Denmark, officially the Kingdom of Denmark is the southernmost and territorially the smallest of the five Nordic countries if its offshore territories are excluded, and the largest if they are included. Denmark is one of the Scandinavian countries. The mainland is located north of its only land neighbour, Germany, southwest of Sweden, and south of Norway. Denmark also encompasses two off-shore territories, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, granted home rule in 1979 and 1948 respectively. The national capital is Copenhagen. Denmark borders both the Baltic and the North Sea.
Denmark has an abundance of picturesque villages and towns, historic castles and monuments, and a coastline which varies delightfully from broad sandy beaches to small coves and gentle fjords. Throughout the country there are rolling hills and gentle valleys providing a constant succession of attractive views? Their are cool and shady forests of beech trees, extensive areas of heath land, a beautiful Lake District, sand dunes and white cliffs resembling those of Dover; nor should one forget the Danish islands, each of which has its own unique attractions.
Denmark is a mix of rural and urban with ancient castles and modern designs found throughout. Denmark is popular with cyclists with thousands of kilometres of established cycling routes. Yachting holidays can also be popular.
It's no surprise that the best time to travel to Denmark is in the summer. From May to August, Denmark tourism hits its peak, as foreigners amble along Copenhagen’s friendly roads, or set forth into the northern areas in search of less crowded fun. And while vacations in Denmark are never a bad idea, the vast difference in weather throughout the year makes the summer months far more tourist friendly.
Take a walk (or bike, if you want to look like a local) along the harbor front at Nyhavn neighbourhood that is the staple of most Copenhagen tours. It’s a rich mix of an old sailor’s haunts and new and updated storefronts, and the shimmering sun on the harbour will add all the vitamin D you need to enjoy the well-preserved harbour.
Denmark is famous for many things, from stylish castles to Viking remains to scenic fjords and golden beer. It's hard to get away from the castles – Copenhagen tours pretty much require you to pass at least one or two. And while there are plenty to choose from, it’s no secret why Rosenborg Castle is one of the top Denmark tourist attractions. Both opulent and stately, the real draw is the royal collection strewn throughout the many chambers and ballrooms.
Beaches might not be the first thing you think of when considering Denmark tourist attractions, but the ones located in the Skagen area along the north-western side are among the country’s best. Gulf streams keep the air fairly warm, even in the winter months, and the beaches range from the heavily populated to the heavily secluded.
The Viking ship museum has five restored Viking ships that were sunk in the fjords of Roskilde hundreds of years ago. Discovered in 1957, great pains were taken to restore them, and the results prove that the Vikings were innate shipbuilders who took to their craft with great precision and skill.
The Danes consume more beer, on average, than any other country in the world. So it just makes sense to add a visit to their most famous brewery the Carlsberg brewery onto your list of things to do in Copenhagen.
Not just kids will enjoy this theme park consisting of 45 million interconnected blocks. One of the most popular Denmark tourist attractions, Lego land is located in the otherwise small town of Billund.
There is a wide selection of nightlife, particularly in Copenhagen, where the first morning restaurants open to coincide with closing time at 0500. Jazz and dance clubs in the capital city are top quality and world-famous performers appear regularly. There are numerous beer gardens.
Shopping in Denmark is always a double-edged sword – it's no secret the prices are high, but the quality of craftsmanship is often beyond compare. The Danish, like their Nordic compatriots, are world famous when it comes to furniture. It was out of this industry that Denmark found its defining export – the Lego block. One of the world's premier toys for children of all ages, they are popular enough to warrant their own theme park.
When talking about shopping in Denmark, most of your conversation will revolve around Copenhagen. As the most cosmopolitan city in Denmark, shopping Copenhagen is therefore a mishmash of styles and cultures, the best examples of Danish goods from all across the country gathered in the capital. The main shopping district is centred on Stroget, one of the most popular walkways throughout the city.
Danes do not mix the various dishes on their plates but have them in strict order. Given its geographical position, it is not surprising that shellfish also forms an important part of Danish cuisine. Apart from traditional dishes, French or international cuisine is the order of the day. In Copenhagen, superb gourmet restaurants can be found, whilst Ålborg is noted for its number of restaurants. Most towns have fast food outlets, and the sausage stalls on most street corners, selling hot sausages, hamburgers, soft drinks and beer, are popular.
Smørrebrød is a highly popular traditional Danish dish that is often eaten for lunch. It consists of a slice of dark bread with butter, topped with slices of meat, fish or cheese and generously garnished. It needs to be eaten sitting down with a knife and fork.
Buffet-style lunch (the koldt bord) is also popular with a variety of fish, meats, hot dishes, cheese and sweets, usually on a self-service basis. A normal Danish breakfast, or morgen-complet , consists of an assortment of breads, rolls, jam and cheese, often also sliced meats, boiled eggs and warm Danish pastries.
Of the religions in Denmark, the most prominent is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark which is the official state religion. Other faiths include Roman Catholics and Muslims. In general, Danes are not very religious, with church attendance being generally low.
