Travel, drink and eat well in Denmark!

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Surprising Denmark! In the north of Europe, surrounded by the sea, Denmark is a land of water and islands brimming with unexpected richness. It’s a country where you can indulge in the pleasures of nature, explore its charming and romantic cities, discover its thousand-year-old heritage, and embrace its vibrant culture, unique mindset, and distinctive identity. Come and experience the magic of Denmark—let it inspire you!

A country on a human scale

Between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, Denmark is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries. It has a unique geography: one part of the country is continental, connected to Germany by a border, while the other part consists of more than 400 verdant small and large islands! It is also the birthplace of the Vikings, who crossed the seas in the 8th and 9th centuries, leaving their mark on many European countries. Denmark also gave rise to many kings who at various times dominated Scandinavia such as Knut the Great in the 11th century or Christian I in the 15th. This rich history has created a unique identity and charm for this small country.

To the east, the island of Seeland,, the largest, holds the majority of the population. It’s home to the capital as well as other major cities.

Take the time to discover Copenhagen, a pleasant, relaxed, and easily navigable city (either by bike or on foot, like most locals). You’ll love Nyhavn, the canal in the city center, lined with colorful, picture-postcard façades. Stroll through Christianhavn, a district with two sides: one with peaceful canals where barges are moored, and the other featuring Christiania, a self-managed alternative living space since the 1970s. Be sure to visit Rosenborg Castle, a majestic example of Danish Renaissance architecture; Amalienborg, a Rococo palace and the current residence of the royal family; the Round Tower with its panoramic observation platform; and the many shopping streets filled with boutiques, bars, and restaurants (including Strøget). Don’t forget the famous Little Mermaid, the iconic bronze statue sitting on her rock in the harbor at Langelinie Park. A visit to Christiansborg is also a must—it’s the former royal palace and the scene of a scandal involving Queen Caroline-Mathilde, wife of Christian VII, and Dr. Struensee, which shook the monarchy (brilliantly portrayed in Royal Affair starring Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen. Today, it serves as the seat of the Danish Parliament, brought to international fame by the series Borgen, which is also worth watching.

From the capital, you can easily explore the surrounding areas—nothing is too far away! In less than 25 minutes by train, you’ll reach Roskilde, nestled at the base of a fjord (an ancient glacial valley filled by the sea), where you can sail on a replica Viking longship. Admire Roskilde Cathedral, a remarkable brick structure and royal necropolis since the 15th century. Within an hour, you can visit Hillerød and the breathtaking Frederiksborg Castle, or venture a little further north to Kronborg Castle, the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. To the south, don’t miss the island of Møn, with its dramatic white cliffs, beaches, and megaliths.

Further west, Fionie (also known as Funen) offers serene landscapes, numerous castles, and manor houses. Explore Odense (just one hour from Copenhagen by high-speed train), the birthplace of the timeless storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, where you’ll find cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and a modern port. Tour the spectacular Egeskov Renaissance castle, a Renaissance masterpiece offering year-round activities and entertainment. For a peaceful retreat, head to the island of Ærø, with its colorful houses and pastoral landscapes. And if you love island-hopping, Denmark’s archipelago is perfect for you, easily accessible by ferry or bridge. Denmark is also ideal for cycling enthusiasts, with many activities you can enjoy by bike!

Let's finish with the Jutland peninsula, a vast and fascinating area.

In the south, Ribe, the country’s oldest medieval town, will enchant you with its charm, while Wadden Sea National Park offers bird-filled skies and the impressive sight of starling murmurations. Central Jutland features fjords (like Vejle, Horsens and Mariager), as well as Koldinghus Castle. To the west, enjoy long stretches of white sand beaches and large dunes, perfect for relaxing or water sports. The east offers a visit to Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, rich in history, architecture, and green spaces. Finally, the north reveals wild, sand-swept landscapes, such as the Råbjerg Mile, a 40-meter-high shifting dune; the Rubjerg Knude lighthouse; Thy National Park, known for its wind-twisted forests, fishing villages, and surf spots (referred to as Cold Hawaii). Explore charming towns like Skagen, a light-filled artist retreat, and Aalborg, with its iconic architecture and Viking cemetery.

And let's not forget that Denmark is also home to the Faroe Islands, a volcanic archipelago between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic, with mountains, valleys, moors and cliffs that are highly prized by hikers and budding birdwatchers; and Greenland, where three-quarters of the land is covered in ice and the population lives primarily on the west coast.

Culture and design

Denmark is incredibly dynamic when it comes to festive events. You're likely to find one wherever you are, especially if you're visiting in summer. For example, the iconic Aarhus Festival, created in 1965, offers 10 days of artistic entertainment (music, short films, dance, theater, exhibitions...). Then there's the Roskilde Festival, a music festival established in 1971 where you can also camp; the Magic Day Festival, a family event centered around fantasy, magic, wizards, and trolls (all key figures in Norse mythology); the Aalborg Carnival; and Copenhagen's many music festivals (jazz, blues, heavy metal, opera, electro)... including the highly unique Distortion, a massive electro street party that moves from neighborhood to neighborhood over 5 days. And there’s so much more!

