Set on the Jutland Peninsula between the Baltic and North seas, as well as several outlying islands, Denmark is a beautiful country with lots of history. Copenhagen has the royal palaces, the Nyhavn neighborhood, and the Tivoli Gardens amusement park.
There’s a lot to do in Denmark. Our guide focuses on Copenhagen, the capital, and nearby Roskilde, which features a grand cathedral and a great Viking museum.
Itineraries
Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark is a magical yet laid-back city. It hosts the amazing and extremely charming Tivoli Gardens, beautiful palaces, a bohemian refuge, tons of great parks, restaurants, and a beautifu…
Essential Scandinavia
This two-week trip will take you to most of the major cities of Scandinavia, including Oslo, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. You'll also have an opportunity to explore the spectacular …
Eat & Drink
Tivoli Biergarten
Surprisingly good food in the heart of Tivoli Gardens. Also offers a good selection of beers.
Ristorante Italiano
Good Italian food. The pizza was delicious, though the pastas got mixed reviews. Unfortunately, it’s also ridiculously over-priced.
Copenhagen Restaurant and Bar Scene
Drinks: Christianshavns Bådudlejning & Café Kontiki Bar Himmeriget Gaarden & Gaden Mikkeller & Friends Strøm Bar Ørsted Ølbar (microbrews) Ved Stranden 10 (wine bar) Balderdash Den Vandrette (wine den) La Banchina Restaurants: Barr Restaurant 108 Relae Manfreds Brus To Ol Baest Alchemist Ristorante Italiano Aamanns 1921
See
Viking Ship Museum (Vikingeskibsmuseet)
The main attraction is five Viking ships excavated at Skuldelev. Exhibits explain how Vikings lived and worked, with a special focus on how they built their ships. A workshop demonstrates how the ships are restored.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is the world’s second-oldest amusement park and the inspiration for Disneyland. It’s a must-see while you’re in Copenhagen.
Roskilde Cathedral
By far the most impressive church in Scandinavia. Dubbed “Denmark’s Westminster Abbey,” Roskilde Cathedral dates from the 1100s and is the burial place for the royal family; 40 kings and queens of Denmark are buried here. The church itself is enormous and beautifully decorated.
Christiansborg Palace
A beautiful palace with some overwhelmingly grand rooms and a remarkably cozy library. However, the structure only dates to 1920 because the palace previously on this spot burned down in the late 1800s. Christiansborg is the seat of the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), the Danish Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court of Denmark.
Church of Our Saviour (Vor Frelsers Kirke)
A 17th-century baroque church. Its primary feature is the 300-foot spire, which you can pay to climb. It’s 400 steps to the top, the last 150 of which are on the exterior of the spire. We think the price and the effort are worth it for the incredible views of the city.
Rosenborg Palace
A Renaissance palace dating to the 17th century. Rosenborg Palace houses the Danish crown jewels, as well as a collection of weapons and a special vintage of wine, some bottles of which date to the 1600s.
More
National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet)
Denmark’s National Museum is housed in an 18th century mansion and showcases exhibitions on Danish history and culture, beginning with the Stone Age and continuing through the Renaissance. The special exhibitions are often quite good as well.
Freetown Christiania
self-declared autonomous region of Copenhagen housing 850-1,000 residents that looks and feels like a giant hippie commune. It’s fun to walk through, and there’s some good food, but you won’t need to spend much time here.