bornholm is a beautiful island in the Baltic Sea, with stunning beaches, rocky cliffs, and picturesque villages. It requires a bit more planning to visit. The island is approximately 93 miles east of Copenhagen and can be reached by ferry or plane. If you choose to travel by ferry, the journey takes around 5 hours from Copenhagen to Bornholm, with several departures per day during the summer months and fewer during the winter. Alternatively, you can fly to Bornholm from Copenhagen, with a flight time of around 35-45 minutes. One of the main reasons people visit is to see the Hammershus Ruins Castle.

The Hammershus Ruins Castle is a medieval castle that is considered one of the most important historical sites in Denmark and is the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe. The castle was originally built in the early 13th century by the Archbishop of Lund, and it served as a stronghold for the archbishopric in the centuries that followed. Over time, the castle changed hands and was used for various purposes, including as a royal residence and a military fortress. The castle is situated on a rocky promontory on the northern tip of Bornholm and overlooks the sea. The walls of the castle are made of large granite blocks and are several meters thick in places. The castle consists of several buildings and courtyards, including a chapel, a keep, and a great hall.

Back to Copenhagen, you might really enjoy going to the National Museum of Denmark The museum showcases Danish history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum's exhibits are divided into several sections, covering topics such as prehistoric Denmark, the Viking Age, medieval history, and Danish design and craftsmanship. One of the most popular attractions is the museum's collection of Viking artifacts, which includes weapons, jewelry, and other items that offer a unique glimpse into Viking culture and society. The museum also features a range of interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to get hands-on with history and explore the past in new and engaging ways. Some of the most popular interactive exhibits include a Viking ship simulator, a medieval market, and a recreation of a 1970s Danish living room.

Since I am 50% Danish, having Danish furniture in the house seemed very normal to me. In the above picture, you can see Madeline opening a present and on the wall is a circle of Danish Royal Copenhagen plates. My grandmother Lil was 100% Danish and she collected Bing and Grondahl Danish plates and Royal Copenhagen plates.

I bought my Mom a Mother’s Day plate when I was still in college. There was store just off campus that sold them. 

In my home, we had Mother’s Day plates, Christmas plates and plenty of figurines. The above figurines are from Bing & Grondahl. They were all over our house.

Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl are two of the most well-known porcelain manufacturers in Denmark, with histories that date back over 250 years. The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory was founded in 1775 by Queen Juliane Marie of Denmark, with the aim of producing high-quality porcelain tableware for the royal family and the Danish nobility. The factory quickly gained a reputation for its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs, becoming one of the most successful porcelain manufacturers in Europe. Over the years, Royal Copenhagen has produced a wide range of products, including plates, cups and saucers, figurines, and vases. The company is best known for its iconic Blue Fluted design, which features a delicate floral pattern in shades of blue and white.

Bing & Grondahl was founded in 1853 by Frederik Vilhelm Grondahl and brothers Meyer Hermann Bing and Jacob Herman Bing. Like Royal Copenhagen, Bing & Grondahl quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality porcelain tableware and figurines and became a favorite of the Danish royal family. One of Bing & Grondahl's most popular designs is the Christmas plate, which the company has produced annually since 1895. Each plate features a different winter scene, and has become a beloved Danish holiday tradition.

In 1987, Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grondahl merged to form Royal Copenhagen A/S, which continues to produce some of the most sought-after porcelain products in the world. Today, Royal Copenhagen A/S is owned by the Finnish ceramics company Fiskars and the company's commitment to quality and craftsmanship remains as strong as ever.

I love Denmark. When you are 50% Danish, there is a lot to cover. I really hope you can visit Denmark. It is a beautiful country. My advice is to visit between March and October. Remember, Denmark can be cold outside of those months. The latitude of Denmark is equal to portions of Canadian provinces including Quebec, Newfoundland, and Labrador. You know Canada gets cold in the winter – so does Denmark. It is also on the North Sea. Spring and summer are better times to visit. However, if you enjoy winter, November through February might be your months. Enjoy yourselves!

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