Art and history enthusiasts will want to explore Denmark's many museums (and playgrounds). Here's a small selection: the fabulous Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk (where you can view works by Danish painter Asger Jorn, founder of the CoBrA painting movement); the impressive collection at the ARoS Museum in Aarhus (featuring the spectacular circular rainbow walkway by Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson); the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg; the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense; the Tirpitz Museum (a bunker dedicated to the history of the Atlantic Wall during the Second World War); the Ragnarock Music City in Roskilde; the National Museum in Copenhagen for a journey through the country's history; the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde (great for kids); the Kongernes Museum in Jelling on Viking history (also great for kids); Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen (a mythical amusement park dating back to the 19th century); and the must-see Legoland park (because Lego is Danish!).

And finally, Denmark is a country of design! Whether in furniture, objects, textiles, or architecture, you’ll see it everywhere. Danish design is part of the Scandinavian design movement, which revolves around three core values: minimalism, functionality, and sustainability. It’s inspired by nature in its materials, shapes, and ornamentation. To truly appreciate this modern art, we highly recommend visiting the Designmuseum Danmark and the Danish Architecture Center, both located in Copenhagen.

Naturally good!

You'll find that Danish cuisine is full of delightful surprises. Whether in its traditional form, as street food, or in its new interpretations (innovative, cutting-edge, and highly gastronomic), it combines familiar flavors with original recipes that are sure to please the palate.

Let's start with wienerbrød, pastries made with puff pastry and almond, sometimes flavored with cinnamon and/or cardamom. These are perfect for breakfast or a snack (available in every bakery, and deliciously sticky to your fingers!).

There's also smørrebrød, buttered rye bread topped with fresh ingredients like meat, fish, shellfish, or vegetables. It's a lunchtime staple (a must-try!). For something different, you can go for rød pølse, the Danish hot dog, served in a bun with red sausages, pickled cucumbers, and fried onions, ordered from a pølsevognen (street food stand).

We also recommend frikadeller (meatballs with onions and spices);stegt flæsk (crispy pork with parsley sauce); pramdragergryde (slow-cooked stew); sakkuk (potato gratin with lamb, pork, mustard, and syrup); ølben (pork chops marinated in brine, spices, and beer); gudhjem mady ppa (bacon in sweet-and-sour sauce with cod). Special mention goes to solæg, an egg cooked in onion peelings, then placed in brine for 3 weeks, turning it blue!

On the seafood side, you’ll love smoked, marinated, or fried sild (herring); rolled eel (stuffed with onions, boiled, and served in slices with potatoes); Skagen plaice (grilled fish served with stewed berries); platte (a cold land-sea platter with herring, fish, meat croquettes, cheese); as well as salmon, mackerel, cod, oysters, and scampi.

For dessert, try risalamande (rice pudding topped with crushed almonds and cherry coulis). At Christmas, a whole almond is hidden inside: whoever finds it wins! We also love the very refreshing citronfromage (lemon mousse), karamelrand (egg and caramel cream), koldskål (sweetened fermented milk served cold), or æblekage (a verrine of apple compote, cookie, and meringue, topped with whipped cream). Look out for the ice creams, too: Danes love them, and they are often excellent (Denmark produces a lot of milk). You’ll find ice cream stands everywhere.

In Denmark, we drink a lot of coffee, but also a lot of beer! Don’t hesitate to venture off the beaten path and try some of the local beers brewed in the country's many breweries and microbreweries. Or you can try aquavit, a brandy traditionally enjoyed chilled in small glasses. Natural wine is also becoming increasingly popular, especially in big cities. All the best addresses are in Raisin. Skål!

A practical tip: in Denmark, we eat early! Breakfast is before 8 a.m. and is often hearty, lunch is at midday, and dinner is between 6 and 8 p.m.

It’s also worth noting that Denmark is home to one of the world’s finest restaurants, Noma. Its iconic chef, René Redzepi, along with many other Danish chefs, is a signatory of the 2004 Nordic Food Manifesto, the foundation of contemporary Nordic cuisine and Danish nouvelle cuisine. Inspired by this movement, many chefs, both experienced and up-and-coming, focus on purity, freshness, and simplicity. They emphasize natural flavors, traditional techniques (such as marinating, smoking, and salting), and values like health, sustainability, seasonality, and quality. It’s no surprise that natural wine plays a central role in the menus of many dedicated restaurants.

Hygge, the recipe for happiness 

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is the essence of life in Denmark: a sense of well-being that permeates Danish society and is present in every moment of everyday life.

It’s about decorating your home, lighting candles to create a cozy atmosphere, enjoying a good book by the fire, watching a movie with the family on a rainy afternoon, soaking in a hot bath after a long day, or having a glass of natural wine in a cozy bar or dinner with friends.

This need for comfort is likely tied to the long winter months when night falls early. But that’s not all. A summer picnic or a spring bike ride can also be hygge. Behind this philosophy lies the idea of openness to others, sharing, solidarity, confidence, and self-care to give you the strength to face life’s small challenges. 

How about experiencing a little hygge in Denmark? Enjoy this sunny state of mind, the beautiful things in life, and feel happy. Quite simply...