Frequently ranked among the most livable and happiest countries in the world, Denmark is a place for those who desire to bask in Old World charm and soak in understated yet spectacular nature.
Copenhagen
Denmark's capital city, Copenhagen sits on a pair of coastal islands named Amager and Zealand. The city has a beautiful historic center with tons of architectural wonders, including the 18th century rococo district known as Frederiksstaden, where the royal family's dwelling, the Amalienborg Palace, is located. Nearby you will find other interesting buildings, such as the Rosenborg Castle and the Christiansborg Palace. Taking a canal tour of the inner harbor and the surrounding canals is one of the most enjoyable ways to see many of the attractions in the city. There are many companies offering guided tours, and some even have heated boats in wintertime.
Funen
Funen, known as Fyn in Danish, is Denmark's third-largest island, spanning an area of nearly 1,200 miles. The island is accessible from the Danish mainland via the Great Belt Bridge and is best known as the home of charming Danish metropolis Odense, the birthplace and home of author Hans Christian Andersen.
Visitors to Odense can enjoy the city's beautiful art museums, award-winning zoo, and acclaimed annual film festival, with many quaint restaurants and cafes located near the city's beachfront. Other attractions include Egeskov Castle, one of the best-preserved Renaissance-era castles in Europe, and attractions related to the nation's Viking past, including the Viking Museum, which preserves the only known historic Viking burial ship in the world.
Aarhus
A visit to Aarhus will reveal a city with both modern, cosmopolitan aspects and the charm of a small village. The city is Denmark's second largest and is located on the Jutland peninsula. The town has a charming city center with a number of quaint restaurants and wonderful pubs to try along with romantic corners to tuck yourself into with someone special. The city is well organized and clean, making getting around quite easy on bike or on foot. You will find many interesting examples of European architecture throughout the city, such as including the Concert Hall. Other attractions include the art museum called ARoS, the Women's Museum, the Von Frue Kirke, and the Tivoli Friheden amusement park.
Aalborg
Aalborg lies in Denmark's Jutland region and is the country's fourth largest city. The city is known for its vibrant waterfront area on the Limfjord. The city center is easily walkable and there is reliable public transportation if you wish to get further afield. Several popular attractions include Aalborg Castle, the Aalborg Akvavit distillery and the KUNSTEN Modern Museum of Art. You can also visit a unique ancient Viking graveyard. Families who visit will want to check out the small but enjoyable Aalborg Zoo, which has elephants, big cats, giraffes and the like. There are many beautiful natural sites in the area surrounding Aalborg, but you will have to arrange for a car to visit them.
Billund
Billund is a city in western Denmark's Jutland region. The city sits in the center of the region, so it is an easy base for exploring Jutland and has roads heading in many directions. One of the biggest attractions is Legoland Billund, which is actually the most frequently visited attraction in the country outside of Copenhagen. There are more than 50 rides and attractions that are mostly designed for kids under age 15. There is also Miniland, which features famous buildings from around the world that are made from more than 50 million Lego bricks. There are occasionally tours of the Lego factory, which include a behind the scenes look at the way Lego is made as well as access to the park.
Bornholm
Bornholm is an island in the Baltic Sea off the south coast of Sweden with a cosmopolitan and isolated feel to it. Even though it is Danish owned, it is closer to Poland, Germany, and Sweden than mainland Denmark. The north part of the island has some famous castle ruins from the medieval fortress Hammershus, which was built in the 14th century. The south side has sandy beaches, which are the closest you will find to a Mediterranean-like beach in the Baltic Sea. The island is the sunniest part of the country and is a popular vacation spot for Europeans. The island is well known for its handicrafts and nice arts, its beautiful natural scenery, and its smoked herring.
Ebeltoft
Ebeltoft is an old port town on the country's eastern coast. The city is relatively new to the tourist circuit, but today people come from all over to see the city's restored 1860 battle frigate named Jylland and a tiny town hall from the late 1700s, which has been converted into a museum. The frigate is the largest wooden ship on the planet and is kept in a large marine center that is dedicated to restoring and preserving ships. The ship was once a commissioned battleship of the Royal Danish Navy and was also used to carry passengers from Denmark to the Danish West Indies. Today, it rests on a concrete foundation alongside other historic ships.
Esbjerg
Esbjerg is a small port town on the western side of the Jutland peninsula. At one point in history, the small city was the biggest fishing harbor in the country, and that legacy has not died off today as fishing is still a major part of the town's economy and lifestyle. Many people pass through the town on their way to Legoland, which is about an hour away. In the town itself, you will find a shopping area near the harbor. The center is mostly walkable, so it's easy to see it all. Popular attractions include the Fisheries and Maritime Museum, which is the largest museum of its kind in Denmark and contains exhibits related to fishing and maritime life as well as Denmark's coastal habitats.
Romo
Romo is the southernmost Danish island in the Wadden Sea. You can access the island by road from the mainland of Denmark and by ferry from the nearby German island of Sylt. People come here mostly to enjoy the stunning natural landscape of the island, which includes wide, spacious beaches, expanses of heather, and the beautiful Wadden Sea. Romo's nudist beaches are also a strong draw for many visitors, and the beach here is actually the largest sand beach in all of Northern Europe. There's plenty of room to drive on the beach and kite-buggying is also a popular activity. Other attractions include St. Clement's Church and the Kommandorgard Museum, which has artifacts related to the whaling industry.
Svendborg
Svendborg is a town on Funen island in the south-central part of the country. One of the most popular destinations in the city is the Naturama, which is a natural history museum that displays a large number of stuffed animals ranging from bears to birds and everything in between in an innovative format. One of the major landmarks is the Vor Frue Kirke church, which is a restored 13th century cathedral. The Anne Hvide's House is one of the oldest homes in the city and is used for seasonal exhibitions. Other attractions in the area include Europe's best-preserved Renaissance water castle, called Egeskov, as well as other historic homes and castles scattered throughout the surrounding countryside.
